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Top Midwest Overnight Summer Camps for Kids and Teens

Camp Walden is a popular overnight summer camp in the Midwest. Photo courtesy of Camp Walden in Michigan
Camp Walden is a popular overnight summer camp in the Midwest. Photo courtesy of Camp Walden in Michigan
2/28/22 - By Lauren LaRoche

Overnight or sleep away summer camp is one of those iconic childhood rights of passage. These magical places are where kids make new friends, unplug from screens, and get out of their comfort zone. With activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, ceramics, and archery, it's no wonder some summer camps offer stays ranging from mini-week camps up to entire season stays. From Illinois to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana, we've rounded up some of the top overnight summer camps in the Midwest. 

For more great camp listings, check out our ultimate summer camp guide as well as our summer camp directory for more day camps, summer camps, and overnight camps. You can sort summer camp listings by age, interest, and more. Happy camping!

Photo courtesy of Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, Illinois
Photo courtesy of Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, Illinois

Overnight Summer Camps for Kids in Illinois

Camp Manitoqua - Frankfort

Ages 7-15
Overnight campers will enjoy campfires, games, team-building activities, zip lines, paintball, sports, outdoor fun, nature studies, and more. This overnight camp is perfect for campers from grades 2-9. READ MORE

Emagination Computer Camps – Lake Forest

Ages 8-17
Emagination Computer Camp is located in Lake Forest. With their overnight camp program, kids will get to experience independence and make new friends while learning about technology. Kids will enjoy daily recreational activities, tech courses, fun events, and more. This overnight camp near Chicago is perfect for campers from age 8-17. READ MORE

Camp Kupugani - Rockford

Ages 7-15
Camp Kupagni is located near Rockford. This multi-cultural camp offers sleepaway camps for both girls and boys. There are also parent and child camp weekends as well as mother-daughter weekends. Camp Kupagni is an international camp giving your camper a chance to meet new friends from across the globe. READ MORE

YMCA Camp Duncan - Ingleside

Ages 7-15
Camp Duncan is a part of the YMCA located in Ingleside near Fox Lake. This YMCA sleepaway camp is all about discovery. Kids will try new things, meet new people, gain independence, and even new talents. This overnight camp for kids near Chicago is perfect for kids ages 7-15. READ MORE

Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See - Manteno

Ages 7-15
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See is located in Southern Illinois. With beautiful waterways, hiking, and activities for days, there’s something for every camper at Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See. This sleepaway summer camp for kids has been in business for over 75 years. That’s a lot of happy campers. This overnight camp is designed for kids ages 7-15. READ MORE

White Pines Ranch - Oregon

Ages 8-15
White Pines Ranch is located in Oregon, Illinois. If you have a young horse lover, this camp is for you. Their weeklong horse summer camp near Chicago aims to teach kids about horse care, riding, making friends, and more. Aside from the beautiful horses, there is also a swimming pool and amazing hiking trails. Campers can also play with pigs, goats, cows, and other farm animals. This ranch sleepaway camp is for campers ages 8-15. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, Michigan
Photo courtesy of Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, Michigan

Overnight Summer Camps for Kids in Wisconsin

Covenant Harbor – Lake Geneva

Ages 7-18
Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva is a beautiful place for your camper to make the most of summer. Located right on the water, campers get to experience water sports and all the lake has to offer every day of camp. Make new friends, splash in the water, and enjoy lake life under the stars. This overnight camp near Lake Geneva is for campers ages 7-18. READ MORE

Camp Birch Trail - Minong

Ages 8-15
Camp Birch Trail is located in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. This 4 or 8-week sleepaway camp is an all-girls camp. With water sports, hiking, and activities galore, your daughter will have the summer of a lifetime. This traditional overnight summer camp is for girls ages 8-15. READ MORE

Camp Juniper Knoll – East Troy

Ages 7-15
Camp Juniper Knoll is a quick drive over the border in East Troy, Wisconsin. This Girl Scout sleepaway camp is for Girl Scouts in Chicago and NW Indiana. The 186-wooded acre property is on a lake with tons of outdoor activities to do ranging from swimming, canoeing, hiking, and archery. This overnight Girl Scout camp is for girls ages 7-15. READ MORE

JCC Camp Chi – Wisconsin Dells

Ages 8-15
JCC Camp Chi is located in Wisconsin Dells just 3-hours from Chicago. On the shores of Blass Lake, your camper will have over 600 acres of natural beauty to explore. In addition to water sports, there are also arts and crafts, dance, hiking, and more to enjoy. The JCC is an all-inclusive camp that’s a part of the Jewish Community Center. This sleepaway camp in Wisconsin Dells is for kids ages 8-15. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camp in Traverse City, Michigan
Photo courtesy of YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camp in Traverse City, Michigan

Overnight Summer Camps for Kids in Michigan

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camp – Traverse City

Ages 8-17
Hayo-Went-Ha Camp is located in beautiful northern Michigan. With crystal clear blue water, campers are treated to an endless summer at the lake. There are two separate camps for boys and girls. For over 100 years campers have been coming to these shores to make new friends, get out in nature, and have new experiences. The YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camp is a sleepaway camp for kids and teens ages 8-17.   READ MORE

YMCA Camp Ohiyesa – Holly

Ages 6-16
YMCA Camp Ohiyesa is located in Holly, Michigan near Detroit on the shores of Fish Lake. This sleepaway camp allows kids to unplug and have fun in nature. With swimming, hiking, sports, cooking, and more there’s something for every interest and activity level. This sleepaway camp is for kids and teens ages 6-16. READ MORE

Camp Walden – Cheboygan

Ages 6-16
Camp Walden in Cheboygan is the quintessential summer sleepaway camp. With beautiful water, pine trees, horses, log cabins, and kids everywhere enjoying a wide variety of recreational activities that they can pick and change each day. Campers can stay for a week, month, or all summer. This overnight summer camp is for kids and teens ages 6-16. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Camp Butternut Springs in Valparaiso, Indiana
Photo courtesy of Camp Butternut Springs in Valparaiso, Indiana

Overnight Summer Camps for Kids in Indiana

Camp Lawrence - Valparaiso

Ages 7-14
Camp Lawrence is located in Valparaiso a little over an hour from Chicago. Camp Lawrence is a co-ed camp with a wide variety of activities and nature areas to explore. Campers will make new friends, have time for spiritual reflection, and fun in the sun. Camp Lawrence is for kids and teens ages 7-14.   READ MORE

Camp Butternut Springs - Valparaiso

Ages 7-15
Camp Butternut Springs is a quick drive over the border in Valparaiso. This Girl Scout sleepaway camp is for Girl Scouts in Chicago and NW Indiana. The 304-acre property features a swimming pool and an adventure course. There are a ton of outdoor activities including swimming, canoeing, hiking, and archery. This overnight Girl Scout camp is for girls ages 7-15. READ MORE

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About the Author

Lauren LaRoche
Lauren LaRoche has been a working writer and journalist for more than 12 years. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are chasing after their dog and three children in Chicago. Her career includes work in marketing, in graphic design, and as a lifestyle and events editor for CBS Chicago. To check out more of her writing, visit her website at ldesignchicago.com.
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