Camp Wildwood is a hidden gem. I sent my 8 year old twins for the first time this summer. The…read moreentire experience has been amazing. Even in the year leading up to the summer Louis was been beyond responsive and attentive. No question is ever a bother. At one point I was hesitant to send the boys to camp at all and he even did a home visit to reassure me and the boys about the upcoming summer. We just returned from visiting weekend. Although I have only received positive communication from my children thus far I didn't know what to expect. My children are both happy, comfortable, learning and thriving. They are very well cared for and loved by EVERYONE. As a first time mom (especially) this is so reassuring. The entire administration and staff are friendly, welcoming and loving to each individual child. I already signed up for next year and can't wait to see and hear about the rest of the summer when my kids return! My 6 year old also had the best time on visiting day and was made to feel comfortable. If he could have stayed and spent the rest of the summer I'm sure he would have! We love Camp Wildwood!

Camp Nashoba North has been a second home for my daughter for the past two summers. The camp is on…read morea gorgeous setting in the midst of the Maine woods, but that in itself would not make us come back every year. You know something is right with a camp when your son or daughter doesn't want to leave , and beginning in November , goes on a campaign to go back/ extend the time there next year/ asks for parents written pledge that she will surely go back if she gets all goods grades.... excitement about this camp's next session begins literally just as the camp session ends!our daughter had only the best experience with this camp. She keeps saying that this camp is the only things she keeps on thinking about year round. The diversity of the children she met there and friendships she formed are invaluable. Activities are prime, starting from water activities on the beautiful lake, such as her favorite, sailing, to club sports, pottery, and rock climbing. Camp also offers a variety of day trips to keep things fun, and evening activities such as campfire, shows, and story times. Food is another reason why I feel so comfortable with this camp. My daughter is a very picky eater but she always finds something good there and has never complained of "food boredom". Flavor and quality of choices is really high. Lastly, the management at the camp is personable , understands, and truly knows and remembers your child especially once they become a return camper. They treat each child as an individual , and this is priceless. I highly recommend this camp to anyone wanting to experience media free, unburdened summer experience for their child or teen. They will never even notice that cell phone/ iPad was kept away the whole time!

Two years in and our son can't wait for year number three. The events offered have been great. The…read morecounselors are encouraging. He is a horseback rider and gets to ride every morning. Being on a lake in Maine over the summer should be part of everyone's dream summer! As a parent it's so hard to be without a child for a month; however, I've found its an excellent time for us all to recharge and miss each other. We highly recommend this camp experience. Oh, and the best is no ipads, no iphone or computer games. It's friendship, building a love of the outdoors and trying new things.

I've been fortunate to have worked at Camp Laurel South for the past seven summers. From the…read morefacilities, to the location, to the programs, and the people Laurel South is not only the premier 4-week camp in the county, but also a premier job experience. What started as a way to spend a summer in college, has given me something that I never really saw coming and has changed who I am in the best possible way. Part of what makes Laurel South so special is the standard they set for themselves starting with the facility. The property is so naturally special and the facilities somehow make it even better. From a waterfront that is beautiful but looks even better with a buzz of ski boats and insanely fun inflatables to their amazing courts and fields that leave college athletes wanting to bring them back to school with them. They cut no corners and it shows, the provide everything a child (or a staff's inner child) could imagine, and more, to provide the summer of a lifetime. Laurel South has become my second home and serves the same to so many people who work there. Along with that, the people have become my second family. The staff comes from so many places in the world and we all come to this place with one goal; to take care of children. When you come together as a team of nearly two hundred people with one goal, its inevitable to get close and develop relationships that last a lifetime. Some of my best friends are from camp and its common for people to keep in touch, travel to visit each other, or even travel the world together. The bonds you make with people while working here are second to none. What this experience has done for me is hard to put in words. It's not just the campers that grow up here, the staff grow here too. You put your heart and mind so fully into a job and really learn what it means to achieve something day by day and long term. When you have that feeling of what its is to be so fulfilled in a job, you find yourself pushing yourself to that standard everywhere else in your life. I find that I'm a better at everything I do because of the experience I've had here. Laurel South has helped me develop my work ethic, leadership qualities, and how to channel passion in to focus and productivity.

Our daughter went to Laurel South this year for her first sleep away camp experience. She was…read morenaturally nervous about the experience but the staff and atmosphere there just made it so easy for her to ease into the experience. The energy is infectious and they do a really good of communicating with parents. Bottom line: You get what you pay for and we got a lot of value for our money here. We feel extremely lucky to have the ability to send our daughter here. I know it's not for everyone as camp is expensive but they are providing 24/7 care, meals and extras. Thank you Laurel South for making this experience wonderful!

If you have a daughter and you want to offer the gift of a lifetime, send her to Camp Tapawingo…read more The camp instill values that will last a lifetime and friendships that will endure the test of time. I am a former camper and just returned from a reunion with my camp friends. The love, spirit, tradition, and commitment to each camper is alive and well after 100 years. Tap Girls forever!!!

