2025 NorthWoods Summer Camps
NorthWoods camps are based out of our home campus in East Charleston, Vermont, which offers exploration of our trails, forests, and meadows, visits with Oberon the Barred Owl, swimming in our pond, and paddling of the Clyde River fen, and acts as a base for off-campus adventures. As part of NW summer camps all campers will receive nutritious meals & snacks as part of the Summer Food Service Program.
Camperships & Discounts
We are pleased to offer a number of camperships to enable children to attend our winter and summer camps. We recognize that there are several reasons that summer camp fees may be prohibitive for your family, and we are doing what we can to help your family overcome these barriers with the goal of providing access to the NorthWoods Experience to benefit all kids and families. To find out more an fill out an application, please visit our Camperships page by clicking below.
NEK Discounts – Residents living in the Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties) are eligible for a discount to attend any NorthWoods camps. If you live in the NEK and would like to receive a discount to attend camp, please email andy@northwoodscenter.org and provide proof of residency.
Canoe Camp
June 30-July 3
Ages: 9-13
For four days and three nights campers will travel in the footsteps (wake) of the first humans who lived here as we explore the waters of the Connecticut River using the same style vessels as those who did this journey thousands of years ago. Eat, sleep, work, and play in and along the shores of the “long tidal river” as we paddle approximately 30 river miles.
Overnight camp.
Drop-off/Pickup: Drop off Mon 6/30 @ 9am, Pick up Thurs 7/3 @ 4pm
Cost: $550
Kit and Cubs Day Camp
July 7-11
Ages: 3-6
In Kits and Cubs Day Camp, campers are encouraged to explore the wonders of nature through stories, games, crafts, and activities to get them outside and moving! Each day brings new adventures exploring the NorthWoods campus while building on the learning from the day before with fun and informative lessons created by our camp staff, Growing Up WILD, and the National Wildlife Federation. Daily themes include Playing in the Pond, Woodland Wonders, Wildlife Exploration, and Forest Skills. Mid-week will feature a special trip to Brighton State Park for a short hike, time with the park naturalist, and a splash in Spectacle Pond! All participants must be potty-trained.
Day camp.
Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday 9am to 3:00pm
Cost: $300
Backcountry Olympics Camp
July 29 – August 1
Ages: 10-15
Campers will earn badges and medals in this backcountry olympics-style camp. We’ll have challenges on all terrain, all across the Northwoods campus. Campers will participate in activities like cross-cut sawing, ax throwing, archery, and atlatl as a team. Campers will be awarded badges based on their proficiency level within these areas. At the end of the week, we’ll celebrate our accomplishments with a wet and wild obstacle course, flag flying ceremony and team showcases! No experience necessary – all abilities welcome.
Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm, Early drop off: 8 am
Cost: $400
Woods & Waters Day Camp
August 4-8
Ages: 6 – 14
A camp experience steeped in nature between the Clyde River and Echo Lake on the NorthWoods campus where science, education, and action come together to inspire future stewards. This staple camp experience exemplifies all things NorthWoods through fun activities, cool explorations, and amazing discoveries. Whether paddling a lake, jumping in a pond, or hiking to a glacial eractic this camp has it all. Join us as we create memories to last a lifetime in and among the woods and waters of the Northeast Kingdom.
Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday 9am -4pm, Early Drop Off: 8 am
Cost: $400
Base Camp
August 18-22
Ages: 10-14
At Base Camp NorthWoods campus will serve as home base as a launching spot for exploring the Northeast Kingdom on this ultimate outdoor adventurer camp. Throughout the week we visit different areas and try different methods of exploration in the Northeast Kingdom. Swimming, biking, hiking, & paddling are all on the agenda of this action packed camp experience. Thursday’s adventure will last until Friday afternoon following an overnight backpacking adventure that will test camper’s endurance and backcountry skills. No experience necessary; all outdoor gear provided.
Day camp with one overnight.
Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4:00pm; Overnight Thurs., early drop off: 8 am
Cost: $600
WILD Sciences Camp
August 11-15
Ages: 8-13
NorthWoods’ brings back one of our favorite camp offerings, our WILD Sciences day camp welcomes all budding biologists or anyone that loves to learn about nature! With daily themes of Have to Have a Habitat, Furbearers and the Forest, Wonders of Water, Investigating Interdependence, and Fun with the Future, campers will learn about big concepts like ecology and conservation through active and experiential learning with activities and games from Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, and Project Learning Tree. Camp days will be full of games, crafts, and expeditions outside – including hiking and canoeing – that will have campers investigating the hows and whys of our natural world. Featuring lessons from special guest professionals in the field of conservation, campers will get a glimpse into the work of foresters, biologists, and more – all while exploring our local natural communities in fun, hands-on experiences. For kids who can’t get enough of learning about our neighborhood animals and plants, this camp will be sure to inspire and encourage their natural curiosity.
Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm, Early Drop off: 8 am
Cost: $450
2025 Mountain Bike Camps
NorthWoods Camps on Two Wheels!
A unique partnership with Burke Mountain & Kingdom Trails
MISSION: To share our passion for exploring and understanding the natural world, while developing technical mountain biking skills in a safe, fun and adventurous environment.
All camps also include hiking and swimming, as well as building connections between campers and with the natural world. NorthWoods seeks to pass on an understanding of the practice of stewardship and joins partners in sharing the Ride with Gratitude campaign for sustainable trails and communities.
All camps meet at the Sherburne Base Lodge at Burke Mountain.
Thanks to support from the Kingdom Trails Association and other private donations, NEK students are offered a discounted participation in Mountain Bike Adventure Camps hosted by NorthWoods.
Does your camper go to school in the Northeast Kingdom? (Caledonia, Essex or Orleans County). If so, add BIKE-NEK-50 as a discount code, your camper’s school in 2024/25 and save $50 on the camp fee during checkout.
Applicable to bike camps only. If registering more than one local camper for the BIKE-NEK-50 discount, please register them separately in order to successfully apply your $50 discount to each student.
Intro to Mountain Bike Adventure Camp
June 23-27
Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm
Day camp.
Cost: $750 (NEK Students $700)
Mountain Bike Adventure Day Camp
Week 1: June 30-July 4
Week 2: July 28-August 1
Ages: 8-14
Monday- Friday, 9am-4pm daily
Cost: $750 (NEK Students $700)
Outdoor Adventure Camp
July 7-11
Ages: 8-14
This camp has it all! NorthWoods and Burke Mountain team up again to offer a camp experience that samples the best of the Northeast Kingdom’s outdoor adventures. Campers will enjoy mountain biking, with 3 ride-days planned for the week, and will compliment the mountain bike experience with daily swims, an adventure hike, canoeing, team challenge activities, nature exploration, and outdoor skills such as fire-building. Home Base is Burke Mountain. Mountain Biking is on Kingdom Trails and Burke Mountain, and day trips by van for other activities will give campers a chance to explore NorthWoods campus and our favorite destinations in the NEK.
Day camp with one overnight.
Monday-Thursday, 9 am – -4 pm; Overnight Thurs., Pick up Fri. 3pm
Cost: $800 (NEK Students $750)
Singletrack Sisters
July 21-25
Monday-Thursday, 9 am -4 pm; Overnight Thurs., Pick up Fri. 3pm
Cost: $800 (NEK Students $750)
Winter Camps
Winter Day Camp
February 25 – 27, 2025
Ages: 6-12
Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Early drop off & late pick up available
Cost: $200
Snow Sisters
March 3-4, 2025
Ages: 9-13
Overnight. Monday – Tuesday, Monday Drop off at 9am, Tuesday Pick Up at 4pm
Cost: $175
Policies & Waivers
Have a camper joining us? Please read and understand the following policies and waivers. You will be asked to confirm your understanding and agreement when filling out the application form.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andy Cappello – andy@northwoodscenter.org or 802-723-6551 x303.
Mountain Bike Camp Parents – you’ll also need to fill out these:
Burke Mountain Waiver | Kingdom Trails Waiver
Registration Cancellation Policy: If you cancel on or before April 15th, you will receive a full refund minus a $100 administration fee for each week and child that you are canceling. If you cancel between May 1st and June 1st, you will receive a 50% refund for each week and child that you are canceling. After June 1st, there are no refunds. There are no credits offered for camp cancellations for any reason. There are no makeups or refunds for missed camp days for any reason.