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Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
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Families will wonder at the best neighborhood Christmas light displays in Connecticut this 2025 holiday season. Photo courtesy of Amarante's Winter Wonderland.
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Connecticut is full of happiness, joy, and free Christmas and holiday activities in 2025, like Santa at Cabela's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Bass pro Shops
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Santa Claus is coming to town, for breakfast, brunch, and photos with Santa in CT! Photo by Anne Ogden for the Mystick Chamber of Commerce.
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All will be merry and bright soon, so get your tickets to these Christmas events in Connecticut! Stamford Holiday Wish photo courtesy of the author
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Find fun for all ages at these Connecticut attractions, museums, and things to do! Photo courtesy of the Yale Peabody Museum
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The kids can hang out and have fun with the top free things to do in Connecticut! Earthplace photo by Zoe Brown, courtesy of the center.
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Our ultimate Connecticut bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut with kids! Mystic Seaport photo by author Kelly Patino
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Roll on in to the top birthday party places in Connecticut for teens and tweens in 2025! Photo courtesy of Bowlero
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By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
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Hop aboard for a trip through Litchfield County and fun things to do with kids! Naugatuck Railroad photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of New England.
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Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
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Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
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Best Sleepaway Summer Camps near Long Island for Kids

Camp DeWolfe is located on 26 acres of woodland and beachfront property on Suffolk County's north shore. Photo courtesy of the camp
Camp DeWolfe is located on 26 acres of woodland and beachfront property on Suffolk County's north shore. Photo courtesy of the camp
2/18/24 - By Gina Massaro

Summer camps on Long Island usually offer arts, sports, and team-building fun, but sleepaway camps also provide extra independence that many kids relish. With many great options on Long Island and in surrounding areas, there are plenty of sleepaway camps to pick from for summer 2024. 

For more on Long Island summer camps, check out our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for camps by age, town, and type.

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North Shore Holiday House is a nonprofit that provides sleepaway camp for girls 7-12. Photo courtesy of the camp
North Shore Holiday House is a nonprofit that provides sleepaway camp for girls 7-12. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Sleepaway Camps on Long Island

North Shore Holiday House

Huntington
North Shore Holiday House is a non-profit organization offering FREE sleepaway camps to girls ages 7-15. All campers enjoy traditional summer camp activities, including swimming, performing arts, sports, and yoga. Life skills like financial literacy are also offered. To qualify, families must meet the USDA requirements for free or reduced lunch.  READ MORE

Camp Blue Bay Sleepaway Camp

East Hampton
Though run by the Girl Scouts, campers need not be Scouts to apply to this girls-only camp. Situated on 179 acres on Gardiners Bay in East Hampton, campers can stay in tent houses or dorms. Mini-sessions are available. Activities include swimming, boating, crafts, and more. READ MORE

Camp DeWolfe

Wading River
Situated on 26 acres of mixed woodland and beachfront property in Suffolk County, this camp is run by the Episcopal Diocese and does have a general Christian theme. Activities include sailing, swimming, canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, sports, hiking and campfires. READ MORE

Camp Edey

Bayport
​This girls-only camp is run by the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. Camp Edey offers day camps as well as a sleepaway camp for girls entering grades 5-9. Located on the Sans Souci Lakes in Bayport, there are two swimming pools, an archery range, hiking trails, horseback riding lessons, and corcls, a type of small, round boat propelled by using a paddle. Campers do not have to be members of the Girl Scouts to attend this camp. READ MORE

Quinipet Camp & Retreat ​Center

Shelter Island
Camp Quinipet sits on a large, partially wooded peninsula with wonderful water views from almost everywhere. There is no swimming pool, but there is a sandy beach and a dock with all sorts of watercraft. Activities include fishing, yoga, sailing, rock band, and arts and crafts. The camp offers a sleepaway program, day camp, and a sailing school.  READ MORE

DPF 4-H Camp Summer Sleepaway Camp and Day Camp

Riverhead
Located on the majestic Long Island Sound in Riverhead, Flint Day Camp is the day camp portion of the Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Sleepaway Camp. Its programming focuses on helping campers reach their full potential. Campers are encouraged to take risks, try new activities, and create a welcoming community. READ MORE

Cornell 4H Camp - Peconic Dunes

Southold
This sleepaway/day camp in Southold is located on the Long Island Sound. Accommodations are screened cabins. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, farm-to-table cooking, and more.  READ MORE
Enjoy water sports at Camp Awosting. Photo courtesy of the camp
Enjoy water sports at Camp Awosting. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Overnight Summer Camps near Long Island

Frost Valley YMCA Camp

Claryville, NY
Nestled in a sprawling campus in the Catskill Mountains, Frost Valley YMCA offers a variety of day and overnight camps for kids ages 5-14. Camps range from traditional day camps to horseback riding, mini-chef, and Lego camps, with daily activities including arts and crafts, sports and games, hiking, climbing, swimming, and soaring on the flying squirrel. READ MORE

Camp Awosting

Litchfield, CT
Camp Awosting is a boutique traditional overnight camp that emphasizes individual attention for boys ages 6 to 16. The camp is located on beautiful Bantam Lake near Litchfield, Connecticut. Activities offered include sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis, golf), waterfront (including waterskiing), extreme adventure (high/low ropes, 1000-foot zip line, climbing tower), arts & crafts, ceramics, laser tag, outdoor camping, and more, plus a trip program for senior campers.  READ MORE

Camp Chinqueka

Litchfield, CT
Camp Chinqueka is a traditional overnight camp for girls ages 6-16 on beautiful Mt. Tom Pond near Litchfield, Connecticut. Days are structured to include both instructional and elective time for activities. Activities offered include sports, waterfront (including waterskiing), gymnastics, arts, nature, ropes, go-karts, and horseback riding, plus a trip program for senior campers.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Gina Massaro
Gina Massaro is a Long Island native who believes in whimsy, fairies, and the idea of never growing up. She’s a mom to 3 young kids and a small zoo, and she has over 8 years of experience and childhood education expertise as a preschool educator. She tries to find time to write and paint between school pickups, diaper changes, and dog walks. For more of her art and writing check out her website: ginamassaro.com.
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