Where can you find the best overnight summer camps in Michigan for kids. How do you choose the right camp experience for your child. What activities and programs are offered at top-rated Michigan camps. Discover the ultimate guide to 2023 summer camp options across the state.
Exploring Michigan’s Premier Summer Camp Destinations
Michigan’s diverse landscape provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer camp experiences. From the shores of the Great Lakes to dense forests and rolling hills, the state offers a wide array of options for children to explore nature, develop new skills, and forge lifelong friendships. Let’s dive into some of the top-rated summer camps across different regions of Michigan.
Southeast Michigan: A Hub for Exceptional Overnight Camps
Southeast Michigan boasts several outstanding overnight camps that combine outdoor adventure with personal growth opportunities. One standout option is Camp Ohiyesa in Holly, MI. This YMCA-operated camp sits on the picturesque shores of Fish Lake, surrounded by over 300 acres of natural beauty.
Camp Ohiyesa: A YMCA Summer Adventure
Camp Ohiyesa welcomes children aged 4-17, offering a diverse range of activities that align with the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect, responsibility, and inclusion. Campers can enjoy:
- Horseback riding
- Zip-lining
- Archery
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Paddle boarding
- Ropes course challenges
- Sports activities
- Petting farm experiences
- Arts and crafts
The camp runs from June to August, with additional mini-camps available in spring and fall. Counselor-in-training programs are also offered for older teens looking to develop leadership skills.
YMCA Camps Across Michigan
The YMCA operates several other highly regarded camps throughout Michigan, including:
- Ann Arbor YMCA Camp Al-Gon-Quian: A top-rated overnight camp on Burt Lake
- Camp Eberhart: Located in Three Rivers, offering a variety of outdoor activities
- Detroit YMCA Camps: Multiple day camp options in the metro Detroit area
West Michigan: Summer Adventures on the Shores of Lake Michigan
West Michigan’s summer camps take advantage of the region’s beautiful lakeshores and forests, providing unique experiences for children of all ages.
Camp Greenwood: Faith-Based Fun in Gowen
Camp Greenwood, located north of Grand Rapids, offers week-long summer camp experiences for children aged 6-17. This faith-based camp features a variety of themed programs, including:
- Dancing and music
- Fine arts
- Computers and science
- Adventure activities
- Religious studies
Campers can participate in water activities, archery, sports, arts and crafts, and nature exploration. Camp Greenwood also offers a family camp experience, allowing parents and children to create memories together.
Camp Blodgett: Affordable Lakeside Camping in West Olive
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan near Holland, Camp Blodgett provides affordable summer camp options for youth aged 8-13 from Ottawa and Kent Counties. The camp’s lakeside location offers a perfect setting for water-based activities and beach adventures.
Northern Michigan: Embracing Nature in the Great North
Northern Michigan’s pristine wilderness and numerous lakes make it an ideal location for summer camps that focus on outdoor skills and environmental education.
Camp Walden: A Traditional Camp Experience in Cheboygan
Camp Walden, nestled on Long Lake in Cheboygan, offers a traditional camp experience for children aged 7-16. With a history dating back to 1916, this camp provides a wide range of activities, including:
- Water sports (swimming, sailing, waterskiing)
- Land sports (tennis, basketball, soccer)
- Arts and crafts
- Outdoor skills (campcraft, nature studies)
- Performing arts
Camp Walden’s program is designed to foster independence, self-confidence, and social skills in a supportive environment.
Upper Peninsula: Rugged Adventures in Michigan’s Northernmost Region
The Upper Peninsula offers unique camping experiences that take full advantage of its rugged terrain and natural beauty.
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp: Faith and Nature in Crystal Falls
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, located in Crystal Falls, combines faith-based activities with outdoor adventures. The camp offers programs for various age groups, from elementary school children to high school students. Activities include:
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Archery
- Hiking
- Bible study
- Arts and crafts
- Campfire gatherings
The camp’s location in the Ottawa National Forest provides a serene backdrop for personal growth and spiritual development.
