Community Corner
Summer Camp Guide for Nashua Kids
Enrollment is starting soon for many summer camps. Here's a selection of summer day and overnight camps in and around Nashua and Massachusetts.
By Mike Taranto
With the choice and variety of summer camps available in New England in 2013, boredom won't be an option.
Organizations, from the YMCA to your local parks and recreation department, offer dozens of camp choices for recreation, science, reading, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list can easily launch your camp search with examples in your town and surrounding areas.
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Of course, this list isn't exhaustive – if you have a favorite camp you think should be added, please email it to carol.robidoux@patch.com.
Overnight Camps, New Hampshire
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Location: 9 Cody Rd., Freedom, NH
Type: Traditional overnight camp
Dates: 2 & 4 week sessions, June 23-August 17
Details: Nestled on the sandy beaches of beautiful Lake Ossipee amidst the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Cody offers a summer experience rich in fun, friendship, learning and adventure for ages 7 to 15.
Information: www.campcody.com, 800-399-4436
Location: Rindge, NH
Type: Overnight nature camp
Dates: 1 & 2 week sessions, June 30-August 24
Details: Wildwood is a multidimensional summer program for young people ages 9 to 17 focusing on active exploration of the natural world, owned and operated by Mass Audubon.
Information: www.massaudubon.org
Location: Hancock, NH
Type: Adventure/wilderness
Dates: 6 & 13 day sessions, July 3-August 12
Details: In-camp adventures include: low & high ropes courses, group initiatives, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, archery, waterfront activities, and on-site backpacking trips. Our Wilderness Trip program features off-site trips for 3-8 days in rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking and canoeing through New England.
Information: www.naturesclassroom.org/sargent
Location: Strafford, NH
Type: Building, Arts, Science, Creative Problem-solving
Dates: 2 4-week sessions, June 29-August 21
Details: At Beam kids learn to make their ideas happen through fine and manual arts, technology and collaboration. Campers collaborate on the spectacular Beam Project and engage with the full-time and visiting staff of professional architects, videographers, builders, engineers, designers, and makers of all kinds.
Information: www.beamcamp.com
Location: Wolfeboro, NH
Type: Private
Dates: 3, 4 or 7 week sessions, June 26-August 14
Details: Birchmont offers excellent programs in tennis, basketball, base/softball, soccer, golf, riflery, archery, nature, woodworking, ceramics, physical fitness, mountain biking, yoga, performing arts, high and low element ropes/challenge courses, horseback riding and fitness center.
Information: www.campbirchmont.com
Location: Peterborough, NH
Type: Traditional
Dates: 16 day sessions, June 26-August 18
Details: Founded in 1904, Brantwood Camp enrolls campers primarily from low-income and/or inner-city families from New England, New Jersey and New York. Brantwood fosters community spirit and building young men and women who are confident, independent and responsible leaders. Boys and girls experience camps on separate facilities.
Information: www.brantwood.org
Location: Bedford, NH
Type: Developmental disabilities and outdoor challenges
Dates: 5 & 10 day sessions, June 12-August 26
Details: Camp Allen provides opportunities for growth, friendship and fun for children and adults with developmental disabilities and other challenges in an outdoor environment. The ratio of counselor to camper is 1:2 and a 1:1 is available.
Information: www.campallennh.org
Location: Rindge
Type: One-on-one camper to counselor
Dates: June 23-August 17
Details: Surrounded by the support of the staff and the increased confidence which comes from positive interactions with their peers, campers participate in "traditional" camp activities, such as arts and crafts, swim instruction, boating, nature exploration, sports, drama, music, athletics, and more.
Information: campstarfish.org
Click the above link for a rundown of all YMCA-affiliated resident camps in NH, including co-ed, boys and girls.
Overnight camps, Massachusetts
Location: Center Lake, Becket, (Berkshires), MA
Type: Traditional overnight camp
Dates: 3 week, 4 week, full season
Details: Established in 1937, and owned and directed by the Hoch Family since 1960, Watitoh is an overnight camp for children, ages 7-16, who like to take part in an active program of land and water sports, creative and performing arts and outdoor hiking and camping.
Information: www.campwatitoh.com
Location: Brewster, MA
Type: Overnight sports, activities and lessons
Dates: 3 1/2 or 7 week session, June 30-August 17
Details: Resident Campers have the opportunity to choose different activities out of an average of twenty (20). Activity periods are approximately one hour.
