Choosing a summer camp is a big decision—and we know you likely have a lot of questions. Below you’ll find answers to the things families most often ask, from our values and community to daily life, safety, and logistics. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’re always happy to connect.
FAQS
About Waukeela
What we believe, and what makes our community unique.
At Waukeela, we create a harmonious community which allows young people to value themselves whilst recognizing the same beauty in others. We provide a range of deep & beautiful experiences that allow children to discover the very best version of themselves so they can move forward in life with purpose, vision, belief & confidence to help create a more accepting world.
Waukeela is not affiliated with any religion.
We are a values-based community that emphasizes kindness, respect, inclusion, and personal growth, and we welcome campers from all backgrounds.
Waukeela is not focused on competition in the traditional sense.
We emphasize personal growth, effort, and collaboration over winning. Campers are encouraged to challenge themselves, support one another, and take pride in their own progress. Of course, competition can be fun—and it absolutely has a place at camp—but it is never the focus or the measure of success.
We are mindful that many young people grow up in environments centered around constant comparison and individual achievement, which can sometimes leave them feeling like they’re not enough. At Waukeela, we aim to shift that narrative. We believe that success doesn’t make someone better than others, and struggle doesn’t make them less.
Instead, we create a culture where campers are encouraged to pursue what they love, take risks, and celebrate one another. It’s not about being the best—it’s about becoming your best, while learning to genuinely cheer others on along the way.
We choose to be a uniform camp for three important reasons.
First, comfort. Our uniforms are designed so campers can move freely, get messy, and fully participate in everything camp has to offer.
Second, to reduce social pressure. Clothing can become a major source of comparison and identity during late childhood and early adolescence. By removing that pressure, we create space for campers to explore who they are in deeper, more meaningful ways.
Third—and most importantly—community. When everyone wears the “W,” it reinforces that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Campers do have the opportunity to wear their own clothes after 5:00 PM each day.
Choosing and Preparing for Camp
Helping you decide what’s right for your child - and how to set them up for success.
The “right” session length depends on your child’s age, readiness, and prior camp experience.
For younger or first-time campers, a shorter session can be a great introduction. Older or returning campers often benefit from longer sessions, which allow for deeper friendships, skill development, and a more immersive experience.
We’re happy to help you think through what would be the best fit.
Most kids don’t feel 100% ready—and they don’t need to be.
It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous, unsure, or even say they don’t want to go before camp begins. Readiness doesn’t mean your child is confident about everything—it means they’re willing to try, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first.
If your child can handle small moments of independence, is open (even a little) to new experiences, and has your trust that they can do hard things, they are likely ready.
Just as important is how you feel about it as a parent. Children take their cues from you, and your confidence in their ability to thrive at camp has a powerful impact on how they experience it. When parents communicate trust, excitement, and belief in their child, kids are much more likely to step into camp with that same mindset.
In many ways, a parent’s attitude toward camp is often a stronger indicator of how a child will do than the nerves a child might express beforehand.
Growth comes from stepping into something new, not waiting until it feels easy. Camp is designed to support that process every step of the way—with caring staff, a strong community, and an environment where kids are encouraged but never pushed beyond what they can handle.
In many cases, the children who feel the most unsure at the beginning are the ones who grow the most by the end.
If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to talk it through with you—because readiness often looks different than people expect.
Preparing for camp is as much emotional as it is practical.
One of the most helpful things you can do is talk positively and confidently about the experience. Let your child know you believe in their ability to do this, even if it feels a little big at first.
Encourage small steps toward independence before camp—things like managing their own belongings, making simple choices, or spending time away from home.
It can also help to talk through what camp will be like: making new friends, trying new activities, and being part of a community. Keeping the focus on excitement and growth (rather than worry) helps set the tone.
Most importantly, trust the process. Camp is designed to help children grow—and often, they are more ready than we think.
Daily Life at Camp
What will my child be doing every day?
