Competitive program — not a pressure camp, balanced teams and diverse tournaments
Taconic's program is designed to enable every camper to feel successful. Our elective program allows campers with diverse interests to grow and learn new skills throughout the summer. We compete with other camps in many athletic programs and participate in inter-camp tournaments. We also have in-camp sports leagues with well balanced teams created by our professionals. We also host a number of tournaments throughout the summer, including various sports, swimming, tennis, chess, rock climbing and more.
100-acre residential camp on Lake Ashmere in the Berkshire Mountains, Hinsdale, Massachusetts
Activities
Waterfront
Swimming
Canoeing
Sailing
Fishing
Waterskiing
Land Sports
Tennis
Archery
Baseball
Lacrosse
Gymnastics
Arts & Creative
Woodworking
Outdoor Adventure
Rock climbing
Clues to fit
Rookie Day — first-timers experience a full Taconic day
Taconic offers two Rookie Days each summer for future campers to experience a typical Taconic day. Rookies have a unique opportunity to take a journey through the life of a camper, experiencing the warmth and spirit that families have enjoyed for more than 90 summers. Rookie Day begins at 10:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Parents drop their Rookies off in the morning and then return to camp for a personal tour.
Program philosophy — elective choice and skill development by age
At Camp Taconic, the program is diverse, exciting and designed to keep all of our campers engaged well into their teens. Our emphasis is to provide excellent, hands-on instruction and meaningful opportunities to enable campers to challenge themselves. Initially, our younger campers are introduced to a well rounded schedule of activities. As our campers get older, they develop their individual interests and skills, and we gradually tailor their program to fit their needs.
A Taconic summer is an outdoor experience that provides the opportunity for instruction and participation in aquatics, athletics, creative and performing arts, circus, adventure and horseback riding. We strive to make Camp Taconic a place where campers are encouraged to branch out, try new things and to learn and grow in a supportive atmosphere. Each Taconic camper is surrounded by people who want to see them succeed.
Since 1932, Camp Taconic traditions have made their way into the childhood memories of generations of campers. This family owned, residential summer camp located on one hundred acres in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, is a safe-haven for boys and girls ages seven through sixteen.
Traditions — Taconic Games, Big/Little pairings, Saturday Night Lights, and milestones
From Sing each morning, to Convention, Gold Rush, Carnival, and the culminating four-day Taconic Games, our traditional all-camp events transform the summer experience into something unforgettable! The sense of family at Taconic is strengthened through our Big/Little pairings, where every camper is matched with a camp sibling, as well as weekly traditions like Saturday Night Lights, where we gather to recognize those who truly live the Taconic mission. The summer also features milestones led by our oldest campers, including the 13s Celebration, 14s Senior Banquet, and the 15s Holiday.
Lasting impact — skills, confidence, and lifelong connections formed over seven weeks
During our seven weeks of camp, campers and staff alike form lifelong connections, develop new skills and passions, gain confidence, and most importantly have fun!
LIT program — leadership training, community service, and stipend
The Leaders In Training program is offered to rising juniors in high school. It is designed to teach our own campers how to become great, future counselors. As assistants, they help with a bunk of younger campers and with at least one activity area. Our LITs also organize our charity walk for SCOPE and other fun special events. They are paid a stipend and have days off.
Scavenger hunts, pool parties, talent shows, campfires and tournament nights are just some of the offerings that campers can enjoy each evening. A few times each summer, campers attend some cultural activity in the area — whether it's a musical, a baseball game, a concert, or an amusement park!
New camper support — pre-camp get-together and big sibling program
We host a new camper get together on the first Sunday in May. Small groups of new campers, all the same age, have a chance to meet each other as well as many Taconic staff members. Parents and campers are encouraged to ask questions, participate in activities and to leave feeling raring and ready to go! Once at camp, we match each of our new campers up with a big sister or big brother, a current, older camper.
