"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.

I cannot say enough lovely things about Sue and the program she runs. She is kind and compassionate…read morebut firm in her instruction. My daughters have flourished under her tutelage. She teaches personal responsibility, and the girls know that hard work is rewarding. The facilities are stunning and well kept. I cannot imagine a kinder or better riding instructor than Sue. My girls have become stronger and wake up each day excited to go to the barn and learn from Sue and her gorgeous horses.

Sue and the staff were very accommodating and the service was top notch. This a very clean and…read morescenic property. The trail ride was the best that we have done. We groomed my horse, set the tack, went into the ring before going on the trail ride. Once finished, we took off the tack and then fed our horses a snack. I highly recommend. Derek

Camp Sentinel is home away from home for me. My grandparents came to the first family camp in 1949…read morewith my dad and 2 uncles, and when my grandkids come to camp, we will have had 5 generations connected to Camp Sentinel over the years. The nature that surrounds you is breathtaking and the stillness that you can feel brings you peace and renewal to your soul. The friendships that are made here turn into lifelong family friendships. No matter how long it's been since you have seen a camp family member, the relationship picks right back up where it was before and grows stronger. There's a bond like no other when you come to Camp Sentinel and all you have to do to be a part of it, just reach out and say hello.

From the owner: Camp Sentinel is located in the foothills of the Ossipee Mountain range in Center Tuftonboro, New…read moreHampshire. Established in 1949, Sentinel offers fun, quality Christian overnight and day camp for youth, adults, and families. Sentinel hosts year-round rustic retreats for groups up to 200 guests (55 in the winter). Visit us at campsentinel.org

Love, love Camp Winnebago and highly recommend it. My son has had many amazing, fun-filled,…read morecharacter-building summers there. It is extremely well run and is a very special place.

From the owner: Founded in 1919, Camp Winnebago offers a unique experience amidst a caring, dynamic and supportive…read morecommunity. Camp Winnebago is a sleep away camp for boys 8-15 years old located in South Central Maine. Boys make lifelong friends and learn to excel in a wide variety of activities leaving them brimming with confidence, happiness and lasting memories. At the end of summer, campers depart, already counting down the days until their return.

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.

The best. Don't hesitate to send your child to camp here. Also excellent day on the lake to rent…read morethe boat! Merrymeeting lake is gorgeous and so quiet. Perfect setting. The water sports are incredible.

From the owner: The ultimate wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, wake skating summer camp for teens!read more

For ninety years, boys (and for the past thirty years girls, too,) have flocked each summer to Camp…read moreRobin Hood on the shores of Broad Bay, to make new friends in the cabins, to challenge themselves on the fields, to step out of their comfort zone on the stage, and to form bonds that last a lifetime, and in some cases generations. I'm proud to say my family has been part of the Camp Robin Hood family for more than 40 of those years! My brother attended camp when it was all boys - and then in 1987 when girls were added, I was one of the first girl campers (at the time, there were less than 20 of us). I spent 15 summers as a camper, counselor, Group Leader and Waterfront Director. Now the girls and boys camps are equal in size (around 400 total campers) and my oldest daughter will be starting her 4th summer while my twins will be going for the first time. Many traditions are still the same (color war, count-offs, 16 laps, hiking Mount Washington, etc.) while facilities have been updated (new dining hall, several new cabins - others have been renovated, new lodge, updated office, and more) and more activities have been added (Ga-Ga, 9 square and more). I am grateful that my children will get to spend 7 weeks together, away from the hustle and bustle of their school lives with NO SCREENS, enjoying all the White Mountains have to offer. For me, one of the most exciting parts has been watching the never-ending cycle of camp friendships continue, campers often continue through the ranks as counselors in order to "give back" similar memories and experiences to the future generations of the camp. Additionally, the mid-western feel to the camp is a nice change from the fast-past New England world where we live. As a camper, I looked up to the counselors and even the Directors. The Directors today are former campers from the 1970's themselves, and former "camp parents" as well. They have brought Robin Hood traditions forward while continuing to enhance what they offer in the 21st century. And they understand the responsibility they are entrusted with each summer, caring for our children. As a parent, I have found the communication from the Administration both helpful (in preparing for camp and for my children's return after camp) and comforting, when I just want to know my kids are having fun and adjusting to life away from their parents. We have a few sayings at Robin Hood, like "live 10 for 2"(live 10 months of the school year for the 2 months of summer) and there's "magic in the trees". There's nothing quite like the sunset over Lake Ossipee or like camp friends that remain friends for life. There's nothing quite like Camp Robin Hood. I know my family is looking forward to being a part of Robin Hood for at least 90 more years...