Specialized Summer Camps: Catering to Unique Interests
Beyond traditional summer camps, Michigan offers a variety of specialized programs that cater to specific interests and skills.
Michigan Tech Summer Youth Programs: STEM-Focused Camps in Houghton
Michigan Technological University in Houghton hosts a range of summer youth programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These camps provide hands-on learning experiences in fields such as:
- Robotics
- Computer programming
- Environmental science
- Engineering
- Aviation
These programs are designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for STEM subjects in middle and high school students.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp: Nurturing Artistic Talents in Twin Lake
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, located in Twin Lake, offers intensive summer programs for young artists in various disciplines, including:
- Music (instrumental and vocal)
- Dance
- Theater
- Visual arts
The camp provides top-notch instruction from professional artists and educators, allowing students to hone their skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Choosing the Right Michigan Summer Camp for Your Child
Selecting the perfect summer camp for your child requires careful consideration of several factors. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Age appropriateness: Ensure the camp’s programs are suitable for your child’s age group.
- Interests and goals: Consider your child’s passions and what they hope to gain from the experience.
- Camp philosophy: Look for a camp whose values and approach align with your family’s beliefs.
- Location and duration: Decide whether a nearby day camp or a farther overnight camp is more suitable.
- Cost and financial aid: Consider the camp’s fees and whether scholarships or financial assistance are available.
- Safety and accreditation: Check the camp’s safety record and accreditations from organizations like the American Camp Association.
- Staff qualifications: Inquire about counselor training and staff-to-camper ratios.
- Special needs accommodations: If applicable, ensure the camp can meet your child’s specific requirements.
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can find a summer camp that provides a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for your child.
Preparing Your Child for Their Summer Camp Adventure
Once you’ve selected the perfect Michigan summer camp, it’s important to prepare your child for the experience. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth transition:
- Involve your child in the planning process, allowing them to feel excited and invested in the experience.
- Discuss any concerns or anxieties your child may have about attending camp.
- Practice independence skills at home, such as making beds or organizing belongings.
- Review the camp’s packing list together and involve your child in gathering necessary items.
- Arrange a visit to the camp before the session if possible, familiarizing your child with the environment.
- Discuss communication options, such as letters or scheduled phone calls, to maintain contact during the camp session.
- Emphasize the positive aspects of camp, such as making new friends and trying exciting activities.
By taking these steps, you can help your child feel more confident and prepared for their summer camp adventure.
The Lasting Impact of Michigan Summer Camps
Summer camps in Michigan offer more than just a fun way to spend school holidays. They provide valuable experiences that can have a lasting impact on a child’s personal growth and development. Some of the long-term benefits of attending summer camp include:
- Increased independence and self-reliance
- Improved social skills and the ability to form new friendships
- Enhanced problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Greater appreciation for nature and the environment
- Development of new interests and passions
- Boosted self-confidence and self-esteem
- Improved leadership skills
- Lasting memories and a sense of belonging to a community
These experiences can shape a child’s character and provide them with valuable life skills that extend far beyond the summer months.
Michigan’s diverse array of summer camps offers something for every child, from traditional outdoor adventures to specialized programs in arts, sciences, and sports. By carefully considering your child’s interests and needs, you can find the perfect summer camp experience that will create lasting memories and foster personal growth. Whether it’s exploring the shores of the Great Lakes, hiking through dense forests, or developing new skills in a supportive environment, Michigan’s summer camps provide the ultimate backdrop for unforgettable childhood experiences.
