Curious what a typical day at camp looks like? Here’s the honest answer: it’s busy, it’s fun, and it’s surprisingly predictable. From the moment your camper wakes up until lights out, the day is structured but flexible enough for campers to build friendships, discover new interests, and feel like they’re part of something bigger.
The schedule below applies to most campers. Specific activities vary by age division (we have seven divisions: Braves, Hawks, Scouts, Trackers, Warriors, Chiefs, and CIT), but the rhythm stays consistent. This consistency is actually what helps new campers feel comfortable so quickly.
| Time | Activity | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00am | Reveille | Counselors play an energetic wake-up song to get everyone out of bed. This is one of those camp traditions that becomes iconic. It’s not meant to be jarring—just a happy signal that the day is starting. Campers get up, wash up, and start getting ready. |
| 7:15am – 8:00am | First Shift Breakfast | Younger campers (Braves, ages 6-9) head to the dining hall for breakfast. They eat together with their division and counselors. This staggered approach means breakfast isn’t chaotic, and younger kids get a head start on their day. |
| 7:30am – 8:00am | Older Campers Wake-Up & Bunk Cleaning | Older kids (Hawks and up) have more time to wake up and get ready. This includes cleaning their bunks. Our Head of Camp will do a light inspection to make sure spaces are tidy. It’s a small responsibility that teaches kids to maintain their living space. |
| 8:00am – 8:30am | Second Shift Breakfast | Older campers eat breakfast. Meanwhile, younger campers are back in their bunks, cleaning up after breakfast. |
| 8:30am – 9:00am | Preparation & Morning Lineup | All campers return to clean up and prepare for the day. Counselors make sure everyone is ready. |
| 9:00am – 9:15am | Morning Lineup | The whole camp gathers on the front lawn around the volleyball court. We make announcements about the day. We celebrate birthdays. We recognize acts of kindness. We talk about special activities or competitions. We raise the flag and say the pledge. This is camp’s daily town meeting—it builds community and sets a positive tone. |
| 9:35am – 10:50am | First Period Activity | Each division heads to their assigned activity for the day. This might be horseback riding, archery, watersports, drama, arts, swimming, ropes, rock climbing, or anything else. All activities are scheduled by division (not electives). Counselors participate in activities alongside campers. |
| 11:00am – 12:15pm | Second & Third Period Activities | Back-to-back activity periods. Each division has scheduled activities. Note: Third period includes a general swim rotation—either boys or girls campus goes to the lake while the other goes to the pool. This rotates daily so everyone gets dedicated water time. |
| 12:30pm – 1:00pm | First Shift Lunch | Younger campers eat lunch first. They’re done by 1pm and head straight to rest hour while the day is fresh. |
| 12:45pm – 1:15pm | Second Shift Lunch | Older campers eat lunch. They have a bit of time after lunch before rest hour, or before and after depending on their schedule. |
| 1:15pm – 2:00pm | Rest Hour | This is mandatory downtime. All campers are in their bunks. No running around, no visiting friends. This is time to read, write letters home, sleep, or rest. Counselors use this time to help with medication, address concerns, or just check in one-on-one. For new campers, rest hour can feel like a safe, quiet break in an otherwise busy day. |
| 2:00pm – 2:20pm | Second Lineup & Elective Assignment | Camp gathers on the front lawn. Counselors hold signs for this week’s elective activities (watersports, yoga, horseback riding, specialized classes, etc.). Campers line up by their chosen activity and walk together to that program. This is the ONE time per week that kids choose their activity. Everything else during the week is scheduled by division. |
| 2:20pm – 3:15pm | Weekly Elective Period | Campers participate in their chosen activity. Common electives include lake activities, specialized riding lessons, yoga, arts workshops, or sports clinics. Activities rotate weekly, so campers have variety. |
| 3:15pm – 3:30pm | Snack Time | Each division gathers for snacks—crackers, ice pops, fruit, or other refreshments. It’s a quick recharge before the afternoon push. |
| 3:30pm – 5:15pm | Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Period Activities | More scheduled activities by division. Like the morning, kids are in activities with their group and counselors. Sixth period often includes the general swim rotation for whichever gender didn’t swim during third period. |
| 5:30pm – 5:45pm | Shower Time (Upper Camp) | Older kids shower and get ready for dinner. |
| 5:45pm – 6:15pm | First Shift Dinner | Younger campers eat. |
| 6:15pm – 6:45pm | Upper Camp Shower & Second Shift Dinner | Older kids finish showering while younger kids head back to bunks. Older kids eat dinner. |
| 6:45pm – 7:15pm | Free Play (if scheduled) | Depending on that night’s plans, there might be free time. Kids shoot hoops, play games, hang out on the lawn. |
| 7:15pm – 9:15pm | Evening/Night Activity | This is camp’s signature moment. Every night, the whole camp does something together. This might be a campfire with songs, a talent show, a full-camp game, a movie, a dance, a scavenger hunt, or camper-organized activities. This is where memories are made. |
| 9:15pm | Taps & OD Call | Counselors are called to their “OD” (on-duty) posts. This signals off-duty counselors that they’re free for the night. For campers, it signals that curfew time has begun. |
| 9:15pm – 10:00pm | Curfew Time | Based on their age, campers are allowed out during a specific window. They can visit the canteen for snacks, hang out on the front lawn, shoot hoops, or chat with friends. After their assigned curfew time, they return to bunks. |
| 10:00pm onwards | Bedtime | Counselors help with bedtime routines—stories, conversations, settling into sleep. Lights out. The camp quiets down for the night. |
Braves are our youngest campers. They typically experience the full schedule above without modifications. Here’s what’s special about Braves:
Camp Moms on Every Step: Your Brave’s group leader is a “Camp Mom”—an actual parent who’s chosen to spend the summer supporting our youngest. She lives on camp, supervises counselors, and is deeply invested in making sure new campers feel safe and connected. She’ll be at activities, available during rest hour, and there during bedtime. She’s your go-to for any concerns about your child’s adjustment.
