Summer Camp Guide for the South End

Campers at Camp Thoreau day camp in Concord, MA.

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.

Massachusetts Overnight Camps

Camp Atwater

  • Location: North Brookfield, MA

  • Type: Traditional, segregated

  • Dates: Boys: June 30 through July 13; Girls: July 14-27

  • 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

Camp Danbee

  • Location: Hinsdale, MA

  • Type: Girls traditional

  • Dates: June 22 through Aug. 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

Camp Emerson

  • Location: Hinsdale, MA

  • Type: Traditional camp

  • Dates: Two-, four- and six-week sessions, June 30 through Aug. 10

  • Details: The program is designed to bring out each camper’s talents and to challenge them to try new things.

  • Information: www.campemerson.com

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac

  • Location: Lenox, MA

  • Type: Boys traditional

  • Dates: June 22 through Aug. 10

  • Details: Campers participate in a variety of activities that features team and individual sports, lake and pool activities, outdoor adventure and arts and creativity featuring our popular woodshop.

  • Information: www.campmkn.com

Camp Wititoh

  • Location: Center Lake, Becket, (Berkshires), MA

  • Type: Traditional overnight camp

  • Dates: Three weeks, four weeks, 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, 914-428-1894

Cape Cod Sea Camp

  • Location: Brewster, MA

  • Type: Overnight sports, activities and lessons

  • Dates: 3 1/2- or seven-week session, June 30 through Aug. 17

  • Details: Resident campers have the opportunity to choose different activities out of an average of 20. Activity periods are approximately one hour.

  • Information: www.capecodseacamps.com, 508-896-3451

Emagination Camp

  • Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA

  • Type: Technology

  • Dates: June 30 through Aug. 16

  • Details: This core computer camp program is for eight- to 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

John Smith Sports

  • Location: Needham, Marlboro, North Andover, Weston, MA

  • Type: Soccer

  • Dates: June 24 through Aug. 16

  • Details: Each morning is concentrated on individual techniques, while in the afternoon, on tactics. Each session is followed by a 6v6 tournament to give campers the opportunity to utilize their new skills in a match situation.

  • Information: www.johnsmithsports.com

PrimeTime Lacrosse

  • Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA

  • Type: Overnight lacrosse

  • Dates: One-week sessions, July 14 through Aug. 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

    Seafaring

    • Location: Boston, MA

    • Type: Seafaring adventure

    • Dates: One-week sessions, July 27 through Aug. 7

    • Details: Seafaring Camp is a one-week co-educational learning adventure for teens ages 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

      Wizards & Warriors

      • Location: Westford, MA

      • Type: Adventure

      • Dates: Three sessions; June 30 through Aug. 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

      Massachusetts Day Camps

      Camp Thoreau

      • Location: 275 Forest Ridge Rd., Concord, MA

      • Type: Traditional day camp

      • Dates: Two-week sessions, June 24 through Aug. 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

      Celtics Cowens Camp

      • Location: Waltham, Canton, Hanover, MA

      • Type: Basketball camp

      • Dates: One-week sessions, July 8 through Aug. 23

      • Details: Celtics Cowens Camps will provide boys and girls ages 10-18 with a structured learning experience focused on basketball fundamentals such as offense, defense and shooting, while encouraging personal development in sportsmanship and team participation.

      • Information: www.nba.com/celtics/camps

      Green Apple Campus

      • Location: Olin College, Needham, MA

      • Type: Science, technology, engineering, architecture, design and invention

      • Dates: Weekly, July 1 through Aug. 9

      • Details: Programs are categorized as Adventures with LEGO, Robotics in Engineering and Invention and Digital Media and Technology. Staff provides assistance, instruction, sample projects, challenge projects and theme-based outlines.

      • Information: www.greenapplecamps.com, 877-735-4550

      Hale Reservation

      • Location: 80 Carby St., Westwood, MA

      • Type: Traditional summer day camp

      • Dates: Weekly, June 24 through Aug. 23

      • Details: Situated on 1,130 acres of unspoiled woodlands, winding streams, extensive hiking trails and scenic ponds, Hale Day Camp offers the perfect backdrop for a summer of outdoor exploration and learning.

