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Sleepaway Camps in New England with Short Sessions for First-Timers

First time campers can learn the ropes at some amazing sleep away camps with short sessions! Joseph Conrad Overnight Sailing Camp photo courtesy of Mystic Seaport
First time campers can learn the ropes at some amazing sleep away camps with short sessions! Joseph Conrad Overnight Sailing Camp photo courtesy of Mystic Seaport
3/12/23 - By Kelley Heyworth

Going to sleepaway camp is a rite of passage for many kids in Boston, Connecticut, and the rest of New England. However, the idea of being away from home for more than a couple of weeks can be a deal breaker for many kids. This is especially true if they're on the younger side or have separation anxiety. Fortunately, many overnight camps offer one- or two-week (some even even shorter) sessions. These are designed to introduce children to the independence and kid-bonding of sleepaway without forcing them to "stick it out" for longer than they may be ready to handle.

Established on shorelines and lakefronts across six states, we've rounded up popular overnight summer camps. These sleepaway camps have first-timer-focused starter sessions for children 6 to 12 years old. The only catch may be if you're unsure you can part with your kiddo for more than a night. (Trust us—you can!)

Look to our complete camp directory for more ideas on summer enrichment for kids in Boston and Connecticut.

Please click the links to the individual camps below for the latest information.

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Wingate Kirkland offers archery and other classic camp sports. Photo courtesy of Camp Wingate Kirkland
Wingate Kirkland offers archery and other classic camp sports. Photo courtesy of Camp Wingate Kirkland

Sleepaway Camps in Massachusetts with Short Sessions

Overland Summer Camps

Williamstown, MA
5 nights and up
Overland's co-ed journeys take teens all over the globe but starting in fourth grade, campers can attend one-week introductory hiking trips in New England, North Carolina, Washington, Yellowstone, or the Sierras.  READ MORE

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac

Lenox, MA
14 nights and up
Many kids spend the full summer in this long-established (since 1929) Berkshires camp, but first-time campers in first through fifth grades are welcome to attend a two-week "Mini Mak Rookie Camp" in late July. READ MORE

Camp Wingate Kirkland

Yarmouthport, MA
14 nights and up
Two-week mini sessions are available for first-time campers starting in first through fifth grades at this Cape Cod camp, which focuses on "daily choice" of activities, from traditional sports to out-of-the-box options like Zombie Hunters and Ethical Dilemmas. READ MORE
Campers as young as 8 can attend a one-week co-ed session at Asto Wamah. Photo courtesy of the camp
Campers as young as 8 can attend a one-week co-ed session at Asto Wamah. Photo courtesy of the camp

Sleepaway Camps in Connecticut with Short Sessions

Camp Washington

Lakeside, CT
2 nights and up
Children of all faith traditions are welcome at Camp Washington, the official camp and retreat center of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Campers explore the 300-acre campus, relax, learn, have fun, and foster friendships that last a lifetime.  READ MORE

Camp Laurelwood

Madison, CT
1 night and up
This Jewish summer camp provides an all-around summer experience including access to two pools, archery, high and low ropes courses, boating, arts and crafts. A one-week rookie camp explores Jewish identity and values, nature appreciation, and friendship. Day campers can also join the "Best of Both Worlds" session with a 3-night option as well as one-night opportunities for campers to prepare for the "Best of Both Worlds" session. READ MORE

Camp Asto Wamah

Columbia, CT
6 nights and up
Designed for campers ages 8 to 12 years, the one-week first session of this lakefront camp is the only co-ed offering; other weeks are girls- or boys-only. READ MORE

Joseph Conrad Overnight Sailing Camp at Mystic Seaport

Mystic, CT
5 nights
Young mariners ages 8 to 15 years old sleep overnight on a historic vessel by night and learn to sail and take care of the fully-rigged ship by day. READ MORE

Camp Hazen YMCA

Chester, CT
5 nights and up
This long-running camp—90+ years—ensures that its counselors focus on teaching life-long skills in a fun, enriching environment. For kids entering second through eighth grades there is a one-week "sampler" camp, featuring all the activities of traditional two-week programs. READ MORE
Campfires and S'mores will warm kids to the camp experience! Photo courtesy of Camp Kaleidiscope
Campfires and S'mores will warm kids to the camp experience! Photo courtesy of Camp Kaleidiscope