20 Top Michigan Summer Camps for Kids 2023
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Table Of Contents
- Top Summer Camps in Michigan for Kids (Sleepaway Camps, Day Camps, Family Camps and More)
- Overnight Summer Camps in Southeast Michigan
- Michigan Summer Camps in West Michigan
- More West Michigan Summer Camps for Kids
- Michigan Summer Camps in Northern Michigan
- Summer Camping Programs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Top Summer Camps in Michigan for Kids (Sleepaway Camps, Day Camps, Family Camps and More)
If you’re looking for ways to provide endless hours of summer fun for your kids, don’t wait until school’s out to start your search for a summer camp in Michigan.
Michigan summer camps can provide everything from learning experiences rich with personal growth to a a simple chance to commune with nature and relish the magic of a Michigan summer.
We’ve created a list Michigan summer camps directory of some of the top camps in Michigan.
These are camps that offer a variety of activities over the weeks of camp. Watch for upcoming posts on specific camps including soccer camps, dance camps, tech camps, basketball camps and more.
The Right Michigan Summer Kids Camp
You’ll find a mix of summer day camps and overnight camps, boys camps, girls camps and even family camps, from metro Detroit all the way to the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula.
No matter the type, the camps all spell out big fun and are a great way to spend summer in Michigan while fostering your child’s personal growth.
All of these camps for kids offer an opportunity for your child to learn life skills and make new friends. From new outdoor adventures to musical theater, science, arts, and crafts and more, there is no end to the opportunities for your child to have fun learning new things.
How to Find a Michigan Summer Camp
There are many youth camps in Michigan, and picking the right one for your for your child is important.
You want their first sleepaway camp experience to create wonderful, lasting memories. Whether you’re looking for art camps, stem camps. sports camps, bible camp, a mini camp or a traditional camp experience for your child, chances are good that you’ll find one to match your needs in Michigan.
Be sure to check each camp website for more details, where you can learn important information to help your child feel more familiar with the camp prior to their arrival.
Like what you see? Some of the camps even offer a family camping summer program or serve as a retreat center during the off season.
Overnight Summer Camps in Southeast Michigan
Camp Ohiyesa
7300 Hickory Ridge Rd, Holly, MI 48442
Ages 4-17
Located on the shores of Fish Lake in Holly MI, YMCA Camp Ohiyesa offers day and overnight camp for children ages 4-17 from southeast Michigan and beyond. You’ll find over 300 acres of trails, woods and fields for kids to roam here.
One of the top overnight camps in Michigan, the camp is run by the YMCA. The Y’s Core values of honesty, caring, respect, responsibility and inclusion take center stage at this camp in Oakland County. This Michigan YMCA camp runs from June to August.
Kids can enjoy everything from horseback riding, zip-lining and archery to swimming, canoeing, and paddle boarding. There’s a ropes course, a waterslide, and tons more sports, too, as well as a petting farm and arts and crafts. You’ll also find counselor in training programs and mini camps that run in the spring and fall, too. Be sure to check the website for other YMCA-run summer camps throughout the state of Michigan.
Learn More Here
PRO-TIP: The YMCA operates several camps throughout Michigan including these popular camps: Ann Arbor YMCA Camp Al-Gon-Quian, a top-rated overnight camp in Burt Lake, MI; find more information here; and Camp Eberhart, 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093.
You can also find many Detroit summer camps operated by the YMCA here.
Camp Discovery and North Star Reach
1200 University Camp Dr, Pinckney, MI 48169
Camping is suspended for the 2023 summer season
Learn More Here
Michigan Summer Camps in West Michigan
Camp Greenwood
13564 Macclain St NE, Gowen, MI 49326
Ages: 6-17 years
This faith-based summer camp north of Grand Rapids MI offers week-long summer camp experiences for boys and girls ages 9-17 as well as shorter camp experiences for kids 6-8. They also offer a family camp experience.
Camp themes range from dancing, music and fine arts to computers & science to adventure and religion and run during the months of June and July. Kids can enjoy water activities, archery, sports, arts & crafts, nature activities and more.
Learn More Here
Camp Blodgett
10451 Lakeshore Drive, West Olive, MI 49460
Ages: 8-17 years
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan about 40 minutes west of Grand Rapids near Holland MI, Camp Blodgett offers affordable summer camps.
