A Perfect Mix of Elective and Scheduled Activities For Children
Our summer camp programs are designed to meet every camper’s developmental needs while helping them grow alongside others. We prioritize instruction and active participation across all activities, welcoming campers of any skill level. This inclusive approach fosters a supportive environment where every child in any grade level can thrive and discover new experiences.
6-9 years old
Braves are the youngest members of the Lakota Family. For many, it’s their first experience at summer camp, which is why the schedule for the Braves is full of fun activities.
Brave Details
10 years old
Hawks are fully equipped for summer programs at Lakota, boasting a cabin brimming with friends and camp counselors eager to dive into fun activities and explore thrilling new adventures.
Hawk Details
11 years old
Scouts are the eldest of our lower camp divisions. With days full of fun activities and Lakota traditions, they are getting ready to transition to the ranks of upper camp, become role models, and enjoy memorable years to come at summer camp.
Scout DetailsOur goal is to make sure campers have a fun and memorable summer experience; we want to help them build confidence, learn new skills, and make lasting friendships. From water sports and arts and crafts to field trips, our summer day camp offers a wide range of activities to cater to the diverse interests of teens.
12 years old
Trackers are ready to “track” down a good time every day and create a memorable summer. Joining the ranks of upper camp, Trackers enjoy more independence and can relish in all Lakota has to offer.
Tracker Details
13 years old
Warriors are well equipped to soak up the summer sun and explore more freedom and unique overnight trips planned specifically with them in mind. Warriors get to enjoy the summer months under the guidance of Chiefs.
Warrior Details
14-15 years old
Younger campers look up to Chiefs, the next generation of leaders allowed the opportunity to lead within our camp. Chiefs are high school-level campers trusted with the great responsibility of passing down our traditions.
Chief Details
Camp Program for 16 Years Old
Our Counselors In Training (CITs) get to experience a great mix of the traditional summer camp experience while learning what it means to be a counselor at Lakota from our wonderful staff. CITs can also build up the excitement of participating in the “Teen Tour” camp experience at Lakota.
CIT DetailsYes, but a well-designed teen program looks quite different from a younger camper program. Teens benefit from more independence, peer-driven experiences, and opportunities to take on real responsibility.
At Camp Lakota, our teen programs are built around exactly that: Trackers (age 12) and Warriors (age 13) enjoy more freedom and overnight trips, while Chiefs (ages 14–15) step into a leadership role for younger campers, and CITs (age 16) train alongside our counselor staff in a hands-on program that includes a teen travel tour experience.
For many teens, camp is one of the most formative experiences they have, and one of the few places left where they’re genuinely off their phones, building friendships face-to-face. As social pressures and screen time increase during the teen years, the structure and community of a sleepaway camp become more valuable, not less.
Older campers at Camp Lakota take on increasing independence and leadership responsibilities each year, which gives them something most summers simply can’t: a real sense of purpose and growth.
The best teen camp programs balance structure with autonomy, with enough guidance to keep the experience meaningful and enough freedom to let teens feel trusted and independent. Activities matter too, but social experience tends to be what teens value most by the end of summer.
At Camp Lakota, older campers, like Warriors and Chiefs, gain progressively more independence, participate in overnight trips, and take on mentorship roles for younger campers. These are all experiences that are genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere.
Most overnight camps offer sessions ranging from two to eight weeks. Shorter sessions work well for first-time campers or those with scheduling constraints, while longer sessions allow for a deeper experience in which friendships have time to develop, routines feel natural, and campers return home noticeably more confident and independent.
At Camp Lakota, we offer a 3-week session and a 6-week session. See our Dates & Tuition page for current session dates, or read our guide on choosing a summer camp length if you’re not sure which is best for your child.
Camp gives children something increasingly rare: unstructured time with peers, away from screens, in an environment designed around growth rather than performance. Beyond the fun, research consistently shows that camp experiences build confidence, resilience, and social skills that carry into the school year.
For families looking for more than just childcare during the summer, camp is often the most meaningful investment they make, one their kids talk about long after it’s over. See why families choose Camp Lakota.