For many of our Hawks, it marks their debut venture away at camp, so Camp Lakota ensures they have all the essentials for an unforgettable summer, including a cabin brimming with companionship and counselors eager to spark joy and partake in thrilling escapades!
The Hawks summer camp program is ideal for families searching for a summer camp for 10 year olds, or kids going into 5th grade, who are ready for more responsibility in a supportive camp environment.
Any Hawks transitioning from the Braves division relish in added elective options, extended bedtime allowances, and a broader array of excursions to select from. The Hawks program builds on the foundation established in earlier years, giving campers more opportunities to grow, explore, and gain independence.
As campers start to mature, they get the chance to take a more active role in their daily experience, while still benefiting from structure and guidance provided by our approach and team. This balance helps soon-to-be 5th grade campers feel confident navigating new challenges as they grow throughout the summer.
Hawks campers explore a wide variety of activities, while beginning to develop their own individual interests. We like to keep motivating our Hawks to continue to improve their fine motor skills, which is a big milestone for kids at 10 years old. By engaging in sports, working with their hands at arts and crafts, cooking, rocketry, and more with the support of our skilled staff, our campers are able to practice their skills in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.
We have also found that without the distraction of screens on campus, campers can spend more time participating in activities, creating friendships and learning skills that they will use throughout their lives. The goal of our Hawks summer program is to encourage true exploration while continuing to build confidence and social skills, which will serve them well as they enter 5th grade.
At this stage, friendships become deeper and more meaningful. Campers learn how to connect, collaborate, and build relationships that last beyond the summer.
We can’t wait to welcome your child to the Camp Lakota family. Contact us to get all your questions answered, or start the enrollment process today!
The Hawks program is designed for 10-year-olds who are ready to grow into more independence while still benefiting from structure and close counselor relationships. Hawks campers are fully integrated into the Lakota community, participating in the same range of activities as the rest of camp, building friendships across a shared bunk, and beginning to take more ownership of their daily experience while counselors remain closely involved.
Hawks campers have more independence in their day than Braves, with greater opportunities for skill-building electives and social connection. The close scaffolding of Camp Moms from the Braves division gradually gives way to camper-led decision-making, with counselors shifting into a coaching role rather than direct daily management. It’s a meaningful step up that most 10-year-olds are well-ready for.
Yes! Hawks campers move through a full and varied schedule that includes athletics, waterfront, arts, outdoor adventure, and elective choices. No prior experience is required for any activity; the goal is discovery, not specialization.
The structure of bunk life is the best friendship accelerator there is; campers eat, sleep, and move through the day together, creating natural closeness faster than most other environments allow. Many Hawks campers form friendships in the first week that they maintain for years after camp ends.
Absolutely! Camp provides something increasingly rare: an extended, screen-free environment where children grow socially and emotionally through real shared experiences. At Camp Lakota, the mix of structure and freedom is specifically calibrated to help each age group develop confidence at their own pace.