When I went to this camp (about 20 years ago), I was 7 years of age. It was one of the most…read moretraumatic experiences of my life. Truly. They had an old ghost story that went like this: Years and years ago the youngest camper went for a swim in the lake at night and drowned. He was a local kid and his mother went crazy. Her name was Annie. To this day, every July 4th, Crazy Annie comes out of the woods and takes and kills the youngest camper in retribution for the unfair drowning of her son years ago. As I was that youngest camper, Crazy Annie was coming for me! It was brought up at many a camp fire and none of the campers or counselors told me it wasn't a real story. Remember, I had JUST turned 7 less than a month earlier. Already scared of the dark, I was petrified my entire time there. The night of July 4th, Counselors in training (CIT's) positioned themselves on top of my cabin, under it, in the nearby woods and elsewhere awaiting my arrival back to my cabin. As I walked up the hill to my cabin, counselors and campers wished me farewell and good luck. I was frozen with fear. As the CITs spent hours screeching my name from outside, I can't tell you the horror I felt. I was too afraid to leave the cabin to go to the bathroom! My counselor dragged me out yelling anyway! Other cabins laughed and locked their doors in case I tried to run for shelter and help. That coming weekend was parents' visiting day. When my mother arrived I had no clean clothes and a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit . I would categorize this as child abuse and gross negligence. Be very careful to ensure this camp has changed enormously before sending your child there. Horrific.

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!

No, we didn't go to Camp Cody for Sleep Away Summer Camp in October, but we DID go to Camp Cody as…read morea very cool destination for a wedding! We stayed overnight in one of their camper accommodations, walked the grounds to see the archery, tennis, basketball, soccer, and hockey venues, and stood in awe at the magnificence of Lake Ossipee. The grounds are gorgeous, and we loved the different camp features that served as wedding venues- the big dining hall for meals, the wedding ceremony on the beach, the cocktail hour on the waterfront lawn, and the gala reception in the rec hall. Our overnight accommodations were neat and clean, and we really enjoyed the Camp Cody experience, as short as it was.

From the owner: Camp Cody is a premier New England summer camp with 2 and 4 week sessions for boys and girls, with…read morea camping heritage that goes back to 1926. At our spectacular location on beautiful Lake Ossipee amidst the White Mountains of New Hampshire, campers develop independence, build self-confidence, make friends and have great experiences, rich in fun, friendship, learning and adventure.

My son has been attending for four years. He is there now…read more When we first visited Kabeyun, he was very young and we went for a tour. The former director gave us a tour and we were sold. However we were hesitant because my son has social challenges and never seems to fit it. It has not been a picnic at all times and "not a happy camper" sometimes took on new meaning, but new director Ken Robbins and his staff have done a wonderful job. The best thing about them is that they do not say that everything is wonderful. I know I always get an honest but kind appraisal and so does my son. Last year he got an award on paper plate on the last day of camp and was thrilled. It said "Diamond in the Rough Award". Someone who I showed it to thought this might be a bit insulting to my son. No way. It shows me that the award is real. What other types of awards mean anything, anyway? Also, they provide financial aid to some families. This was a surprise. The camp does not seem like the kind of place that would due to its amazing land, facilities and trips. I just would not think they would need to attract families. This is a great thing. Nothing at Kabeyun is cookie cutter. The boys chose their activities twice per day. The staff has lots of young guys but a lot of seasoned men who are specialists - whether as a carpenter or outdoorsman. Really impressive folks. Highly recommend.

From the owner: Non-profit, traditional overnight residential summer camp for boys.read more