11 Best Overnight Summer Camps in Michigan for 2026

Looking for an unforgettable overnight summer camp for your kids or teens in Michigan for 2026? From traditional camps to specialty camps, we hand-picked 11 of Michigan’s most incredible sleepaway camps eager to give your kids the best summer ever. Want more options? Browse all overnight camps in Michigan. 🏕️

Camp	Location	Age Range
Camp Carvela & Crystalaire Adventures	Traverse City, MI	7-18
Camp Walden	Cheboygan, MI	7-16
Camp Miniwanca	Shelby, MI	8-17
Camp Newaygo	Newaygo, MI	7-17
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps	Northern MI	8-17
YMCA Camp Pendalouan	Montague, MI	6-17
CranHill	Rodney, MI	7-17
Sherman Lake YMCA Camp	Augusta, MI	5-17
Northfork Farms Horse Camp	Webberville, MI	8-16
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp	Twin Lake, MI	11-17

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Camp Carvela & Crystalaire Adventures – Traverse City, MI

Camp Carvela is a one-of-a-kind overnight camp in Traverse City. This unplugged coed camp is all about creativity, exploration, and building strong community. Campers co-create their days, choosing their own adventures from activities like hiking, water sports, arts, and games. With a focus on inclusivity and unstructured play, Carvela is the ultimate camp for imaginative outdoor adventures away from technology.

Crystalaire Adventures is a separate yet equally awesome wilderness trips program headquartered at Carvela. Crystalaire Adventures allows kids and teens to connect to themselves, others, and the natural world through exciting small group expeditions around Michigan.

Both camps are operated by Project Foxwood who also run Camp Lookout.

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Camp Walden – Cheboygan, MI

Camp Walden provides the ultimate classic camp experience on the shores of Long Lake in Northern Michigan. This traditional coed sleepaway offers 50 different activities, modern amenities with rustic charm, and a tight-knit neighborhood atmosphere. If you’re looking for an old-school camp with a welcoming community where everybody knows each other, Camp Walden is your camp.

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Camp Miniwanca – Shelby, MI

AYF’s Camp Miniwanca offers a classic summer camp experience on the stunning shores of Lake Michigan. Nestled amidst towering sand dunes and lush forests, this traditional camp has a wide range of activities and fun outdoor adventures. Split into two camps, one for boys and one girls, Miniwanca offers all the benefits of a single-gender camp but with more frequent coed experiences than most Brother/Sister camps. With a focus on community and personal growth, Miniwanca provides a safe, supportive camp experience for all children to have the best summer ever.

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Interlochen Arts Camp – Interlochen, MI

Interlochen Arts Camp is a world-renowned program where young artists ages 8–18 immerse themselves in music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, and creative writing. With 2- and 4-week sessions, campers refine their craft under expert faculty while enjoying classic camp fun between two lakes. Each summer, over 3,000 students from across the globe gather to grow artistically, build friendships, and experience the transformative power of the arts.

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YMCA Camp Algonquin – Hastings, MI

Founded in 1946, YMCA Camp Algonquin offers overnight sessions for ages 8–15 on beautiful Algonquin Lake. With a small, close-knit community, campers enjoy swimming, archery, ropes courses, hiking, and crafts while living out YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusion. Generations of families return year after year, drawn to the camp’s tradition of character-building, skill development, and lasting friendships.

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Camp Newaygo – Newaygo, MI

Camp Newaygo is a historic all-girls camp founded in 1926, set on 101 acres along Pickerel Lake in the Manistee National Forest. Girls ages 7–17 enjoy sailing, fencing, ceramics, drama, and wilderness trips in a supportive, unplugged environment. With 3-, 4-, and 7-week sessions, Newaygo fosters resilience, independence, and lifelong friendships. Its legacy of empowerment and community makes it one of Michigan’s most cherished overnight camps.

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YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps – Northern MI

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps include Camp Torch Lake for boys and Camp Arbutus for girls, both steeped in over 100 years of tradition. Campers in grades 3–11 enjoy 2- to 4-week sessions filled with sailing, canoeing, biking, ropes courses, and wilderness expeditions. With rustic cabins and a focus on character, leadership, and adventure, these single-gender camps provide transformative experiences where kids unplug, connect, and grow.

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YMCA Camp Pendalouan – Montague, MI

Located on Big Blue Lake, YMCA Camp Pendalouan offers overnight sessions for ages 7–16 with a focus on character, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. Campers enjoy horseback riding, ziplining, archery, swimming, and campfires across 105 wooded acres near the Manistee National Forest. With small cabin groups and a supportive staff, Pendalouan blends rustic charm with YMCA values, helping kids build confidence, friendships, and leadership skills.

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CranHill – Rodney, MI

CranHill is a Christian camp and retreat center on 380 acres in Mecosta County, offering youth camps, family camps, and adventure programs. Campers ages 7–17 enjoy horseback riding, climbing, archery, crafts, and tubing while growing in faith and community. Founded in 1968, CranHill emphasizes relationships, family strength, and spiritual growth, creating a safe, fun environment where kids build character and experience God’s love.

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Sherman Lake YMCA Camp – Augusta, MI

Sherman Lake YMCA Camp, founded in 1995, sits on 365 acres of woodlands and lakefront near Kalamazoo. With overnight programs for ages 5–17, campers enjoy sports, aquatics, arts, ropes courses, and wilderness adventures. Sherman Lake emphasizes the YMCA’s four core values—Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility—through its HCRR philosophy, helping kids grow in confidence, character, and community in a modern, supportive setting.

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Northfork Farms – Webberville, MI

Northfork Farms & Outback is a horse-focused overnight camp welcoming riders of all skill levels. Campers ages 7–17 learn grooming, tacking, and riding in Western and English styles, with options ranging from beginner lessons to advanced showmanship. Overnight campers enjoy extra time with horses plus swimming, crafts, and campfires. With a family-like atmosphere, Northfork blends horsemanship, friendship, and outdoor fun on Michigan’s scenic plains.

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Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp – Twin Lake, MI

Located in Manistee National Forest, this specialty arts camp offers diverse programs in music, art, dance, and theatre. Campers are encouraged to explore their creativity, develop their talents, and perform alongside peers in a supportive and inspiring environment. Blue Lake is fantastic for young artists of all skill levels looking for a creative experience in a natural setting.

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