There are summer camps for all ages and interests

Five years ago, Lisa Moss, her husband, Jim, and their two daughters, Kayla and Riley, were contemplating what to do for a family summer vacation. The topic of Jim’s childhood experience of attending family camp with his grandfather came up since he had fond memories.

Jim volunteered to do the research to find some family camp options, but Lisa had some reservations.

“Of all of the things for us to spend our vacation doing, I was wondering if family camp would be the best way to spend our time,” she said.

The Moss family, which now lives in Spring City, Chester County, found Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Va., just about 40 minutes from their previous home.

They signed up for a week of family sleepover camp that involved them staying together in a rustic cabin. Their experience exceeded Lisa’s expectations and proved that summer camp can be enjoyed by all ages.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “An unexpected highlight was that all of the activities were fully planned, and the food was really good and was prepared and served at the dining hall, so we didn’t have to cook, clean or do anything to keep our kids occupied.”

Since Lisa and Jim didn’t have to expend their energy doing household tasks, as they would typically do if they had rented a house at the beach, it meant they had the energy to participate in the full experience.

“We were actually free, and we had together time without having to do all of the household things,” she said. “It truly was a vacation for us.”

The camp was designed to be screen-free, so technology didn’t put a damper on things. Instead, the Mosses spent the day doing activities like nature-based arts and crafts, sporting activities and horseback riding.

“They had an amazing tennis pro, and a group of adults would join the tennis clinic in the morning when the kids were running off to do other activities,“ she said. “I also enjoyed making friendship bracelets and doing pottery work on the wheel where they would also fire and glaze everything, so you could bring home finished pottery pieces.“

Her older daughter, Kayla, would practically live at the equestrian center, and activities like archery were big draws for their entire family.

“You’d get to shoot the arrows at playing cards and balloons that were pinned to the target,” she said. “Jim would usually come home with practically a full deck of cards.”

Opening and closing bonfires offered opportunities to perform.

“It was so wonderful and supportive — it was really like the crown jewel,” Lisa said. “My kids, who are shy, would get up and prepare a performance, like a gymnastics routine, a Rubik’s cube demo or a dance number.“

Doing the family camp experience for several years in a row set a good foundation for the girls to eventually do a week of Camp Friendship’s sleepaway camp on their own since it was a familiar environment. Lisa valued the independence they gained, as well as the opportunity to meet new friends and try new things.

Lisa is starting to think about her family’s upcoming summer plans, which might include a backpacking experience at Acadia National Park in Maine.

They will likely do a weekend family camp at Camp Friendship, and the girls will each do a week of sleepover camp. They will also participate in some local day camps, such as a week of equestrian camp at Firefly Farm in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, for Kayla and the ice skating/theater camp at Power Play Rinks, Uwchlan Township, Chester County, for Riley, which concludes with a performance.

The week-long experiences provide time with other children their age and the camaraderie of the community they’re part of.

“They get to pick their three top choices, and then we have to work them around family vacation time and traveling to visit other family members,“ she said. “It’s also good to have breathing room — it’s like putting a puzzle together to see what works for the summer.”

2024 camp guide

Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect half-day, full-day or sleepaway camp for your child this summer that will give them an opportunity to explore an area of interest or discover a new one. In the process, they will likely make some new friends, foster independence and gain self-confidence.

There’s even a family camp experience available in Berks County. Some registrations for the camps listed are already open, so if you want to be guaranteed a spot, it’s worth signing up soon, since some camps have limited space and fill up quickly.

For the watersports lover

Marsh Creek Watersports, Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County

Located at Marsh Creek Lake, this watersports camp offers campers the opportunity to learn and become comfortable on the water while making memories and creating lasting friendships.

Campers will strengthen their water skills by learning how to paddle and sail. Water safety instruction is provided throughout the well-rounded experience.

Campers will take part in four rotating activities each day, three of which will be on the water. In addition to paddle boarding, kayaking, and multiple sailing disciplines, daily camp activities are selected based on wind conditions and may include cooperative games such as capture the flag, frisbee, sponge tag and more. Activities are designed to build confidence, hone new skills and discover untapped talent.

Souce: Marsh Creek Watersports

For more information: www.marshcreeklake.com/summer-camp

For the horse lover

Firefly Farm Equestrian Summer Camp, East Nantmeal Township, Chester County

Firefly  Farm’s summer day camps are geared toward riders who enjoy enhancing their  riding skills as well as learning about the care of horses. The camps are kept small to ensure quality instruction and more in-depth learning opportunities.

