a CampPage Summer Camp Guide
Southwest Summer Camps > Challenge and Ropes Course Programs
Friendly Pines Camp
Residential coed summer camp
High in the tall, cool pines near historic Prescott, Arizona, Friendly Pines offers 30+ activities to choose from. Activities include English & Western riding, pony driving, swimming, tennis, waterskiing, rock climbing, ropes course, archery, arts, fishing, sports, hiking, pets, outdoor living skills, & more.
Excellent camper to staff ratios. We conduct professional background checks and drug tests on all staff. 65 years of experience. Coed, ages 6-13. An Arizona tradition!
Website: 
Kennolyn Camps
Coed Camp with Residential & Day Camp Sessions
Kennolyn Camps has a wide range of summer camp options. From one week of Day Camp to four weeks of Resident Camp. From our specialized Equestrian Camp to our Family Camp over Labor Day weekend. Make Kennolyn Camps a part of your summer!
35 activities to choose from for boys and girls ages 6-14, including extensive ropes courses for all ages, horseback riding and more. Located on 300 acres in California's beautiful Redwoods, five miles from Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean.
Website: 
Wellspring Camp La Jolla
Residential Coed Fitness and Weight Loss Camp
Welcome to Wellspring Camp La Jolla, America's most prestigious weight loss and fitness camp. If you're looking for a summer of dramatic weight loss, fun on the beach, incredible adventures, and access to amazing fitness facilities, then Wellspring Camp La Jolla is the place for you. At Wellspring Camp La Jolla, California's only scientifically-based weight loss program, we offer our renowned program to children, teens, and young adults, with special tracks for each age group. Located on the campus of University of California, San Diego, Wellspring Camp La Jolla offers an incredible range of activities, beautiful weather, and excellent facilities.
You will spend lots of time enjoying the beach, sand volleyball, boogie boarding, surfing lessons, snorkeling, and evening bonfires, and make use of UCSD's expansive fields and $35 million state-of-the-art fitness complex with a variety of classes such as strength training, martial arts and yoga. Fun trips to southern California's world famous theme parks, mountain biking and hiking adventures, and on-campus games and activities round out the ultimate camp experience.
Camp Nor'wester
Residential coed summer camp
Less Technology - More Independence. Camp Nor'wester has provided memorable summers to 1000's of kids since 1935. Activities are considered traditional: arts and crafts, drama, archery, and ropes course, with lots of outdoor activities like sailing, kayaking, hiking and overnight camping trips. Living is cooperative - everyone helps with daily living needs like cleaning latrine and shower houses; clearing trails; gathering wood for shower house boilers, repairing fire circles, and serving food at meal times. We get outside, live with simple comforts, and do things that require personal effort.
Leaving the distractions of technology, media and commerce behind, campers discover new interests and friendships through simple, self- powered pleasures. Change takes time. Our four-week program allows campers to step out on their own, away from preconceived images or expectations held by family and school communities. They will encounter challenging experiences in a supportive, group living environment. They will learn to build relationships, share adventures and take on responsibilities.
Kids don't have to be the smartest, fastest, tallest or coolest to come to Nor'wester. They just have to be willing to leave the cushy life behind, unplug for a while, and try something out of the ordinary.
Pali Adventures
Residential coed summer camp
THE CAMP OF CHOICE! Pali Adventures is a specialty summer experience, nestled near Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. With Pali 17 unique specialties, Pali Adventures has a specialty to suit most campers.
Our custom-designed, one- and two-week residential specialties include Fashion, Film, Culinary and Broadcasting Institutes, Action Adventures like Secret Agent, Extreme Action, Hollywood Stunts, Motor sports and Girl Power Extreme, and creative pursuits like our Acting and Dance Academy's, Movie Make-up, Rock Star, Flying Trapeze, CIT/Leadership programs and the brand new Camp Dj.
Pali's 100% free-choice afternoons allow campers to choose from over 50 activities ranging from arts and crafts to zip lines, adventure activities to watersports and so much more!
Our campers also choose their favorite evening activities upon arrival in camp from an array of incredible options with Casino Nights, Pandemonium, Mimic Mania and Themed Dances to name just a few of our camper's favorites. A world class staff, must attend an industry leading 14-day staff training (standard within the industry is 8 days), will make this summer camp experience one your child will never forget!
