The best sleepaway camps in New York, ranked by families

We track 78 open New York overnight camps; 56 meet the minimum for this ranking, with 1793 family ratings between them. These 15 leading camps have 473 family ratings, and are ranked by those ratings, not by payment or editors’ picks.

1. Adirondack Camp

   Putnam Station

   5.0 from 83 family ratings

   Adirondack combines Lake George waterfront activities with an extensive wilderness-trip program. Campers can choose sailing and kayaking, explore nature on day hikes or multi-day trips, and join creative and performing arts—including music and ADKchella performances.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Coed
   • Ages / grades: 7–16; CIT at 17
   • Session length: 3, 4 or 7 weeks; shorter introductory options vary by age
   • Price: 2027 regular sessions $8,950–$16,500; introductory and CIT pricing differs
   • Starts: June 27 or July 25, 2027; confirm introductory dates
   • Setting: Lake George, Putnam Station

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Signature focusCanoeing, Fishing, Kayaking, Stand-up paddleboarding, Sailing, Snorkeling, Swimming, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Windsurfing

   Land sports

   OfferedArchery, Basketball, Beach volleyball, Fencing, Rock climbing, Soccer, Tennis

   Arts & music

   OfferedMusic, Songwriting, Singing, Instrumental jam sessions, Dance, Theatre, ADKchella (end-of-session performances), Creative arts, Culinary arts, Guest artists, Performing arts, Photography, Video arts

   Nature exposure

   Signature focusNature walks, Wildlife and plant identification, Birdwatching, Stargazing, Local day hikes, Adirondack peak hiking, Firetower hikes

   Outdoor adventure

   Signature focusDay hikes, Multi-day backcountry camping, Canoe and kayak trips, Whitewater kayaking, Rock-climbing trips, Overnight sailing trips, Rock climbing, Wilderness trips, Adirondack peak hiking, ADK 46ers, Firetower hikes, Wild Waters, Lake Placid 9ers, Lake George 5, Northville–Placid Trail

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Sources: Camp information · Dates & tuition · Water, land and arts activities · Nature exploration · Day and multi-day wilderness trips · Sailing and overnight island trips · Music, theatre, dance and ADKchella · Checked 2026-11-04

   Adirondack Camp is part of who I am.

2. Camp Bais Yaakov

   Ferndale

   4.9 from 21 family ratings

   The historical Bais Yaakov listing is for the Ferndale residential camp at Stanton Corners Road. Public records identify this site, but we could not verify enough current program material to describe its activities reliably.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Confirm directly with operator
   • Ages / grades: Not confirmed
   • Session length: Not confirmed
   • Price: Not confirmed
   • Starts: 2027 dates not confirmed
   • Setting: Ferndale, New York

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Not confirmed

   Land sports

   Not confirmed

   Arts & music

   Not confirmed

   Nature exposure

   Not confirmed

   Outdoor adventure

   Not confirmed

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   Sources: Town of Liberty site record (2023) · Checked 2026-11-04

3. Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks

   Corinth

   5.0 from 9 family ratings

   Cedarbrook combines Christian faith with a rustic Adirondack camp setting. Younger campers sleep in cabins and older campers in platform tents, surrounded by private wooded land and a lake.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Girls
   • Ages / grades: 8–17
   • Session length: Confirm age-specific sessions
   • Price: Confirm 2027 tuition
   • Starts: Confirm 2027 dates
   • Setting: Corinth, southern Adirondacks

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Not confirmed

   Land sports

   Not confirmed

   Arts & music

   Not confirmed

   Nature exposure

   Signature focusOutdoor setting and exploration

   Outdoor adventure

   Not confirmed

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   Sources: Camp information · Cabins, tents and property · Checked 2026-11-04

4. Camp Ma-He-Tu

   Bear Mountain

   4.8 from 20 family ratings

   Ma-He-Tu brings camp life to Lake Kanawauke in Harriman State Park. Daily swim instruction and small-craft activities sit alongside sports and creative activities, with campers living in cabins or platform tents.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Girls
   • Ages / grades: 8–15
   • Session length: 2-week sessions
   • Price: 2027 early-bird $2,100 per session through December 31, 2026; confirm later rate
   • Starts: July 4, July 18 or August 1, 2027
   • Setting: Lake Kanawauke, Harriman State Park

