Ready to send your kid to sleepaway camp this year? We're gathering parent recommendations for the best overnight camps near New York City...or near enough to be worth the trip for an epic summer experience!

Parent reviews are essential to picking out the right overnight camp, so please comment below if your kids have attended any of these. NYC parents, if your favorite overnight summer camps in New York or around the Northeast aren't on the list yet, please suggest them as new recommendations to let us know about them.

Find more summer fun on our full NYC camp guide.


 
    Hands In 4 Youth

     (255.4 mi)

    12 & 19 day sessions, full day & overnight

    $620-$2,180, sliding fee scale

    Age 6-17

    Nancy L.:  Hands In 4 Youth (formerly Vacamas Programs for Youth) day camps and sleepaway camps have been inspiring young people from diverse backgrounds since 1924. It offers kids all of the summertime fun of a traditional sleepaway camp but with the added support of an environment fostering self-confidence, responsibility, and leadership. There's boating, arts and crafts, nature studies, and creative writing. Kids will learn to swim by American Red Cross-certified instructors. Transportation is provided from NYC, Westchester, and select New Jersey locations at no cost.

    Camp Lakota

     (270.2 mi)

    4 & 7 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $6,050-$10,450/session

    Grade 1-10

    Nancy L.:  A summertime tradition since 1924, Camp Lakota welcomes kids with diverse activities. Athletic programs include soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, and more. On the camp's Masten Lake, kids can enjoy waterskiing, sailing, and fishing. There are two indoor, heated pools with the option for instruction, swim team, and water volleyball. There's creative arts, dramatic arts, horseback riding, and extreme sports.

    National Computer Camps

     (327.0 mi)

    1 week, half day, full day & overnight

    $325-$1,250

    Age 6-18

    Nancy L.:  National Computer Camps provides a a camp curriculum that consists of the following major areas: video game design, computer languages, web page design, 3D printing, software applications, QR programming, Android App programming, Arduino Computer Lab, fly your drone, and Minecraft Modding. Campers will participate in social activities and reside at a Fairfield University dorm.

    Virtual camp options also available.

    Buck's Rock Performing & Creative Arts Camp

     (332.6 mi)

    2, 4, 6 & 8 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $3,000-$12,000/session, tuition may be less based on tiered tuition

    Age 10-17

    Nancy L.:  Buck's Rock offers campers total creative freedom and the ability to build a portfolio of work. There are 30 fully equipped and staffed studios for young artists to explore ceramics, costume design, glassblowing, leather-making techniques, sculpture, and the Indonesian art of Batik. Dance, music, theater, and puppetry are just a few of the performance-based options. Campers have the freedom to try it all.

    Writopia Lab - WriCampia Sleepaway Camp

     (385.4 mi)

    12 day session, overnight

    $3,950

    Grade 5-12

    Nancy L.:  If your child has an interest in perfecting their writing skills, try Writopia's WriCampia Sleepaway Camp at Camp Danbee. Writers will spend part of the day in workshops led by published authors and produced playwrights. The afternoon will offer a variety of electives. The evenings are focused on traditional sleepaway camp activities such as camp fires and scavenger hunts. All campers will travel to and from camp on buses that leave from Manhattan; Brooklyn; West Orange, NJ; Hartsdale, NY; and Washington, DC.

    Camp Claire

     (389.8 mi)

    1 & 2 week sessions, full day & overnight

    $550-$1,535

    Age 6-14

    Nancy L.:  For more than 100 years, kids have been enjoying a rustic camp experience at Camp Claire. This is a back-to-basics approach to camp where kids really get to disconnect and enjoy the great outdoors and time with friends. There's arts & crafts, fishing, sailing, swimming, basketball, low ropes, canoeing, kayaking, and sand volleyball.

    Long Lake Camp for the Arts

     (403.0 mi)

    3 & 6 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $7,575-$13,825/session

    Age 8-16

    Nancy L.:  Long Lake Camp for the Arts, located next door to Long Lake Camp Adventures, focuses on the performing and fine arts. Kids will learn all aspects of theater, improv, drama, magic, and comedy. Kids can even join a rock band. This creative oasis allows kids to craft their own schedule. There's also plenty of time for friends and outdoor, summer fun. There are four bus pickup locations for arrival from Westchester, Queens, New Jersey, and Albany.

    Long Lake Camp Adventures

     (403.0 mi)

    3 & 6 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $5,350-$10,500/session

    Age 8-16

    Nancy L.:  Spend the summer completely restoring a vehicle, growing vegetables, working with animals on a sustainable farm or learning survival skills in the Adirondacks at Long Lake Camp Adventures. This is a third-generation, family-run, co-ed camp where kids also venture out for two trips per week, which may include water parks and white water rafting. Situated next door is Long Lake Camp for the Arts. There are four bus pickup locations for arrival from Westchester, Queens, New Jersey, and Albany.

    Adirondack Camp

     (428.3 mi)

    2, 4, 6, & 8 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $4,950-$12,350/session

    Age 7-16

    Nancy L.:  More than 100 years of tradition is packed into every summer at Adirondack Camp. Campers can partake in fishing, sailing, windsurfing and more on Lake George. Get back to nature in New York's Adirondack Park with organized Adirondack Camp Quests focused on walking, hiking, paddling, kayaking, and other challenges and adventures. Kids can improve their skills in archery, basketball, fencing, and tennis. Explore creative arts, performing arts, culinary, and video arts at this co-ed camp.

    The Road Less Traveled Summer Travel Programs

    $4,150 - $7,950+

    Completed grades 6-12

    Gina I.:  Although it's not your typical summer camp experience, The Road Less Traveled offers wonderful life changing travel opportunities for middle school and high school students. Students can go many places inside the United States or can travel internationally! From community service and language programs to scuba diving and summer adventures, there are lifelong memories to be made at every destination!

Primary photo:   Liam Macleod on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

View Map
9 places in this list