Pali has 74 scenic acres with great facilities, modern cabins equipped with full bathroom and shower facilities. Excellent food! GREAT FUN!
Cottonwood Gulch Foundation
Wilderness Adventure Program
This is world-class wilderness adventure, but the Gulch is much more than just backpacking - we also use our hands to explore Southwestern art, archaeology, reptiles, and dinosaur bones. This is a place for those of us who need to get our hands dirty in order to truly learn about the Wild Lands of New Mexico. "I want to wander down backroads, along paths, and through the wilderness for the rest of my life. This place has taught me that."
What sets the Gulch apart from other adventure programs is that we give you the chance to CREATE your own legacy project. In addition to spectacular backpacking, rock climbing, and hiking, you can also work closely with our staff to restore burrowing owl habitat on our prairies, silversmith your own turquoise bracelet, make a star chart of the night sky, reconstruct an 800-year-old pot with our archaeologist, or build a new chicken coop for our organic farm.
Wellspring Texas
Residential Coed Fitness and Weight Loss Camp
Wellspring Texas is the first and only summer fitness and weight loss camp in Texas, and one of the most effective weight loss programs in the world. Boys and girls ages 10-24 enjoy an amazing summer of weight loss, fun, and friendship. Rapid and dramatic weight loss is achieved through a proven and comprehensive program provided by a staff of trained professionals.
Set against the incredible backdrop of the Big Hill Country on the sprawling 200-acre campus of San Marcos Baptist Academy outside of Austin, Wellspring Texas campers have the best of both worlds" use of the terrific facilities on campus, as well as access to the magnificent rivers, parks and trails of the Hill Country.
Astrocamp
Residential coed summer camp
Explore the wonders of the universe with qualified instructor of the physical sciences. It's fun and educational. Traditional summer camp fun. Mountain bike, rock climb and hike in the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California.
Traditional camp activities combined with astronomy, rocketry, space exploration, physical science activities and more. Camp season opens in June and ends in August. One and two week sessions, ages 8 to 17.
Camp Augusta
Residential coed summer campCamp Augusta is an 80 acre, non-profit, residential summer camp located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. We are a small camp with about 50 staff and 90 campers per session. We aim to help campers develop self-confidence, independence, social skills (emotional intelligence), creativity, activity skills, environmental awareness and appreciation, friendships, and healthy living skills while having FUN in a small, tight, true community set in a beautiful forest.
Camp Augusta operates on a structure of flat hierarchy, consensus and intention with every action. We also have many activities that you are unlikely to find at other camps.
Walton's Grizzly Lodge Summer Camp
Residential coed summer camp
Founded in 1926 by Mom and Pop Walton, Walton's Grizzly Lodge is currently under the guidance of third generation owners and fourth generation directors. We believe in providing a structured program for children that emphasizes a feeling of family, friendship and belonging and encourages active participation in a variety of experiences.
Our private lake is ideal for water skiing, wake boarding, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and swimming. Horseback riding. Extensive ropes courses. Variety of craft programs. Wide range of athletics. Out of camp trips. One and two week sessions available. Ages 7-14. One hour from Reno!
SOAR, Inc.
Wilderness adventure program
SOAR has provided multi-length, high adventure programs for youth diagnosed with ADHD and/or learning disabilities for over 35 years. Recognizing that the outdoors provides an ideal classroom where relevant learning can occur and life skills can be taught, emphasis is placed on developing self-confidence, social skills, and problem solving techniques. Course are co-ed, and are dveloped for youth ages 8-25 with average to above average intelligence and physical ability. Staff to student ratio is low, and instructors are hired for qualities of maturity, caring and passion for working with our population in the outdoor setting.
Activities vary by location and range from snorkeling and fishing in the Florida keys; backpacking and rafting in the Blue Ridge mountains of NC; surfing and sea kayaking in California; horsepacking and fishing in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming; to canoeing and rock climbing in the Adirondack mountains of New York. Specialty courses include a trip tropical Belize, learning to whitewater kayak in North Carolina, earning SCUBA certifications in Florida, and even participating in a Wyoming Rodeo! Our Postgraduate program serves young adults ages 18-25.
