What’s a Typical Day Like at Sleepaway Camp?

If you’re searching for an overnight camp for your child, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: What does a typical day at sleepaway camp actually look like?

At Adirondack Camp, a traditional, coed sleepaway camp in New York, our days are full, choice-based, joyful, and intentionally unplugged and screen-free. Located on our own peninsula on Lake George, we’re proud to be a long-standing overnight camp in the Northeast and on the East Coast, welcoming campers for more than 120 summers.

Here’s what a real day looks like at ADK.

The Bugle Runs the Day

At 7:30am, our bugler plays Reveille. Campers wake in open-air bunks, falling asleep to the sound of the lake and view of the stars, and waking to fresh Northern Lake George air. The whole camp gathers for breakfast in the dining hall — Moss Line (girls), Pine Line (boys), and staff together — before campers tidy their cabins for formal inspection. Campers head into two one-hour activity periods for the morning, the changes signalled again by our camp bugler. Unlike many overnight camps on the East Coast, campers at ADK choose their schedules week by week, giving them real ownership of their camp experience. Before lunch, everyone enjoys General Swim in Lake George, or hanging out with cabin-mates. Lunch is lively and all together. Each cabin assigns daily “waiters” who set the table - responsibility and community woven into everyday camp life.

Screen-Free Days Present New Opportunities

After lunch comes Rest Hour, when campers relax, do a hobby, read, and receive mail. As a proudly screen-free overnight camp, campers write and send handwritten letters, and families can email messages that we print and deliver. Next is Adventure Period, a creative, flexible block where campers might choose yoga, book club, friendship bracelet making, Magic: The Gathering, or kite flying. It’s followed by the always-popular Cookie Break, run by our oldest campers; the Rangers. Two more afternoon activity periods round out the day. Swimming is our only mandatory activity, otherwise, campers have wide choice across the land, arts and waterfront pillars.

Evenings at Sleepaway Camp

At Formal Retreat, the flag is lowered, our mini cannon fires, and we head to dinner. Evenings might mean cabin night, Gathering, the dance, or Blue/White (our camp-wide color competition), every night a different program. Around 8:30pm, Call to Quarters sends campers back to their bunks. Taps plays at 9:00pm for Juniors and Intermediates and 9:30pm for Seniors signalling time for bed.

And then the lake goes quiet - until the bugle calls us to do it all again tomorrow.

For families exploring a traditional, coed sleepaway camp in NY, understanding the rhythm of the day matters. At Adirondack Camp, guided by the bugle and grounded in community, and being present completely digitally detoxed, every day is a full immersion. It’s the sound of the bugle echoing across the lake at wake-up. The feel of cooling Adirondack air drifting through open-air bunks. The hum of laughter and singing in the dining hall. The cannon at retreat. The stillness of Lake George at night as Taps fades and the stars come out overhead.

Want to learn more about Adirondack Camp (ADK)? Download our Parent’s Guide for an overview of our program, philosophy, camp meals, safety, and more!

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