Ottawa and Kent County youth, ages 8-13. Campers enjoy a memorable 5-day resident camps led by dedicated camp staff, hosting a wide variety of recreational activities.
Camp Blodgett’s experiences include physical activities like swimming, hiking and biking, but we also ensure that campers are exposed to learning opportunities with activities that may be new to them such as archery, canoeing, and workshops on a variety of topics to keep their minds active and growing.
Learn More Here
YMCA Family Camp Pinewoods
4230 Obenauf Rd, Twin Lake, MI 49457
Ages: Family Camp
Located just west of Muskegon, the YMCA’s Pine woods camp offers family camping opportunities from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Grab your family (or friends!) and head out for a hike on one of our beautiful trails, plunge into Echo Lake, conquer the 40-foot climbing tower, hit your mark at archery, fly down the zip line, play a game on the ball field, or just enjoy the quiet beauty of the Manistee National Forest.
Accommodations run from rustic to deluxe, with bunkhouses, a full, lodge-style cabin, or even a yurt providing overnight lodging for your family. There’s a dining hall serving three well-balanced meals each day including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and a camp store has fun souvenirs and items you may have left behind.
Learn More Here
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
300 E Crystal Lake Rd, Twin Lake, MI 49457
Ages: Grades 5-12
Located in the Huron Manistee National Forest, this internationally recognized summer school of the arts offers fine arts education for campers in grades 5 -12. Programs in music, art, dance, and drama are offered all summer long, as is an international exchange program that offers campers an opportunity to travel to Europe.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp also offers adult camps, please check the website for more information.
Learn More Here
Camp Newaygo
5333 S.
Centerline Road, Newaygo, MI 49337
Ages: 7-17 years
You’ll find a variety of camping options here ranging from girls overnight camps to co-ed day camps, family camps and even “Mom and Me” camping opportunities at Camp Newaygo in Newaygo
County Michigan.
Cam Newaygo is located in the Huron Manistee National Forest on the shores of pretty Pickerel Lake. With more than 30 activities to choose from including archery, water skiing, paddle boarding and team sports to horseback riding, synchronized swimming, pottery and gymnastics, there is something for everyone here.
Learn More Here
Indian Trails Camp
O-1859 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49531
IKUS Life Enrichment Services helps individuals with disabilities to discover their potential, experience greater freedom, learn new skills, and have fun in a safe environment. Ultimately, IKUS gives clients the tools they need to make every day another best day.
ITC provides overnight residential camping experiences in a beautiful, adaptive, and barrier-free natural setting. Most sessions are based on a traditional camp program, while other sessions provide a more specialized approach focusing on specific needs and the abilities of our campers
IKUS serves individuals from five years old to eighty-plus. Check the summer camp website for more information.
Learn More Here
Camp Miniwanca, an American Youth Foundation camp
8845 W Garfield Rd., Shelby, MI 4945
Ages: Grades 3-12
Set on 360 wooded acres and a mile of private Lake Michigan shoreline, Camp Minwanca offers campers in grades 3-12 a variety of one-to-six programs in a beautiful natural setting. From leadership programs for older campers to adventure camps, your camper can choose from fun activities like swimming, pottery and yoga to theater, ropers courses and woodshop.
Camp Miniwanca focuses on inclusivity.
Camp Miniwanca honors and welcomes campers and staff of all gender identities, including transgender and gender-expansive individuals.
Learn More Here
More West Michigan Summer Camps for Kids
Camp Manitou-lin
1095 N Briggs Rd, Middleville, MI 49333
Ages: 4- 17 years
Located south of Grand Rapids, this YMCA-operated camp is set on the shores of Barlow Lake in west Michigan. You’ll find a wide range of camping opportunities for campers ages 4 to 17 years. Day camps, overnight camps, family camps are available, as well as a horse camp for the equestrian minded. This YMCA camp has been operating for over 100 years.
