A Rite of Passage developing independence at an Overnight Camp

Is it time for your child to experience some independence while enjoying fun, new adventures and creating long-lasting friendships? Sleepaway Camp has long been an important stage in a kid’s life where they gain confidence, responsibility and independence, not to mention great friends that may last a lifetime. It is a safe environment, away from their families, where they can learn fabulous, new skills, and experience making decisions for themselves.

Many of these camps are coming to the NJ Camp Fairs this January, February and March. Register for the Camp Fairs in NJ as this is a tremendous opportunity to meet camp directors who can answer all your questions, give you information and show you videos and photos, plan a tour of the camp and even sign you up. Many are filling up quickly. Find a residential camp near you, or search for the one that matches all the activities you seek!  

New Jersey and various Northeast Camps with all the activities imaginable for 2025

YMCA Camp Mason

At YMCA Camp Mason, our camp experience is transformative, helping build the skills and values kids need to thrive. For nearly 125 years, we have welcomed campers to our caring, diverse, inclusive community. We strive for excellence and innovation and believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Our proven programs and caring, trained counselors engage and encourage young people and deliver meaningful and memorable experiences. For children ages 8-16, ACA accredited, located in Hardwick, NJ. CampMason.org

Girl Scouts Heart of NJ - Camp Hoover

Sleepaway camp for girls in 1st-12 grades. Since 1953, Camp Hoover has been providing unique experiences that create life-changing memories. Time spent among the forests, hills, and lake of Camp Hoover’s 340 acres in Middleville NJ is a journey into independence—a place where you’ll test your limits, expand your horizons, hone your skills, overcome fears, get outside, unplug, learn, grow, and make friends. gshnj.org

Girl Scouts of Maine - Camp Natarswi and Camp Pondicherry

For girls entering 2nd-12th grades. Camp is calling! Girls will participate in a wide variety of camp activities. Fun, friends, adventure, and new experiences await you. Camp Pondicherry is nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains in Millinocket, with a private waterfront. Camp Natarswi offers a wilderness paradise, one-of-a-kind rustic Maine outdoor experience. Classic traditional overnight camp, specialty programs, weekly themes, and more! GirlScoutsofMaine.org

Camp Hawkeye

Come to New Hampshire this summer! Camp Hawkeye is the un-traditional sleepaway camp for ALL HUMANS ages 7-17 with a commitment to creating a diverse community. Hawkeye is perfect for first time campers of any age. Campers and staff are from a variety of social, ethnic, economic, religious, and geographic backgrounds as well as across the gender spectrum. Hawkeye is different; with the feel of family and the healthy experience of the outdoors, Camp Hawkeye uses the joy and fun of camp to break down social and cultural prejudices, misconceptions and barriers. CampHawkeye.com

Independent Lake Camp

A premier overnight summer camp in the Pocono Mountains for kids ages 6-17 offering an impressive array of activities rich with integrity, top-notch facilities, and talented passionate staff. Established over 30 years ago, ILC is dedicated to celebrating diversity, promoting creativity, and empowering individual growth with our individualized, elective programming. Campers learn life skills in 2-8 week sessions while making everlasting memories & friends. Each camper chooses from: Circus, Trapeze, Sports, Fitness, Archery, Art, Theatre, Dance, Magic, Music, Recording Studio, Skatepark, Digital Arts, Moviemaking, RPG, Rocketry, Climbing Wall, High Ropes, Water-ski, Wakeboard, Lake, Pool, Horseback, Nature & much more! ACA accredited. IndependentLake.com

Camp Southwoods

For campers ages 7-16, Camp Southwoods is a co-ed, sleep-away camp located right in the heart of the Adirondack Wilderness. Our two-, three-, five-, and seven-week sessions allow for any busy family to be able to craft the session length that works perfectly for them. With countless activities spanning from athletics, arts, aquatics, and adventure, Southwoods campers certainly have the time of their lives! But what happens while they're having fun is more important. In every choice we make and everything we do, we’re crafting an environment where campers build confidence, embrace challenge, and celebrate each other for their authentic selves. Someday when they’re grown up, they’ll look back and say, “I am who I am because of camp.” And that all starts today. ACA Accredited, located in Paradox, NY. CampSouthwoods.com

