Planning your child’s summer adventure? Virginia’s overnight camps are an exciting and enriching way for kids to grow in confidence, make lifelong friendships, and explore new interests. Whether your child is into sports, nature, the arts, or outdoor adventures, there’s a sleepaway camp near Charlottesville that fits the bill.
This guide highlights some of the best overnight camps in Virginia and beyond. Use this as a helpful resource as you plan for a summer full of discovery!
Why Choose a Sleepaway Camp?
Overnight (or sleepaway) camps offer far more than just fun—they’re powerful experiences that build independence, resilience, and social-emotional growth. Campers step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and learn valuable life skills in a supportive environment.
Many families find that sleepaway camps help kids:
- Build confidence and leadership skills
- Develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities
- Unplug from screens and reconnect with nature
- Form meaningful friendships with peers
- Try out new hobbies or deepen existing interests
Top Overnight Camps to Consider for Summer 2025 from A to Z
Blue Ridge School Sports Camp – St. George, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Set on a picturesque private school campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this sports camp gives boys the opportunity to train with expert coaches in basketball, soccer, and more. It’s perfect for young athletes looking to boost their skills while enjoying the camaraderie of overnight camp life.
Camp Arrowhead for Boys – Zirconia, NC
Camp Bethel – Fincastle, VA
All about this Sleepaway Camp: Camp Bethel is a Christian summer camp nestled beside the Jefferson National Forest for K-12th graders. They offer week-long and day camp experiences where children and teens grow in relationships with God, each other, and nature, spending the summer with classic summer camp fun! Camp Bethel’s supportive environment welcomes campers of all backgrounds with a variety of activities designed for personal growth and spiritual development.
Camp Friendship – Palmyra, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Camp Friendship has over 55 years of experience working with children and their families. With over 35 fun activities to choose from, we encourage exploration and offer a wide range of possibilities for rich and meaningful experiences including adventure, aquatics, arts, sports, and horseback riding. A child-centered philosophy is combined with high-caliber programming to make the summer camp an experience like no other.
Camp Hidden Meadows – Bartow, WV
All about this West Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Camp Hidden Meadows is a coed overnight summer camp nestled in the scenic Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Kids and teens ages 7-17 can join for 1 to 4 week sessions that focus on building community, confidence, and independence. Campers choose from a wide variety of activities and outdoor adventures such as climbing, horseback riding, art, biking, and river trips. Camp Hidden Meadows is the perfect place for a tech-free summer where kids can build friendships and make lifelong memories.
Camp Horizons – Harrisonburg, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Camp Horizons is a traditional sleep-away summer camp. Each program is defined by age ranges and structured to provide greater independence in activity choices and greater skill development as campers progress through the programs. Whatever their passion, kids are offered a variety of activities to make this the summer of their dreams. Camp Horizon’s wonderfully and highly trained camp counselors help connect with campers and guide them through a wide selection of activities and cabin life.
Camp Strawderman – Edinburg, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Welcome to Camp Strawderman for girls: nestled in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and wrapped in rustic authenticity, timeless beauty, and true love. If you’re looking for a summer camp where a young girl is allowed the freedom to be herself, with room to grow and boundless opportunity to explore, then you’re in the right place.
Camp Ton-A-Wandah – Hendersonville, NC
All about this North Carolina Sleepaway Camp: Camp Ton-A-Wandah is a residential summer camp for girls on 365 acres of mountainous terrain, streams, trails, and a cascading waterfall. Since 1933, TAW has been a summer tradition for girls ages 5 to 16 years old, a place where friendships are forged, skills are learned, and character is shaped.
Camp Twin Creeks – Marlinton, WV
All about this Sleepaway Camp: At Camp Twin Creeks, our youth development model is built on four core pillars: exploration leads to growth, community is the antidote to loneliness, “soft” skills are the best skills, and our environment is our best educator. With a beautiful mountain setting, experienced leadership, and mission-driven programming, campers gain new skills, lifelong friendships, and a deeper understanding of themselves—and can’t wait to return.
Chatham Hall Summer Camps – Chatham, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp:Discover two amazing overnight camp options for girls this summer! Spend the summer at Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia, on a breathtaking 365-acre campus where curiosity, confidence, and connection thrive. InnovatHERS Camp (June 14–19 | Ages 11–14) invites future innovators to explore hands-on STEM experiences, from coding and electronics to 3D printing and Makerspace creativity, uncovering the “why” behind how things work. Turtle Strong Camp (June 7–20 | Ages 9–14) offers high-energy days of sports, teamwork, and adventure that build resilience and independence. Campers enjoy air-conditioned dorms, supportive counselors, and unforgettable evenings that capture the magic of boarding school life.
Girl Scouts of VA Skyline – Various Camps in Virginia
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: Girl Scout camps offer a wide range of outdoor activities and camps from day programs to weekend overnights. There’s a camp and outdoors experience for every girl grades K-12—from stargazing and discovering wildlife to splashing in the cool waters and archery. Whichever adventure she chooses, she’ll return home with a lifetime of memories—and more courage, confidence, and character than ever. Get outside with Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline summer camps for fun & friends! Camp is open to non-Girl Scouts, too.
Grier Summer Camp – Birmingham, PA
All about this Pennsylvania Sleepaway Camp: Tucked into the scenic mountains of Central Pennsylvania on the historic Grier School campus, this camp is a dream for creative and active girls alike. Campers spend the day practicing dance, horseback riding, art, archery, swimming, drama, and more. Grier also offers intensive programs for girls who want to deeply explore one activity. Between making new friends, trying new skills, and enjoying camp-wide fun, it’s a summer full of laughter, creativity, and memories to last all year.
Oakland School Summer Camp – Charlottesville, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: At Oakland School, we offer a unique summer experience. Our program blends honed academic instruction with classic camp fun—horseback riding, swimming, and engaging outdoor activities that spark curiosity and resilience. Designed for elementary, middle, and early high school students, our five-week program supports those who learn differently, need an academic boost, seek a challenge, or simply want an unforgettable summer adventure. With small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a focus on both intellectual and physical development, campers gain skills and self-assurance that not only prepare them for the upcoming school year but also leave a lasting impact for years to come.
Woodberry Summer Camps – Woodberry Forest, VA
All about this Virginia Sleepaway Camp: At Woodberry Summer Camps, boys ages 6-16 thrive through athletic challenge, intellectual discovery, and a lively, supportive community across our 1,200 acres. Guided by dedicated faculty, students, and alumni, campers return home with stronger character, deeper confidence, and friendships that carry into the school year.
Tips for Choosing the Right Overnight Camp
When selecting an overnight camp, consider your child’s personality, interests, and readiness. Here are a few helpful questions to guide your decision:
- What activities excite your child the most?
- Do they thrive in structured or flexible environments?
- Are you looking for a faith-based program, academic enrichment, or outdoor adventure?
- Is the camp ACA accredited and does it have strong safety practices in place?
Final Thoughts on Sleepaway Camps
Summer camp can be one of the most rewarding parts of childhood. Whether your child is trying camp for the first time or returning to a beloved program, the benefits of overnight camp are lasting and profound. Explore the CharlottesvilleFamily Summer Camp Fair for even more great options and get ready for an unforgettable summer 2025!
Looking for the perfect summer camp experience? Virginia Summer Camp is your guide to local day camps, sleepaway camps, and more. Don’t forget the parent’s guide to how to plan for camp, is your child ready for sleepaway camp?, and all the great info at our sister site, VirginiaSummerCamp.com.
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CharlottesvilleFamily Editors are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents who serve alongside our readers in the PTO and band boosters, coaching sports teams, helping with school fun fairs, and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel, helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.