Structured with Warmth: Braves follow the schedule above closely. The structure helps them feel safe. But within that structure, there’s enormous room for encouragement, emotional support, and gentleness. This is the age when many campers are experiencing sleepaway camp for the first time. We never rush them. We meet them where they are.
Hawks are beginning to develop independence. They follow the full schedule. Activities are age-appropriate—more athletic, more skill-building, less supervised play. Hawks often discover what they’re passionate about at camp.
Scouts are developing their own interests. They’re social and energetic. The activity schedule allows them to dive deep into areas they love.
Trackers are where we see real skill development and friendships that often last beyond camp.
Warriors are mature enough to handle more responsibility but still young enough to be fully invested in camp tradition. They’re often the bridge between older and younger campers.
Chiefs are our oldest traditional campers. They’re leaders in activities and mentors to younger divisions.
For age 16+, we offer a CIT program where older teens work alongside staff, learn mentorship, and develop leadership skills.
The schedule is full, but it’s not chaotic. Activities are back-to-back because that’s what keeps camp joyful and engaging. Downtime happens during rest hour. Evening activities are collaborative and fun, not tests of performance. Campers aren’t pushed to exhaustion. They’re engaged because they’re doing things they enjoy with people they like.
We’ve learned that when kids know what’s expected, they feel more confident. So Monday through Friday, first, second, and third periods are all scheduled by division. Your camper knows what activity they’re doing and when. The ONE time per week they get to choose is the elective. This balance works beautifully.
By day 3, most campers could tell you the schedule by heart. Morning lineup. Activities. Rest hour. Evening activity. Bedtime. The predictability is genuinely comforting, especially for first-timers who are adjusting to a new environment.
Staff don’t stand on the sidelines. They’re in the activity, doing it alongside campers. This modeling and participation changes everything, especially for shy kids or kids trying something new.
We protect rest hour fiercely. This downtime is essential. It’s when emotional regulation happens. It’s when kids recover from the morning’s activities. It’s when sensitive conversations happen between campers and counselors. It’s quiet, it’s safe, and it’s non-negotiable.
The evening program is where camp gets magical. Campfires, talent shows, games, dances—these are the moments campers remember forever. We don’t just schedule them. We invest heavily in making them special.
New campers are nervous, excited, and a little overwhelmed. Everything is new—the people, the place, the schedule. Counselors go slow. Activities are welcoming and low-pressure. We’re not trying to impress anyone yet. We’re just getting settled.
Homesickness often peaks around day 3-4. This is normal. Counselors know this and are prepared. They validate feelings, keep kids engaged, and look ahead to things they’ll love. Most kids push through and start connecting by day 4-5.
By the end of week one, most first-timers have found their footing. They know where things are. They have at least one new friend. They’ve done activities and discovered something they enjoy. They’re starting to sleep better. The homesickness has shifted to occasional pangs rather than constant ache.
The schedule above might seem detailed, but it’s designed to be transparent. We believe parents do better when they understand exactly what their child’s day looks like. You don’t have to wonder if your child is bored or overstimulated or lonely. You know the rhythm. You know what’s happening.
If you have questions about any part of the schedule, or if you’d like to discuss how the schedule works for your specific child’s age and interests, we’re happy to talk. This is what we do, and we love it.
New to sleepaway camp? These guides answer the most common first-time questions and help you plan confidently.