Fairview Lake YMCA Camps

For campers entering grades 2-11. Our program at Fairview Lake includes adventure, leadership, riding ranch, traditional, and specialty programs. We're an accredited sleepaway camp situated on a beautiful lake in New Jersey, and we're proud to offer an array of options for your child's summer experience. Campers participate in all kinds of special activities, from swim instruction to sports to free time! At Lake In the Woods Sleepaway Camp, it’s camp Mon - Fri then home on the weekend. Our camps are designed to cater to any skill set, interest, or personality. FairviewLakeYMCA.org

Appel Farm Arts Camp

For more than 60 years, summers at Appel Farm have sparked the imaginations of thousands of young people as they interacted with artists from around the world in beautiful rural southern NJ. Appel Farm Arts Camp is an overnight camp where campers can be themselves and explore art free of judgment. With small class sizes, mixed age groups, campers explore music, theatre, technical theatre, dance, visual arts, photography, media arts, environmental arts, creative writing, sports, and swimming too. Camper ages 7-17, ACA accredited, located in Elmer NJ. AppelFarm.org

Buck's Rock Camp

A freedom-of-choice creative and performing arts camp for teens ages 11-17 in New Milford, CT. Every day is a new opportunity for self-discovery and creative expression. From professionally-equipped studios and performance spaces, to state-of-the-art recording facilities and pool, campers are free to try over 30 world-class programs, including from glass-blowing, dance, painting, sketch comedy, radio, weaving, gardening and so much more! ACA accredited. BucksRockCamp.org

Camp Ballibay

A camp that offers deep engaging programs for young artists at all levels in a traditional summer camp setting. Young artists ages 8-16 come from all over North and South America, Europe, and Asia to spend 2-7 weeks on our pristine mountaintop campus in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Established in 1964, we have a long history as a diverse, tolerant, and safe camp for creative kids. Named one of the 9 best arts summer camps in the US. Located in Wyalusing, PA. CampBallibay.com

YMCA Camp Bernie

YMCA Camp Bernie is your local overnight camp, close to home in Port Murray NJ, but a world away, for children entering grades K-11. An overnight camp experience is a unique opportunity for children to gain a sense of independence with the freedom to be themselves. Campers are engaged in instructional activities, structured free play and memorable all-camp events each session. Weekly sessions allow campers to enjoy and explore everything our beautiful 285-acre facility has to offer. Join us for a summer of friendship and adventure at YMCA Camp Bernie! Visit website

Camp Chateaugay

For campers ages 7-17. Nestled in the Adirondacks (Merrill, NY), Camp Chateaugay is a “home away from home”. Co-ed, traditional, sleep-away summer camp that’s focused as much on building independence, self confidence and deep friendships as we are on world-class training in a variety of land sports, water sports, and arts - all while having fun and creating life-long memories. ACA accredited. Chateaugay.com

Camp Lakota

Camp Lakota, located in the foot hills of the Catskill Mountains, provides a nurturing and supportive environment for all our campers. Each day and night is filled with exciting and fun activities. Every camper has the opportunity to learn a wide range of water sports skills on Masten Lake. Lakota’s dedicated and outstanding staff, dynamic programs, beautiful grounds and lake delivers a most memorable summer camp experience! Camper ages 6-16, ACA accredited, CIT Program, located in Wurtsboro, NY. CampLakota.com

Camp Med-o-lark (Maine)

The Creative Arts Camp of New England. Medolark is a non-competitive, non-traditional arts camp for the curious, and the free-spirited. We have created a second home for campers ages 8-16 to grow their artistic abilities and nurture their talents. Campers can design their own program and set their creative goals. Situated on 50 acres in the Maine woods, it is an atmosphere filled with creativity, arts, music, theatre, activities, energy, laughter, and fun! ACA accredited, camp is located in Washington ME. Medolark.com

