The Summer That Stays With You The summer of 1973, I was seven years old and absolutely terrified. I had never been away from home. I didn't know a single person at Adirondack Camp. I was homesick. And then, paraphrasing fifty years of memory here, I fell completely and irrevocably in love with a peninsula on the north end of Lake George that I still consider one of the most important places of my life. I went back every summer through the late 1980s. I came back as a counselor, then as Head of Sailing. I watched my own children walk down those same docks for the first time. For more than two decades I've served as an advisor for camp I've sat on the board of the Adirondack Camp Scholarship Fund, working to ensure that this experience isn't available only to families who can afford it. I am, by any honest reckoning, not a neutral observer. But I've also spent a long time thinking seriously about child development. The case for Adirondack Camp is not simply nostalgic; it's substantive. Let me tell you what it actually is. Adirondack Camp is a traditional, screen-free co-educational sleepaway camp on a peninsula on the north end of Lake George, welcoming kids ages 7-16. There are about 150-200 campers per session, with one counselor for every three kids. No electricity in the cabins. No cell phones. No paved roads. A live bugler marks the day with Reveille in the morning and Taps at night. At 5:45pm, the whole camp assembles at the flagpole for Retreat, a flag-lowering ceremony with formation, salute, live bugle, and a cannon shot that the Junior campers absolutely love. There are thirty-plus activities: sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, rock climbing, archery, tennis, soccer, fencing, basketball, photography, creative arts, culinary arts, performing arts, wilderness trips, and more. Campers choose their own schedule, picking five activities each week. This matters: choice-based selection teaches children to advocate for their genuine interests. About 20% of campers are international, from Spain, France, Germany, Venezuela, Israel, Taiwan, Pakistan, the UK, and more. Their countries' flags hang in the dining hall. When a child from Pakistan and a child from Connecticut become cabin friends, something very special and educational is happening that no school-based curriculum can produce. The traditions are extraordinary and old. Gatherings in a wooded pine grove date back nearly a century and teaches respect for indigenous culture and environmental stewardship. The Blue/White team events and competitions instantly grant every new camper a team, a history, and people cheering for them. Sunday evenings bring Gathering, the whole community sitting on the rocks facing the sunset, sharing music and honest reflection. And at the end of each session, a candlelight ceremony on the main lawn: every camper and staff member holds a candle in the darkening sky, singing the camp song one final time. I have seen grown adults weep at this. Earned tears. What does all of this produce in children? Greater confidence, more patience, renewed appetite for physical challenge, improved attention spans after weeks without screens, and friendships that can last a lifetime. My own children came home from Adirondack Camp more capable, more settled in who they were, and more at ease with genuine challenge. A child who swims the Big Triangle, a supervised open-water crossing of Lake George accompanied by a flotilla of safety boats, has learned something about herself that no classroom could have taught. Additionally, the Adirondack Camp Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, exists to ensure that access to this experience isn't limited only to families who can afford it. Since 2003, the Fund, led by a volunteer board of alumni and parents, has provided partial or full scholarships to more than 100 children. Some have attended for many years, moving from camper to counselor to community member. That, to me, is what integrity looks like in an institution: not just saying that every child deserves opportunity, but organizing resources to make it possible. If you're a parent trying to decide whether Adirondack Camp is right for your child: probably yes, if your child is curious, reasonably open, and not wedded to their devices. It's hard to imagine a child who couldn't find something to love here, and in finding it, find a truer version of themselves. Now in my sixties (yikes!), that peninsula is still the clearest reference point I have for what a childhood can be. The true value of Adirondack Camp is not just the activities it offers, but the kind of adults its campers often become: independent, resilient, empathetic, confident, and connected to both people and the natural world. After more than fifty years of involvement as camper, counselor, department head, parent, advisor, and scholarship advocate, that conclusion is not sentiment. It is evidence. read more

Adirondack Camp was instrumental in my development as a life-long teacher. The site is truly exceptional: a peninsula on stunning Lake George far from anything. The staff works very hard to encourage all young people-- and the space to play, to explore, to be a kid without electronics and media is invaluable. The traditions of the Camp are thoughtfully updated to honour the land and the people who have inhabited it; there is a great loyalty to the camp from former campers, staff and parents because it helped so many discover their strengths and confidence in an inspiring rustic space. My daughter attended and particular loved the many activities--sail-boarding, waterskiing, sailing- that gave her a chance to learn and develop her skills. I remain connected to Adirondack Camp through life-long friends and the spirit of an adventurer. I am forever grateful for the opportunities given to me by Adirondack. read more

I was back at Adirondack Camp in August of 2024 for the 120th Reunion. The camp infrastructure has been maintained and improved, and it continues to bask in all the natural beauty of the peninsula and the lake. The Reunion had campers from decades ago (over 60 years) coming back to visit and let generations of campers, including kids who only now attending meet and hang out at a place that is near and dear to all of us. It was a fantastic time, and it allowed former campers to spend a special weekend and relive some of the memories we made when we were kids! If you have a chance to attend or send a child, do it, it will be the best investment you can make in their lives, IMO. PS: I added a picture from the winter as it is a different view from what most people see. read more

Adirondack Camp is the epitome of the summer camp experience. From the leadership to the cabin staff, it is evident that everyone is working together to create an environment that fosters creativity, community and companionship. Safety is at the top of mind for the organization in all decisions. This mentality is ingrained in the way that the team runs the day to day activities and the wonderful outings that give kids the opportunity to try new things and create lasting memories. Having witnessed the magic and mystique that this little peninsula has to offer, I only wish that I could turn back the hands of time and beg my parents to send me up to Lake George for the summer! read more

The staff at this camp is super supportive. I had never been at a summer camp before so was really nervous about being away from home, but now I come back every summer. I also get to see how campers jump into activities with real enthusiasm too, and by the end, you can see how much more confident they become, It's always really cool to see! read more

I have sent both of my children to Adirondack Camp for multiple summers. They had an exceptional experience and came home from camp each year more self-confident and self-reliant. They couldn't wait to go back each summer. Adirondack Camp is a unique place where campers and staff develop life-long friendships. read more

Adirondack Camp is a wonderful place, providing a little peace and quiet. I've been coming here for the last four summers, and every year, it gets better. I've made wonderful friendships for life, and you can't get enough of the view of Lake George and the beautiful sunsets. read more

This summer camp experience is set in the most beautiful location possible, with crystal clear water surrounding the peninsula. The staff are well-trained and caring people, and they are also skilled activity instructors. read more

As a parent of a current camper, I have witnessed the positive impact Adirondack Camp has had on my children, enabling them to learn valuable life skills and develop a strong sense of self. Such a great place! read more

Adirondack Camp was a transformative experience. I gained confidence, leadership skills, and a deep appreciation for teamwork and community that still influence me today. read more