My sister and her daughter went to one on Vancouver Island, B.C. a few years ago. They met a family from Orkney (Scotland) whom they later visited and have remained in touch with. The camp they went to did hikes, swimming, cave exploration among other things.

My father and his siblings inherited their family’s “camp” on lake Champlaign in Vt. A family camp was just another word for a basic cottage or lake house shared by a family. Now many of the “ camps“in our area on the lake are air BnBs rented out under that title.

The type of family camp that I’m asking about are similar to kids sleep-over camps but instead include the entire family. These 2 came up in my searches but I know nothing about them except that they have websites.

Tyler Place Family Resort https://tylerplace.com

Alden Camps https://aldencamps.com

I have friends who went to the Tyler place every summer for many years. They had tons of activities for kids (run by staff, so parents could do their own thing while kids were occupied). They loved it. This was 10+ years ago.

The camp one of my sons attended when he was a kid offers a week of family camp. I think some of the parents saw the camp while dropping thier kids off and wished they go go to camp, so they began offering family camp . Would have been fun when my kids were young.

Family Camp

Nekotish — I think I am going to that ”camp” in August! Clayoquot?

WOW! Clayoquot looks fantastic. However, it is out for us for at least another year. They do not allow children under 6. Can’t wait to hear your trip report, @Sueb20. Maybe next year….

Thanks, @dedtired, for the link. Looks like great fun, but the dates of the family camps overlap school. I swear, starting back to school in mid-August is terribly inconvenient. My father could only get away the last week of August and the first week of September. My school always started the day after Labor Day and I usually missed the first week. We would have never gone on vacation with today’s start dates!

This is slightly off the mark but look at a place called The Chautauqua Institute in upstate NY. They run a 9 week program each summer. Some very well known speakers like Jane Goodall, former presidents, etc. have presented there. They have children’s programs and adults. You can stay in a hotel or an airbnb on the campus. Classes run the gamut from Understanding Global Politics to Quilting 101, and besides classes there are performances and lectures. It’s a beautiful setting right in Chautauqua Lake. This year’s calendar with theme and speakers will be published in April but you can get an idea of the place from website. I went a few years ago and cannot wait to go back. Highlights for me were a writing class, Otis Moss III, and author Lily King.

Here's another one that isn't like the Tyler Place -- no group activities, etc,, but it is a sweet place where we stayed with our boys when they were little. My boys are adults now so things may have changed, but they had a playground area, pool, board games you could borrow, and lots of grassy areas to run around in. My kids ended up making friends they saw every summer (we went for the same 2 weeks, 5 years in a row).

Dunes on the Waterfront – Waterfront cabins and cottages in Ogunquit Maine

Looks like they have more activities and amenities than they did when we were there. And it has definitely had a face lift (and price increase)! It was more rustic when we were there.

I have actually never heard of family camp! I went to camp a week in summer for a few years, probably pre-teen age. Loved it! I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for, but I'll throw another idea out. Have you checked out state parks with camping in those states? I have no idea how they are in that area but some of the southern states have great state parks where you can camp (rent a campsite) or stay in cabins or a lodge. They have many activities such as boating, swimming, some have horses, sports, hiking trails, etc. But there are not instructors, it's an "on your own" kind of thing. I don't know if that's what you are looking for but if it's a FAMILY camp, not sure I'd want to send the kids off to activities on their own. Some of the parks we have been to do offer some occasional craft type activities. We have been to KY and a VA park also and several here in TN. The lodges are very nice and the food is good here. We used to own a camper and camped a few times at one of our favorite state parks. You could rent a camper or stay in a cabin to have more of the outside experience. Just a thought.

@Sueb20, I love Ogunquit! I haven’t been in quite a while. Last time I was there, we stayed at Cliffhouse sans children. Dunes on the Waterfront is gorgeous! Thanks for the tip.

Tina, what I’m looking for is more along the lines of an all-inclusive resort but with a camp-vibe. I don’t want to cook or clean, but we want something casual with supervised daytime activities for the kids.

Have you ever been to Roan Mountain State Park? If not, you ought to go. DH and I went once just before rhododendron season. From what I understand it is almost impossible to get a cabin during rhododendron season.

Sorry BBSTX! Like I said, I haven't heard of a family camp. You don't have to cook at the state parks, at least not in TN. The ones we have been to with lodges have restaurants with really good food! The restaurants are not inclusive to the lodge occupants.FWIW, TN has been revamping their state park lodges, at least one each year. The lodges are not fancy of course, but nice and we've never stayed in one that was not clean. Most of the parks have lakes and we always get a room overlooking the lake. I thought you were looking for somewhere where the adults and children would do activities together, sorry.