Information: www.capecodseacamps.com
Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA
Type: Overnight Lacrosse
Dates: 1 week sessions, July 14-August 8
Details: With PrimeTime Lacrosse you see a staff of individuals that is always engaged with the campers, holding themselves and the players to the highest level of sportsmanship and integrity on and off the field.
Information: www.primetimelacrosse.com
Location: Hinsdale, MA
Type: Traditional cam
Dates: 2, 4, 6 week sessions, June 30-August 10
Details: The program is designed to bring out each campers’ talents and to challenge them to try new things.
Information: www.campemerson.com
Location: Boston, MA
Type: Seafaring adventure
Dates: July 27-August 7
Details: Seafaring Camp is a one-week co-educational learning adventure for teens aged 13-16, exploring the marine environment of coastal New England to discover the sea’s rich diversity of life, history, and lore.
Information: www.oceanclassroom.org
Location: Hinsdale, MA
Type: Girls traditional
Dates: June 22-August 10
Details: Camp Danbee offers girls a well-rounded, comprehensive, and instructionally oriented program. The skilled and enthusiastic staff of specialized instructors help campers to improve their abilities whether in the pool, on the soccer field, in gymnastics, in art, at dance, on the lake or on stage.
Information: www.campdanbee.com
Location: North Brookfield, MA
Type: Traditional, segregated
Dates: Boys: June 30-July 13; Girls: July 14-July 27
Details: A full range of environmental education activities, challenge, adventure and individual/group task are experienced in order to expand personal confidence, develop group cooperation, acquire practical living skills; and heighten environment awareness.
Information: www.campatwater.org
Location: Westford, MA
Type: Adventure
Dates: 3 sessions; June 30-August 9
Details: This is the most immersive summer camp experience with outdoor battles and encounters, late night events, and special events planned. All meals are provided. Campers reside in either wooden cabins with screen windows and doors, or platform cabin tents with screen windows and doors.
Information: swordsummercamp.com
Location: Lenox, MA
Type: Boys traditional
Dates: June 22-August 10
Details: Campers participate in a variety of activities that features team and individual sports, lake and pool activities, outdoor adventure, and arts & creativity featuring our popular woodshop.
Information: www.campmkn.com
Location: Needham, Marlboro, North Andover, Weston, MA
Type: Soccer
Dates: June 24-August 16
Details: Each morning is concentrated on individual techniques, while in the afternoon, on tactics. Each session is followed by our 6v6 tournament to give campers the opportunity to utilize their new skills in a match situation.
Information: johnsmithsports.com
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Type: Technology
Dates: June 30-August 16
Details: This core computer camp program is for 8-17 year olds and balances technology learning with fun summer camp activities in two-week sessions. It also offers a one week mini session at the end of the summer. It also offers over 20 Technology Workshops plus five recreation choices including Retro Games, Tennis, Swimming and Drama.
Information: www.computercamps.com/massachusetts/summer_camp.html
STEM Camp, Portland Maine
Science Island Extreme: Science of Survival Summer Camp
A Co-ed Summer Camp for Rising High School Juniors & Seniors, July 28 - August 3
Science Island Extreme Summer Camp Offers
- An individual and hands-on learning experience
- Accommodations in Saint Joseph’s College residence halls; genders separated by floors
- On-campus cafeteria dining
- Swimming and kayaking on Sebago Lake
- SAT preparation sessions
- Three college credits
- Transportation to and from the Portland Jetport
Day camps, New Hampshire
Location: Hampton, NH
Type: Basketball camp
Dates: 1 week sessions, July 8-August 23
Details: Celtics Cowens Camps will provide boys and girls ages 10-18 a structured learning experience focused on basketball fundamentals like offense, defense and shooting, while encouraging personal development in sportsmanship and team participation.
Information: www.nba.com/celtics/camps
Location: Bedford, NH
Type: Girl Scouts
Dates: June 27-August 12
Details: Camp Kettleford focuses on building community, creating connections and helping girls gain independence. Campers participate in general program activities such as swimming, boating, arts, drama, games and outdoor cooking.
Information: www.girlscoutsgwm.org
Location: Salem, NH
Type: Traditional
Dates: June 20-September 2
Details: Camp Sandlot includes a variety of activities: soccer, hip hop/ drama, wiffleball, dodgeball, crafts, football, musical theater, tug of war, swimming and kayaking. A Special camp is held for a 2 week Musical Theater camp.
Information: www.sandlotsportsnh.com
Location: Concord, NH
Type: Recreation
Dates: June 20-August 26
Details: Camp Shaker is primarily a recreational program located in picturesque East Concord, NH. The 50 acre campus offers swimming, golf, fitness trails, and kayaking from our offsite campus on the banks of the Merrimack.