YMCA Camp Michikamau

Camp Michikamau is our back-to-basics sleepaway camp where kids get to be kids - unplugged and connected to nature. Campers in grades 3-10, experience enriching, fun, outdoor adventures and make lots of new friends. We're about teamwork, curiosity, building self-confidence, and cultivating independence. We create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. ACA accredited, located in Harriman State Park, Lake Kanawauke, Southfields, NY. CampMichikamau.org

Eagle Island Camp

Not only is this one-of-a-kind camp located on an island (how cool is that?!), but it’s one of the most unique summer camps in the Adirondacks (Saranac Lake NY). Eagle Island offers one-week and two-week girls' overnight programs for girls ages 9-17. Swimming, Sailing, Paddling, Crafts, Nature and so much more! Eagle’s Landing celebrates another amazing summer at camp and the best is yet to come! We are proud to call Eagle’s Landing home to so many campers from Central New Jersey. Summer enrollment is underway with returning and new families who will be joining us this summer. We hope you will join us for the summer of 2025! Feel free to call our camp office and we will answer any questions you have. EagleIsland.org

Frost Valley YMCA

For camper ages 7-16, ACA Accredited, Co-ed Sleepaway, CIT Program. At Frost Valley YMCA, summer camp is more than a retreat—it’s a transformative experience where children thrive, grow, and build lifelong connections. Nestled in the breathtaking Catskill Mountains, just two hours from New York City, Frost Valley offers a safe and inclusive environment where campers of all backgrounds discover the joys of community, nature, art, and recreation. Camp located in Claryville, NY. FrostValley.org

Pok-O-MacCready Camps

Camper ages 6-17, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway camp in Willsboro NY - Grounded in a century of tradition, Pok-O-MacCready fosters personal growth for children by empowering them to achieve independence, create lifelong friendships, and develop a deep appreciation of the natural world in the Adirondacks and beyond. 30+ activities include: hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, blacksmithing, mountain biking, sailing, sports, swimming, and creative arts. A screen-free, nature-filled setting and small cabin groups promote social growth and community building. pokomac.com

Summer Art & Design Institute (SADI)

SADI is Moore’s premiere pre-college summer program featuring popular tracks of study, including Animation, Illustration, Painting and Game Design. Women and nonbinary students, grades 10-12, students reside on campus (Philadelphia, PA).

TrailBlazers

Since 1887, Trail Blazers has been where young people go outside to grow within! Join us for our 139th summer and get ready for a screen-free adventure in nature. Your camper can build outdoor skills, learn environmental science, complete a backpacking trip via hike, bike, or canoe, then fall asleep in a tent under the stars! Our Overnight Camp is for campers entering grades 2-10: Mini Camp is perfect for young first-timers and Leaders-In-Training is great for teens! Come outside, adventure awaits! ACA accredited and we’re located in Montague NJ. TrailBlazers.org

VTC Summerstock Sleepaway Musical Theater Intensive

Summerstock VTC Sleepaway Intensive is a comprehensive sleep-away program for the serious Musical Theater performer between the ages of 12–19. Our staff is led by professional actors and directors. Campers will perform in one of three fully produced shows. In addition to show rehearsals, Summerstock workshops include: Songwriting, Shakespeare, Musical Theater Dance, Character Analysis, Hip Hop, Belting for Broadway, and so much more! Our recreational activities such as swimming, boating, archery, hiking, movie nights, dance parties, and of course nightly campfires, perfectly round the best camp experience for everyone. Past Summerstock campers have left every summer saying it was the best weeks of their lives! VanguardTheaterCompany.org

Find More Camps:
Click to see the Camp Directory for ideas.
2025 Camp Guide eBook
Traditional Day Camps 2025 in and around NJ
STEM and STEAM Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Sports Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Performing Arts Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Academic Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Special Needs Camps in and around NJ