      • Information: www.halereservation.org, 781-326-1770

      Mass Audubon

      • Location: Throughout Massachusetts

      • Type: Nature day camps

      • Dates: One-week sessions, June 24 through Aug. 16

      • Details: At Mass Audubon’s summer camp programs, children spend time outdoors, discover the natural world, meet new friends, play noncompetitive games and have fun. And with 18 day camps from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands, and everywhere in between, there’s a Mass audubon camp in your neighborhood.

      • Information: www.massaudubon.org/camps

      Meadowbrook Day Camp

      • Location: 10 Farm Rd., Weston, MA

      • Type: Traditional day camp

      • Details: Open to children in kindergarten through age 12 1/2, this coeducational camp offers a group-centered approach and a multitude of fun and educational activities. The camp was founded in 1950 and is accredited by the American Camping Association.

      • Information: www.meadowbrook-ma.org/daycamp, 781-894-1193

      Middlesex School Summer Arts Program

      • Location: 1400 Lowell Rd., Concord, MA

      • Type: Performing arts, visual arts, recreation

      • Dates: Two-, three- or five-week sessions, June 24 through July 26

      • Details: The program offers more than 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

      PrimeTime Lacrosse

      • Location: Franklin, Dover, Natick, Wellesley, Foxboro, Marlboro, MA

      • Type: Lacrosse camp

      • Dates: Four-day sessions, June 25 through 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: www.primetimelacrosse.com

      Summer’s Edge

      • Location: Lexington/Salem, MA

      • Type: Tennis day camp

      • Dates: Weekly, June 24 through Aug. 16

      • Details: Summer’s Edge Day Camp believes in offering campers group activities as well as individual choices. The afternoon schedule includes free choice activity periods and one free swim period.

      • Information: www.summersedgedaycamp.com, 781-391-EDGE

      TenAcre Camp

      • Location: Tenacre Country Day School, 80 Benvenue St., Wellesley, MA

      • Type: Traditional day camp

      • Dates: Two-week sessions, June 24 through Aug. 16

      • Details: Tenacre Day Camp is a traditional, fun summer experience for children ages 3-12. Campers are encouraged to participate in a wide range of age-appropriate activities which promotes group cohesiveness and provides opportunities for individual growth and creativity.

      • Information: www.tenacrecds.org/summer, 781-235-3238

      New Hampshire Overnight Camps

      Adventure Camp Sargent Center

      • Location: Hancock, NH

      • Type: Adventure/wilderness

      • Dates: Six- and 13-day sessions, July 3 through Aug. 12

      • Details: In-camp adventures include: low and high ropes courses, group initiatives, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, archery, waterfront activities and on-site backpacking trips. The 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

      Beam Camp

      • Location: Strafford, NH

      • Type: Building, arts, science, creative problem-solving

      • Dates: Two four-week sessions, June 29 through Aug. 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

      Birchmont-A Pierce Camp

      • Location: Wolfeboro, NH

      • Type: Private

      • Dates: Three-, four- or seven-week sessions, June 26 through Aug. 14

      • Details: Birchmont offers programs in tennis, basketball, baseball, 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.

      • Information: www.campbirchmont.com

      Brantwood

      • Location: Peterborough, NH

      • Type: Traditional

      • Dates: 16-day sessions, June 26 through Aug. 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

      Camp Allen

      • Location: Bedford, NH

      • Type: Developmental disabilities and outdoor challenges

      • Dates: Five- and 10-day sessions, June 12 through Aug. 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

      Camp Cody

      • Location: 9 Cody Rd., Freedom, NH

      • Type: Traditional overnight camp

      • Dates: Two- and four-week sessions, June 23 through Aug. 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 7-15.

      • Information: www.campcody.com, 800-399-4436

        Camp Starfish

        • Location: Rindge, NH

        • Type: One-on-one camper to counselor

        • Dates: June 23 through Aug. 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: www.campstarfish.org

          Wildwood

          • Location: Rindge, NH

          • Type: Overnight nature camp

          • Dates: One- and two-week sessions, June 30 through Aug. 24

          • Details: Wildwood is a multidimensional summer program for young people ages 9-17 focusing on active exploration of the natural world, owned and operated by Mass Audubon.

          • Information:www.massaudubon.org

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