Camp Mondamin & Green Cove impart outdoor skills to last a lifetime. The staff are enthusiastic and professional and are hired for their expertise in specific activities. GC&M have it all - competitive sailing, an expert paddling program (whitewater canoes & kayaks), mountain biking, climbing, tennis, even a year-round horse program (no rented, skittish horses here). Campers work to achieve competence in order to earn off-camp trips; they camp out climbing real rocks, paddling a variety of rivers, sailing mtn lakes, mountain-biking & hiking all over. Throughout all of this, campers learn how to do it all on their own and gain confidence in their ability to plan, setup, & enjoy! They also play hard with all the usual camp fun, but with a HUGE zipline out of the trees above the cabins into the lake way below. To top it all off, the food is the bomb! The chefs offer healthy whole foods w/ a lot of variety. We've attended family camp for 6 yrs and even mom learned to roll a kayak!
We first searched for an overnight camp where my kids could unplug from the ubiquitous technology in their lives and just be kids for a few weeks. We choose Mondamin and Green Cove based on reputation, history, non-sectarian, etc. We initially worried about them being away for 5 weeks. Making the decision to send them for the first time will be one of the best parenting decisions we've ever made - independence, confidence, self-discovery, pure outdoor fun, all things that became dramatically apparent when we picked them up after the first summer. They were buzzing all year waiting for the next summer. My kids are now lifelong Mondamin and Green Cove fans. Jupiter, Florida
Mondamin has been one of the best life experiences for both of my sons. They started when they were 9 years old - my first went for 5 years and is now considering being a counselor. My second son will be returning for his 8th year and as an aide. They both have made life-long friends and have grown into confident, adventurous, outdoor loving, responsible teens partly from their amazing experiences at Mondamin. My second son began as a quiet, shy kid who learned to "put himself out there" - he now has the confidence to speak to anyone and has learned numerous skills, white water kayaking and canoeing in particular,that he will enjoy his whole life. My first son is still a mountain climber and loves people. The staff is nurturing while promoting self-sufficiency and the facilities are a dream in the mountains that are especially great for "city kids"! From dancing the Virginia Reel to fellowship and self-realization - priceless!
I can't explain how much I love this camp. This summer will be my 6th year going to camp Mondamin. Mondamin taught me three things that no one else can really teach you like this camp does: perseverance, hard work to achieve high goals, and friendship. How I think you know a good camp is at the end nobody wants to leave; at Camp Mondamin nobody wants to leave. At Camp Mondamin. you will make life-long friendships with other campers and the counselors. One of the best things about Camp Mondaimin is the large number of different activities you can do. The best part is you do the activities when you want to and not when told to. The leaders of this camp are Frank (retired), Andrew, Robert, and Aubry. If your son goes to Camp Mondamin, I can guarantee you when he comes back, he will say: "Can I go back?" This Camp will be a part of you for the rest of your life.
My son had an amazing first year experience. Upon picking him up on the last day, told us he wanted to stay for three weeks next time. He has worked odd jobs around the neighborhood in order to fulfill his offer to pay for part of camp if he can stay longer. We had sent our son to "sleep away" camp before and never had such a positive reaction. The activities that he completed were amazing--his words--and he was exposed to so many different experiences. We are happy to be sending him back this year. It is an amazing place,
Mondamin is a very special place for our family. It is the first and only summer camp that my son has attended and we all love it. The communication between staff and parents is excelent. There are caring staff and conselors at Mondamin. The place is safe and the food and activities are great. Certainly my son will continue visiing Mondamin if money permits. We are looking forward to our daugther to visit Green Cove.
I'm a parent of a Mondamin camper. Our 10-year-old son will be back at Mondamin for his 3rd summer this year, and he's already counting down the days until camp begins. He has attended the 3-week session in June each year and will do that session again this summer. He'll likely move up to the 5-week camp the next summer. My husband attended Mondamin as child, so we were excited for our son to follow in his footsteps, but we were nervous to send our son away the first year. He absolutely loved his experience and begged us to sign him up for the following year! Every year his counselors are outstanding role models, he has made great new friends from around the country, and he comes home with a new sense of self and independence. He tried new activities at Mondamin and now is an avid mountain biker. If you're looking for an amazing camp for your son, Mondamin is the place for you.