Information: www.shakerroad.com
Location: Manchester, NH
Type: Traditional
Dates: June 20-August 26
Details: Activities include group games and sports, daily swimming lessons, free swim, boating, waterskiing, archery, arts and crafts, frisbee golf, pond life, climbing, treasure hunts, and many more activities and special events.
Information: www.melodypines.com
Location: Merrimack, NH
Type: Town of Merrimack Parks and Recreation
Dates: June 27-August 19
Details: Facilities include the dining hall where campers enjoy daily hot lunch prepared on site by out camp cook, the theater where campers perform for their families and friends at the open-house, Naticook Lake for swim lessons and canoeing, nature, archery, arts & crafts and so much more.
Information: http://www.merrimacknh.gov/town/departments/parks_and_recreation/naticook_day_camp
Location: Naticook Lake, Merrimack, NH
Type: Traditional and variety of specialty camps
Dates: June 17-Aug. 23
Details: Located on Naticook Lake in Merrimack, just minutes from the Merrimack and Nashua Y, Camp Sargent sits on 22 acres. Since 1924, Camp Sargent has offered the Greater Nashua community a day camping program to boys and girls 5-16 years old. Sessions range from one to 10 weeks of traditional camp activities to more involved specialty camps that provide more time for campers to dive deeper into what interests them most. Regardless of the type of camp, staff always stress safety, teamwork and work towards each camper building self confidence and making friends.
Information: http://www.campsargent.org/2013%20YMCA_Camp_Sargent_Brochure.pdf
Location: Merrimack YMCA Facility, Nashua YMCA Facility
Type: Traditional
Details: Registration for our 2013 summer camps has begun! Our day camps are about discovery. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, make lasting friendships and memories, and of course, have fun! View or download the Camp Brochure.
Information: http://www.nmymca.org/programs/day-camps/
Location: Rindge, NH
Type: One-on-one camper to counselor
Dates: June 24-August 16
Details: Camp Starfish is a unique environment, the only camp in New England to offer a one-to-one camper-to-counselor relationship. In our program, each year more than 200 young boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 who struggle with debilitating psychological and learning disabilities have found the care and compassion needed to help them move forward in life.
Information: campstarfish.org
Day camps, Massachusetts
(For those parents who may travel daily to these areas or for a more specialized experience.)
Middlesex School Summer Arts Program
Location: 1400 Lowell Rd., Concord, MA
Type: Performing arts, visual arts, recreation
Dates: 2, 3 5 week sessions, June 24-July 26
Details: The program offers over 100 courses for grades 2-11 in art, dance, drama, technical theater, gymnastics, music, video production, writing, photography, textiles, sports and other fields.
Information: www.mxschoolsummerarts.org, 978-371-6550
Location: Olin College, Needham, MA
Type: Science, technology, engineering, architecture, design and invention
Dates: Weekly, July 1-August 9
Details: Programs are categorized as Adventures with LEGO®, Robotics in Engineering & Invention and Digital Media & Technology. Staff provides assistance, instruction, sample projects, challenge projects and theme based outlines.
Information: www.greenapplecamps.com, 877-735-4550
Location: 275 Forest Ridge Rd., Concord
Type: Traditional day camp
Dates: 2 week sessions, June 24-August 23
Details: Mornings are filled with engaging instructional programs such as Red Cross swim lessons and archery. Campers choose how they want to spend their afternoons by signing up for hobbies (or electives). Some hobbies include candle making, hip-hop dancing and ultimate frisbee.
Information: www.campthoreau.com, 978-831-1349
Location: Waltham, Canton, Hanover, MA
Type: Basketball camp
Dates: 1 week sessions, July 8-August 23
Details: Celtics Cowens Camps will provide boys and girls ages 10-18 a structured learning experience focused on basketball fundamentals like offense, defense and shooting, while encouraging personal development in sportsmanship and team participation.
Information: www.nba.com/celtics/camps
Location: Franklin, Dover, Natick, Wellesley, Foxboro, Marlboro, MA
Type: Lacrosse camp
Dates: 4-day sessions, June 25-July 28
Details: With PrimeTime Lacrosse you see a staff of individuals that is always engaged with the campers, holding themselves and the players to the highest level of sportsmanship and integrity on and off the field.
Information: primetimelacrosse.com
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Is your camp not on this list? You can include the information about your camp in the comment section below.
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