Camps with nature in Massachusetts

Ages 5–14

Acera School's summer enrichment offers STEAM programs such as coding, physics, filmmaking and outdoor exploration for ages 5-14, plus a Counselor in Training program for ages 15-17. Programs run in half-day AM and PM blocks at 5 Lowell Avenue in Winchester.

As published: $450-$550 per half-day program week; about $900-$1,200 per week for AM plus PM; extended pickup $150/week; CIT $750 per 4-week session (year not stated on page)

Summer Discovery at Amherst Montessori School runs eight weeks from June 8 to July 31, 2026 for toddlers, Children's House (ages 3-6), and elementary children entering grades 1-6. Toddler and Children's House run in four two-week sessions while Elementary runs in weekly sessions.

As published: 2026: Toddler and Children's House $800 per two-week session; Elementary $400 per week; $100 non-refundable deposit per child per week

Ages 4–14

A farm and nature day camp at Appleton Farms, a working farm in Ipswich, where campers do barnyard chores, tend the Learning Garden, hike and explore woods and wetlands. Half-day, full-day, junior CIT and CIT programs run for nine weeks, and 2027 registration opens January 7, 2027.

As published: 2026 per week: half day (9-12) $340 Trustees member / $420 nonmember; full day (9-3) $555 / $635; extended day 3-4 pm $85; Junior CIT $370 / $450

Ages 5–17

A Mass Audubon day camp at the 734-acre Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in the Connecticut River valley, with forests, meadows, rivers and vernal pools. Offers nature camp groups plus Nature Photography, Environmental Leadership and counselor-in-training options.

As published: 2026 sliding scale by family income, per week: $107-$535; CIT fee $140; hours 9:00-3:00; 2027 pricing not yet published

Ages 8–12

A one-week morning science program for ages 8 to 12 with shark anatomy and ecology labs, research demonstrations, art and engineering challenges and a spiny dogfish dissection, run by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. Only one session was offered in 2026 (July 13 to 17).

As published: Not published (tuition amount not on the page; each tuition includes a $50 non-refundable administrative fee; 50% refund if cancelled at least 5 days before)

Ages 5–14

Day camps on the 34-acre lakeside Bancroft School campus in north Worcester for campers entering kindergarten through grade 8, open to families outside the school. Programs include general day camp, academic camps in reading, writing, math and leadership, specialty camps such as robotics, musical theater and coding, athletic camps and a Counselor-in-Training program. Campers swim at the Greendale YMCA across the street.

Ages 5–15 · $3,500–$9,150/session

A historic Berkshires YMCA camp complex combining Camp Becket for boys (est. 1903), Chimney Corners Camp for girls (est. 1931), and a day camp serving nearly 800 local children each summer. Distinctive for a structured multi-year staff-leadership pipeline (the "Aides Program") and a decades-old International Camper Exchange Program sending teens to YMCAs worldwide; pricing is income-tiered, $3,500–$9,150 per session.

As published: Overnight, per session, 2027 pricing (tiered — Tier 1 = full cost, lower tiers subsidized): Traditional Camp 4 weeks $6,650–$8,300; Specialty (Construction & Adventure Odyssey) 4 weeks $7,350–$9,150; First-time-camper 2-week $3,500–$4,400; 3-week $5,250–$6,600. Dates & Rates (https://bccymca.org/dates-rates/)

Ages 3–15

ACA-accredited day camp run by Belmont Day School for ages 3 to 15, with a general day camp in four two-week sessions, Journeys day-trip camp for grades 5 to 8, specialty camps and one-week sports camps. Every group has daily swim lessons and afternoon free swim, and the camp reports more than 350 campers on site each day. The summer program is described as well into its eighth decade.

