Camp DeSoto - Junior Term
A 5-day introductory camp for younger girls, focusing on fun, friendship, and faith.
▌ Editor's read The Camp DeSoto website loads successfully and presents as a legitimate summer camp for girls. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, demonstrating adherence to recognized safety and operational standards. The camp has been operating for 96 years, founded by Helen and Marvin Luke, indicating a long-standing tradition in camping. While the website does not explicitly state staff-to-camper ratios or mention background checks for staff, it does highlight a commitment to a Christian environment and character development. The program is exclusively overnight, offering activities like horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, and various sports. Google reviews for Camp DeSoto are overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.9-star rating from 106 reviews, frequently praising the camp's nurturing environment, strong friendships, and positive impact on campers' spiritual and personal growth. Social media presence includes an active Instagram handle @campdesoto and a Facebook page 'CampDeSoto'.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 193096+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 6–9
Camp DeSoto - Junior Term fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given overnight/sleepaway program.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1930 (96 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 6–9
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 264 Highway Above the Clouds, Mentone, Alabama 35984
- Phone: (256) 634-4394
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $1700 for 5 days. A $500 deposit is required with the application.
Runs 24-hour residential, 1 session (1 one-week), from May 30 to Jun 4.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 1 May 30 – Jun 4, 2026 · 1 week · $1,700
↗ What parents like
- Shorter session for younger girls
- Lower cost than full term
↘ Watch for
- Only for 1st-3rd graders
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Camp DeSoto - Junior Term
- What ages does Camp DeSoto - Junior Term accept?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term is open to children ages 6–9. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp DeSoto - Junior Term cost?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term publishes $1,700/week for the standard session. $1700 for 5 days. A $500 deposit is required with the application. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp DeSoto - Junior Term's hours?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp DeSoto - Junior Term accredited?
- Yes — Camp DeSoto - Junior Term is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 96 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp DeSoto - Junior Term?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term is operated by a private business, with 96 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp DeSoto - Junior Term provide lunch?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Camp DeSoto - Junior Term compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Mentone?
- Camp DeSoto - Junior Term is one of 15 overnight/sleepaway camps in Mentone that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp DeSoto - Junior Term with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp DeSoto - Junior Term.
- Camp Laney - Junior Camp Session · Mentone, AL · Ages 7–9 · $2,900/week
- Camp Laney for Boys - Two Week Session · Camp Laney for Boys · Ages 7–14 · $2,525/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls · Alabama · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls - Mini Camp · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–10 · $3,238/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls - Two Week Camp · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Yoga & Wellness Program · Camp Skyline, Mentone, AL · Ages 7–16 · $1,500/week
- Camp Skyline for Girls · Alabama · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week