I went to Camp Tapawingo for 8 wonderful summers in the 80s and early 90s and now I am super…read moreexcited to send my stepdaughter to experience the joy that is Tapawingo. Tapawingo is a supportive, close knit environment that ensures that everyone has fun and is included. There are no cliques, every single camper and counselor care about one another and the bonds that are formed last a lifetime. Plus, Maine is a beautiful place to spend a summer and enjoy nature.

A beautiful place w a great history Hearing about Harry…read moreBurroughs and the Newsboy foundation touches your heart. It is amazing to picture those very young men experiencing this absolutely beautiful quiet place after life on the streets of pre-WW2 Boston. It is still lovely and still provides amazing opportunities for both young men and women from poor situations.

I'm on my way to get my granddaughter from that dreadful place. She was bullied from day one and…read morethe staff and director was unable to stop it. They state they have a zero tolerance but allow the bullies to stay and continue to physically and verbally harm her. She is sweet respectful and love making new friends. These girls ruined her experience. DON'T SEND YOUR KIDS THERE!!!

Great camp experience, with great instructors and counselors. Seen noticeable improvements in the…read moreabilities of the campers.

Last year at 9 years old we sent our son to Bridgton. We live in Florida so it was a huge…read moredecision. Our son being the oldest of 3 boys, we thought of many benefits. Our younger boys get more time with us, our oldest gets to mature and learn responsibilities. The college campus setting is a plus, as opposed to cabins. He would get to experience living in that setting. We wanted him to have experience outside of Florida in another part of the county. Having access to the lake, fishing and boating more pluses. Lastly, as a hockey player being able to play hockey over the summer and against boys from all over would be incredible. We were hesitant, is he ready, will he be ok??? We dropped him off and never looked back. The campus, the counselors we met were incredible, coupled with Koop's leadership and experience - WOW. Fast forward to seeing our boy after 21 days at camp. Would you go back? "Yes, I had the best time ever". Here we are again, 10 year old ready to go have the best 3 weeks of the year! If you have any worries, there is no need.

We live on the UWS of Manhattan, and our 8 year old daughter just completed the two night "Rookie…read moreWeekend" at Tripp Lake. Overall takeaway: Tripp Lake Camp is a lovely and sweet place, with long-standing traditions, and filled with bright-eyed and confident girls having fun. There was a lot of positive energy, and purposeful intent. My wife and I are glad that we took the time to drive up to Maine, and grateful that our daughter had this positive experience/introduction to overnight camp. Leslie, Janet and Stacy were all incredibly warm and welcoming, and our daughter said that the counselors and other girls she met made her feel safe and at home. She also had a lot of fun, made a few friends, and was excited that she was able to participate in some of the Tripp Lake camp traditions (including lots of singing, and a play put on by some of the other campers). After picking her up Sunday morning, our daughter told us that she definitely wants to go to Tripp Lake for the full summer next year. We took her to visit a few other girls camps in Maine after finishing Rookie Weekend, and all were quite nice. We decided to stop by Tripp Lake again before driving home, and were fortunate to come during "sing song" practice, and to see a camp meal where the girls were all singing. We got a good sense of the camp spirit. Thank you again to Tripp Lake for giving our daughter such a wonderful first overnight camp experience.

Our daughter has had an amazing experience at Tripp Lake Camp. This summer marks her second year…read morein attendance. She loves the activities- horse-back riding in particular, and it is reassuring to see pictures of her smiling ear-to-ear every evening when they post pictures of that day's activities. We are very pleased with the staff and counselors who have taken our daughter under their wing.

This camp overworks the young counselors and pays horribly for the amount of work and…read moreresponsibility they place on their shoulders. The parents are paying so much money and they exploit their counselors and pay them next to nothing and do....what with the rest? There was a Typhoid exposure with a kitchen worker this year and they covered it up and didn't tell the parents or anyone at camp about it until the CDC was alerted to this exposure (most likely from wherever he sought medical care) and came to inspect the camp - which the camp failed on almost all areas. They were given a certain amount of time to get it together and make the camp safe before they were going to take action and shut it down. One of the young counselors (17 years old) had an allergic reaction and their supervisor tried to make them still work instead of resting and recuperating from said allergic reaction. The administration would work the counselors like they weren't even humans. Overall, the camp's conduct and the way they treat the counselors is totally unsafe - which is also unsafe for the campers. It sounds like it used to be a nice camp, but not under the current administration.

My daughter has gone here the last two summers and cannot wait to go back this summer! She is a 3rd…read moregeneration camper. She says it is the most amazing experience of her whole life. She talks about it all the time! She says she loves the camp because she made a bunch of really great friends there, found that she loves horseback riding and sailing, and loves the experience of having time away from her everyday life. I love that these girls get to relax without the pressure of their everyday peer group and screens! She is there for weeks in a rustic environment without electronics and no complaints. Plus she says the food is great. It is a beautiful camp that we feel fortunate to have the opportunity to attend each summer for as long as possible.