Campers have the opportunity to choose most of their activities based on their interests. Each morning after breakfast, campers gather with their alley and alley head in their “tagging” area, where they are presented with the activity options for each period of the day.
From there, campers make their own choices, learning how to navigate decision-making in a supportive environment. This process helps them understand both independence and responsibility—how their choices shape their day and experience.
Our staff are actively involved in guiding campers through this process, helping them find a balance between trying new things and continuing to pursue activities they already love. Over time, campers gain confidence in making decisions and taking ownership of their camp experience.
While most activities at Waukeela are choice-based, there are a few important shared experiences that bring the community together. These include all-camp events, group activities, and a daily swim lesson.
Swimming is a core part of camp life, and our structured lessons help every camper build confidence in the water while developing strong, safe swimming skills.
This balance allows campers to explore their individual interests while also participating in the collective experiences that make camp so special.
No—while most days follow a consistent structure (see our daily schedule), there is plenty of variety built into the experience. That balance of routine and novelty helps campers feel grounded while keeping camp exciting and fresh.
About once a week, we have Special Days, where the regular schedule is set aside and the entire camp leans into a fun, themed day. These are high-energy, playful, and often a little silly—designed to bring the whole community together in a different way.
Sundays have a different rhythm as well. Campers sleep in, enjoy a relaxed breakfast served by senior staff, and come together for a Sunday Celebration—a meaningful gathering centered around a weekly theme such as community, kindness, love, or growth, often accompanied by music. The day continues at a slower pace and ends with a Council Fire, where the community gathers to reflect, write, and sing together.
Throughout the session, campers also have the opportunity to go on day and overnight trips. These experiences offer time in nature, chances to challenge themselves, and opportunities to build deeper connections with their peers.
Together, these variations ensure that while camp feels steady and supportive, no two days are ever exactly the same.
Waukeela is a screen-free environment for campers.
We believe that disconnecting from technology allows campers to be more present, build stronger relationships, and fully engage in the camp experience. In a world where screens are everywhere, camp offers a rare opportunity to step away from devices and be fully immersed in the moment.
Time away from screens helps campers connect more deeply with themselves, with others, and with their surroundings. It also supports the development of confidence, social skills, and overall well-being in a meaningful and lasting way.
At the end of camp, campers are often reluctant to return to their devices, seeing the benefits of being away from them.
Feeding over 170 people each day is something we take seriously. We know that how campers eat directly impacts how they feel, play, and grow.
We provide high-quality, balanced meals made with fresh ingredients and plenty of options. Each meal includes a hot option with protein, vegetables, and a carbohydrate, along with a full salad bar offering fruits, vegetables, and a variety of salads.
Our goal is to make food both nutritious and enjoyable, while also helping campers build a healthy relationship with what they eat.
We are a nut-free camp. No nuts are allowed on camp property or vehicles, and we work closely with families to safely accommodate individual dietary needs.
Living at Camp
Where campers live, sleep, and feel at home.
All campers live in rustic wooden cabins with 3 to 4 other campers their age, along with one to two counselors. Cabins are comfortable, simple, and thoughtfully designed to foster connection, independence, and a sense of home.
Cabins are grouped into “alleys,” where campers of the same age live in close proximity. Each alley has its own shared space, including a central fire pit where campers gather for moments of connection, reflection, and fun.
Bathrooms are shared within each alley and are conveniently located near the cabins, allowing for both accessibility and a sense of community.
Our cabins are also full of history—walls are covered with signatures and memories from campers going back generations. It’s a small but meaningful reminder that each camper is becoming part of something bigger than themselves, joining a community that has been built over many years.
Bedwetting is more common than many people think, and we handle it with complete discretion and care.
Our staff are trained to support campers privately and respectfully, ensuring they feel comfortable and never embarrassed.
Yes—campers take part in small, shared responsibilities that help the community run smoothly.
These age-appropriate tasks are less about chores and more about learning to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Campers help care for their shared spaces and take responsibility for their environment, building a sense of ownership, teamwork, and pride in their community.
