The best sleepaway camps in New Hampshire, ranked by families
We track 60 open New Hampshire overnight camps; 47 meet the minimum for this ranking, with 1287 family ratings between them. These 15 leading camps have 458 family ratings, and are ranked by those ratings, not by payment or editors’ picks.
Find the camp that fits your child
Descriptions and fit notes are our editorial reading of the linked camp information.
Activity key: Signature focus = a defining program or setting; Offered = listed in the program; Not confirmed = we could not verify it. These indicators describe program emphasis, not quality scores or family ratings. Activities can vary by age and session.
Dates and tuition carry their season; older figures are context, not 2027 quotes. Confirm fees and eligibility with the camp, especially for troop or family stays.
Screen-free notes separate camper and staff rules, including exceptions and time-off access. Missing notes mean we could not verify a relevant policy; “not confirmed” does not mean devices are permitted.
Moosilauke combines lake activities and land sports with a backcountry leadership program. Structured mornings introduce campers to different activities; afternoon choices let them spend more time on their favorites.
At a glance
Campers: Boys
Ages / grades: Confirm age eligibility with camp
Session length: 2, 2.5 or 4 weeks
Price: $5,200–$10,200 for listed 2027 camper sessions
Belknap pairs Lake Winnipesaukee activities with a tradition of cabin duties and leadership by example. Boys choose activities during the day, and cabin and division leaders are former Belknap campers.
At a glance
Campers: Boys
Ages / grades: 8–16; one-week session 8–12
Session length: Usually 2 weeks; shorter option for younger campers
Price: Tiered tuition plus registration fee; confirm total by session
Starts: June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8 or August 23, 2027
Kabeyun lets boys choose activities for each morning and afternoon rather than following one fixed program. Its Lake Winnipesaukee setting supports a broad waterfront program alongside creative activities and adventure trips.
Campers: Electronics access is restricted. Campers do not send or receive email except for international-camper exceptions; occasional incoming family calls are allowed. Policy source
Staff: A staff device-use rule was not confirmed in the reviewed sources.
Pemi combines athletics, music and arts with a long-established nature program. Campers help choose a weekly activity schedule and have some self-directed time between shared camp traditions.
At a glance
Campers: Boys
Ages / grades: 8–15; introductory option for new campers 8–10
Session length: 3, 4 or 7 weeks; 2-week introduction
Price: $7,900–$12,800 for regular 2027 sessions; $5,550 introduction
Coniston centers camp life on a wooded lake shared by its boys and girls camp areas. Cabin groups take an overnight hiking or canoeing trip, giving campers a small-group outdoor experience within the larger camp.
At a glance
Campers: Coed; separate boys and girls camp areas
Ages / grades: 8–15; shorter session has grade restrictions
Session length: Usually 2 weeks; one-week option
Price: 2027 two-week tiers $2,200 or $2,700; financial aid available
Starts: June 27, July 11, July 25 or August 8, 2027; shorter session August 23
Deerwood brings lake activities and outdoor trips together with less common choices such as blacksmithing. Its Squam Lake setting gives campers access to water activities, with overnight trips into northern New England.
At a glance
Campers: Boys
Ages / grades: 8–15
Session length: Half-summer or full summer
Price: $7,100 half session; $12,100 full session in reviewed 2027 information
Road’s End Farm is a horsemanship camp for girls in Chesterfield. Riding and time around horses define its program, rather than a general camp with an occasional riding activity.
At a glance
Campers: Girls
Ages / grades: Confirm ages with camp
Session length: Two weeks or longer in undated particulars
Copper Cannon makes traditional summer camp available without tuition to eligible New Hampshire children. Its program combines cabin-group activities, nature time, games and opportunities to choose activities.
At a glance
Campers: Coed; confirm program eligibility
Ages / grades: 9–16 across programs
Session length: Traditional camp: one week
Price: Tuition-free for eligible campers; confirm eligibility
Starts: 2027 dates not confirmed in reviewed material
Wanakee is a Christian camp organized around small groups that live, explore, play and pray together. Its lake and wooded setting support both camp-based activities and selected adventure programs.
At a glance
Campers: Coed
Ages / grades: Varies by event; confirm age group
Session length: Varies by event
Price: Confirm current event price and campership options
Starts: 2027 dates not confirmed in reviewed material
Starfish offers a highly supported camp setting with small cabin groups and one-to-one programming. Families apply for a program designed around campers’ support needs rather than simply choosing a conventional session.
At a glance
Campers: Confirm placement and program eligibility
Ages / grades: 6–17 across programs
Session length: Varies by program
Price: Individual financial-aid assessment; request current tuition
Kingswood mixes morning instruction in waterfront, sports and individual activities with more flexible afternoon choices. Its program includes a large collection of camp-created games and shared responsibility for cabin and campus chores.
Merriwood gives younger campers a broad activity sampler and older campers more choice in their schedules. Tennis and swimming remain part of the program, and a Camp Sister pairing helps newcomers meet an older camper before arriving.
At a glance
Campers: Girls
Ages / grades: 8–15
Session length: 3, 4 or 7 weeks; first-time 2-week option
Waukeela places daily activity choices in campers’ hands, with support from their age-group community. Small cabins grouped into alleys create gathering places beside its Crystal Lake setting.
Brookwoods and Deer Run are separate boys and girls programs within Christian Camps and Conferences in Alton. Families should compare the appropriate program directly, since the historical CampRatingz listing covers both names.
At a glance
Campers: Brookwoods boys; Deer Run girls
Ages / grades: 8–16
Session length: Regular sessions 2 or 4 weeks; Explorer 1 week for ages 8–10
Price: 2027: $3,335 for 2 weeks or $5,795 for 4 weeks; Explorer $1,635
Starts: June 27, July 11, July 25 or August 8, 2027; Explorer dates vary
Setting: Alton, New Hampshire
Activity emphasis
Watersports
OfferedSwimming, sailing, canoeing and waterskiing
Land sports
OfferedArchery, basketball, soccer and tennis
Arts & music
OfferedCeramics, crafts, drama and music
Nature exposure
OfferedNature exploration and cabin hikes
Outdoor adventure
OfferedRock climbing and mountain biking
Animals & riding
OfferedHorseback riding; confirm program requirements
Merrowvista’s younger campers live in village groups and choose interest activities such as paddling, woodshop, pottery and climbing. The American Youth Foundation also offers separate programs for older campers.
These four groups cover all 106 New Hampshire listings. The sleepaway and day groups exclude known closed or non-operating camps; the other group includes travel and campus programs and listings with an unconfirmed type. Historical ratings can appear in every group.
