This center served as my home base for a series of hiking adventures on and around Mount Monadnock…read morein June. I was assigned a lakefront cottage that was extremely spacious and quite comfortable. There are more modern, and more fully outfitted, condos but I enjoyed the scenic view and quite setting of my cottage. Pilgrim Pines is a venue that hosts a variety of visitors. There are summer camps, conferences and, likely, retreats but my visit was with a group of hikers and artists who stayed on property from Sunday through Friday. Meals are held in the main dining room and are served buffet-style which made it easy to enjoy what I wanted and to the leave the rest for others. Guests are expected to place dirty dishes and glassware in a bin which makes for a quick and easy clean up. There is a 2 1/2 mile loop around the lake that can be enjoyed during a leisurely walk or a more ambitious run. There are also trails and dirt roads/paths nearby for additional outdoor excursions. The water was a little too cold for my tastes but the lake seemed to be inviting and would certainly provide a smooth place to canoe. There is a small store on property with hours that vary according to need. It offered a lovely selection of toys for children, sweet treats, Christmas ornaments and other holiday decor, jewelry, original paintings and some items representative of the region. Definitely worth checking out if you can manage to be around when staff opens it up for business. Every staff member I encountered added to the overall enjoyable experience of staying here. It was always easy to strike up a conversation or ask for any assistance. A lovely chapel on property did double duty as a morning yoga studio and an evening presentation spot for guest speakers. The real highlight of the stay, particularly after an exhausting day hike, was the shower. It had great water pressure and hot water that helped to make the muscles feel much better. Due to the religious affiliations of this property alcohol is off limits. Guests are welcome to enjoy the books, games, puzzles and even the TV found in the main lodge but for me the chance to enjoy the outdoors or just curl up with a book in my little lakeside nook was all I needed!

Great getaway every year with our family!! My wife has been coming here her whole life and now our…read morekids love coming to the pines too.

My son was hesitant to go to an away camp for 2 whole weeks, but he had a blast! He enjoyed the…read morecomraderie of his cabin and made quick friends with everyone. He loved the games they played, and took advantage of all of the opportunities offered. He learned to shoot a gun, sail, kayak, ropes course and so much more. When we picked him up he immediately told us he definitely wants to go back this year and he is already signed up. He is now considering being a camp counsilor when he's older. He said it would be a great way to spend the summer. Thanks Camp Takodah for so many memories. And, a special thanks from this Mama. I was very nervous about my boy being away for so long, but the pictures you posted daily were fantastic gave me an inside view into his daily life and kept my anxiety at bay. Looking forward to another great camp experience!

The organization in general is not well run. I have two children that went on the American…read moreHeritage Tours in 2017 and 2019. In 2017 my child didn't really talk about the experience except that he liked going with his friends. The 2019 experience for our second child was eye opening. As usual all parents must attend an orientation. So my child went on the tour and came back completely unimpressed. She felt rushed, the food wasn't that great and the hotels were below standards. Also when she got home I noticed numerous bug bites on both of her arms. Since they had not gone away after several days we went to Convenient MD in Keene. Come to find out the were Bed Bug bites. As soon as I was told what these were we called Takodah YMCA to complain. Finally after 3 months we just gave up.

Our two daughters have been attending Wa-Klo for three years, and I cannot recommend it highly…read moreenough. Their time at camp is perhaps their favorite time of the year. They experience so much growth while they are there, forming friendships and exploring activities that they don't usually have the opportunity to try in their everyday lives. They stretch their abilities, have fun, and also learn how to be considerate individuals who look out for one another. The environment is incredibly supportive and caring, and the break from screens provides a much-needed reset. They talk about camp all year long. Choosing Wa-Klo was one of the best decisions we made for them!

As a former Camper who attended three summers at Camp Wa-klo, for four weeks each, I can say I…read moreloved my sleep-away camp experience! A typical weekday would be waking up to revelry, circling the flag pole to welcome the day, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Roy-Kit, singing many fun camp songs, cleaning the cabin, having inspection, attending 5 activities throughout the week (soccer, lacrosse, tennis, archery, horseback riding, fitness, gymnastics, theatre, dancing, sailing, windsurfing, swimming... to name a few) with one rest period in between to hang out with friends, write letters, take a nap, etc. Outside of the weeks' activities I thoroughly enjoyed our evening and weekend gatherings. When you first attend camp you are placed on either the White or Green Team tribe and throughout your camp experience there are various all-camp competition events, movie nights, drama performances, dances, and council fires where staff and counselors award achievements associated with weekly activities, tribe success and much more. You also have opportunities to go off-site as a group to hike Mt. Monadnock, grab ice cream from Kimball Farm, go water rafting, visit Six Flags, attend the Jaffrey Fair, etc. I also really liked the camp uniform. The green and white apparel made it easy for all the girls to feel comfortable in what they wore. There were some civies days, and an all-white closing ceremony (so I would still pack other outfits) but the main area to show off one's personality was in the cabin by decorating around your bed, shelves, and trunk. I have only GREAT camp memories and would continue sharing... Instead, I invite you to sign up and experience a summer for yourself!