Activities may include trail rides, pony painting, horse conformation, crafts, first aid for horses, horse care, pony club, games, braiding, tack care and demonstrations. Firefly also offers an adult summer camp.

Source: Firefly Farm

For more information: www.fireflyfarm.net

For the nature lover

Kimberton Waldorf School Summer Camp, Kimberton, Chester County

Kimberton Waldorf Summer Camp offers a traditional day camp experience while maintaining the essence of Waldorf education. Led by Waldorf educators and alumni, it offers a nurturing, structured, yet relaxed environment. Splash and play in French Creek, learning first-hand about our ecosystem each day. Delve into art like tie-dye, painting and nature-based crafts.

Get moving during collaborative and friendly field day activities and get nourished with healthy snacks. Keep your mind in motion over the summer by staying for afternoon story time in our library and enjoying classical concerts at lunchtime. Whether your child joins us for one week or the entire summer, expect days filled with adventure and creativity.

Source: Kimberton Waldorf School

For more information: www.kimberton.org/summercamp

For the art lover

ArtFusion 19464 Summer Camp, Pottstown, Montgomery County

ArtFusion offers full- and half-day camp programs geared toward young artists of different ages. Campers will work with a variety of mediums during their camp experience including clay, painting, drawing, crafting and more. Scholarships are available.

Source: ArtFusion 19464

For more information: www.artfusion19464.org

For the Lego lover

Bricks 4 Kidz Camps, Collegeville, Montgomery County

Experienced teachers lead Brick 4 Kidz’s camps, which are built around a variety of exciting themes. Children will explore the world of engineering using specialized Lego Technic pieces such as gears, axles and electric motors. Activities are designed to trigger young children’s lively imaginations and build their self- confidence.

Source: Bricks 4 Kidz

For more information: www.bricks4kidz.com/pennsylvania-collegeville-lansdale

For the space lover

Janet’s Planet Astronaut Academy Science Camp, Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown, Montgomery County

Blast off and launch a lifelong love of all things space and science at MCCC’s Janet’s Planet Astronaut Academy. You’ll get to experience a summer camp that creates an out-of-this-world experience with Janet and her team of educators and experts. Each day brings a new mission and new expert guests from the science community. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in collaborative STEM learning experiences, including astronaut challenges, science experiments, Challenger Learning Center Simulations and aviation workshops.

Source: Montgomery County Community College

For more information: www.mc3.edu/for-our-community/summer-camps/janets-planet-steam-science-camp

Sleepaway family camp and youth sleepaway camp

South Mountain YMCA camps, South Heidelberg Townshp, Berks County

Family camp is about spending time with those you care about most and having fun. It’s an opportunity for your whole family to experience a relaxing weekend on the mountain. Develop strong family bonds during this special time away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday world as you enjoy a camp experience everyone will remember all year long.

They do all the cooking and cleaning while you enjoy quality time with your kids and loved ones. “Camptivities” are scheduled throughout the day so that your family members can participate as much, or as little, as they like.

There are plenty of things to do for both the young and young-at-heart, from hiking, canoeing and swimming to crafts, archery, campfires and more. Evenings are filled with themed all-camp programs. Kids’ tech-free overnight camp experiences are also available

Source: South Mountain YMCA Camps

For more information: www.smymca.org/year-round-camp-programs/family-camps; https://www.smymca.org/summer-camps

For the theater lover

Yocum Institute for Arts Education Performing Arts & Specialty Camps, Spring Township, Berks County

Be onstage! Dive into developing believable characters however fanciful they may be. Working in a short musical format, pieces will be selected from scripted works. This workshop will have a strong acting focus along with developing a singer’s voice.

The Institute’s Summer Arts Camps have campers engage in hands-on activities led by experienced teaching artists in a professional studio environment. The camps feature fun, innovative and creative camps for ages 2–15.

Each week offers a new unique theme, encouraging campers to explore, create, innovate and problem solve while growing critical thinking skills and making new friends.

Scholarships are available.

Source: Yocum Institute for Arts Education

For more information: www.yocuminstitute.org

For the tennis lover

Hillcrest Racquet Club Summer Tennis Camp, Exeter Township, Berks County

Hillcrest offers age- and level-based instruction with professional instructors at their one-week camps. The camps are designed to move your child to the next level on the junior pathway in a fun, supportive environment. Campers get 15 hours of practice and play in one week.

Source: Hillcrest Racquet Club

For more information: www.hillcresttennis.com