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Signature focusSwimming, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Fishing, Stand-up paddleboarding, Rowing, Swimming Lessons

   Land sports

   OfferedSoccer, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Volleyball, Softball

   Arts & music

   OfferedPainting, Ceramics, Dance, Music, Arts & Crafts, Drama, Watercolor

   Nature exposure

   OfferedHiking, Nature

   Outdoor adventure

   OfferedHiking, Bouldering Wall, Ropes Course

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

   Everyone is treated with the utmost respect and kindness, all while getting in touch with nature and having a blast.

5. Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp

   Copake

   4.8 from 19 family ratings

   Berkshire Hills is a Jewish sleepaway camp with cabin-group mornings and afternoon electives. Shared evening events, creative activities and sports sit alongside a separate culinary program with its own dates and prices.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Coed
   • Ages / grades: 7–16
   • Session length: Multiple lengths; culinary options differ
   • Price: Request current general-camp rate; culinary sessions priced separately
   • Starts: General 2027 first session starts June 24; confirm other options
   • Setting: Copake, New York

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   OfferedSwimming

   Land sports

   OfferedSoccer, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Volleyball, Softball, floor hockey

   Arts & music

   OfferedPainting, Ceramics, Dance, Music, crafts, drama, drawing, guitar

   Nature exposure

   Offerednature hikes

   Outdoor adventure

   Offeredropes course, zipline

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

   My children have attended BHE for the past three years.

6. Baco

   Minerva

   4.7 from 28 family ratings

   Baco is the boys camp in the family-run Baco and Che-Na-Wah pair on Lake Balfour. A full seven-week season gives campers an extended shared summer, with a four-week minimum trial for first-time campers.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Boys
   • Ages / grades: boys entering 2nd or 3rd grade through entering 11th grade; introductory eligibility differs
   • Session length: 7-week season; first-time 4-week option for entering grades 1–5
   • Price: 2027 full tuition $15,650 by check/ACH/wire ($16,120 by card); eligible first-time 4-week option $10,250; extra charges may apply
   • Starts: June 26, 2027
   • Setting: Lake Balfour, Minerva

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Signature focusLake and waterfront activities

   Land sports

   OfferedTennis and team sports

   Arts & music

   OfferedMusical theatre

   Nature exposure

   Not confirmed

   Outdoor adventure

   OfferedHigh ropes and zip line

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   Sources: Camp information · Camp FAQ · 2027 dates & tuition · Program activities · Checked 2026-11-04

7. Camp Unirondack

   Lowville

   4.9 from 7 family ratings

   Unirondack combines week-long workshops with changing one-off activities, a camp council and imaginative evening programs. Rustic cabins on Beaver Lake include all-gender housing by default, with single-gender options available on request.

   At a glance

   • Campers: All genders; all-gender cabins by default
   • Ages / grades: 8–18 across age-specific sessions
   • Session length: Age-specific weekly sessions
   • Price: Reviewed youth-session tiers $900–$1,800 per week; confirm chosen tier
   • Starts: 2027 weekly starts from June 27; choose by age
   • Setting: Beaver Lake, western Adirondacks

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   OfferedSwimming, Canoeing, Kayaking

   Land sports

   Not confirmed

   Arts & music

   OfferedCeramics, Photography, Music, arts & crafts, darkroom photography, theatre

   Nature exposure

   Signature focusHiking

   Outdoor adventure

   OfferedHiking, Rock climbing

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

8. French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts

   Hancock

   4.6 from 68 family ratings

   French Woods Festival puts performing arts at the center of a broader camp program. Campers can pursue theatre, dance and music while also having access to activities such as climbing and a challenge course.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Coed
   • Ages / grades: 7–17
   • Session length: Multiple sessions and a first-time trial option
   • Price: Confirm camper tuition by session; CIT rates are different
   • Starts: 2027 sessions begin June 6, June 27, July 18 or August 8; confirm chosen program
   • Setting: Hancock, Catskill Mountains

