In the quiet Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, summer adventures unfold for kids at Camp Twin Creeks. Each year, campers arrive for two weeks away from home to explore and make friends. It’s a community shaped by tradition, spirited campfires, and plenty of fun.
At a Glance
- Camp Twin Creeks in West Virginia is a summer sleepaway camp near Virginia.
- Campers are ages 7 to 16 years old, and most attend for two-week sessions.
- Campers enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, camp traditions such as bonfires, and enrichment classes of their choosing.
- Camp Twin Creeks follows a Youth Development Philosophy, focusing on building independence and growth through exploration and community.
Get to Know Camp Twin Creeks
The camp is spread across nearly 140 acres of forested hills just past the Virginia border. Campers here have been creating summer memories for more than 25 years. For families seeking a sleepaway camp near Virginia, Camp Twin Creeks feels like a home away from home.
“We are so fortunate to enjoy a stunning camp location in West Virginia with natural beauty and almost perfect weather all summer long,” camp director Iain McClements says. “Our Youth Development Philosophy is at the core of everything we do. While we’re offering fun activities on the surface, in the background children are growing, gaining independence, and taking away lessons that last well beyond two weeks.”
A Sleepaway Camp Near Virginia With History
Camp Twin Creeks sits on the traditional land of the Moneton and Powhatan people. Its natural spring, Minnehaha Springs, means “Laughing Blue Water.” It still provides fresh water to camp today.
In the early 1900s, a grand hotel stood on the same property. This piece of history is honored through the camp’s Banquet Dinner and its signature dish, chicken and waffles. Later, the site became Camp Minnehaha, opening in 1944 as an all-boys camp. Several of that camp’s original structures remain today.
Today, Camp Twin Creeks is a mixed-gender camp, welcoming kids ages 7 to 16 years old. Campers live in cabins of their own age and grade levels. But all that history is still part of the camp’s story. When Camp Twin Creeks opened as a sleepaway camp near Virginia in 2001, it honored much of its history. Worth Hall is named for the original camp directors. And a small museum in the theatre preserves stories and memories of summers past.
Youth Development at Camp Twin Creeks
At Camp Twin Creeks, growth is not just about learning to paddle a kayak or hit a bullseye in archery. It is about helping kids step into new experiences with confidence.
The camp’s Youth Development Philosophy guides everything from staff training to daily activities. The goal is for counselors to support campers while also giving them plenty of room to explore. Kids don’t just leave Camp Twin Creeks with stories and memories. They also build skills such as empathy, leadership, and teamwork that serve them long after summer ends.
Campers try new things, make mistakes, and find solutions on their own, all within a safe environment. This builds perseverance, confidence, and strong connections. Friendships form naturally and last even once camp is over. Cabin groups bond quickly through talent shows, campfires, and group challenges.
That sense of belonging starts with the staff. Supporting counselors sets the tone for how campers treat one another. The result is a community where kids feel seen, valued, and welcomed.
“I hope that campers leave feeling more confident, assured, and aware of others,” Iain adds. “We want them to be comfortable in their own skin, away from the distractions and pressures of home and school. Be kind, be caring, be open, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
A Place to Belong
While campers arrive excited for hiking, swimming, zip lining, or arts and crafts, the most lasting lessons often extend beyond activities. The outdoors becomes a classroom. Creek walks, ropes courses, and overnight campouts teach patience and resilience.
At Camp Twin Creeks, some of the most meaningful moments happen in simple daily rituals. Early-morning swims, group gatherings, and flag ceremonies build a sense of belonging.
Campers can also select two Masterclasses each session. Options include Acting Up, DJ Yoga, Nature Exploration, Chess, Watercolor Postcards, and Stable Management. Older campers can add horseback riding or white water rafting on the New River for even more ways to explore.
Camp Twin Creeks is about more than activities. It is about who kids become. Growth shows up in quiet, everyday moments, and Iain sees it each summer. He remembers a camper who was afraid of thunderstorms.
“Each time a storm rolled through camp, he made his way to the office for reassurance. We would let him hang out, grab a book from the library, and wait for the storm to pass. Each time, he handled himself with maturity and learned to advocate for himself with confidence,” Iain recalls. “That camper reminded me of the wide variety of growth children experience while being away from home.”
A Sleepaway Camp Near Virginia Where Traditions Thrive
For more than 25 years, Camp Twin Creeks has been a trusted summer escape for Virginia families. Daily rituals such as opening and closing campfires, Polar Bear morning swims, warm towels and hot chocolate, creek walks, and the final night Banquet create the rhythm of camp life.
These shared experiences help younger campers feel like they belong, guided by role models who have been there themselves. Many campers come back year after year, with some eventually returning as counselors. Alumni often stay connected, keeping the camp community strong.
“We have created a wonderfully strong community that sees campers return year after year and eventually turn into the next generation of camp counselors,” Iain says. “That means traditions carry over and their appreciation and enjoyment of everything camp is passed along to new, younger campers.”
For Virginia families, Camp Twin Creeks is more than a sleepaway camp. It is a place where confidence grows, friendships deepen, and independence takes root in a welcoming community.
Looking for more camp info and summer fun? Check out our ultimate guide to your many options for sleepaway camp near Virginia, and let our the parent’s guide to choosing a summer camp help you narrow down the choices. And don’t forget our month-by-month summer camp countdown to help you prepare.
Be sure to sign up for our free e-Mag so you’ll always have local family resources at your fingertips. And remember: our local partners are here to help Charlottesville families grow and thrive! You can meet them here.
AMANDA DANAHER is a busy mom of five who is passionate about bringing encouragement to other parents through writing. She focuses on freelancing for Virginia parent and family magazines where she can utilize her journalism degree and share her parenting experience.