Sleepaway Camps in Vermont with Short Sessions

Hosmer Point Camp

Craftsbury, VT
3 nights and up
Craftsbury, Vermont, is home to this small, nature-based camp. 3-nights sessions are offered for girls 11-14. Campers set their own schedule daily and there is a sliding scale for tuition, making camp a possibility for all children. There are also family camps available. READ MORE

Camp Kaleidoscope

Starksboro, VT
3 nights
Camp Kaleidoscope is a summer retreat for families with children and family members on the autism spectrum, where special activities and support services invite the whole family to let loose. This inclusive camp allows kids who may not be able to go to sleepaway camp alone still experience the joys of a summer overnight camp with their families in tow. READ MORE
Crafts are part of the curriculum at Camp Runoia.
Crafts are part of the curriculum at Camp Runoia.

Sleepaway Camps in Maine with Short Sessions

Camp Kieve-Wavus

Jefferson, ME
9 nights and up
There are 10-day "junior" sessions for second through fourth graders at this wilderness-focused camp for boys (Kieve) or girls (Wavus). READ MORE

Camp Runoia

Belgrade Lakes, ME
8 nights and up
Highlights at this girls-only camp include a 40-foot climbing tower, on-site horseback riding, and a private lake and shoreline. The Harmony Land program is tailored to 7 and 8 year olds who want to try Runoia before committing to four-week or full-summer sessions. READ MORE
Waterfront activities are a favorite at Awosting. Photo courtesy of Camp Awosting.........//////////////////////////////////
Waterfront activities are a favorite at Awosting. Photo courtesy of Camp Awosting.........//////////////////////////////////

Sleepaway Camps in New Hampshire with Short Sessions

Camp Awosting and Chinqueka

Morris and Bantam, NH
13 nights and up
Campers as young as age 6 can attend the starter two-week session at these long-established brother and sister camps in central Connecticut. Activities include sports, waterskiing, and ropes courses. They even have go karts! READ MORE

Wildwood Camp

Rindge, NH
3 nights and up
From ropes courses to Scottish dancing, this Mass Audubon camp packs in creative activities along with nature exploration. Seven and 8 year olds can start out with a "Wildwood Warblers" three-day camp, and 9- to 14 year olds choose from one- or two-week sessions. READ MORE

Camp Birch Hill

New Durham, NH
13 nights and up
This camp includes an indoor gymnasium, horse stables with a riding ring and trails, ball fields, and four tennis courts. Campers as young as 6 are welcome to start out with a 2-week session, which emphasizes choice through 50 different activity offerings. READ MORE

Camp Lawrence (YMCA)

Meredith, NH
6 nights and up
This popular boys' camp on Lake Winnipesaukee offers two one-week sessions along with their regular two-week programs. (Lake Nokomis, its sister camp also has two-week sessions). READ MORE

Camp Walt Whitman

Piermont, NH
6 nights and up
Walt Whitman is typically a seven-week commitment, but first-timers can try Pioneer Camp, which offers all the camp's typical swimming, sports, and arts activities in a one-week trial period. READ MORE

Camp Coniston (YMCA)

Grantham, NH
5 nights and up
For one week in August, second through sixth graders can get a taste of Coniston. This co-ed camp features separate girls and boys cabins across the lakefront property, where campers learn a variety of water sports along with a variety of athletics and arts options. READ MORE

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About the Author

Kelley Heyworth
Kelley Heyworth is the regional editor for Mommy Poppins, covering Boston, Connecticut, and the rest of New England. She has covered parenting and health topics for nearly two decades, as an editor for Child Magazine and Fitness Magazines and a contributor to Parents Magazine, Mommy Nearest, and other national publications and websites. Previously, she was a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated and Philadelphia Magazines. A mom of three boys outside of Boston, Kelley also writes a blog, Happy Healthy Kids, and loves hiking, running, cooking, gardening, and spending time at beaches in Nantucket, Connecticut, and New Jersey with family and friends.
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