Lake of the Woods & Greenwoods Camps
84600 47 1/2 St, Decatur, MI 49045
Ages: 6-15 years
Located in Van Buren County in southwest Michigan, you find two camps here. Lake of the Woods camp for girls and Camp Greenwood for boys both offer two-, four- and eight-week sessions for boys and girls ages 6 to 15.
With more than 50 activities to choose from ranging from sailing, swimming and horseback riding to performing arts and team sports, there is a lot to do here.
There’s also a retreat and nature center available for larger groups in mid-August through September.
Learn More Here
Circle Pines Center
8650 Mullen Rd, Delton, MI 49046
Ages: 7-17 years
Located south of Grand Rapids, Circle Pines Center teaches peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship through cooperation in work, education, and recreation. They offer a co-ed residential camp for ages 7-17.
Combining traditional summer camp activities like swimming, theater, and sports with cooperative work projects, critical thinking and social justice, there are also family program offered here, too.
Learn More Here
Camp Kidwell
39000 1st Ave, Bloomingdale Michigan 49026
Ages: 4-16 years
Located on 150 acres on the shores of scenic Eagle Lake in southwest Michigan, Camp Kidwell offers both overnight and day camps for kids ages 4- 16.
Camp activities range from swimming, archery, arts and crafts, drama, canoeing, nature exploration, horseback riding to sports, games, campfires, singing, and much more.
Learn More Here
Sherman Lake Summer Camp
6225 N 39th St, Augusta, MI 49012
Ages: 4-17 years
Located in Southwest Michigan, Sherman Lake Camp puts honesty, caring, respect and responsibility into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. You’ll find a summer day camp, overnight camp, a family camp, and a horse came here.
The camp is situated on 365 acres of wooded and waterfront property, with facilities that include cabins, a dining hall, a waterfront, a climbing tower, a ropes course, and more. In addition to summer camp programs, Sherman Lake YMCA Camp also hosts retreats and events for schools, churches, and other organizations throughout the year.
Learn More Here
Grace Adventures
2100 N Ridge Rd, Mears, MI 49436
Michigan Summer Camps in Northern Michigan
Camp Walden
5607 S River Rd, Cheboygan, MI 49721
Ages: 7-16 years
Located on the shores of Long Lake in northern Michigan, this family-owned camp offers sleepaway camp experiences for kids with and age range of 7 -16.
Choose from range of sessions including the full seven-week program, two weeks, mini sessions and more.
There is a lot to do at this Cheboygan camp, with more than 50 different activities and a “camper-choice” program for children with a wide variety of interests: land and water sports, visual and performing arts, nature and tripping, horseback riding as well as media (newspaper, radio, video, darkroom photography).
Kids can learn everything from podcasting to lacrosse; from sailing to ceramics surrounded by northern Michigan’s beauty.
Learn More Here
Crystalaire Adventures and Camp Carvela
33 Bass Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685
Camp Lookout
1310 Beuna Rd, Frankfort Michigan 49635
Ages: 7-17 years
These two northern Michigan camps and additional trip program offer an amazing variety of camping experiences from day camps to overnight camp to overnight camping adventures in Michigan wilderness spots.
Your kids can choose to visit Isle Royale National Park, the Manitou Islands, and those are just some of the available adventures. Camping experiences for kids ages from 7-17 are unique, featuring programming created with input from the campers themselves.
You won’t find movie nights or computer labs here. What you will find are a mix of games and sports, special events, skits, dramatic, talent and music activities, focused on fostering active, involved, and individual participation from campers.
Learn More Here
Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen Arts Camp)
4000 J Maddy Pkwy, Interlochen, MI 49643
Ages: Grades 3-12
Open to students who are entering grades 3-12, and it offers a variety of programs in the arts including music, theater, dance, creative writing, visual arts, and more.
