A sleepaway camp is a summer camp where kids stay overnight for a week or more, sleeping in cabins or tents instead of going home each evening. Unlike day camps where you return home for dinner, at sleepaway camp you eat, sleep, and spend all your time at the campgrounds with other campers and counselors.

For many kids, sleepaway camp means their first time away from home for an extended period. You might swim in a lake, learn archery, perform in talent shows, sit around campfires, and make friends from different towns or even different states. The experience often becomes a cherished summer tradition that kids return to year after year.

Some people also call these overnight camps or residential camps. While the days are packed with activities like sports, arts and crafts, or hiking, many campers remember the nights just as vividly: telling stories in their bunks, watching fireflies, or sharing extra snacks after lights-out. Sleepaway camp gives kids a chance to build independence, try new activities, and form friendships that can last a lifetime.