A day on the Mainland — morning clubs, Fire Circle, activity schedule
Morning clubs are the first thing campers and staff do each morning. Campers can choose from: Polar Bear Swim, a refreshing morning dip in the lake, Bootcamp which is a morning outdoor bodyweight workout, Cheetah Run is a 1-mile jog around camp and Sleepy Bear is for those who DON'T love mornings, to get an extra 30 minutes of rest. After clubs, everyone comes together at the Fire Circle for morning announcements, trivia, games & the beloved 'Sports Center'. Activities on The Mainland are each 50 minutes long. The morning program consists of two scheduled activities and one elective. Half of the activities throughout the entire day are scheduled and half are elective.
Located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, Moultonborough, New Hampshire; White Mountains of New Hampshire nearby.
Ages
7–15
Accreditations stated by camp
American Camp Association
Activities
Waterfront
Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Sailing
Fishing
Waterskiing
Wakeboarding
Land Sports
Soccer
Tennis
Basketball
Archery
Baseball
Lacrosse
Arts & Creative
Photography
Theater
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking
Zip line
Clues to fit
Community — individuality and belonging, trust and mutual respect
Being a part of the Winaukee community means you don't have to choose between individuality and belonging. At Camp Winaukee, community is at the heart of everything we do. It represents more than just the relationships between campers and staff—it's a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual respect that binds us all together.
Counselor blog — belonging, spirit, leave the cool guy at the gate
I can still remember when I first passed through the front gates of Winaukee in 2009 for staff orientation. I instantly felt at home and was overwhelmed by how Camp Winaukee is so unbelievably special in so many different and unique ways. Through the teachings of veteran counselors, I learned to 'leave the cool guy at the gate' and just be myself: be loud, chant, dance, be outrageous, and be silly. This is what Camp Winaukee is all about: to push yourself and grow in many different ways.
A day on the Island — 75-minute activities, all elective, later lights out
Activities on the Island are each 75 minutes long and the program is entirely elective; meaning our Island campers choose all of their activities throughout the day. The two morning activities are typically geared to be high level, high intensity instruction and coaching. We find that energy levels are higher in the morning and the boys are ready to get after it right from the get-go. Lights out is typically around 11pm on The Island.
The Island — private 60-acre island for boys 13-15, elective-based program
Our private, 60-acre island houses incredible sports facilities, unbelievable views of Lake Winnipesaukee and our teenage campers aged 13-15! The Island is a developmentally-appropriate summer camp environment that promotes a greater sense of responsibility, brotherhood and independence through our intentional program. Our program is 100% elective based. This means that our teenagers select their own schedule. They are able to make changes weekly. Activity periods are longer in duration allowing the boys to receive comprehensive coaching sessions.
Outdoor adventure — Challenge by Choice philosophy, ropes course, Pamper Pole
All of our Outdoor Adventure staff undergo extensive training and are certified in Wilderness First Aid. Campers are encouraged to take on new challenges, but they do so with the guidance and support of caring, skilled mentors who help them every step of the way. At Winaukee we use the philosophy of 'Challenge by Choice'. This is a philosophy that empowers individuals to engage in activities at their own comfort level while still encouraging personal growth. It recognizes that meaningful challenges look different for everyone, and that growth happens when a person feels supported, not forced.
Outdoor adventure — White Mountains, Mount Washington hike at age 12
Sitting in the White Mountains of New Hampshire we want each of our campers to experience the natural beauty of the area and the benefits of spending time with friends in this environment. Our youngest campers are introduced to short half-day hikes and some of the cool natural features of the White Mountains like the Polar Caves and Diana's Baths. By the time your son is 12 he will hike Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.
Color War — tradition, camaraderie, brotherhood, and friendly rivalry
Color war, a cherished tradition at many summer camps, is more than just competition; it's the heartbeat of the camp experience. What's truly special about color war is how it fosters camaraderie. Campers learn the value of teamwork as they cheer each other on, strategize for each event, and celebrate victories together no matter how small. The sheer joy seen in their faces after a tug-of-war victory or during a chaotic relay race is infectious. Friendships are forged as campers work together, overcoming obstacles and learning to rely on one another.
Parent testimonial — safety, traditions, counselors who care deeply
From the exceptional safety and attention to detail, to the traditions and reverence for the past while looking to the future, to the counselors that just care so deeply about the wellbeing and experience of our boys…you all are killing it at Winaukee.
First-time camp parent advice — the gift of camp, confidence and growth
Camp is the absolute best gift you can give him - and yourself. It is hard to give up control, to not see him every day, to not talk to him, but when your son comes home a little taller, with this new-found confidence, with new skills, with new friends and with new independence, you will be amazed. Your son will come home singing new songs, and slowly over the course of the year, stories will trickle out about funny things that happened in the bunk or in the dining hall and at the inter-camps. And just like my son, your son will start his own countdown to camp because the next summer can't come soon enough.
You all are amazing and I truly appreciate all you did to support and develop my son while he was in your care! He returned more determined and clear about his own strength and ability to navigate tough situations. While he has now aged out of Winaukee, camp lives well in his friendships, memories, and soul. You matter and the work you've done is making a positive difference in the lives of the guys you serve.
Food — daily meals, buffet-style, salad bar, options for picky eaters
Winaukee offers fresh fruit, yogurt, many different types of cereal, bread (bagels, toast, english muffins, muffins, etc.) and a hot meal (such as eggs, pancakes, waffles) at breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner always have a fresh salad bar & deli bar in addition to the main meal. Winaukee provides snacks and unlimited fresh fruit throughout the day. Our meals are buffet-style and there are plenty of options to choose from, even for the pickiest eaters.
Camp Winaukee is a nut aware facility. There is no food in our kitchens that have come into contact with nuts. Food for campers with special diets or allergies are prepared in a designated area of the kitchen so there is no cross contamination. We will meet with each boy at camp to make sure the child has a point of contact in the kitchen and to review their food preferences. Many current and future Winaukee campers have an allergy or dietary restriction and our staff are fully briefed on latest protocols including the use of epi-pens. Our goal is that an allergy should never negatively impact a boy's summer camp experience.
