Camp · Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 16–18
Directory · United States · California · Nevada City
▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 16–18

CIRCLE (Part I)

Nevada City, CA · ★ 4.8 (68 reviews)

A leadership and development program for older teens, ages 16-18.

▌ Editor's read Camp Augusta's website, campaugusta.org, loads successfully and presents as a legitimate camp. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with its accreditation expiring in 2024, and holds California state license number 090200543. The camp has been operating for 60 years, founded by Dr. Bob and Mrs. Pat Dungan, and is structured as a non-profit organization. The website explicitly states that staff undergo background checks. Camp Augusta is an overnight camp, offering a diverse range of activities from horseback riding to blacksmithing, and emphasizes a 'no-choice' activity model to encourage exploration. It has an impressive 5-star rating on Google based on 200+ reviews, with many reviewers praising the unique activities, caring staff, and positive impact on their children. Social media handles include @campaugusta on Instagram and 'campaugusta' on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 196660+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–18

CIRCLE (Part I) serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in overnight/sleepaway, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1966 (60 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
  • Ages: 16–18
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 17530 Lake Vera Purdon Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
  • Phone: (530) 265-3702
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $2810 Application + Pre-Camp fee. This is not a weekly cost.

↗ What parents like

  • Leadership development
  • For older teens

↘ Watch for

  • Application and pre-camp fee
  • Not a traditional camp session

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about CIRCLE (Part I)

What ages does CIRCLE (Part I) accept?
CIRCLE (Part I) is open to children ages 16–18. 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 CIRCLE (Part I) cost?
CIRCLE (Part I) doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. $2810 Application + Pre-Camp fee. This is not a weekly cost. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are CIRCLE (Part I)'s hours?
CIRCLE (Part I) 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 CIRCLE (Part I) accredited?
Yes — CIRCLE (Part I) is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 60 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 CIRCLE (Part I)?
CIRCLE (Part I) is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 60 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 CIRCLE (Part I) provide lunch?
Yes — CIRCLE (Part I) includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does CIRCLE (Part I) compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Nevada City?
CIRCLE (Part I) is one of 8 overnight/sleepaway camps in Nevada City 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 CIRCLE (Part I) with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside CIRCLE (Part I).