Why We Love Our Sleepaway Camp's Open-Air Cabins
At Adirondack Camp, our cabins look much the same as they did when we first opened our doors in 1904, and that’s entirely the point. We are a proudly traditional coed overnight camp, rooted in over a century of history. While we continue to grow and evolve with the times, there are some things we choose to preserve, and our open-air cabins are one of them.
They have no walls. Yes, really. No walls.
Well, there’s a half wall at waist height, but above that? Completely open to the fresh Adirondack air. When it rains, cotton canvas shades roll down, and generous overhangs keep everyone dry. At night, campers tuck themselves beneath bug nets and fall asleep to the sound of the lake lapping gently against the shore.
A Screen-Free Sleepaway Camp in the Northeast
Imagine drifting off with cool night air on your skin, stars overhead, and the quiet hum of nature all around you. No artificial noise. No glowing screens. No buzzing phones or tablets.
Our cabins have no electricity. ADK is entirely screen-free and as unplugged as possible, right down to cabin lighting. Campers use headlamps after dark, and counselors often string fairy lights to create a warm, homely glow (especially for our younger campers). For many of our campers from cities filled with constant light and stimulation, this unplugged experience is truly transformative. Natural darkness supports better sleep. Fresh air clears busy minds. Kids really connect with each other. They talk longer, laugh louder, and build deeper friendships. Read more about our cabin-life here.
Our Camp Cabins Build Community
Inside, double bunks stretch along both sides of the cabin, leaving plenty of open space in the middle for hanging out, and winding down together. Cabins are divided by age group and by gender. The girls , or Moss Line, live on one side of camp, while the boys, or Pine Line, are on the other, separated by an open field at the heart of camp.
Our open-air cabins aren’t just a place to sleep. They’re a living piece of Adirondack Camp’s history and a reminder that sometimes the simplest traditions are the ones worth keeping. Once you’ve fallen asleep under the stars, it’s hard to imagine summer any other way.
One of our campers, Ryan, gives a tour of his cabin
Vivienne, one of our counselors here at ADK, shows us her cabin quarters. This one went actually went viral on TikTok!
Camp Cabins Photo Archives