Skylake Yosemite Camp
Residential coed summer camp
Skylake continues the traditions of a camp founded in 1945 while constantly being updated to be exciting and relevant for today's youth. Our cabins have no electricty as we find candles are much more fun, a lot of singing at campfires, and an atmosphere that creates friendships for a life time. Our schedule is open for the campers to chose the activites they find most appealing. All of the traditional camp activities such as horseback riding, lake swimming, climbing wall, crafts, sports, tennis, and water skiing are available along with special celebration days, Yosemite trips, and contests galore.
Skylake hosts 210 coed campers each session with a staff of 70 counselors. The counselors are primarily college students who have completed a week of on site staff training, cpr and lifesaving certifications, and a proven love of children. Campers come primarily from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles areas. Charter buses to camp are available from these locations. Skylake also hosts many campers from the east coast and from international locations. Campers are greeted at the Fresno Airport by Skylake staff and driven to the mountain location. Visit our website or call the camp office for more information.
SuperCamp
Coed Residential Camp
Academic pressure to stand out. Social pressure to fit in. It's not easy being a high school or middle school student these days.
Whether your child is straight A, struggling, or somewhere in between, chances are they're often overwhelmed by too much homework, too many activities, and the never-ending distractions created by technology. SuperCamp teaches teens real-life strategies that help them manage their time and improve their relationships. The result—increases in their grades, confidence and motivation.
Now in its 31st year with 64,000 graduates worldwide, SuperCamp is a 7- to 10-day residential camp held on prestigious college campuses that teaches strategies for reading, writing, memorizing, studying, and problem-solving. Campus locations include Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; UCLA and Loyola Marymount, Los Angeles, CA; Brown University, Providence, RI; Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL; Kent State, Kent, OH; University of South Floida, Tampa, FL; Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. SuperCamp combines the 8 Keys of Excellence character-building program with academic preparation and fun outdoor challenge activities to give kids an edge in learning and in life.
Wellspring Women's Program
Residential Girls' Summer Camp
The Women's Program at Wellspring La Jolla offers women ages 25-65+ an incredible weight loss vacation on the beautiful coast of Southern California. Fantastic weather, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and with the natural beauty of the world famous La Jolla Cove surrounding you, NOW is the time to invest in your own health and happiness. The Wellspring Women's Program is the perfect escape for you if you are looking to lose weight and revitalize your life.
The Women's Program offers women the very best long-term weight loss program combined with a vacation at the beach. Whether you choose to attend our program while simultaneously sending a child to Wellspring La Jolla weight loss camp, gather a few girlfriends for a group vacation, or attend on your own for a personal retreat, you'll revel in the camaraderie of women looking to support one another in their commitment to health and vitality.
Wellspring Academy of California Summer Session
Residential Coed Fitness and Weight Loss Camp
Wellspring Academy of California, the premier treatment program for adolescent obesity and the first boarding school for weight loss, welcomes students for summer session. Wellspring Academy is the only summer weight loss program or camp where students earn academic credit, lose weight and catch up or accelerate academically this summer at Wellspring Academy.
Wellspring Academy of California offers 3 different summer programs, ages 11-24. High School Summer Academic Program: Earn summer credits while participating in Wellspring's renowned weight loss and fitness program, Wellspring Academy of California Summer College Program: Academic option with online or local college curriculum and Wellspring Academy of California Adventure Program: incorporates a series of off-campus adventure trips and on-campus activities. Enrollment is open year-round.
Nutrition and culinary classes paired with the delicious food served in the dining hall guarantee knowledge of and love for new foods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a "BC" (Behavioral Coach) in group and individual sessions knits these elements together into comprehensive lifestyle change for rapid weight loss and long-term weight control.
Shane Weight Loss Camps
Residential Coed Camp
Featured on The Tyra Show, MTV, 20/20, Dr. Phil and The Discovery Channel, Camp Shane has outstanding facilities and extensive activities. Portion controlled meals with classes in nutrition, dieting and cooking result in superb, proven weight losses. Fun, friendly and family run since 1968. You're going to look and feel great after a summer at Camp Shane. We're a weight loss camp with excellent results but dieting is only part of our awesome program. We don't make being overweight a bigger problem than it is. We're a lot of fun, very friendly and we really care about each other.
At Camp Shane you'll feel comfortable, welcome and good about yourself! We know exactly what you're going through and we're here to help you succeed and have the best time of your life. We have a highly supervised program with great tasting meals and an extensive list of activities from jet skis and dune buggies to dance and dramatics.