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   OfferedSwimming, Canoeing, Sailing, Stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing

   Land sports

   OfferedTennis

   Arts & music

   Signature focusDance, Music, classical and jazz music, fine arts and crafts, musical theater and drama, radio and music production, tech theater

   Nature exposure

   OfferedCamping

   Outdoor adventure

   OfferedMountain biking, Camping, challenge course and zipline, river rafting

   Animals & riding

   Offeredhorseback riding

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Screen-free policies

   • Campers: Personal phones and devices with Wi-Fi, cell service or data transfer are prohibited. Offline e-readers and music players are allowed; cabin email and some school or professional access are available. This is not a ban on every screen. Policy source
   • Staff: A staff device-use rule was not confirmed in the reviewed policy.

   Sources: Camp information · Device policy and exceptions · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

   French Woods is my home.

9. Camp Southwoods

   Paradox

   4.6 from 66 family ratings

   Southwoods combines an Adirondack lake setting with water activities, outdoor adventure and cabin life. Its multi-session calendar offers families more than one way to build a summer around camp.

   At a glance

   • Campers: Coed
   • Ages / grades: 7–16
   • Session length: Multiple session combinations
   • Price: Confirm 2027 tuition and session combination
   • Starts: 2027 sessions begin June 27, July 18 or August 8
   • Setting: Paradox Lake, Adirondacks

   Activity emphasis

   Watersports

   Signature focusSwimming, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Wakeboarding, canoe trips, paddleboarding, swim instruction, tubing, water skiing

   Land sports

   OfferedSoccer, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Lacrosse, Gymnastics, flag football

   Arts & music

   OfferedPainting, Ceramics, Photography, Theater, Dance, Woodworking

   Nature exposure

   OfferedHiking, Camping

   Outdoor adventure

   Signature focusHiking, Rock climbing, Camping, climbing tower, high ropes, low ropes, rafting trips

   Animals & riding

   Not confirmed

   See the camp’s full activity list

   Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

   Throughout my life, I've always looked back on Southwoods as one of the highest points in my life, where I felt comfortable, discovered myself, and really opened up to others.

10. Che Na Wah

    4.6 from 27 family ratings

    Che-Na-Wah is the girls camp in the Baco and Che-Na-Wah pair on Lake Balfour. It emphasizes a full-season community, with camp traditions and selected shared events with its brother camp.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Girls
    • Ages / grades: girls entering 2nd or 3rd grade through entering 11th grade; introductory eligibility differs
    • Session length: 7-week season; first-time 4-week option for entering grades 1–5
    • Price: 2027 full tuition $15,650 by check/ACH/wire ($16,120 by card); eligible first-time 4-week option $10,250; extra charges may apply
    • Starts: June 26, 2027
    • Setting: Lake Balfour, Minerva

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    Signature focusLake and waterfront activities

    Land sports

    OfferedTennis and team sports

    Arts & music

    OfferedMusical theatre

    Nature exposure

    Not confirmed

    Outdoor adventure

    OfferedClimbing tower

    Animals & riding

    Not confirmed

    Sources: Camp information · Camp FAQ · 2027 dates & tuition · Program activities · Checked 2026-11-04

11. Camp Chaviva

    Ellenville

    4.6 from 26 family ratings

    Chaviva describes a Bais Yaakov camp community centered on a frum and Torah environment. Its stated emphasis is a relaxed, friendly setting that gives attention to each camper’s individuality.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Girls; confirm division eligibility
    • Ages / grades: Confirm grades with camp
    • Session length: Confirm camper session length
    • Price: Current camper tuition not confirmed
    • Starts: Published staff dates are not confirmed camper arrival dates
    • Setting: Ellenville, New York

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    Not confirmed

    Land sports

    Not confirmed

    Arts & music

    Not confirmed

    Nature exposure

    Not confirmed

    Outdoor adventure

    Not confirmed

    Animals & riding

    Not confirmed

    Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Staff dates (not camper dates) · Checked 2026-11-04

    It is really my home away from home!!

