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Boston's Best Sleep Away Summer Camps For Kids

If you are looking for an overnight summer camp for your child, the Boston area has many to choose from. Among the best, you will find camps that are geared toward shaping and transforming your child into a self confident, independent and respectful youngster. With a small ratio of counselors to kids, these camps will ensure the safety of your kids as they enjoy a slew of activities while making lifelong friendships.
Camps Kenwood And Evergreen
(Photo Credit: Camps Kenwood And Evergreen)

Camps Kenwood And Evergreen
114 Eagle Pond Road
Wilmot, NH 03287
(603) 735-5189
www.kenwood-evergreen.com

Just under two hours north of Boston, Camp Kenwood for boys and Camp Evergreen for girls is both a single-sex and co-ed community sitting on 180 acres. With high standards, boys and girls are kept separate for weekday activities such as gymnastics, rock climbing, baseball, soccer, golf, ceramics, theater, wood work, painting, drawing, photography, diving, tubing, fishing and water skiing and are brought together to form lasting friendships during some evening and weekend activities such as a carnival, camper and counselor hunt, hobby night and music festival. The Kenwood and Evergreen camp community strives for physical and emotional safety while building trust, respect, independence and strong relationships. Facilities include boy and girl bunks with two counselors per seven to eight children, athletic fields and courts, lake, theater and dining hall.

cape-cod-camps
(Photo Credit: Cape Cod Sea Camps)

Cape Cod Sea Camps
3057 Main St.
Brewster, MA 02631
(508) 896-3451
www.capecodseacamps.com

The Cape Cod Sea Camps aim to guide children to develop their personalities in a positive way, strengthening morals and beliefs. Campers enjoy a life-changing experience through physical, mental, emotional and spiritual programs. Cape Cod Sea Camps are a co-ed community for boys and girls ages 8 to 17. Housing allows 10 to 14 kids per cabin with two to four counselors for supervision. Cell phones, pagers or email is not allowed at camp. Boys and girls can enjoy activities such as archery, tennis, wood work, riflery, cooking, dance, rowing and sailing. Summer sessions are either three and a half or seven weeks long.

wingate
(Photo Credit: Camp Wingate*Kirkland)

Camp Wingate*Kirkland
79 White Rock Road
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
(508) 362-3798
www.campwk.com

Approximately an hour and a half from Boston, Camp Wingate*Kirkland is situated on Elisha's Pond. This co-ed community camp offers more than your traditional camp activities with exciting outings such as whale watches, deep sea fishing and trips to the National Seashore. Camp Wingate*Kirkland is a place that works to make children feel like they belong. Kids get to choose which activities they wish to do during the day, such as arts and crafts, swimming, sports, root beer making and horseback riding, helping to foster independence and wise choice-making skills. Being part of the Cape Cod community is an essential part to participating at Camp Wingate*Kirkland.

Related: Boston's 5 Best Things To Do Before School Starts

campatwater

Camp Atwater
20 Shore Road
North Brookfield, MA 01535
(508) 867-6916
www.campatwater.org

An hour and a half west of Boston, Camp Atwater accepts children ages eight to 15 years and is located on 75 acres on Lake Lashaway. The camp looks to instill positive qualities that shape kids into adults while building a nurturing environment for kids to feel at home. Camp Atwater has a multitude of activities and classes such as boating, singing, history, drama, ping pong, hiking and volleyball. Meals offered by the camp are nutritious and adhere to high health standards. Religious services are also offered, as well an on-site nurse and on-call doctor.

marist
(Photo Credit: Camp Marist)

Camp Marist
22 Abel Blvd.
Effingham, NH 03882
(603) 539-4552
www.campmarist.org

Just over a two hour drive north of Boston, Camp Marist is on 300 acres in the White Mountains, on Ossipee Lake. Camp Marist accepts boys and girls ages 6 to 16 and teaches self confidence, independence and positive character traits. With activities such as horseback riding, softball, archery, fishing, go karts, ropes, riflery, sailing and kayaking, there are no shortage of things to do at camp. Other special events include talent shows, ice cream trips, drive-in movie night and international night.

Related: Boston's Best Waterparks and Pools

Nicole Adams resides on the South Shore of Massachusetts. She is a freelance writer specializing in animal welfare. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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