Daily schedule — structure, choice, Wednesdays hiking or canoeing all day
We provide a healthy balance of structure and choice for your child. Each day's schedule offers diverse activities yet campers enjoy free time to replenish their energies. Sundays are more casual, with ample time for catching up, cleaning, and writing letters. Wednesdays are devoted to hiking or canoeing all day long in the wild. The robust array of activities features something for everyone.
250-acre private property in the Adirondack Mountains, Old Forge, NY; direct access to two private unspoiled lakes and the Moose River; bordered by 500 miles of trails in Adirondack Park.
Cabins
Rustic Adirondack-style cabins with wooden exterior and red tin roofs. Youngest campers (ages 6-9) in one larger cabin with bathrooms. Older campers in individual cabins for 4-6 campers plus one counselor, with shared bathhouses.
Ages
6–17
Enrollment
Coed
Activities
Waterfront
Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Sailing
Fishing
Land Sports
Archery
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Camping
Clues to fit
Christina Bartlett — personal camp story, first-timer herself
I fell in love with camp as a thirteen year old newcomer at an Adirondack summer camp. I remember how easy it was to make friends which was something I was nervous about! It was my first time at sleep-away camp and I had ventured far away from my home. What struck me the most was how supportive my peers and camp counselors were. I felt safe to try any activity, no matter if I thought I would succeed or fail. My confidence had grown and I felt able to tackle whatever came my way. From cabin counselor to waterskiing instructor, from CIT to executive director and "camp mom," I have over 25 years of professional camp experience.
First-timer welcome — everyone was new once, friendships form fast
This Camp is great for first timers. For starters you'll have something in common with every camper who's ever come here. All of us were first-timers, and being new didn't last long for anyone. Making friends is easy because you'll be in small groups with campers your age. Lots of other campers will be new too, you'll have lots of company. Most campers who are coming back will be in new age groups and in new cabins, so it's new for almost everyone in some way or another.
Activities — on-camp and wilderness adventure, non-competitive achievement badges
Each morning, the AWC staff publishes a schedule of each age groups' activities for the day. Activities include instructional swim, kayaking, canoeing, archery, nature & wildlife, arts & crafts, sports, mountain biking, outdoor leadership skills, paddle boarding, and more. In the afternoon, campers select from week-long choice workshops and daily rotating choice activities. Every Wednesday is Trip Day. Campers choose from day adventures like Canoe the Moose, Climb Bald Mountain, Hike & Paint En Plain Air, Bike to McCauley Mountain, and many more.
Cabin life — rustic Adirondack style, youngest campers to oldest
Woodcraft's buildings are rustic Adirondack style cabins with a wooden exterior and red tin roofs. The camp dining hall and long house have full log ceilings with post and beam construction and floor to ceiling stone fireplaces. Our youngest campers live in one larger cabin with bathrooms. As campers grow older, they move to divisions with individual cabins for 4-6 campers and one counselor with shared bathhouses next door.
AWC history — founded 1925, 100 years of tradition
Adirondack Woodcraft Camps was founded in 1925 by William "Chief" Abbott. Chief went on to lovingly guide Woodcraft for more than 50 years. His passion for teaching young people respect, leadership, and environmental stewardship endures. In 1976, Chief transferred ownership to the Leach family. In 2017, Doug & Christina Bartlett became owners — experienced educators, camp directors, and passionate outdoors people. The Bartlett family lives right on camp with the Leach family as their neighbors.
Community traditions — Woodcup, carnival, campfire, all-camp activities
Campers across all age groups get to know each other during fun all camp activities and community traditions like campfire, trip days, Woodcup, carnival, and around the table at mealtimes. Our camp directors are very involved in day to day camp life and can often be found at activities checking in on and getting to know each camper. We all become friends in no time and stay camp family forever.
OLTD — leadership training program for 16-year-olds
Our Outdoor Leadership Training Division, or OLTD, provides a valuable transition, preparing future counselors for greater responsibility and opportunities to serve as examples to their peers. As counselors-in-training, OLTD campers not only face greater challenges, they also reap the benefits of acquiring leadership skills that can translate to success in other areas of their lives.
Rookie program — one-week intro for first-time overnighters, grades 2-4
Hop on board and get your feet wet with a one-week introductory experience of overnight camp at Woodcraft! Rookie campers do not participate in overnight camping trips and take full advantage of the "at home" experience as a summer camper at Woodcraft.
Setting — Adirondack Park context, largest protected area in contiguous US
Adirondack Woodcraft Summer Camp is located in the western corner of the Adirondack Park. The park itself is the largest protected area in the contiguous United States, covering six million acres. Yellowstone National Park could fit inside the Adirondack Park almost three times! Woodcrafters discover their deep connection to nature every time they venture out on trips with their counselors and friends. The lessons they learn on the trail and on the water run deep and build confidence, resilience and the desire to care for the environment for years to come.