As published: Not published (Summer 2027 dates and rates were to be posted in November; optional bus service $170 per family per week)

Ages 7–16 · $13,500–$17,400/session

An all-girls arts-and-academics overnight camp in the Berkshires, founded in 1954, running a single 5–6 week session priced $16,000–$16,900. It distinguishes itself with experienced, all-female professional (rather than college-age) leadership and an arts-focused, individual-attention program.

As published: Overnight (girls), 2026, single 6-week session: $16,900; 5-week session: $16,000 (per-session pricing). Dates & Rates (https://www.belvoirterrace.com/dates-rates/)

Kindergarten to grade 9 (about ages 4–14)

Summer programs on the Bement School's 30-acre campus in Deerfield for students entering Kindergarten through Grade 9, including Day Camp and Jr Day Camp, enrichment camps, mountain biking, adventure camp and a July boarding English program for international students (grades 4-7). Bement states 2027 information will be posted in November 2026.

As published: Not published (tuition on separate page; 2026 early-bird by March 2, 2026)

Ages 4–17

A Mass Audubon day camp at the 1,400-acre Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, exploring trails, wildlife and outdoor play. The sanctuary states the camp has been held there for 80 years.

As published: 2026 sliding scale by family income, per week: $104-$518 for ages 4-12 groups; CIT (14-17) $125; camp hours 9:00-3:00; 2027 pricing not yet published ("2027 registration coming soon")

Ages 5–15 · $103–$565/week

Blue Hills Nature Camp is a Mass Audubon day camp based at Blue Hills Trailside Museum on Chickatawbut Hill, with access to the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation. Campers ages 5 to 15 explore nature through hands-on activities, art and daily hikes, in age groups from Chickadees to Teen Adventurers. The camp states it is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA-accredited) and uses a sliding-scale tuition based on family income.

As published: 2026 sliding-scale weekly tuition of $103 to $515 for most age groups and $113 to $565 for Teen Adventurers, set by family income tier; before camp $17 to $85 and after camp $33 to $165 per week. Camp states 2027 registration is coming soon.

Ages 7–13

A city-based day camp where children ages 7-13 explore Boston on foot and by train, including the Harbor Islands, the Freedom Trail and local beaches, with campers choosing many of their activities. It is licensed by the City of Boston Board of Health.

As published: Not published

Ages 6–16

A nationally accredited New England-style day camp on Cape Cod for rising 1st through 10th graders, with Red Cross swim lessons, US Sailing instruction, archery, arts, nature, theater, low ropes and trips. Campers are grouped by "hill" (Mariners, Sailors, Admirals, Camper Leaders).

As published: 2027 season (July 6 to Aug 20, 2027): $850/week early bird (enroll Oct 26 to Nov 20, 2026), $945/week winter/summer enrollment, $675-$750 for holiday week 1; Mariners Hill (rising 1st-2nd) full-summer $5,935 for 5 days/week; $85 enrollment fee per program

Ages 5–16

Nature day camp at Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester for children from about 4.5 to 16 years old. Campers spend most days outdoors investigating habitats, ecosystems and wildlife at the sanctuary and beyond, with noncompetitive games, songs and stories. Tuition is set on a sliding scale based on annual household income.

As published: Not published on the camp page (see Programs and Pricing); families register at a tuition rate based on annual gross income

Ages 3–14

Traditional New England day camp on the 270-acre Brooks School campus along Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, with age groups from 3 to 14. Days include small-group morning swim lessons, afternoon free swim in two outdoor pools, arts, athletics and nature, plus themed weeks and a weekly Friday cookout or sundae. Optional morning and afternoon bus service runs to the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore and southern New Hampshire.

Ages 8–15

Camp Atwater is a residential youth camp owned and operated by the Urban League of Springfield, which describes it as the oldest African American-owned and operated residential youth camp in the nation. Campers ages 8-15 do swimming, archery, sports, STEM, nature exploration, arts, and leadership and cultural enrichment programming.

