Daily schedule — camper-created weekly schedule, structure and free time
Each week, with the help of his counselor, a camper creates his daily schedule by choosing 3 or 4 specific activities to focus on that week. To complement this, he has some unstructured, self-directed time within each day, with plenty of options from which to choose, including the freedom to enjoy some downtime. Three evenings a week, the entire camp family gathers for Saturday night campfire, Sunday meeting, and Monday's Bean Soup — Pemi traditions that date back over 100 years.
Boys of the same age live in small groups of 6–10 in one of 22 cabins, with 1 or 2 counselors. Four divisions: Junior (~ages 8–11; 6 cabins), Lower Intermediate (~ages 11–13; 7 cabins), Upper Intermediate (~ages 13–14; 5 cabins), Senior (ages 14–15; 4 cabins).
Ages
8–15
Accreditations stated by camp
American Camp Association
Activities
Waterfront
Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Sailing
Fishing
Waterskiing
Wakeboarding
Windsurfing
Land Sports
Soccer
Tennis
Basketball
Archery
Baseball
Lacrosse
Arts & Creative
Music
Woodworking
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking
Clues to fit
Belonging — new campers welcomed by veterans from 24–28 states
You'll learn quickly that you can relax and be who you want to be at Pemi, because being at camp has a way of bringing out the best in everyone. As a new camper, you will be warmly welcomed to the Pemi community by veteran campers who come from New England, the Mid-Atlantic, or any one of 24–28 states and 6–10 countries outside the US.
First-timer readiness — overnight at a friend's house is the bar
Once you've spent the night away from home at a buddy's house, you're ready to be away from home for several weeks and will manage just fine. Counselors and other campers are ready to help at any time if you're not sure what to do or where to go. Before long, you'll be the one to help a new camper!
Setting — Lower Baker Pond, sole residents, White Mountains
Pemi sits on 475 acres of privately owned land with approximately 60 acres in use. Our lake, known as Lower Baker Pond, is approximately one mile long and half a mile wide. We are the sole residents of our lake — no party boats or jet skis interfering with water activities — ensuring both safety and privacy for our campers and staff. Our location is on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest, 30 miles north of Hanover, New Hampshire.
Counselors reading aloud at night — a Pemi tradition
A Pemi tradition is for counselors to read aloud at night to the cabin! Many of our counselors are former Pemi campers and vividly remember the guys they looked up to when they were your age as 'fun, fair, and kind.' They want to give back in the same way.
Special events and traditions — campfire, Bean Soup, Gilbert & Sullivan, Pemi Week
Camp is made extra special by traditional, much-anticipated events that round out the season: Saturday night campfire, Monday's Bean Soup reading in the Senior Lodge, the Birthday Banquet with a custom limerick for each celebrant, the annual Vaudeville show, Gilbert & Sullivan performances — a tradition of well over 60 years — and Pemi Week, the final week when every day is different, culminating in the Final Banquet.
Parent review — communication builds confidence and comfort
The photo uploads were a much-anticipated part of the week — thank you for those. The phone call was incredibly reassuring. Communication is such a strength of Pemi's and it gave me confidence and comfort that my child was in caring and competent hands.
Parent review — emotional growth and confidence after a summer at Pemi
My boys loved camp, and the emotional growth that took place over the summer was tremendous. The younger one returned with a sense of accomplishment and confidence in having spent a whole summer away from home. The older one came home with a deeper sense of responsibility for himself and his commitments.
Nature program — nationally renowned, started in 1925
Through observing and experiencing Pemi's habitats in our morning activities and with field exploration trips offered near and far every afternoon, campers and staff take a closer look together, noticing the action of life all around us. In all subjects of natural history, campers can develop investigative reasoning and field skills in Pemi's nationally renowned nature program that started way back in 1925. For many boys, the Nature Lodge becomes a home-within-a-home at Pemi, a hub of bustling curiosity and investigation.
Program breadth — sports, water sports, nature, arts, hiking and canoeing
Pemi's program is both broad and deep. That means you can dig deep into what you love most — all the way to an expert level. And Pemi is an ideal place to try something new, when you're likely to discover additional talents and passions. Right out your cabin door will be excellent instruction in sports, nature, music, art, woodworking, drama, hiking, and canoeing, and a camp culture of support and encouragement. Each Pemi boy can create his own distinctive path.
