Sleepaway Camps With Programs for First-Time Campers

41 camps

These camps offer a program just for first-time or new campers, like a shorter first session or an intro program. Each one is described in the camp's own words. Ten for Two is the all-in-one resource for finding the perfect sleepaway camp: tap any camp to see its page, save the ones you like, and ask up to 6 camps for info at once.

How we chose these camps: We looked at every camp on Ten for Two and included only the ones whose own website clearly offers something just for first-time or new campers, like a shorter first session, an intro program, or a special first-year program. Each description below is quoted from the camp's own site. If a camp's website didn't clearly say so, we left it out for now.

• Camps Baco & Che-Na-Wah

  Minerva, NY

  “First time campers entering the 1st-5th graders have the ability to enroll for the first 4 weeks with the option to extend.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Barney Medintz

  Cleveland, GA

  “This 2-week program is designed for campers who have never been to overnight camp or who want to experience it for two weeks.” (from the camp's website)

• Capital Camps

  Waynesboro, PA

  “Yalla campers, our first timers ... Who is eligible? First-time overnight campers entering 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Cedar

  Casco, ME

  “we offer a limited number of spots for first-time campers to come for a shortened session.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Chateaugay

  Merrill, NY

  “This special program allows campers attending Camp for their first year time to join us for the first 2 weeks of either session.” (from the camp's website)

• URJ Camp Coleman

  Cleveland, GA

  “The 2-week Bonim sessions ... are designed as entry-level experiences for first time campers.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Echo Lake

  Warrensburg, NY

  “For campers entering 3rd and 4th grades only, in their first summer at camp only, there is an opportunity to enroll for a shorter session” (from the camp's website)

• URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI)

  Zionsville, IN

  “Both Taste of Garin and Taste of Shoresh are for first-time campers.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Green Lane

  Green Lane, PA

  “Half-Summer Campers (1st-5th gr and 1st yr only)” (from the camp's website)

• URJ Camp Harlam

  Kunkletown, PA

  “Rishonim (for first-time campers)” (from the camp's website)

• Hidden Valley Camp

  Freedom, ME

  “the half session option is available only for new campers and serves as an introduction to camp life” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Judaea

  Hendersonville, NC

  “This short term, introductory program exposes first time campers to the magic of Camp Judaea.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Kabeyun

  Alton Bay, NH

  “Introductory sessions for first-time campers ages 8 to 11” (from the camp's website)

• Camps Kenwood & Evergreen

  Wilmot, NH

  “First-time campers of any age can start with a 3-week session.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Kweebec

  Schwenksville, PA

  “Reserved specifically for new, 1st through 4th grade campers, this is a perfect introduction to Camp Kweebec” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Lenox

  Otis, MA

  “Taste Of Lenox JUNE 25 - JULY 8 2 WEEKS - FIRST YEAR CAMPERS ONLY” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Mah-Kee-Nac

  Lenox, MA

  “Exclusively for new boys entering 1st through 5th grade, our Mini Mak'ers are fully integrated into our Junior Camp.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Micah

  Bridgton, ME

  “The Two-Week-Taste option is only available to first time campers entering grades 2 – 5” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Pembroke

  Pembroke, MA

  “2-Week Taste of Pembroke ... For first-time campers entering Grades 2-5 in 2027.” (from the camp's website)

• Perlman Camp

  Lake Como, PA

  “Rookie sessions for new campers in 5th grade and younger are offered for 10 or 14 days.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Pinewood (NC)

  Hendersonville, NC

  “We offer a limited number of Intro Sessions for first time campers who are rising 2nd through 4th graders” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Pinnacle

  Flat Rock, NC

  “For younger or first-time campers who aren't quite ready for two weeks, we also offer a one-week Junior Camp” (from the camp's website)

• Pocono Springs Camp

  East Stroudsburg, PA

  “First time campers (2nd – 4th grade) are eligible to enroll in the first three weeks of our five-week Pocono Springs program” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Ramah in New England

  Palmer, MA

  “Mini -Kochavim is a 2-week mini-session program for children currently in 2nd and 3rd grades. (This program is designed for first-time campers ...)” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

  Conover, WI

  “For first-time campers or campers who are not ready for the 3.5-week session, you can enroll in our introductory Ruach Ramah program” (from the camp's website)

• Raquette Lake Camps

  Raquette Lake, NY

  “four-week sessions (for first time campers only)” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Scatico

  Elizaville, NY

  “Partial Sessions for First-time Campers” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Seneca Lake

  Penn Yan, NY

  “First time 3rd and 4th grade campers ... can also choose to attend a 1 week session called Taste of Camp.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake

  Verbank, NY

  “This short term, introductory program exposes first time campers to the magic of Sprout Lake.” (from the camp's website)

• Surprise Lake Camp

  Cold Spring, NY

  “Choose from a variety of shorter session lengths geared toward new and younger campers.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Taconic

  Hinsdale, MA

  “2027 Part-Season Program (First Summer Only)” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Tevya

  Brookline, NH

  “2-Week Taste of Tevya ... Open to first-time campers entering Grades 3-6” (from the camp's website)

• Timber Lake West

  Roscoe, NY

  “Our Two-Week Introductory Session for first-time campers” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Wah-Nee

  Torrington, CT

  “Four week enrollment option is available to first time campers entering 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Walden

  Diamond Point, NY

  “We also offer a two-week program for campers who have completed third grade and under, and who are attending for their first summer.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Walt Whitman

  Piermont, NH

  “Because some very young first-time campers ... may not be comfortable with our full seven-week program, we offer both half and full summer cabins” (from the camp's website)

• WeHaKee Camp for Girls

  Winter, WI

  “Mini Camp is one week of overnight camp for girls ages 6 to 9 ... it's built for girls having their first summer away from home.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Wicosuta

  Hebron, NH

  “Our Two Week Explorer program is a two-week session for first-time campers only and open to current 1st through 4th graders.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Winaukee

  Moultonborough, NH

  “Rookie Experience ... Available to 1st - 4th graders in their first summer only.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Yavneh

  Northwood, NH

  “Kaytana is a two-week overnight camp experience for children, currently in 2nd and 3rd grade. This program is for first-time Yavneh campers.” (from the camp's website)

• Camp Zeke

  Lakewood, PA

  “Taste of Zeke: Intro for First-Timers” (from the camp's website)