As published: 2027: $3,200 per session plus $175 registration fee and a required $125 per-session fee (hut picture, one field trip, camp T-shirt). 2027 sessions: boys' season July 4-17, girls' season July 26-August 7. 2026 rates not listed on the page.

Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center in Mattapan runs a nature day camp with outdoor exploration, hands-on activities and science education. A satellite camp was held at the British International School of Boston in 2026, and 2027 registration is "coming soon."

As published: 2026 sliding scale by family income: $100-$500 (Mattapan camp); CIT training $100-$500; extended day $30-$150 per session; 2027 registration coming soon

Ages 7–16

A traditional Cape Cod overnight camp founded in 1928, with Camp Burgess for boys and Camp Hayward for girls on opposite shores of Spectacle Pond on over 300 acres. Sessions run one or two weeks, plus CIT programs and adventure trips for ages 12-17.

As published: 2027: $1,120 per one-week session; $2,240 per two-week session; 4-week CIT $3,600; adventure trips $1,120 to $2,350; $60 one-time registration fee (waived for South Shore YMCA members)

Ages 3–12

Camp Cabot is the Waltham YMCA day camp at 725 Lexington Street, with age groups Caboteers (3-4), Pioneers (5-6) and Cabot (7-12). Older campers choose their own activities each week, and the camp is American Camp Association accredited and licensed by the local board of health.

As published: 2026 weekly rates: ages 3-4 and 5-6 $400 member / $475 non-member; ages 7-12 $330 member / $400 non-member (hours 7:30am-5:30pm)

Camp Cedar Hill is a historic Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts day camp on 75 acres in Waltham, welcoming girls from kindergarten through grade 12 for traditional day camp and Girl Scout troop camping, with archery, two pools, boating, and high/low ropes courses.

As published: Not published on the camp page (directs visitors to the separate 2026 Camp Guide); extended care add-ons are $10 (7:30–9am) and $15 (4–6pm)

An Old Colony YMCA day camp at 445 Central Street in Stoughton with an outdoor pool, splash park, high and low ropes, arts and crafts, sports and environmental exploration. Free breakfast and lunch are offered to all campers.

As published: Traditional week "as low as $345 for members and $415 for non-members" (page undated, 2026 session listed)

An Old Colony YMCA day camp at 200 Hedges Pond Road in Plymouth on Hyles Pond, with swimming, boating, a Wibit water obstacle course, archery, sports and environmental exploration. Meals are free for qualifying campers.

As published: Traditional week "as low as $345 for members and $415 for non-members" (page undated, 2026 session listed)

Ages 5–14 · $649–$713/week

Camp Evergreen is a traditional day camp founded in 1964 by former Boston Celtics player Jim Loscutoff and his wife Lynn, now run by their son "Little" Jim Loscutoff and his wife Debby. Located within Harold Parker State Forest, it serves campers from Pre-K through grade 8 with swimming, boating, archery, sports, and a Jr. Leaders program for middle-schoolers.

As published: 2026 tuition ranges from $713/week (1 week) down to $649/week (9 weeks), with multi-week discounts and a 5% early-bird discount for registrations before January 31

Ages 5–12

Camp Falmouth is a traditional YMCA Cape Cod day camp operating out of the Morse Pond School in Falmouth, serving ages 5–12 with sports, crafts, outdoor education, team-building, water play, and STEM offerings, plus theme weeks throughout the summer.

As published: Not published

Ages 3–15

Camp Gordon Clark is the South Shore YMCA's traditional day camp on a 46-acre wooded campus in Hanover, serving ages 3 to 15 in Lower Camp (4 to 7) and Upper Camp (8 to 12) groups. Campers swim daily at the outdoor aquatic center and use an archery range, ropes course, climbing wall, athletic fields and an organic farm. About 75 percent of counselors return each year.

As published: Weekly prices not stated on the page reviewed; $50 non-refundable deposit per camper per week (2026).

