Did you attend overnight summer camp when you were your kids’ ages? I never went to summer camp, but I have always known that it’s something I want to open up to my daughters if they’re interested. It feels like such a core memory for them. And honestly, after watching The Parent Trap with them last summer, I had a feeling they’d be hooked on attending.
Being totally new to the world of overnight summer camp, I had no idea where to start. Locally and across the state, we have so many summer camp options. But then came the questions: How do I choose one? Will my kids have fun? Will they feel safe? What if it’s not what they expected? I wasn’t really sure how to jump into the world of summer camp when I’d never experienced it myself before. Enter: Camp Newaygo.
A friend had talked about Camp Newaygo previously and said her daughters had such a great time. My interest was piqued because I don’t know anyone else whose kids attended an overnight summer camp besides her. Knowing it was somewhere mom-recommended definitely made me feel more at ease. And the most enticing aspect of all: Camp Newaygo offers options for parents to attend camp with their kids for a short weekend. Long enough to form those core memories, short enough to make it an easy “When can we go back again?!”
The Ease of Starting With a Weekend Away
Camp Newaygo offers three Mom + Me Weekends along with one Family Camp weekend each summer. My oldest daughters were eight and six when we went to Mom + Me and they were so excited to go. We were given a packing list ahead of time which made it easy to know what to bring. (While we chose to stay in a cabin, there are dormitory- and hotel-style accommodations as well!)
After a short three-ish hour car ride, we arrived. We truly had no idea what to expect. But were greeted with huge smiles from the staff that immediately put us at ease! The time went by way too fast–my daughters did NOT want to leave when it was time to go home at the end of the weekend. It was pretty cool to see how quickly they became camp kids and how much they fell in love with everything there was to do. As soon as we got home, they were asking what it would take for them to stay for a whole week as part of the camp’s Girls’ Overnight Camp!
Endless Accommodations + Activities
I did not have to make a single activity decision the entire time. The Mom & Me and Family Camp weekends were already planned out for us, but not in a way that felt overwhelming. There are so many things to do and it was all evenly spaced out over the two days we were there.
There were opportunities for each activity at different times during the day. It was a great introduction to what camp life is like. The kids were able to make decisions on their own for what they wanted to do, similar to what it would be like if they stayed for a week without my husband and I there with them.
It was also really, really cool to experience some of the activities alongside my kids. We tried so many things for the first time: archery, kayaking, zip lining, and more. My six-year-old and I ziplined together during Mom + Me Weekend. We all made s’mores together during Family Camp with my husband and youngest daughter, too. While I didn’t think my three-year-old would do well with Mom + Me, she had an absolute blast at Family Camp and regularly talks about spending the night in the cabin at Camp Newaygo with her friends (we attended with another family we know!).
(Also, the Mom + Me Weekend allowed me to get a peek into what’s offered when the camp hosts their two Girlfriends’ Getaways. I had my eye on zip lining, and made sure to check that off my list when I came back with a couple friends for a kid-free weekend last fall!)
100 Years of Resilience, Independence, + Growth
It’s so important to trust where you’re sending your kids. Knowing that Camp Newaygo is celebrating a century of camp this year is a really good feeling. They’re a top-tier summer camp that takes accreditation seriously: being accredited by the American Camp Association in addition to being licensed by the State of Michigan means that leadership at the camp ensures that operations, program design, health and safety practices, and even hiring procedures are the best of the best. Being accredited in this way also shows a commitment to meeting high standards for anything and everything for your child’s experience at camp.
I loved that my kids walked away with so much more than just new friends. They’re more confident. They know they can try new things–and it’s okay if it’s hard at first. Archery wasn’t easy for my six-year-old but she stuck with it and now she can say she’s done it. During Mom + Me Weekend my eight-year-old didn’t want to kayak alone; at Family Camp a couple of months later, she was a solo kayak pro.
2026 Camp Newaygo Programs + Dates
Here’s a quick look at what they have going on this summer!
- Girls’ Overnight Camp (for girls ages 7-16): June 14-August 1 with mini-week, full week, and multi-week sessions
- Friends’ Getaway (adults ages 21+): May 22-25
- Mom + Me (for female-identifying adults and all genders of youth ages 0-12): May 30-31, June 6-7, and June 12-13
- Girlfriends’ Getaway: May 1-3 and October 2-4
- Family Camp (all genders and ages): August 8-9
All three of my girls regularly talk about their time at Camp Newaygo and ask when we can return. After the Mom + Me Weekend last summer, we talked about it so much that another family joined us with their two daughters for Family Camp. The nine of us shared a cabin and had an unforgettable time!
Planning your child’s summer experiences shouldn’t be stressful. Camp Newaygo takes care of everything for you. With the opportunity to attend alongside your child during Mom + Me and Family Camp, it’s sure to put your mind at ease. Your children will be asking, “When can I go for a week by myself?!” in no time!
