Testimonials
Our daughter, Lyla (turning 14yrs this Summer) has been going to Camp Chateaugay for several years and we couldn't imagine a better summer camp experience for her. The energy and passion of the Owner (Mitch) is infectious and permeates every bit of the experience. We thoroughly researched camps in the Northeast and Chateaugay checked so many boxes for us. Owners who have a personal connection and regular presence, a staff that is vetted and committed, fantastic modernized facilities that retain their vintage character , and a diverse group of kids that come from a variety of locations. The camp is large enough that it is a true summer camp experience with something and someone for everyone, and it is intimate enough where everyone knows your name and you never get overlooked. As New York City parents, we hoped our daughter would make new friends from the city, but also get to spend time with kids who have different backgrounds so she could gain additional perspective. Sure enough, her camp friends live in (among other places) NYC, Westchester and upstate New York, Montreal, Barcelona and California. Yet despite their geographic distance, they stay in touch year round. Here we are in January as I write this, and my daughter is already making camp plans with her friends for this summer.
Our twin girls have been going to Camp Chateaugay for six summers and while they have completely different interests, every year brings new activities and friendships while deepening the connection to the camp traditions that make them count down the days to next year.
My brother and I grew up going to a camp in the Adirondacks that is no longer in business. We were looking for a camp that could offer our children a similar experience to ours and Camp Chateaugay checks all of our boxes. It’s fully co-ed and non-denominational, with generations of families sending their children. Above all, we were drawn in by our meeting with Mitch and his explanation of the values Camp Chateaugay lives by and instills in the campers. At Chateaugay, it’s all about friendship, kindness, silliness, and adventure. No to pretension or snootiness, yes to songs and cheers! My 7 and 9 year olds came home to California from their first-timer session more independent and more confident than when they left. This year at 8 and 10 they will go for a full session, joined by their east coast cousin. Safe to say we are a Chateaugay family!
Camp Chateaugay is simply magical, in so many ways. Our son loves it for the wide diversity of activities, the friendships he has forged with bunk-mates, and the excitement of all-camp events like Gold Rush and Army-Navy Day. As parents, we love it because it provides a safe and encouraging environment for our son to explore and grow, and helps him build a strong sense of independence and self-reliance. We couldn’t imagine sending him anywhere else.
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to go to Chateaugay for seven summers, and it was truly my favorite place. I believe the experiences I had at camp as a child shaped me into the person I became and am so grateful for those experiences. Fast forward many years, and I've now had the pleasure of sending my daughters to camp for the last two summers, and they are counting down the days now until they return this summer! I didn't know if the magic/spirit of camp would still be there but was so excited to see that it was! Camp is still the same magical place it has always been, with even more activities and opportunities than ever before - from water skiing and glass blowing to gymnastics, cooking, drama, dance, animal care, and every other water/land sport you could want to play! They even have an amazing high ropes course/climbing area now that they call "Jungle." It's in the woods and beautiful. I was shocked to see my sometimes fearful child climb to the very top of the climbing wall after only two weeks at camp - the confidence and independence camp gave her was amazing. And I was so happy to see how quickly both my girls fit in and formed close friendships with their cabinmates, while also knowing the names of half the other kids at camp it seemed! It's a dream come true to see my daughters loving camp, just as I did. When I visit, it is still my favorite place, and I never want to leave.
