Camps

2024 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.

Apply for a Campership

Canoe Camp

July 1-3

Ages: 8-13

Three Days and Two nights on the Connecticut River. Campers in this camp will learn basic canoeing skills and backcountry skills as we navigate our way down the river while camping at designated camp sites. Campers will be immersed in the backcountry for this intense nature experience. Cook your own meals using backcountry techniques, set up camp, learn to paddle, go swimming, learn how to go to the bathroom in the woods, and have the experience of a lifetime in this three- day adventure camp.

Overnight camp.

Drop-off/Pickup: Dropoff Monday 9:00am, Pickup Wednesday 4:00pm

Cost: $400

Earth Sisters Camp

July 29 – August 1

Ages: 10-15

This camp is an opportunity for girls to build connections with one another and the natural world through games, adventures, and skill building. With a focus on experiential learning, campers will enjoy a glimpse into NorthWoods’ four programs: forestry, conservation science, education, and the conservation corps through fun, hands-on activities. In this low-pressure and supportive environment, campers will be encouraged to learn new skills and explore the natural communities around us via paddling, hiking, woodworking, and more. We’ll also leave plenty of time for games, swimming, and team building challenges. An overnight in the NorthWoods lodge on Wednesday will give campers an opportunity to reflect on the highlights and challenges of the experience.

Day camp with overnight Wednesday.

Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Thursday, Dropoff 9:00am, pickup 4:00pm. Overnight Wednesday.

Cost: $400

Woods & Waters Day Camp

August 5-9

Ages: 6 – 14

Join us for the quintessential NorthWoods Experience! Centered around scientific exploration and outdoor skills, in this camp we’ll explore the Clyde River ecosystem, swim daily in local waterbodies, hike a nearby peak, practice survival skills and attempt to build a boat made of cardboard & duct tape. Daily themes include Swimming, Paddling, Wildlife Exploration, and Backcountry Basics. Camp ends with a boat race on the pond with the camp-made boats!

Day camp.

Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm

Cost: $400

Adventure Camp

August 12-16

Ages: 10-15

Adventure Camp is an exploratory camp experience that brings participants around the Kingdom to dabble in outdoor activities. Climbing, Paddling, Swimming, Hiking, Fishing, Biking, and more. No experience or equipment is needed. Each day brings a new adventure where campers will meet at NorthWoods and travel to local recreational destinations. Campers are fed bagged lunches daily as well as morning and afternoon snacks. Thursday is an overnight adventure paddling & camping on the Connecticut River. Monday-Bald Mountain Tower, Tuesday-Paddle Lake Willoughby, Wednesday-Biking, Thursday overnight River Trip on the Connecticut River.

Day camp with overnight Thursday.

Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday, 8am to 4pm; Overnight Thurs. Pickup Fri.

Cost: $600

Kit and Cubs Day Camp

August 19-23

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. Camp ends with a trip to Brighton State Park for a short hike and our end-of-camp celebration! All participants must be potty-trained.

Day camp.

Drop-off/Pick-up: Monday-Friday, 9am to 2:30pm

Cost: $300

2024 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 NEK100 as a discount code, your camper’s school in 2023/24 and save $100 on the camp fee during checkout.

Applicable to bike camps only. If registering more than one local camper for NEK100 discount, please register them separately in order to successfully apply your $100 discount to each student.

Intro to Mountain Bike Adventure Camp

June 24-28

Ages: 7-14
This camp is geared towards those who are new to the wild and wonderful world of adventure by mountain bike.The camp day is shorter and individual attention helps riders conquer small and large obstacles, while benefiting from the low pressure environment and encouragement from the group. We will practice our skills during group rides on Kingdom Trails and in the Burke Mountain Bike Park, while also leaving enough time for outdoor games, team-building challenges, and swimming. We may also begin a spontaneous game of camouflage in the woods as a way to loosen our single-track muscle and remind us of the most fundamental rule of mountain biking – it’s fun! We’ll often ride in two age groups – so that both younger and older intro riders can learn and have fun alongside their peers.

Monday – Friday, 9:30-4:30

Day camp.

Cost: $700 (NEK Students $600)

Mountain Bike Adventure Day Camps

Session 1: July 1-5, Session 2: July 22-26

Ages: 8-14

For kids who love to travel on two wheels – this is a dream camp experience, on Kingdom Trails, the Burke Mountain Bike Park, and in some of our favorite outdoor destinations in the NEK. Personal progression is emphasized, and experienced instructors create a nurturing and challenging environment, appropriate for different levels of riders. Camp also includes an introduction to bike maintenance, trail-building, a hike up a local peak, and exploration of the natural landscape. Our goal is to share our connection to place, and a spark for stewardship with mountain bikes as the medium.

Monday- Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm daily

Cost: $800 (NEK Students $700)

Singletrack Sisters

July 8-12

Ages: 8-14
This camp is an opportunity for girls to share their love of adventures, bicycles and the camaraderie of sisters in a low-pressure, fun and supportive environment. Our instructors will inspire young riders to test their limits and progress their skills. We will also connect with nature and each other during swims, hikes, and games. An overnight campout on Burke Mountain on the last night of camp will give girls an opportunity to reflect on the highlights and challenges of the experience.

Monday-Thursday, 9:30am-4:30pm. Overnight on Thursday, pickup at 3pm Friday.

Cost: $850 (NEK Students $750)

Outdoor Adventure Camp

July 15-19

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 mtb 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.

Monday – Friday, 9:30-4:30; Overnight Thursday, Pickup Friday 3pm

Cost: $850 (NEK Students $750)

Winter Break Day Camp

February 27 – 29, 2024

Ages: 6-12

Winter Break Camp is the perfect remedy to cabin fever during cold winter days. Campers will be immersed in all things winter during this three day camp where every day brings new adventures. Daily themes of Winter Trekkers, Wildlife Wednesday, and Outdoor Survival will bring an array of fun activites and memorable experiences. Plus, campers will be a part of the best Leap Day Celebration this side of the Clyde River. Early drop off and late pick up options available for busy families who can bring their camper to camp after 8am and pick up as late as 4pm at no extra charge! So strap on your gaiters, snap into skis and make your way to NorthWoods Winter Day Camp!

Tuesday- Thursday, 9:00am-3:00pm daily. Early Drop Off & Late Pick up available

Cost: $200

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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. 

Read the NorthWoods Camps Policies & Waivers

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andy Cappello – andy@northwoodscenter.org or 802-723-6551 x303.

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.