Camp Emerson
Traditional overnight summer camp in the Berkshires offering a wide range of activities for campers aged 7-15.
▌ Editor's read Camp Emerson is an ACA-accredited overnight camp, with its accreditation valid through 2025, as stated on their 'Dates, Fees & FAQs' page. The camp has been operating for over 60 years, founded by Jack and Arlene Mendelson, indicating a long history and established program. They boast a strong staff-to-camper ratio of 1:3, which suggests a high level of supervision and individualized attention. The camp explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks, ensuring a commitment to camper safety. Their program emphasizes individualized schedules and skill development, allowing campers to choose activities that align with their interests. The camp's 'About Us' section highlights their long-standing commitment to creating a positive and supportive environment.
Who thrives here Ages 7–15
Camp Emerson sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right overnight/sleepaway fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1966 (60 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 7–15
- Address: 978 Jacob's Ladder Rd, Hinsdale, MA 01235
- Phone: 413-655-8381
- Email: [email protected]
10 sessions (1 one-week, 9 multi-week blocks), from Jun 21 to Aug 8.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jun 21 – Jul 4, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,900
- Session 6 Jun 21 – Jul 18, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,300
- Session 9 Jun 21 – Aug 1, 2026 · 6 weeks · $13,700
- Session 10 Jun 21 – Aug 8, 2026 · 7 weeks · $15,450
- Session 2 Jul 5 – 18, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,900
- Session 7 Jul 5 – Aug 1, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,300
- Session 8 Jul 5 – Aug 8, 2026 · 5 weeks · $11,500
- Session 3 Jul 19 – Aug 1, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,900
- Session 5 Jul 19 – Aug 8, 2026 · 3 weeks · $7,200
- Session 4 Aug 2 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $2,500
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: Yes
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Emerson
- What ages does Camp Emerson accept?
- Camp Emerson is open to children ages 7–15. 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.
- Is Camp Emerson accredited?
- Yes — Camp Emerson 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 Camp Emerson?
- Camp Emerson is operated by a private business, 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 Camp Emerson provide lunch?
- Yes — Camp Emerson 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.
- Does Camp Emerson offer transportation?
- Camp Emerson provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
- How does Camp Emerson compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Hinsdale?
- Camp Emerson is one of 9 overnight/sleepaway camps in Hinsdale 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 Emerson 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.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Emerson.
- Camp Taconic · Ages 7–17 · $2,475/week
- Camp Winadu · Ages 7–15 · $2,343/week
- Camp Emerson - Full Season · Ages 7–16 · $2,450/week
- Camp Romaca · Hinsdale, MA · Ages 6–16 · $2,454/week
- Camp Taconic · Ages 7–17 · $2,371/week
- Camp Winadu · Ages 7–15 · $1,794/week
- Camp Winadu · Ages 7–15
- Camp Winadu · Ages 7–15