Looking for a camp experience that is more than just a summer camp? We have just the camp you’re looking for and it’s located about three hours from the Detroit area: Camp Newaygo! It’s a year-round retreat center and features All Girls’ Overnight Summer Camp. Located in Newaygo and nestled on 102 acres of land, it boasts endless opportunities to explore nature, watch the sunset, stay in a rustic cabin, and so much more!
Founded in 1926, the camp is celebrating 99 years of serving their community and instilling the values of resilience, independence, and growth in every single camper who calls Camp Newaygo home–for a weekend, for a summer, and for a lifetime. With a strong history of female leadership and deep connections to community, they’re setting the standard for what a summer camp experience should be like–and how summer camp can be so much more than just a camp.
Below, we’re sharing exactly what makes Camp Newaygo an incredible summer camp. And, providing an overview of the different ways your family can get involved this summer and fall!
What Makes Camp Newaygo a Top-Tier Summer Camp
There’s so much more to summer camp than weekly activities and bonfires. Camp is an opportunity for kids to learn about friendship, teamwork, connection, and slowing down when life feels too busy. It allows kids to get back to their roots, to engage in play and imagination and all the things they don’t get to experience in the busyness of day-to-day, filled schedules during the school year. When your girls attend Camp Newaygo, they will have amazing outdoor experiences and so much more. All of these great features of Girls’ Overnight also are part of their family programs, adult weekends, and rentals!
Lineage and History
One of the truly incredible things about this camp–aside from its 99 years of being here–is the lineage and history being passed down from generation to generation. Campers will feel a connection to all of the women who came before them. And, all of the women to come after them. Each summer, camp counselors have put together logs (similar to a scrapbook) that are shared through generations. Some campers can even look back on their own mothers and grandmothers attending the same exact camp they’re attending now. How amazing is that to think about?
Specialized Classes with Progression
Girls who attend summer camp here are busy, yes, but in the best way–by learning through a specific progression of skills. Rather than signing up for just one class (like kayaking or ceramics) and then never touching it again for the rest of the week, campers work their way through a skill so that they’re really, truly learning it and working towards mastery. They’ll return back to it day after day and build on what was taught in the lesson before.
All activities are intentionally designed in this way to help campers really flourish! Plus, they have really unique offers like dark room photography, fencing, windsurfing, and even a class titled “Wilderness Women.”
Lodging That Grows with Your Camper
Camp Newaygo is all about building resilience and a love of nature–even in the variety of overnight lodging options offered. Younger campers stay in classic camp cabins close to the main lodge of camp. As campers get older they move into more unique, rustic living spaces–each with their own personality and style. Whether it’s the stargazing deck at Rangers in 8th grade or the platform tents near the water when they are “last-year-campers,” every summer will have something new in store for them!
Wilderness Trip Camps
Camp Newaygo is the best of both worlds with phenomenal on-camp activities and a great adventure tripping program that has every camper spending at least one night on a campout. Younger campers venture off to campsites around Camp Newaygo’s property while older girls get to experience rivers and trails all around Michigan. As they progress through more challenging adventure trips, they develop outdoor cooking and other wilderness trip skills. Campers love their classes and full camp activities so they get both time to adventure and time to enjoy camp’s facilities every session.
Tech-Free Campus
Camp Newaygo is proud to be a tech-free community, and for good reason: the ability to connect and nourish the bonds that are already forming between campers, counselors, and everyone else involved in their stay. It may seem daunting or even a little overwhelming to think about disconnecting for a week or longer, but your children will probably come home from camp a whole new person with a new mindset and perspective for how to truly connect with those around them. Of course, there are accommodations for campers with medical needs for certain devices and technology.
A Licensed and Accredited Experience
Camp Newaygo ensures excellence by being accredited by the American Camp Association in addition to being licensed by the State of Michigan. ACA Accreditation is a step above and beyond to ensure operations, health and safety practices, program design, and even hiring procedures are excellent. Being accredited shows a commitment to being the best of the best in everything pertaining to your child’s experience at camp.
More than Summer Camp: Programs Year-Round!
Camp Newaygo may be synonymous with summer camp, but it’s worth noting that it’s actually a year-round facility. While their Girls’ Overnight Camp is a large portion of the summer, they also offer Mom and Me Weekends, Family Camp, Girlfriends’ Getaways, Friends’ Getaway, and even a local Co-Ed Day Camp. There’s even things to come to throughout the year, like their Dad and Daughter Dance, Halloweekend Festival in the fall, and a Santa and Smores event in the winter.
You’re sure to find a family-friendly event in the fall or winter to enjoy. You can return season after season to make even more memories together. Oh, and they’ve been known to host great family reunions and weddings, and they have catering available! Schools from across the state rush to book their dates for field trips and overnight trips, too.
What’s Coming Up at Camp Newaygo
There are so many fun programs planned for this summer and fall! We’re sharing about a few of them below.
Girls’ Overnight Camp
With a maximum of 175 campers, Girls’ Overnight Camp is intentionally small and designed for building relationships and connections. There are between 10-14 girls per cabin along with two camp counselors who receive 2.5 weeks of training before camp starts. Girls get to lodge in a variety of cool spaces as they age, choose their own classes, and even take part in tripping–camping in a tent!
Girls’ Overnight Camp Sessions for 2025: June 15th-August 2nd, with mini-week, full week, and multi-week sessions
Friends’ Getaway
Who said camp has to be just for kids?! Head out to Newaygo for a 21+ event and enjoy an adult summer camp experience all weekend long. Everything is planned out for you, so you don’t have to worry about meals, where you’ll stay, etc. Just show up and relax! You can choose activities during the day, go for a hike, lounge around, eat delicious food, and so much more.
Friends’ Getaway dates for 2025: May 23-26
Mom + Me
Open to kids ages 0-12 and any female role model in their life! Mom and Me (or Grandma + Me, or Auntie + Me) is the perfect opportunity for kids to get a feel for summer camp without having to stay too long. It’s a one-night stay, packed with activities every hour and an attentive staff ready to make your stay incredible!
Mom + Me dates for 2025: May 31-June 1, June 7-8, and June 13-14
Girlfriends’ Getaway
Grab your best girlfriends and head out for a weekend just for YOU. Perfect for a group of moms who want a weekend to themselves! And, there’s no shame or judgment in admitting that sometimes, you really do need a weekend away. You deserve it! You’ll experience a weekend of pampering, crafts, hikes, great food, and beautiful views.
Girlfriends’ Getaway dates for 2025: October 3-4
There’s so much to offer families at Camp Newaygo, and whether you’re there for summer camp, a fall event, or you have your eyes on an opportunity to host an event of your own on the property, you can rest assured that their whole hearts are behind every single detail put into motion there. And with nearly 100 years serving the community, you know you’re becoming part of a legacy!