The camp is located near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and it attracts talented young artists from all over the world.
The program runs for several weeks during the summer, and students can work with world-renowned artists and educators, as well as participate in performances and exhibitions.
Learn More Here
Lake Ann Camp and Retreat Center
18400 Maple Street, Lake Ann, MI 49650
Age: Grades 4-12
This Christian camp in northern Michigan offers six camp experiences for campers in Grade 4-12. You’ll also find retreats, speakers and more.
Learn More Here
Summer Camping Programs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Boy Scouts Camp Hiawatha
e6350 Doe Lake Rd, Munising, MI 49862
Ages: 7-16 years
Camp Hiawatha is 800 acres and encircles Bunting Lake, a 60 acre lake in the middle of Hiawatha National Forest in the heart of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, between the towns of Munising and Chatham. Close by are many trails and waterways including the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, The North Country Trail, Grand Island, and the Au Train River.
Learn More Here
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp
138 Fortune Lake Camp Rd, Crystal Falls, MI 49920L
Located in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula, this Christian-based overnight camp offers programs for youth ages 5-18. Activities include swimming, canoeing, hiking, Bible study, and more.
Learn More Here
Interested in being featured in our guide to the TOP Michigan Summer Camps? Use the form below to contact us!
Are there many summer camps for kids in Michigan?
There are over 1,000 Michigan summer camps for kids in Michigan, They include overnight (or sleepaway) camps, day camps, family camps and more.
More Things to Do With Kids in Michigan in Summer
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Michigan Sleepaway Camps: 14 Summer Camps Your Kids Would Love
Michiganders are known for their epic camping getaways. Teach your child to love their time in nature with these character-building summer camps.
MICHIGAN—School’s almost out for the summer, but in Michigan’s diverse outdoor landscapes, the learning has just begun.
With breathtaking natural wonders that include beaches and forests, Michigan is one of the best places in the country for summer camp. And after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, more kids than ever are looking forward to a classic summer camp experience.
Beyond fun in the sun, Michigan’s many summer camps offer programs meant to form important life skills and create lasting connections to Michigan’s gorgeous outdoors. So what kind of camp is your family looking for? A character-building experience? A physical challenge, outdoor learning, or even the fine arts? Read on to find it in this summer camp roundup.
YMCA Camps (Multiple Locations)
Age Range: 4-18 (Varies by Location)
The YMCA is a non-profit organization with the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they have several overnight summer camps across the Lower Peninsula.
Though they’re likely the closest options for many Michigan residents, they also sometimes offer shuttles to and from the YMCA. The YMCA uses its summer camps to teach youth independence and provide kids with physical, social, and educational activities as they build critical life skills and interact with nature. Each individual location may also offer special programming, such as leadership camps.
Visit the Michigan YMCA camps website for locations and more information.
Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen)
Age Range: Grades 3-12
Interlochen is a nearly century-old creative center in northwest Michigan that teaches the fine arts to students interested in music, theater, dance, film, visual arts, and creative writing. Many alumni have gone on to have successful careers both within and outside the arts, and even become famous, such as singer Norah Jones, actor Santino Fontana, Breaking Bad executive producer Vince Gilligan, and Google co-founder Larry Page.
It remains one of the most prestigious schools in the country and one of the best examples of summer music programs anywhere. Interlochen incorporates six different modalities for arts education and the summer camp offers a true creative retreat. About 2,800 creatively-minded students attend the camp every year. Camp housing is gender-inclusive for all gender identities.
Visit the Interlochen website for more information.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (Twin Lake)
Age Range: Grades 5-12
Located in the Manistee National Forest, Blue Lake teaches programs in music, art, dance, and drama to more than 5,000 students every summer. Summer camp sessions run for a week and a half and students choose a major related to their creative focus. Music majors include band, choir, harp, jazz, orchestra, and piano. Camp housing is gender-inclusive for all gender identities.