You cannot find a better, well rounded day camp in the area. The kids experience horse riding…read morelessons, arts & crafts, nature, theater dance & music, sports, archery, rocketry, Project SOAR (climbing, repelling, zip lining, etc), swimming lessons & free swim and LOTS more. This is a family run camp with a significant number of repeat staff and campers. The 2-week sessions give the campers a chance to become comfortable and competent. Many campers attend multiple sessions & I believe this is because the staff truly enjoys their work and the campers. It is such an awesome place, if only I was young again....

From the owner: Metrowest Premier Summer Day Camp for Children ages 4-12.read more

My daughter started as a camper there while in elementary school and loved every minute of it. She…read moreparticipated in their musical theatre camps over the years and now she is a camp counselor there and still loves it. There are so many of their former campers that became counselors there which truly adds to the family vibe, The owners truly care about all the campers and make it fun and inclusive for all. Tons of activities for the kids to participate in throughout the summer, including field trips to various local places. Your kids

My kids love Sandlot. There is always a variety of things to do to keep it interesting all summer…read morelong. The staff is amazing and caring. I've tried several camps, but my kids like this one the best by far. We will be returning next year!

Our kids LOVE Camp Thoreau - it's been 2 years & they plan to stay as long as they can until they…read morecan be counselors there! Really great counselors & activities!

From the owner: An engaging outdoor camp and tennis camp nestled on 35 wooded acres in Concord, MA. Our natural,…read moreoutdoor environment is the perfect setting for our low & high ropes course, climbing wall, two swimming pools (shallow & deep), playing fields, archery range, & plenty of rainy day space. We off full & half day summer camp, as well as tennis camp.

Kenwood & Evergreen has truly been our daughter's "home away from home" for the past two…read moresummers--and she's already counting down the days until she returns. The counselors are exceptionally well-trained, receiving a full week of preparation focused on safety, team-building, and camper connection before the kids even arrive. From counselors to campers to parents, everyone is welcomed like family. The camp places a strong emphasis on inclusion and encourages kids to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and take pride in their accomplishments. We were initially nervous sending our daughter away for three weeks that first summer, but on her first phone call home, she BEGGED to stay the full six weeks. Camp has structure, but it's structure inside a framework that's different from home or school. At K&E, the kids have a safe space to grow in ways we didn't even realize were possible. Our daughter is creating lifelong friendships, learning the importance of teamwork, & having an absolute blast in the process--and for us, that's absolutely priceless.

Always a fun summer at K&E kids who attend have great challenges everyday and learning new…read moreactivities some out of the wheel house of things they have been doing at home and school, music, sports, Arts even Drama. Making new friends and learning from counselors and campers that come from all over the United States and other countries also.

Amazing place to camp! The people and staff are incredible and attentive. The cabins are livable…read moreand plentiful in space. It's gorgeous in scenery!

Visited this camp for a church men's retreat and the place was pretty amazing for the overall value…read moreand what you got. They have various sleeping quarters and while I'm not sure what's the worst quarters they have I did get assigned one of the houses that had multiple rooms with private bathrooms in each. I've been to camp facilities in the past where you have to walk through the woods at 3am for a potty break at a designated outhouse. The fact that Spofford had private bathrooms in each room of the large house was a really nice treat. While it wasn't a 5 star hotel it was a pretty amazing compared to other camping facilities I've visited in the past. The sanctuary they have is absolutely beautiful. It's so nice inside it almost seemed like it was brand new or relatively new. The camp is situated right next to a lake for summer fun although it was cold during my visit so nobody ventured into the water. The camp offers several simple activities to keep yourself entertained. The cafeteria is really nice, large and food is fairly good. They had an unlimited supply of coffee on hand for us which was a neat treat. Overall it's really a nice camp for the value you get and what is provided. If you come expected a 5 start luxury facility then you will be sorely disappointed but if you've been to other camp facilities this place is pretty top notch.

"It's in your soul." That's the slogan for anyone who's spent a summer at this sleep-away camp on…read moreLake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. Over 100 years operating as a boys sleep-away sports camp on Lake Winnepesaukee surrounded by the White Mountains, it has some of the best views in the country. A great summer adventure for any kid looking to experience a unique summer sports adventure; campers are exposed to a variety of sports and mentored by an international staff comprised of mainly sport-specific counselors, the campers will experience a summer like no other!

Camp Winaukee is a special place for boys and young men to spend their summer. It's a place that…read moreprovides a rare opportunity of experiences for kids to grow, learn, and have a blast in a safe environment, while they develop meaningful relationships and life long friends. The campus, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, is absolutely majestic. Yes, there are some bugs...but that's merely an insignificant part of being out in nature and such a beautifully isolated place! Another truly unique feature of Winaukee is that their camp is divided into a Mainland (for younger campers) and an Island (for teenage boys): this allows for two different, age-appropriate cultures that really can't be found at any other camp. Winaukee is a sports camp - pretty much anything you want to play, they have it, along with skilled coaches and periods throughout the day to train and improve, and a waterfront with all the lake activities you could ask for. The training can be as intense or as recreational as you want, it really just depends on how serious you want to be. Beyond sports, there are so many additional events and activities that give the Camp its true spirit: camp fires, community rallies, inter/outer camp competitions, amazing off campus trips to places like Boston and even Canada, and many other traditions that can only be understood if you've been lucky enough to be a part of them. Unfortunately, any place is going to have occasional unpleasant experiences; however, for about 98% of the kids, they leave in tears at the end of the summer because they aren't ready to go home.