Camp Lakota is located in Wurtsboro, NY in the foot hills of Catskill Mountains. The campus is approximately 20 minutes from Middletown, NY and just 90 minutes from New York City.
A sleepaway camp (also called overnight camp) is a summer experience where children live at camp for an extended period of time, typically ranging from a few weeks to a full summer. At Camp Lakota’s sleepaway camp, campers participate in structured daily activities, build friendships, and develop independence in a supportive, screen-free environment in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
The Camp is open for touring all year long and we would be happy to arrange a tour for you and your family a tour at your convenience. Please call (845) 888-5611 to set up a time.
Absolutely, and demand is growing. As screen time and social pressures on kids have increased, more families are seeking structured, in-person experiences where children can genuinely disconnect, build real friendships, and develop confidence away from home. Sleepaway camps, like Camp Lakota, offer exactly that: a close-knit community where kids thrive without devices and return home with lasting friendships and a stronger sense of self.
Our camp mattresses are 73 inches long and 30 inches wide, twin size bedding will fit.
Camp Lakota is proud to be an accredited member of the American Campaign Association (ACA).
We accept 190 boys and 190 girls for a total of 380 campers. It’s our goal to know each camper as an individual.
Our boys campus bunks house 10-15 campers each and our girls campus bunks do vary in size many bunks are 8-10 campers with the exception of a dorm style building for our Chiefs & a few bunks where the whole division is in one building.
Our bunk counselors are college age young adults.
We have counselors who come from across the U.S and many of them were once campers themselves. In addition, we also have counselors who come from different countries all over the world.
Each staff person is thoroughly screened before being hired. The process includes an application, extensive reference checks and a criminal background check. We truly believe that we hire the ‘cream of the crop’ as your child’s safety and personal welfare is our top concern.
We have a pre-planned rainy day schedule that we can switch to at a moments notice. Camp Lakota has many indoor facilities that can be used for rainy day activities such as indoor sports, arts and crafts, board games, movies and other group activities so there is plenty to do, rain or shine!
Camp Lakota’s emphasis is on fun and learning. For those who are looking for a more competitive atmosphere, we provide inter-camp games several times a week through the Sullivan County Camp Athletic League. Every camper that wants to join our inter-camp teams is guaranteed a spot.
All of our swim and waterfront instructors are American Red Cross Certified lifeguards. We have very clear rules and safety regulations that are enforced at all times. Each camper will participate in our Red Cross swim program and receive their certification cards.
Campers sit at their own assigned table with their bunkmates and counselors. Our dining hall service is buffet style. The meals are well balanced and plentiful. In addition to our main courses, we have delicious substitutions which are always available, these include a make-your-own salad bar and pasta bar at each lunch and dinner meal. While we are not a “peanut free” camp we are very peanut conscious and can accommodate most dietary concerns.
We are very proud of our fully equipped health center which is always available to all campers. We are staffed with physicians and Registered Nurses. If a camper needs anything more than a band-aid our medical staff will notify you right away. The Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York is only 20 minutes from the camp and Crystal Run Urgent Care Center is just 10 minutes away in Rock Hill, NY.
If you are sending mail to a camper, staff member, or the camp office during the summer please send them to our summer address: Camp Lakota 56 Park Rd Wurtsboro, NY 12790 (Be sure to include your campers name!)If you need to mail us something during the off season please use the winter address: Camp Lakota 26 Gedney Way Chappaqua, NY 10514
We do not allow food in the bunks. So, we remind you that any food sent in a care package will not be allowed in the bunk. We recommend care packages contain puzzles, magazines, pictures, letters. The envelope must be no larger than 9’ x 12’.
It’s practical for campers to keep a small amount of cash in our office. Our staff will keep it secure in their individual envelope. Cash is useful for batteries and stamps from the Camp Store and for souvenirs on camp trips.
All cash, passports and other important items must be kept in our camp safe located in the camp office. Each camper will have an daily opportunity to access their envelopes.
Camp Lakota has its own laundry service on premises. Your camper’s laundry will be picked up once a week, washed, dried, and folded and returned within 24 hours.
For a smooth transition from “home life” to “camp life” it is important that campers refrain from calls home during their first week. After the first week, the campers can set up one phone call per week.
Parents can send an unlimited amount of emails to their children through their Bunk 1 account using the “bunk note” tab. Bunk Notes are printed, folded and sorted by bunk and are delivered to campers with the daily mail.
If you need to reach us after office hours, please call our summer camp office (845) 888-5611 and the greeting will give you a 24 hour contact number for one of our directors.
We provide chartered bus service to camp from several different New York and New Jersey departure areas. Our buses run on the first day of camp and the last day of camp. As part of camper enrollment you will need to fill out the bus form.
Children are often ready for camp when they’re open to new experiences, can follow basic routines, and show curiosity about being away from home. Many first-time campers thrive quickly with the right support and structure. Read more about how to decide if your child is ready for summer camp.
Summer camp helps children build confidence, independence, and social skills in ways that everyday routines rarely offer. Away from screens and familiar surroundings, kids are more willing to try new things, whether that’s learning to waterski, riding a horse for the first time, or stepping into a leadership role. These experiences create a real sense of accomplishment that carries into school and everyday life long after the summer ends.
Summer camp sessions typically range from two to eight weeks depending on the program. Shorter sessions are great for first-time campers testing the waters, while longer sessions allow children to fully settle in, build deeper friendships, and get the most from the experience. At Camp Lakota, we offer a 3-week session and a 6-week session to accommodate different ages and comfort levels. Read more about choosing the right summer camp length for your child.
Start by looking at a few key factors: the camp’s accreditation, staff experience and screening process, the age range of programs, the activities offered, and how the camp supports first-time campers through homesickness and adjustment. Location matters too; closer to home can ease anxiety for younger kids, while a more immersive, away-from-home setting helps build independence. Once you’ve identified camps that check those boxes, visit in person if you can.
Camp Lakota offers tours year-round which gives kids a chance to experience camp before committing.
Most children are ready for sleepaway camp between ages 6 and 9, though readiness varies by child. Signs your child may be ready include sleeping away from home comfortably (at a friend’s house or with grandparents), showing curiosity about camp, and being able to manage basic daily routines independently. Read more about signs your child is ready for sleepaway camp.
At Camp Lakota, our youngest program, Braves, is designed specifically for ages 6–9 with extra counselor support to help first-timers thrive. Our programs continue all the way through age 16 with our Counselor in Training program, so campers can grow with us year after year.
Sleepaway camp tuition varies widely depending on session length, location, and the facilities and programs offered. Shorter sessions are generally less expensive and can be a great way to introduce your child to the camp experience. When evaluating cost, it helps to consider what’s included, since camp often replaces several weeks of other summer programs.
For Camp Lakota’s current tuition by session, visit our Dates & Tuition page.
Preparation makes a big difference for first-time campers. In the weeks before camp, practice being apart with a sleepover at a friend’s or relative’s home. Talk openly about what to expect, including the schedule, the bunkmates, the activities, so camp feels familiar before they arrive.
Avoid making promises to pick them up early if they feel homesick, as this can make the adjustment harder. Instead, reassure them that the feeling is normal and usually fades within the first few days.
At Camp Lakota, our counselors are trained to support first-time campers through the transition. Learn more about how our counselors help first-time campers settle in.
Please call (845) 888-5611 with any questions you might have. If you would like more information our director Hannah will be happy to answer all of your questions. We look forward to introducing your family to our family.