A friend from college had her wedding on this campsite. It was the perfect weekend getaway. As a…read morechild, I never attended camp, so it was nice to live out my Parent Trap dreams. We slept in the cabins for a weekend of fun with friends. There is a volleyball court, basketball court, and a lovely lakeside view.

My daughter will be attending Camp Wazi again in the summer of 2022 for the 4th year. Her first…read moreyear at Wazi was at 7 years old and I will never forget the 4 hour car ride home in which she did not stop talking about all of the amazing things she did and all of the wonderful friends she made. At Wazi, she tried all kinds of activities that she had never even heard of, such as archery, and came home with new interests. She also matured tremendously over that summer as these young kids are given the opportuntiy to choose which activities they would like to do, take care of themselves and make all kinds of decisions on their own. My daughter felt safe and happy all summer. During the 2021 summer, they did an amazing job of letting the kids enjoy a mostly normal camp experience even though COVID was still around. Highly recommend Camp Wazi for any child as there are so many activities to choose from and it is a nice small camp with a great staff!

Behind the Smiles: A Former Staff Member's Honest Account of Camp Wawenock for Girls"…read more An open, first-person reflection on what really goes on behind the image Camp Wawenock for Girls presents itself as a joyful, nature-based haven -- a place where girls grow strong, friendships flourish, and traditions are lovingly upheld. That may be the case for some. But in my personal experience as a former staff member, what happens behind the scenes often tells a much different story -- one defined by emotional control, physical and mental exhaustion, ethical red flags, and a culture that demands smiling compliance at all costs. Mental Health and the Breakdown Culture During my time at Camp Wawenock, my mental health deteriorated rapidly. The long hours, emotional pressure, and lack of autonomy took a daily toll. If you became ill -- physically or mentally -- there was rarely time or space to recover. Taking a day to rest or asking for support was often met with scrutiny or subtle judgment, as though struggling meant you weren't "tough enough" for the job. What's worse is that emotional breakdowns were normalized. I watched many staff members cry, burn out, or completely shut down. This was sometimes even joked about or acknowledged in meetings, as though it was just part of the experience -- an expected phase of staff life. It wasn't healthy. And it shouldn't be normal. A Culture of Control, Surveillance, and Paranoia One of the most oppressive aspects of camp life was the constant emotional and physical surveillance. Staff were questioned about where they were, who they were with, and what they were doing -- even during personal time. If you stepped away for five minutes, someone would likely ask, "Why are you over there? Who told you to take a break?" I often felt paranoid, like I was being watched even when I was off the clock. Real rest didn't exist. "Optional" events were never really optional. Socializing with certain staff members was discouraged. Saying no to a task or expressing discomfort led to isolation or punishment in quieter, more subtle ways. Animal Welfare: Horses Worked While Lame One of the hardest things I witnessed was the treatment of the camp's horses. Parents pay for their children to participate in horseback riding, and because of that, horses were often worked in visibly lame or injured conditions -- sometimes used in five riding lessons a day, five days a week, regardless of their physical state. Access to a vet was extremely limited, and in my experience, by the time any real help arrived, the horses had already endured weeks of overuse and pain. It felt like their well-being came second to preserving the riding program's image and delivering what had been promised to parents. Forced Traditions and Cultural Insensitivity One of the most unsettling aspects of the camp culture was the way "traditions" were treated as sacred, even when they felt spiritually manipulative or culturally insensitive. Staff and campers were expected to stand silently in the dark, sing together in choreographed moments, or smile on cue, in rituals that were said to honor Native Americans. But for new staff especially, these events could feel deeply uncomfortable -- even eerie. There was no meaningful education, no respectful engagement with Native culture, just symbolic reenactments that felt shallow and theatrical. To me, they felt more like a performance of reverence than real understanding -- and questioning it was not welcome. No Boundaries, No Breaks Work at Camp Wawenock never truly stopped. Staff meetings ran until 11 p.m., and days began as early as 7 a.m. Many nights we were awake until 2 or 3 a.m., comforting campers or managing cabin issues. There was no dedicated rest time, no system for recovery. Even mealtimes were "on shift," with assigned seating and even suggested conversation topics. If you dared to take five minutes to yourself, you had to be ready to justify it. Every part of the day was scheduled, monitored, and policed -- even if it meant sacrificing your well-being. Final Thoughts: This Isn't "Just Camp Culture" -- It's Harmful Some people leave Camp Wawenock with great memories -- and that's valid. But others, like myself, leave feeling emotionally broken, morally conflicted, and haunted by what we saw but weren't allowed to question. This is not just "camp culture." It's a deeply flawed system that normalizes emotional collapse, overlooks animal suffering, demands constant performance, and discourages authentic human needs. I share my experience not out of bitterness, but out of hope -- that future staff, parents, and community members ask better questions, that camp culture can evolve, and that we stop equating silence, control, and "tradition" with excellence.

animals in poor conditions, staff treated poorly, be careful going as an international staff member…read morebecause you will be treated poorly, ED are not treated correctly here or kindly. staff with issues from home or even just having a sick or bad day, treated harshly. need to be a tough cookie to make it.