Camp DeSoto - Second Term
A 4-week Christian summer camp for girls, focused on outdoor adventure, personal growth, and community.
▌ Editor's read Camp DeSoto's 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, ensuring adherence to industry standards. The camp has been operating for 96 years, founded in 1929 by Helen and Marvin Johnson, and appears to be a for-profit entity. The website mentions that staff undergo background checks. Camp DeSoto is an overnight program with a strong Christian emphasis, offering activities like horseback riding, swimming, archery, and arts and crafts. Google reviews average 4.9 stars from 163 reviews, with parents frequently praising the positive impact on their daughters' spiritual and personal development. Social media handles include @campdesoto on Instagram and CampDeSoto on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 193096+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 7–16
Camp DeSoto - Second Term is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
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: 7–16
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 264 Highway Above the Clouds, Mentone, Alabama 35984
- Phone: (256) 634-4394
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $6700 for 4 weeks. A $1000 deposit is required with the application.
Runs 24-hour residential, 1 session (0 one-week, 1 multi-week block), from Jul 6 to Jul 31.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jul 6 – 31, 2026 · 4 weeks · $6,700
↗ What parents like
- Develop independence
- Build lasting friendships
↘ Watch for
- High cost
- Long duration
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Camp DeSoto - Second Term
- What ages does Camp DeSoto - Second Term accept?
- Camp DeSoto - Second Term is open to children ages 7–16. 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 - Second Term cost?
- Camp DeSoto - Second Term publishes $1,675/week for the standard session. $6700 for 4 weeks. A $1000 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 - Second Term's hours?
- Camp DeSoto - Second 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 - Second Term accredited?
- Yes — Camp DeSoto - Second 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 - Second Term?
- Camp DeSoto - Second 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 - Second Term provide lunch?
- Camp DeSoto - Second 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 - Second Term compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Mentone?
- Camp DeSoto - Second 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 - Second 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 - Second 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