Visit the Blue Lake website for more information.
Camp Blodgett (West Olive)
Age Range: 8-17
If the cost of your child’s summer experience is a concern for you, you’ll love Camp Blodgett’s sliding scale program.
Camp Blodgett was designed to give children from low-income families equitable access to the enrichment of a summer camp program and precious time outdoors. Their sliding scale is based on family size and income, with fees as low as $40 for a five-day session. Camp sessions have different themes, such as Arts Week and Magic Week.
Visit the Camp Blodgett website for more information.
Circle Pines Summer Camp (Delton)
Age Range: 7-15
Is your child an activist? Do they have a passion for environmental issues? Circle Pines might be the right fit for them. At Circle Pines, campers focus on cooperation as a way of life and as a solution to economic and social issues. The Circle Pines summer camp experience is filled with cooperative work projects like organic gardening and trail maintenance, and educational programming that covers ecosystems, climate change, food politics, and social justice. The camp’s values even come up at lunchtime, as the camp kitchen uses primarily local, organic, and humanely-raised food sources.
Visit the Circle Pines Summer Camp website for more information.
Camp Tall Tree (Howell)
Age Range: 7-17
If your child has autism or a similar neurodivergent status, Camp Tall Tree is built to meet their unique needs. The camp is intended to give children with differing emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs equitable access to the traditional summer camp experience, with plenty of trained staff on hand to see to it that your child has the best experience possible. Three programs are offered, including the main one for autistic campers, a second for their neurotypical siblings, and a third for both older neurotypical children and autistic campers, who are paired together in a supportive peer relationship.
Visit the Camp Tall Tree website for more information.
North Star Reach, Camp Michitanki, and Camp Discovery (Pinckney)
Age Range: 7-15
North Star Reach is a non-profit organization offering medically supported, cost-free camps especially designed for children with chronic illnesses.
Eligible conditions include epilepsy (Camp Discovery), organ transplant (Camp Michitanki), congenital and acquired heart disease, sickle cell disease, anemia, chronic pain, and more. The camp’s clinic is fully staffed 24/7 by medical professionals from leading hospitals and medical centers. It also includes a fully supplied dispensary. This allows chronically ill children to receive individualized care without having to leave camp, so they can put all their focus into having fun!
Visit the North Star Reach website for more information.
Indian Trails Camp (Grand Rapids)
Age Range: 7-17
Children with chronic conditions like epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy will find the Indian Trails Camp a barrier-free summer camp experience. The camp is accredited by the American Camping Association. Programming ranges from sports, talent shows, arts and crafts, music and drama, campfire cooking, and more.
Some sessions are based on a traditional camp program, while others focus on the campers’ specific needs and abilities.
Visit the Indian Trails Camp website for more information.
Camp Walden (Cheboygan)
Age Range: Grades 2-11
The “Walden Way” is to make campers the center of the experience, by giving them a feeling of belonging and strengthening their identity. Camp Walden gives its campers more freedom and responsibility by letting them create their own activity schedules. Walden has a neighborhood culture that gets campers interacting with many different people. It also offers a wide variety of activities, including athletics, horseback riding, outdoor life, arts and crafts, performing arts, media, and waterfront activities on Long Lake.
Visit the Camp Walden website for more information.
Camp Miniwanca (Shelby)
Age Range: Grades 3-12
Camp Miniwanca is run by the American Youth Foundation, a nonprofit youth development organization that challenges all campers to create communities where all feel welcome and respected, and where the camper can be their own best self.
Diversity and inclusion is prized, and staff are trained to supervise children and prevent bullying based on any aspect of a camper’s identity. Camp sessions last anywhere from two to five weeks, with camps divided by their age, and may include overnight hiking and canoeing trips or community volunteer work. Though Miniwanca has two camps separated by gender, camp housing is gender-inclusive for all gender identities.
Visit the American Youth Foundation website for more information.