Camp Keystone Summer Day Camp
Coed Day CampCamp Keystone, a summer day camp in Agoura Hills, CA, is located on 30 acres with lush green grass and shady trees. With over 45 different activities including a 274' waterslide, 60' solar heated swimming pool, 3 zip lines, a state-of-the-art ropes course, go-carts, horses, giant interactive inflatables, archery, boating and fishing, and so much more, we are proud to offer a program unlike other camps.
With numerous pick-up points located throughout the San Fernando and Conejo Valley, we make getting to camp in our air-conditioned busses an enjoyable experience for your child.
Camp Whittier
Residential coed summer campNestled among the hills of the Los Padres National Forest, the private, tucked-away 55 acre resident camp is bounded by hiking trails and hosts an abundance of wildlife in woodland area. Cachuma Lake and its amenities are within walking distance. Programs include: Ropes Challenge Course, Swimming, Drama, Archery, Music, Arts & Crafts, Campfires and more. ACA accredited camp.
5 day sessions in July. Scholarships are available. Campers are between the ages of 6 and 13 years old. CIT'S (counselor in training) program available ages 14-17.
Camp available for user group retreat rentals, challenge course & outdoor education programs year round.
Catalina Island Camps
Residential coed summer camp
Catalina Island Camps is a Summer Resident Camp for boys and girls ages 7 through 15. The camp facilities are located at Howlands Landing on the California side of Catalina Island, 22 miles from Southern California. 150-180 boys and girls ages 7 to 15 participate in the camp's waterfront and land programs.
Activities include: sailing, skin diving, water-skiing, sea-kayaking, climbing wall, ropes course, and many others.
Camp Kinneret Day Camp
Coed summer day campCamp Kinneret Summer Day Camp, nestled in the rolling hills of Agoura, California, offers children ages 4 -14 a fun-filled program full of adventure and friendship. We are committed to helping each child grow into his or her best self by combining excellent staff with small groups and a philosophy that puts campers first.
Activities include: Archery, Arts/Crafts, Challenge/Rope Courses, Leadership Development, Music, Nature/Environment Studies, Sports-Field & Team, Swimming-Instructional, Team Building.
Camp Trinity on The Bar 717 Ranch
Residential coed summer camp
The Bar 717 Ranch/Camp Trinity offers children ages 8 to 16 the opportunity to spend the summer on a beautiful mountain ranch. The Bar 717 Ranch /Camp Trinity teaches responsibility for oneself and others in a noncompetitive, supportive environment. We are located in northern California on 450 acres which is surrounded by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. We offer 2, 3, and 4 week sessions.
Activities include: horsemanship, backpacking, river swimming, music, arts & crafts, ceramics, blacksmithing, gardening.
Secret Agent Camp
Residential coed summer camp
If you love paintball, this is your specialty! Our One-Week Program takes campers undercover for a thrilling ride to learn the skills of a real secret agent. Pali Adventures agents learn stealth tactics and undercover maneuvers while enjoying exhilarating and fun spy games, rapid-fire paintball challenges, high ropes course and martial arts techniques. It's sure to get your heart pumping! Pali's Secret Agents, learn teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving skills and discipline. On critical missions with your fellow Pali Agents you will support one another as you push your limits scaling our 53' high rock wall, and fly through the air on the 227' long zip line. Your strength and stamina will be severely tested on the five themed paintball fields including The Wild West, The Junkyard, President's Field, High Noon, The Jungle, and the inflatable speedball field.
If that is not enough, our Two-Week Program: SPEC OPS will surely be for you! Adding onto the one-week program, in our special operations training, you will learn rapid room entry and room-clearing methods tested in covert missions around camp. Swat tactics and stealth techniques are used during longer and bigger paintball and laser tag battles. Once you have mastered these skills, advanced training will include night time laser-tag combat drills and precision target shooting while riding the zip line and riding on the back of an ATV. Your Spec Ops training will culminate with an overnight camping trip including a recon and rescue mission.
Friendly Pines Camp
Residential coed summer camp
High in the tall, cool pines near historic Prescott, Arizona, Friendly Pines offers 30+ activities to choose from. Activities include English & Western riding, pony driving, swimming, tennis, waterskiing, rock climbing, ropes course, archery, arts, fishing, sports, hiking, pets, outdoor living skills, & more.
Excellent camper to staff ratios. We conduct professional background checks and drug tests on all staff. 65 years of experience. Coed, ages 6-13. An Arizona tradition!
