Traditional Summer Camps

Traditional Summer Camps for Kids & Teens

Traditional summer camps, often called overnight camps or sleep-away camps, combine a variety of different sports, arts, learning, and special events activities into one overall amazing summer experience. Whether it's swimming in the pool, swinging for the fences on the baseball diamond, or singing on stage at the talent show, traditional summer camps are the most popular summer pastime for kids and teens.

While all traditional summer camps offer a variety of activities, many do have subtle programming distinctions that make them unique. Some camps offer free-choice scheduling where campers choose their own electives, while other camps offer structured schedules pre-selected by the camp. Some traditional camps focus on sports instruction, while others encourage more arts-based activities. Likewise, some camps promote healthy competition, while others are distinctly non-competitive. Regardless of the program that families choose, summer camps help boys, girls, and teens make friends, build confidence, and enjoy an incredible summer experience in the great outdoors!

Ages, Tuition, and Session Length at Traditional Summer Camps

Overnight traditional summer camps typically accommodate campers between the ages of 7 and 17 (elementary, middle, and high school students in grades 3 through 12). Most programs group campers by age and grade to maximize learning and social opportunities.

Most traditional sleep-away camps run 1 week, 2 week, 3 week, 4 week, and 7 week sessions. The cost of traditional summer camps can vary considerably as most programs can fall anywhere between $250 and $1,500 per week. Traditional summer camps in the Northeast, New England, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast typically have the highest tuition rates, while camps in the South and Midwest have the lowest rates.

Choosing the Best Traditional Summer Camp

There are many subtle differences that distinguish each traditional camp program. Does the program offer a variety of activities, or do they concentrate on just a few specialties? Does the camp encourage competition, and if so, at what level? Do campers choose their own schedule, or does the camp provide one for them? Do campers receive instruction from professional coaches or college-age students? What is the camp's staff and camper annual return rate? What values does the camp look to instill by the end of the summer? Knowing which program elements will suite your children best is essential to choosing a great traditional camp.

To help match your family with the perfect traditional summer camp, Choice Camps offers free placement advice - just call our office at 617-264-0939 and we'll recommend great programs anywhere in the country that should be a good fit for your kid or teen!