Expeditions by canoe on lakes teeming with algae. Terrifying campfire tales that would make one dream of nightmares. Drinks made from real insects instead of just tasting like them!
Indeed, there’s a certain charm in the raw, emotional experiences found at traditional summer camps. It’s no surprise that many Tinseltown stars have been sending their children to New England for around two months every summer, escaping the lavish lifestyle of LA and diving headfirst into the world of camp badges and shared growing pains instead.
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The old-fashioned summer camp atmosphere has a unique allure, explaining why numerous Hollywood celebrities choose to send their kids to New England for nearly two months each summer – a getaway from LA’s luxury and into the realm of camp traditions and communal childhood struggles.
Today’s summer camps are vastly different from the ones of the 60s and 70s, with significant changes such as offering a variety of nutritious meals, including salads, pasta bars, soup stations, and continuous access to fresh fruit throughout the day. While they still maintain some traditional elements like rickety bunk beds, encounters with poison ivy, and group showers that might be embarrassing, high-end camps offer additional amenities such as digital media workshops, culinary arts classes, lacrosse coaching by D1 athletes, and more. Essentially, modern camps provide a blend of old and new experiences for the children attending them.
Patti Roberts, also known as ‘The Camp Lady,’ who runs an advisory service for parents looking for the perfect blend of character-building and comfort for their children during summer camp, notes that the cabins are relatively simple. They don’t come with luxury items like Egyptian cotton sheets. However, she points out that camps have significantly improved in other areas, especially on the East Coast where sleepaway camps are more prevalent. Many of these camps now offer unique activities such as pickleball or rock climbing, and a number of them also boast gardens where they cultivate herbs and vegetables, which they use in their cooking classes.
For example, Camp Vega, a prestigious all-girl sleepaway camp located in Maine, is renowned not only for its luxurious facilities but also for its exceptional culinary offerings. The camp’s kitchen, capable of rivaling Spago, even, uses organic produce grown right on the camp premises. Mealtimes at Camp Vega take place in the Skylight Dining Room, a spacious, brightly lit area where each breakfast is prepared to order and caters well to those with gluten sensitivities. Similarly, Trip Lake in Maine and Keewaydin in Vermont, both popular among the children of notable figures like former Columbia TriStar chairman Mark Canton and former Disney chairman Michael Eisner, are celebrated for their delicious homemade meals made from locally sourced ingredients, as well as other top-notch amenities.
Some exceptional camps such as Camp Laurel, famous for hosting Eddie Murphy’s children, are more recognized for their superior sports programs rather than their culinary offerings (although the homemade chicken stir-fry on their menu does sound appealing… yes, camps now have menus!). This camp boasts five full-sized playing fields, 15 tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnastics center, and even a full-sized roller hockey arena. Brant Lake Camp in upstate New York, an all-boys camp that Jerry Seinfeld sent his sons to, is also said to be a sports enthusiast’s paradise. It features nine outdoor basketball courts (complete with backboards), two lighted feature courts, climbing walls, and something called a gaga pit (apparently a more intense, Israeli variant of dodgeball).
Certainly, many prominent parents value discretion and safety above all when choosing a camp. This might explain why Camp Wicosuta doesn’t reveal much about itself – it’s hidden away in a remote spot among the New Hampshire mountains, offers visits exclusively by invitation, and was where Malia and Sasha Obama spent their summer vacations during their time at the White House.
At these spots, you won’t encounter the once commonplace fake tribal rituals and feathered headdresses, which were typical at summer camps in the past. As Lauren Kasnett Nearpass, co-founder (and “Chief Happy Camper Officer”) of Summer 365, another camp advisory company, explains, there are no totem poles or culturally appropriated elements to be found. Moreover, many camps have updated their names and significantly revised their traditional spirit days or events to keep up with the times.
Modern camps have shifted their focus from imitating Indigenous traditions to offering an allure that caters more to status-conscious parents on this particular coast. This new allure is often referred to as ‘elite appeal’. Roberts explains, “Some camps exude an air of exclusivity. The admission process can be quite selective, much like applying for a prestigious private school in New York City.
At this premium sleepaway camp, the tuition fees can reach up to a staggering $17,000 during the summer season.
You can find this story in the July 23 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To get future issues, consider subscribing.
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2025-07-26 20:24