Summer 2026 - Which Session Is Right For My Camper?
I’m currently sitting at a picnic table in my cozy hoodie with a warm cup of coffee, taking in the cooler temperatures, but I’m already thinking about next summer. Why?
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2026 OPENS OCTOBER 19 at 9AM EST!
Picking a session is more than just finding dates that work for your family. It’s also huge to find the program that is best for your camper(s). Each program is built with a different purpose in mind, and we encourage you to talk to your camper about what they want from this summer with us.
Summer 2026 session dates
Session 1 June 28th - July 10th - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Mini Camp 1 July 5th - July 10th
Session 2 July 12th - July 24th - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Mini Camp 2 July 19th - July 24th
ArtsFest July 26th - August 7th - ages 13-17
Session 4 August 9th - August 21st - Main Camp & BIG TIME & CIT
Main Camp (ages 6-16)
Our main camp program allows for kids to create their own schedules and explore anything and everything that interests them. We encourage kids to try new things, hone existing skills, and build community with other campers. We’ve found that two weeks allows us to see campers move through all stages of group development. Campers in main camp spend their mornings trying out a multitude of options or exploring and connecting in Downtown Stomping Ground (a space specially designed for supervised free play); the afternoons are spent enjoying our beautiful lake or hanging out on the iconic pirate ship, and in the evenings we get to immerse our entire community in engaging and imaginative Night Games. Main camp provides the opportunity for your camper to explore all that Stomping Ground has to offer!
BIGTIME (ages 14-16)
BIGTIME is for teens who are ready for a little more agency. At the beginning of each BIG TIME session, campers and staff meet together to design two weeks of experiences that meet the wants, needs, and imaginations of the community. No two BIG TIME sessions are ever the same. BIGTIME programming is often separate from Main Camp for parts of the day, so that is something to keep in mind for your camper. Campers in BIGTIME help both take care of the space and design experiences for younger campers.
CIT (ages 16-17)
The CIT program is an intensive and highly engaged two week session. Each CIT (Counselor in Training) will learn what it means to be a staff member at Stomping Ground. CITs to develop leadership qualities and work alongside our staff. Instead of just participating, campers will be facilitating games, activities, debriefs, and helping care for the space. CITs will spend the first week engaged in learning and observing all of the components that go into being a counselor. This includes an abbreviated Restorative Justice training, similar to the one staff undergo during Staff Orientation. The second week is much more hands-on; CITs move into cabins and continue to run activities during our option periods. This allows them to learn directly from current staff how to build community across camp.
ArtsFest (ages 13-17)
ArtsFest is about creating, connecting, and collaborating. It's for teenagers looking for space to be themselves, make art, and forge new friendships. It's for beginners and experts practicing various art forms, trying new things, and honing their craft. From artist lectures to funky puppet shows, ArtsFest is both serious and whimsical. There are guitar classes, painting seminars, artist lectures, giant projects, cardboard creation, jewelry making, slam poetry sessions, and so much more, but the magic of ArtsFest is that it's all up to you. During ArtsFest, campers will have the opportunity to deep dive into the artistic pursuit of their choice, or try a new skill every day with our Artists In Residence. ArtsFest is a festival celebrating choice, connection, and creation, the day is what you make it.
Mini Camp (ages 6-12)
Mini camp is a week-long concurrent session offered for campers who may just want to try camp out or would enjoy a shorter option. We designed these sessions with new campers in mind, but anyone who would benefit from a shorter program is welcome. Mini camp is intended to be just like Main Camp, but just a few days less.
Stomping Ground is built on the belief that all kids deserve a stomping ground - a place that feels like it’s theirs, a home they can return to again and again. That starts here: choosing which session will be a perfect fit.
Still have questions about which program is best for your camper? Email Daniel (daniel@campstompingground.org) or me (mk@campstompinground.org).
We’ll see you next summer!
MK
This blog initially appeared around the time of registration for Summer 2024, and the majority was written by Maddy.