I am a current 8 year camper. I love this camp with a passion! The staff are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. I love all their activities especially the canoeing/kayaking program. This camp teaches kids to not compete against others, but against their own goals and passions. The camp is excellent at providing help with goal setting, reaching, and help along the way. This camp has literally changed my life forever (for the better) and has really benefitted my character and confidence outside of camp. I truly LOVE Camp Mondamin and appreciate all the great things it has taught me!
Both of my sons have attended since they were old enough (and my daughter attends the girls' camp). Every year they leave ready to go back and with an incredible sense of self-confidence and independence. Staff is supportive, activities are wide enough in variety that they can always find something they like to do or something new to learn - and they are encouraged to try new things - and I LOVE that there are NO electronics. I have worked there a number of summers as the camp doctor as well - they are in great hands between the counselors, the two nurses and a physician available when needed. It has really been a wonderful experience for my kids and is well worth the money and letting them go for a few weeks. I did read the couple of negative comments below and am incredibly surprised - never heard of anything like that happening and can't imagine the directors responding in anything but a positive manner to a concern.
Mondamin was the best thing that ever happened to me as a kid. I spent 5 summers there and I was the 3rd generation to do so. Mondamin will teach your son many things and he will also grow from his experience. The paddling program is excellent also! When you meet experienced paddlers on the river, if you mention you learned to paddle at Mondamin, they will know that you know what you are doing.
My 3 kids are 3rd generation Mondamin/Green Cove campers. There's a reason a good 10 of my relatives kept coming back. It's simply a very nice spot that's extremely difficult to replicate. They have a culture of teaching kids highly skilled outdoor activities that has been passed on from generation to generation for around 80 years. The kids are only limited by how far they want to learn. It's an old time philosophy of giving kids a lot of responsibility but being there to coach them and catch them if they fall. That is confidence inspiring, and on the whole, the camp is a life altering experience. My kids absolutely love it and aim to be counselors one day soon. With regards to bullying, I was bullied at camp, kept quiet about it like boys do, and was counseled by "Chief" (man who started the camp) the next summer when he found out. Bullying is endemic to boys of this age. It is not specific to any one camp. Unfortunate reality. In general, the boys&counselors are top notch. Thumbsup!
My son has attended Mondamin for 4 years and can't wait for his 5th year. I've been impressed with both the skills of the staff as well as their ability to serve as roll models for the boys. The camp is set on a gorgeous lakefront property which allows the boys plenty of room for canoeing, sailing, riding, mountain biking on property. But surrounding the camp are literally thousands of acres of pristine wilderness, mountains and rivers, and Mondamin takes full advantage of this beautiful park and wilderness areas through their mountaineering, climbing, and paddling programs. While there are probably hundreds of camps within a short drive of our home in New York, we chose to drive our children to Mondamin (and its sister Greencove) for the outstanding program and value.
We think camp tuition is the best money we spend all year. Our son, now 9, has had two fantastic summers at Mondamin. His experience at camp has definitely built both outdoor and life skills that will benefit him for life. Mondamin has the finest staff anywhere- they do a great job of leading an incredibly adventurous camp program while also emphasizing safety and good character. They understand how to motivate and encourage boys, whether it's climbing a mountain or cleaning up a bunk. Our son was talking about next year on the drive home.
My son is eleven and has now been to Mondamin twice. The first year he went to the 3 week camp and he had so much fun he went for 5 weeks the next summer and he can't wait to get back this year!! He loves it there! He has learned so many things that he would not have had the opportunity to be involved in otherwise. As a parent that sent their child away to camp for the first time, it's great. They keep you very well informed of how your child is doing and what they are involved in and what activities they enjoy the best by weekly emails. We have only had positive experiences with Camp Mondamin an would recommend it to anyone looking for a summer camp for their son.