Black River Farm and Ranch (Croswell)
Age Range: 6-15
Is there a girl in your life who loves horses? Then the Black River Farm and Ranch is the place to be. Camp Black River Farm and Ranch is a 360-acre farm where young girls go to take horseback riding lessons, ride the trails in the picturesque Thumb Region wilderness, and participate in other camp activities such as water sports, field games, and arts and crafts. Camps last from four days to four weeks.
Visit the Black River Farm website for more information.
Camp Newaygo (Newaygo)
Age Range: 7-17
For girls looking to learn new skills, Camp Newaygo offers a great summer program. Campers have over 30 activities to choose from for three classes per week. These classes include traditional sports, like volleyball, tennis, basketball, and cheerleading, and more non-traditional sports, like archery, windsurfing, water skiing, and fencing. There’s also yoga, photography, arts and crafts, wilderness survival, drama, pottery, animal care, and more. Campers come together in free times for activities like scavenger hunts and jumbo-sized board games.
Visit the Camp Newaygo website for more information.
Crystalaire Adventures, Camp Lookout, and Camp Carvela (Frankfort)
Age Range: 7-17
These three camps in Northern Michigan are focused on empowering youth through experiential learning.
Programs are camper-led, giving the kids free reign to make decisions about how they will spend their time at camp. The camps are unplugged communities, emphasizing taking a break from screens and the online world. Camp housing is gender-inclusive for all gender identities.
Visit the Crystalaire Adventures website, Camp Lookout website, or Camp Carvela website for more information.
Lake of the Woods Camp and Greenwoods Camp (Decatur)
Age Range: 6-15
Greenwoods and Lake of the Woods offer two, four, and eight week experiences for summer campers. At Greenwoods Camp, boys may choose a competitive schedule or a non-competitive schedule, depending on their preferred experience. At Lake of the Woods Camp, girls create their own activity schedule tailored to their interests and passions.
Visit the Lake of the Woods Camp and Greenwoods Camp website for more information.
What US summer camps looked like in the 1950s
Eva Tushenkina
Author:
Eva Tushenkina
July 16, 2019 13:13
Tags: children’s camp life in the usa how it was holiday camp summer camp summer vacation old pictures old photos
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17
Many of us spent our childhood in pioneer camps: long corps, large chambers for ten people, the morning line with the raising of the banner, sports competitions.
.. These memories are something that will never be forgotten! And here is what the summer holidays of American boys and girls looked like in the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Girls learning to shoot from a bow, 1944. A boy is bandaging a comrade who has injured his hand. Camp Nathan Hale, Southfields, August 1943
Source:
College girls in their tent at the Curry labor camp. Yosemite National Park July 1955
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Los Angeles children in wheelchairs preparing to leave for summer camp, July 11, 1955
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Child at the medical examination. The boy is looking at a collection of butterflies.
Camp Henry, New York, 1948
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Girls relaxing on Lake Winona at YMCA summer camp in Indiana, 1940
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Boys read comics. Camp Nathan Hale, Southfield, 1943. Girl holding a skunk, 1963.
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Camp Henry Staff, NY 1948
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Children caught frogs and are looking at them, 1963
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Teenage girls setting up a tent, 1946
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Boys reading comics in their tent at a summer camp organized by the National Gifted Children’s Association in 1967.
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A girl writes a letter to her boyfriend. Summer camp at Interlochen, Michigan, 1942 Boy writing a letter home, Camp Henry, New York, 1948
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The camp staff member is resting. Camp Henry, New York, 1948
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This is a boat station and holiday camp in Ontario, Canada. Not quite childish and not quite in the US, but a snapshot of the same time – circa 1950.
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Girlfriends. Camp Christmas Seals at Haverstroe, New York, 1943
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Gymnastics at Elk Lake in Williamsburg, Michigan, 1956
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General meeting of children, parents and staff of Curry camp in Yosemite National Park, 1952
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— translated specially for fishki.
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