New Hampshire is one of the best states in New England for children to attend a summer camp. They’ll be far enough away from the major metropolitan areas to enjoy the peace and the quiet of the country but close enough for a convenient commute to the major cities.
The wilderness practically defines New Hampshire with a vast majority of the state covered in mountainous forests which sets a perfect stage for a summer camp experience. There are many camps to select and these are the premier New Hampshire summer camps for boys and girls of all ages.Â
No matter if it’s a boys or girls-only, faith-based, or a more traditional camp, there is something on the list for every child.
Camp Cody
Camp Cody began in 1926 on the shores of Lake Ossipee in the town of Freedom. Ever since, this institution has been opening every year to kids between the ages of 7-17 and providing the classic summer camp experience.
The vast list of activities available at Camp Cody will provide joy to children of all stripes. Outdoor lovers can rejoice at the selection of watersports, team sports, and equestrian options.
Children who enjoy creating will be able to try their hand at woodworking, cooking, ceramics, and videography. Their activities expand every year and some of the new ones that have been added include flyfishing, beekeeping, and an offroad mountain bike course.
Individual focus is one of the key differences that Camp Cody provides, and it all begins before children even set foot on the grounds for the first time. Prior to a session, Camp Cody conducts home visits and establishes a one-on-one rapport with a family to establish what they’re looking to get out of camp.
A personalized plan is developed and implemented, and return campers have the chance to progress with this plan or try new things every year.
Camp Robin Hood
Nestled along the waters of the Broad Bay section of Lake Ossipee, Camp Robin Hood offers four and seven-week overnight camp sessions to children as young as 5th grade all the way through high school.
Boys and girls are placed into separate camps on opposite sides of the property, with a healthy amount of co-ed group activities and assemblies in the evenings.
The environment at Camp Robin Hood is one of cooperation, encouragement, and as much competition as the individual child wants to engage in. Individual, team, and water sports are all available for campers who want to push themselves to achieve alongside their peers. For the less competitive children, there are arts activities, hiking, and overnight camping trips. You even have unique options like horseback riding.
Camp Robin Hood sits on over 180 acres of pristine Northeastern woods and lets children get away from all of their cares and immerse themselves in nature.
They’ll enjoy a structured and supportive environment with plenty of opportunities for personal growth. Many of the most seasoned campers at Camp Robin Hood have gone on to become counselors.
Camp Walt Whitman
The founders of Camp Walt Whitman were avid followers of the famed American poet and philosopher best known for Leaves of Grass. When they established the camp in 1948, they decided to dedicate it to this beloved character and honor some of his philosophical concepts through a summer camp community that has gathered every year since.
Friendship and community are the main takeaways for children who spend their summers at Camp Walt Whitman. A well-rounded program of activities and fellowship has achieved proven results over the decades and makes many kids lifelong attendees of the camp.
Four-week half-sessions are available for the youngest campers in 2nd through 5th grades. The full session consists of seven weeks during the height of the summer. First-timers are invited to attend Pioneer Camp, a seven-day crash course on what to expect from a full session at Camp Walt Whitman.
What children can expect is a balanced camp experience filled with arts and crafts, sports and water activities, and a chock full of outdoor adventures. All of this and more in western New Hampshire on the shores of Lake Armington.
Windsor Mountain Summer Camp
Windsor Mountain is a non-competitive overnight summer camp for children 7-16 featuring many session lengths. There are 2-week, 3.5-week, 6-week, and 8-week sessions that put children in the driver’s seat at this premier summer camp.
Campers can try out months filled with new activities, return to the familiar or any combination of the two, with a fun-filled daily schedule. The Windsor Mountain Summer Camp location on Black Pond, surrounded by serene forest makes it a great spot to enjoy an active summer in the great outdoors and make a splash with a host of watersports.
The surroundings are perfect for kids who want to delve into their creative side, with inspiration all around for photography, visual, and performing arts. Whether they’re a social butterfly or a wallflower, they can meet like-minded friends.
A growing list of specialties allows children who attend Windsor Mountain the chance to spend their whole summer exploring sailing, filmmaking, performing arts, and much more.
Camp Brookwoods
Camp Brookwoods is an all-boys Christian summer camp located in Alton, situated along Lake Winnipesaukee. Young boys between the ages of 8-16 are invited to spend two or four weeks at this amazing location where nature serves as the backdrop for spiritual and personal growth.
The waterfront at Camp Brookwoods is one of the best at any camp in New England and features a quarter mile of sand along Chestnut Cove. It’s a secluded area on the south side of Lake Winnipesaukee.
This makes watersports activities a natural mainstay for campers, but there are many more things to do and see during their stay. All of the sports are available with team and individual choices, as well as outdoor staples like archery, axe throwing, and riflery.
The unique aspect of Camp Brookwoods is the faith-centered experience that will usher young men through their spiritual journey. It can help them integrate it with this traditional and unforgettable summer camp journey.
Camp Spofford
Camp Spofford is a faith-based Christian summer camp. On the shores of Spofford Lake, boys and girls between 5-18 are invited to join each summer.
Sessions at Camp Spofford are in one-week blocks based on a child’s age, with day camp and overnight options to choose from. Six daily activity sessions keep children busy and having fun with opportunities for climbing a rock wall, tubing, kayaking, and low ropes courses.
Along with the traditional youth camp option for children, Camp Spofford hosts a family camp program where kids and adults can all be a part of the summer camp fun.
Children get individualized programs based on their age, and the adults get to enjoy the great outdoors. This is all alongside fellowship and services from special guest pastors every week.
Camp Robindel
Camp Robindel is a girls-only camp found on the Moltonborough Bay of Lake Winnipesaukee. They teach girls a new set of skills and help them develop their sense of self-worth and to better understand themselves.Â
Independence, collaboration, competition, and fostering a sense of community are all goals that will be achieved through a session at Camp Robindel for ages 6-15.
The full session at Camp Robindel is 7 weeks of action-packed fun, with days filled to the brim with things to do. Every day is unique thanks to a list of free-choice options like gymnastics, horseback riding, softball, and volleyball among many others.
For girls who want to learn about Camp Robindel but aren’t ready to commit to the full program, there are options throughout the season to attend half-sessions and a 2-week introductory session.
These are great options for the younger girls who want to get a feel for what life on Lake Winnipesaukee is like in the summer.
Camp Tel Noar
Located in the southeast corner near Manchester, Camp Tel Noar is a summer camp that integrates Jewish values and culture into the very fabric of the experience for students in grades 2-12.
Children will enjoy a well-balanced daily schedule at Camp Tel Noar, featuring 3-6 electives every day and ample rest and relaxation between. The schedule throughout the week builds in anticipation of the Shabbat every Saturday when campers come together for a community celebration.
First-time campers can get their feet wet with a 1-week mini session but are encouraged to attend the full session. Everyone in this age range is welcome to attend either of the 3.5-week sessions or both for 7 weeks of summer fun and spiritual growth.
Camp Fleur de Lis
Camp Fleur de Lis is an all-girls summer camp located in southern New Hampshire on the shore of picturesque Laurel Lake. For over 90 years, this overnight camp has hosted girls ages 8 to 17 from around the country for two to seven weeks full of activities and camaraderie.
Days at Camp Fleur de Lis follow a fairly set schedule that includes four activity periods, several hours of free time and rest, and three square meals to fuel up. Girls will be able to select from a list of over 20 activities, many of which take advantage of the natural bounty of the camp’s location in this rural part of the state.
Girls can do the classics like swimming, kayaking, and sailing on the water, and archery, horseback riding, and tennis once they’ve made it back to the shore.