Yes! We have been to Roan Mt. State Park for the rhododendron . Stunning! There is not as much to do at that state park as they do not have a lake, so no water activities other than fly fishing in the streams. I am not a fan of the state park cabins. They do not have a lodge and I'm not sure about camping, but the rhododendron are something to see. Which reminds me that mountain laurel will soon be blooming in the Smokies!

“what I’m looking for is more along the lines of an all-inclusive resort but with a camp-vibe. I don’t want to cook or clean, but we want something casual with supervised daytime activities for the kids.”

cough cough, that’s not really camping. 😊

I would call that a week at Fort Wilderness (Disney).

We ’camped’ at FW numerous times when our children were younger. Way back then, before we had our own camper, we stayed in a Disney owned Airstream. They have cabins now. It was fun having maid service in an Airstream. Or you can rent a camp site and bring your own tent.

The trick is to let the children know that you won’t be visiting one of the theme parks. Unless you are going to include the theme parks.

Some of the Activities available at Fort Wilderness are included here….

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/fort-wilderness-activities-disney-world/o

I have totally heard of these, specifically the Tyler Place one, and they sound absolutely dreamy for a family/extended family. In my mind I think of the resort in Dirty Dancing, but I think Tyler Place has more outdoorsy things. Please go, so we can hear about it!!😊

@nini804, no Tyler Place this year. I had contacted them with some questions and just heard back. They have no availability this year for the time I want to go. btw, when I was looking at places near Asheville (other thread) I saw that Dirty Dancing was filmed at a resort near Asheville!

Maddielee, FL in late July / early August is a no-go for me. I can’t stand the heat.

Sueb20, what a wonderful trip for you and your girls. Sounds so luxurious!

In California, there are many private and city run family camps. When I was 9-10 years old, I went to Mather Family Camp, close to Yosemite, run by the City of San Francisco.

Activities for the kids, I remember learning and preforming a skit, also learning a song. We youths provided after dinner entertainment.

I still remember the songs: if your’e happy and you know it clap you hands…and, wataliachi watalichi doudle le do, this is a song, there isn’t much too it, all you have to is do is doudle do it…

@bbstx Yes! It was shot at Lake Lure!

Check out Purity Springs Resort in NH. We went there years ago and it was much like you describe. Casual laid back place, posted activities you could opt in for, we did lots of archery and wakeboarding. Hiking trails and pond swimming, kids activities, cocktail hour. And there were fun nearby activities to.

Thanks, @localeater. Purity Springs was mentioned in the Redditt comment and I totally forgot about looking at it. Glad to get a personal recommendation!

Not sure how old your grandkids are, but if they're younger and you do go to Purity Springs be sure to visit Story Land. It's magical! Story Land

@teeda thanks for that recommendation. Unfortunately, Purity Springs doesn’t have the accommodations that we need available when we want to go. I think this is one of those things that you plan a year in advance and we’ve missed our window of opportunity.

Less a camp, but one of my family’s most memorable get aways was in theNahmakanta wilderness area, We were there during the Pleides and saw hundreds of shooting stars, my kids kayaked independently, i think they were 8&10, they learned to fish, they saw moose… Its completely disconnected time, very special.

That sounds so cool, Local! My grands are currently 4, 7, and 7. They still need close supervision.

You might check out Kingsley Pines, I know their kids camp program as I know people(teachers, nurses) who have worked there and shared raves. They have family camp programs

https://kingsleypines.com/family-camp/

More ideas…

the Bethel Inn is very nice, the area has tons to do, they may have summer kids program

https://www.bethelresortandsuites.com/explore

Nonantum is highly regarded, no personal experience https://www.nonantumresort.com/maine-resorts/camp-nonantum

Last summer I met a woman who was staying at Under Canvas with her two kids, she said it was great. https://www.undercanvas.com/camps/acadia/

We got so lucky with the historic Cliff House, which is about 1/4 mile up the coast from us. When we bought, the resort was a dump. They poured something like $50mn into it and it is so nice now, with a great spa. It seems busy year round esp. with weddings.

The only place I can think of that might be of interest is Zapata ranch. It offered horse back riding, bison tours (and the care and feeding of baby bison), hikes, and "sledding" on the nearby sand dunes. We all loved it.

https://ranchlands.com/pages/explore-zapata-ranch