Through these daily moments, campers learn that being part of a community means showing up for one another in both big and small ways.
Safety, Health, & Staffing
How we care for campers and create a safe, supportive environment.
We maintain a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio, ensuring that every child is known, supported, and well cared for.
Yes, Waukeela is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), meaning we meet rigorous standards for health, safety, and program quality. If you want to learn more read here.
We are intentional and thorough in our hiring process.
We begin by inviting back staff who thrived the previous summer, ensuring continuity and a strong foundation within our team. From there, we look to our community—former campers and participants in our Counselor-in-Training program—young people who already understand and embody what Waukeela is all about.
We then expand our search more broadly, seeking individuals who are passionate about working with children and interested in growing within education and youth development.
Every staff member completes a rigorous process that includes interviews, background checks, and comprehensive training focused on safety, child development, and community building.
All medications are securely stored and administered by trained staff according to each camper’s health forms and family instructions.
We follow clear protocols to ensure medications are given safely and consistently.
Communication & Staying Connected
We offer several ways for families to stay connected, while also giving campers the space to fully engage in the camp experience.
The primary way families stay updated is through our daily photo uploads, where you’ll be able to see moments from your child’s day and feel connected to their experience at camp.
In addition, families can send emails, which we print and deliver regularly, and campers are encouraged to write letters home as well. Camp is also a wonderful opportunity to bring back the lost art of letter writing—we encourage families to write to their campers, as it can be a really special experience for a child to receive a handwritten letter, sometimes for the first time in their life.
After two weeks at camp, campers have the opportunity to make two scheduled five-minute phone calls to their families.
In the case of an emergency, families can always contact camp directly.
What's it like working at Waukeela?
Staff arrives between June 1st-13th and departs August 13th-15th. Depending on your position you will have different dates, but these are a general idea.
All staff works 6 days a week and has one day off. Every day, you will get 1 hour off as well as most evenings. Days are long and tiring, and are also filled with magical, fun, and crazy moments that will make you feel connected with nature, other people and yourself! If you are a counselor, you will be teaching 5 hours a day and supervising kids in different areas for the rest. If you are a part of our support staff crew you will be working in your area throughout the day doing different projects and with time off assigned by your area heads who will work with you.
After you fill out the application, our Senior Staff team will review it and reach back out to you to set up an interview. If you are successful in the process, we will offer you a position!
Waukeela is set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world (at least we think so). Next to Crystal lake and near New Hampshire’s White Mountains we are in a really special little corner. Camp is rustic, our cabins are simple wooden structures covered in signatures going back to the 1950s. All our meals are eaten as an entire community in our dinning hall where singing and dancing are abundant. We pride ourselves in creating a culture of love and acceptance and we embrace everyone for who they are. Camp is a place where kids are free to express themselves and where we all work together to create unforgettable summers for everyone!
We offer pick ups from Boston Logan Airport, as well as from the North Conway and Conway bus stops at specific times. You can also drive to camp. You can keep your car in our parking lot throughout the summer, or you can get dropped off and picked up on your arrival and departure dates.
As we said before, camp is very rustic and all about connecting with nature, with others and with yourself. We strive to be a completely accepting and encouraging community and we work really hard to help kids and young people develop into loving, caring, confident, compassionate and empowered versions of themselves. If this sounds like the type of work you want to do then no matter who you are, Waukeela is the right place for you!
In the weeks before camp starts there will be different role specific trainings where you will learn all about the job you will be doing. On June 13th, all staff will gather for 8 days of what we call Staff Education Week. During this week, we hold workshops, courses and games that prepare us for the summer ahead.
Campers are between 7 and 17 years old.
There are around 70 staff members and around 120 campers per session. By the end of the summer, you will know everyone’s name at least!
Everyone at camp lives in cabins. If you are a counselor, you will be in one with 4-6 kids and if you are support staff, you will be in one with other staff members.
Yes, and no. All electronic devices must be kept in the staff room throughout the day while camp is in session. In the staff room there is wifi and during your free time you are free to connect!