I attended camp from age 8 through age 13. What an experience! I still think of my days there fondly. My only regret about camp is that I did not apply to return as a counselor in my college years. Simply put, Mondamin should be part of any young man's life - it exposes you to amazing situations; helps you grow mentally, physically, socially and emotionally; provides daily life-lessons; fosters the idea of team and working collaboratively to grow and succeed; forces you to appreciate living with and spending time with people you don't know; embraces a sense of community and togetherness; and allows a young man to explore the outside world without his parents for the first time. If you are considering Mondamin for your son, I would be more than happy to speak with you about my experience going from a home-sick 8 year old my first year to a sad 13 year old when the time for camp had come to an end. Feel free to contact me at callen (at) sfg (dot) com -- Chris Allen
My two sons (ages 10 and 7) went to Mondamin for the first time last year. The younger one was, I think, the youngest guy at the camp. I was impressed by the camp's adventurous agenda. This isn't just playing basketball and capture the flag. My sons got way into sailing and took responsibility for their own adventures on the lake. They also loved the menagerie of farm animals. The overnights are fantastic, especially for kids with parents like me who aren't exactly great campers. Most impressive to me was the ability of the staff and directors to understand just what young boys will think is REALLY great. Things like diving for cans of soda at the bottom of the lake, or getting doused with chocolate syrup from the hayloft. They could have done better encouraging my younger son keep his feet dry and things like that, but overall the experience was very positive. We will return this summer.
Mondamin has been an outstanding and life-altering experience for numerous members of my family and now, for both of my sons. Our family has been associated with Mondamin since my father (now 81) was a camper and later a counselor. What is the secret? The camp values are solid and staff works hard to nurture and develop in each child a sense of accomplishment, regardless of athletic ability or inclination. For me personally, the camp experience (at the sister camp, Green Cove) was one of the top three or four most important influences in my life.
My son was determined to go to a sleep away camp, so we signed him up for a 5 days intro camp. He absolutely loved it and the first thing he said when we got him - "I want to come back for 5 weeks". The variety of activities was excellent, he kept busy and came back with so many experiences. He only wants to come here for summer - and had no complaints at all. The attention of the administration was excellent - and everything was smooth. Would highly recommend to others.
My son just returned from the two week August session at Mondamin and had a great experience. He seems to have matured and gained independence even after just two weeks. He is extremely eager to return for a longer session next summer. Highly recommended.
I had my first year here (at the 2 week camp) with 3 of my kids. 2 boy( 7,10) and one girl (9) at green cove. They. All had a great summer and all are coming back. Got a great rec from a friend of mine amd worth every penny. It's a family focused camp with no frills and builds on kids confidence and independence. This is a camp that brings the old school you and your kids will crave.
I am a Mondamin Alumni from 1974. I am sending my two kids there next summer. My son to Mondamin and my daughter to Green Cove. We stopped in for a visit this summer and the camp is exactly as I remember it and still run by the Bell family, now in their 3rd generation running the camp. They are a special family and Mondamin and Green Cove is a special place.
This is my son's 3rd year attending Mondamin.... and he has loved it every year! He is always excited about returning, and usually can't sleep the night before camp... because he is so excited... as a mom, that makes you feel good! I know he is well taken care of while he is there, while at the same time getting out of his comfort zone. When he returns home, I always notice how much he has grown in maturity and self reliance. He has become much more confident about trying new things as well. I would definitely recommend this camp (and have!), to friends and family!
My son went to Mondamin for 2 weeks and the first thing he said when we picked him up was..."Can I come back for 5 weeks next year?" The cabins are very rustic - and isn't that how camp should be? The food is great, from what he said. Overall, this was the greatest experience. He had the chance to do everything he wanted to learn. Rock climbing, sailing, paddling and of course, overnight camping trips. Mondamin uploads pictures everyday, so you really get a sense of how much fun the boys are having. Yes, its expensive, but worth it!
We sent our son there for the first year and he could not have had more fun and growth. The programs are all set up for self motivational learning. He was out on a 3 and 4 day rock climbing trip in the first 3 weeks. A great change from the winning driven athletic culture and techno world he is in at home.
This will be our son's third year at Mondamin. Last year we offered him the choice of visiting Walt Disney World or Camp Mondamin. Without hesitation he picked camp. They offer lots of outdoor activities and no electronics! Whatever level of adventure your child wants they can find.