12. Camp Chipinaw @ Silver Lake

    Swan Lake

    4.6 from 18 family ratings

    Silver Lake offers shorter sessions within the Chipinaw and Silver Lake camp community. Its three- and four-week options give families an alternative to the full seven-week Chipinaw season.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Coed
    • Ages / grades: Confirm ages with camp
    • Session length: 3 or 4 weeks; combined summer option
    • Price: 2027: $10,550 first session; $7,350 second session
    • Starts: June 27 or July 25, 2027
    • Setting: Swan Lake, New York

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    OfferedSwim instruction, sailing and waterskiing

    Land sports

    OfferedTeam sports, tennis and archery

    Arts & music

    OfferedVisual arts, performing arts and music

    Nature exposure

    OfferedNature activities and overnight campouts

    Outdoor adventure

    OfferedClimbing, ropes courses and mountain biking

    Animals & riding

    OfferedHorseback riding

    Sources: Camp information · Shared camp activities · Program and cabin FAQ · Silver Lake program · Checked 2026-11-04

    BEST CAMP EVA! HAD THE BEST SUMMER! cant wait to come back! 2013 here we come!

13. Camp Chayl Miriam

    Liberty

    4.6 from 14 family ratings

    Chayl Miriam is part of Agudath Israel’s Ruach Country camps in the Liberty area. It offers two summer trips; confirm the current religious program, age divisions and activity mix with the operator.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Girls; confirm grade eligibility
    • Ages / grades: Confirm grades with camp
    • Session length: Two trips, each roughly four weeks
    • Price: 2027: $3,475 per trip
    • Starts: July 6 or August 3, 2027
    • Setting: Liberty, New York

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    Not confirmed

    Land sports

    Not confirmed

    Arts & music

    Not confirmed

    Nature exposure

    Not confirmed

    Outdoor adventure

    Not confirmed

    Animals & riding

    Not confirmed

    Sources: Camp information · Checked 2026-11-04

    It's really amazing! never had a better summer.

14. Camp Schodack

    Nassau

    4.5 from 57 family ratings

    Schodack combines a coed camp program with cabin life in a wooded valley near the Berkshires. Cabins have their own bathrooms and porches, and families can choose a half-summer or full-season stay.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Coed
    • Ages / grades: 7–16; confirm eligibility by session
    • Session length: 3.5 or 7 weeks
    • Price: Confirm current tuition
    • Starts: June 24 or July 18, 2027
    • Setting: Nassau, New York

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    OfferedCanoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, competitive swim team, kneeboarding, paddle boarding, swim instruction

    Land sports

    OfferedSoccer, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Gymnastics, beach volleyball, flag football, golf, street hockey

    Arts & music

    OfferedPottery, Photography, Dance, Woodworking, arts and crafts, drama

    Nature exposure

    OfferedHiking

    Outdoor adventure

    OfferedHiking, Zip line, Mountain biking, climbing wall, high ropes, low ropes

    Animals & riding

    Offeredhorseback riding

    See the camp’s full activity list

    Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04

15. Camp Jeanne d’Arc

    Merrill

    4.6 from 10 family ratings

    Jeanne d’Arc combines a small girls camp community with woods, fields and a waterfront on Chateaugay Lake. Its range of session lengths includes shorter stays, and its camper program emphasizes belonging and independence.

    At a glance

    • Campers: Girls
    • Ages / grades: 7–16
    • Session length: 12 days to 7 weeks
    • Price: $5,250–$14,800 for reviewed 2027 sessions; payment surcharges may apply
    • Starts: June 25, July 7 or July 19, 2027; confirm session
    • Setting: Chateaugay Lake, Merrill

    Activity emphasis

    Watersports

    Signature focusSwimming, Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, stand-up paddleboard, tubing, waterski/wakeboard

    Land sports

    OfferedSoccer, Tennis, Basketball, Archery, Volleyball, golf

    Arts & music

    Offeredarts and crafts, performing arts / theater

    Nature exposure

    OfferedHiking

    Outdoor adventure

    OfferedHiking

    Animals & riding

    Offeredhorseback riding

    See the camp’s full activity list

    Sources: Camp information · Camp program · Dates & tuition · Camp life · Camp life · Checked 2026-11-04