A summer day camp on the Nantucket Lighthouse School campus with outdoor play, daily art and science projects, water games and weekly field trips for older groups. Campers are in four age groups (Fireflies, Beacons, Starbucks, Keepers).

As published: Not published (rates are on an image on the sessions page); financial aid offered

Ages 5–12

A 40-acre day camp of open fields and pine forest on Oak Hill Road, with a swimming area, nature cabin and craft pavilion, run by The Learning Knoll (formerly the Girls Club of Greenfield). The 2026 season ran June 22 to Aug 14.

As published: $275 per week (program fees effective October 1, 2026); the 2026 rate was $250 per week

Ages 6–16 · $360–$770/week

Day and overnight camp run by the Worcester County 4-H Center at 92 McCormick Road in Spencer, with a traditional program for ages 6 to 16 and horse camp programs for ages 8 and up. Overnight campers stay in rustic cabins without electricity, and every day includes at least one water activity. The site states the camp was established in 1952 and displays an ACA accreditation logo (ACA-accredited).

As published: 2026 weekly rates: traditional day camp $470, horse day camp $770, traditional overnight (Sunday to Friday) $700, mini overnight $360; extended day adds $75 per week; archery and paintball target shooting $25 per week each; CIT $825 per two-week session

Ages 5–13

Camp Massasoit is a day camp run by Springfield College on its East Campus for children ages 5-13. Campers rotate through a challenge (ropes) course, archery, Project WILD, boating, and aquatics, plus an open block of arts and crafts, music, or outdoor games.

As published: 2026: two-week sessions at $625 (June 29-July 10) and $650 each (July 13-24, July 27-Aug 7, Aug 10-21)

Ages 3–9 · $425–$625/week

Summer day camp run by the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm on 20 acres in Beverly, including the Moraine Estate and the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve. Each day opens with songs and stories at a fire circle, then rotates through woodworking, arts and crafts, gardening and forestry for ages 3 to 10. The camp states it is licensed by the Beverly Board of Health.

As published: Full day $625 per week, half day $425 per week (youngest group only), late pickup $100 per week; page does not label the price year, listed with 2026 session dates

Ages 6–15

Family-operated day camp founded in 1957 on Fort Pond in Littleton for boys and girls ages 6-15, with water sports, horseback riding, tennis, woodworking and fishing. Sessions run 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.

As published: 2026 per two-week session: $1,700 (June 29-July 10 and Aug 10-21) or $2,000 (July 13-24 and July 27-Aug 7); early drop-off $150 and extended day $300 per session

Ages 5–15

A YMCA day camp on a 175-acre lake, woods and fields site near Huntington, with swimming, boating, archery, fishing, ga-ga, arts, nature study and a low ropes course. Campers are in same-age groups of 5 to 14 with two counselors, and a full-time health professional is on site.

As published: Not published on the camp page (2026 brochure PDF could not be read)

Ages 7–13

A traditional YMCA day camp at 1 Ponkapoag Trail in the Blue Hills Reservation, with swimming, high and low ropes, archery, sports, outdoor education, drama and arts and crafts. Bus transportation runs from the Parkway, Roxbury, Dorchester and Menino YMCAs.

As published: 2026 per week: $285 member / $350 non-member; transportation $45 per week. Hours 7:30am to 5:30pm

Kindergarten to grade 8 (about ages 4–13)

The summer home of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, on 200+ acres on Richmond Shores with a beach-entry pool and waterfront for swimming, kayaking, tubing and fishing. Offers Day Camp, Sports Camp, a Leader in Training program for teens, and a program for youth with IEPs, with busing from the Pittsfield area.

As published: Not published

An Old Colony YMCA day camp at 635 Plymouth Street in East Bridgewater with low and high ropes courses, an outdoor pool, hands-on science, theme days and family fun nights. It also offers archery, sports, arts and crafts and environmental awareness.

As published: Traditional week "as low as $345 for members and $415 for non-members" (page undated, 2026 session listed)