Day Camps for Ages 7–14

Join us this summer for fun, outdoor adventures on the shores of Lake Champlain. Each summer, we offer a variety of day camps packed with hands-on activities, learning from the lake, adventures, and more. Camps are organized by age and each camp is focused on a specific subject, interest, or experience that connects to our region’s history, archaeology, or ecology. All our camps are pay-what-you-can. If you have any questions, contact us at camps@lcmm.org.

When you’re ready to register, use any of the “Register Now” buttons to sign up for a camp. If you wish to register for multiple camps or register more than one child, you must complete a registration form for each camp and each child. If the camp you would like to register for is full, you will be redirected to the waitlist or you can access it directly here: 2023 Camps Waitlist.

Read about our safety measures, cancellation policies, and pay-what-you-can tuition.

2023 Camps

Is your kid looking for a week of fish-tastic fun? This camp will give them a chance to explore all things fishy! Campers will spend the week learning about fish, visiting a variety of fishing locations, and getting hooked on fishing. Activities include practicing casting, building our own fishing rod with supplies we forage in the forest, and checking out a variety of different fishing locations.

Note: Sessions A and B of Fish Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.

Did you know some of our region’s history lies hidden beneath the waters of Lake Champlain? Explore the archaeology of the Lake Champlain region in our Archaeology Camp! Campers will learn about shipwrecks, try out the skills used by archaeologists to uncover clues about them, and learn how to preserve sunken artifacts for future generations. On land and in the water, help us uncover, decipher, and preserve the past. Activities will include learning about shipwrecks, visiting historic sites, learning how to preserve metal artifacts, underwater sketching, and an introduction to snorkeling. This camp is ideal for those who are interested in history.

Do you enjoy being outside and exploring nature? This camp will focus on the ecology of the Lake Champlain watershed. Campers will have the opportunity to explore areas all over the watershed and learn about how they are interconnected. Over the course of the week, we’ll follow the path of water in our area. We’ll start by hiking a couple different peaks to explore where water originates in the watershed, then follow the path of the water to snorkel in several rivers, then we’ll end by paddling in Lake Champlain. Campers will learn about lake ecology and how water travels throughout our region to end up in Lake Champlain.

Note: Sessions A and B of Watershed Ecology Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.

Do you like to work with your hands? Want to learn an age-old craft? In this week-long sampler, campers will get an introduction to the craft of blacksmithing and metalsmithing. We’ll learn how to pound iron, melt bronze, and shape copper; carrying on the traditions of this ancient craft that played a huge role in our region’s maritime history. This camp is a great chance to work with your hands and make your own objects and art out of metal. In between metal projects, campers will keep cool swimming in the lake. 

Have you ever wondered what our underwater world is like? Join us for a week of exploring several bodies of water in our region! Campers will get an introduction to snorkeling before starting exploration of various interesting sites. At some locations we’ll focus on ecology and the different species that call the water “home,” while at other locations we’ll look at human impacts on the underwater environment, such as shipwrecks.

Do you enjoy being outside and exploring nature? This camp will focus on the ecology of the Lake Champlain watershed. Campers will have the opportunity to explore areas all over the watershed and learn about how they are interconnected. Over the course of the week, we’ll follow the path of water in our area. We’ll start by hiking a couple different peaks to explore where water originates in the watershed, then follow the path of the water to snorkel in several rivers, then we’ll end by paddling in Lake Champlain. Campers will learn about lake ecology and how water travels throughout our region to end up in Lake Champlain.

Note: Sessions A and B of Watershed Ecology Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.

Is your kid looking for a week of fish-tastic fun? This camp will give them a chance to explore all things fishy! Campers will spend the week learning about fish, visiting a variety of fishing locations, and getting hooked on fishing. Activities include practicing casting, building our own fishing rod with supplies we forage in the forest, and checking out a variety of different fishing locations.

Note: Sessions A and B of Fish Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.

Health & Safety

We are committed to a safe and healthy camp experience for all! Our team makes every effort to ensure a safe, positive, and enriching experience for all campers. We focus on safety and accident prevention. Our staff are trained and certified in CPR/First Aid to promptly respond in the unlikely event that an incident occurs.

Campers and camp families, along with Lake Champlain Maritime Museum staff, are expected to follow all local, state, and national health and safety protocols regarding COVID-19. Due to the extended and repeat close contact of the Museum’s expeditions, full vaccination of the participant is required to protect the safety of everyone participating in these programs. Those with proof of a medical exemption may participate with proof of a negative COVID test within three days of the start of camp. Specific information will be provided once you have completed registration.

Cancellations & Refunds

We understand life changes and sometimes you must cancel plans. If you cancel your camp registration 14 or more days prior to the first day of the camp session, you will receive a full refund of your total amount paid. If you need to cancel your registration after the 14 day mark, please keep in mind you may not receive a full refund. Before you register for camp, we ask you to review our full participation policies: Camp Participation Policies.

Pay-What-You-Can Tuition

We fundamentally believe that cost should not be a barrier for any child to have a wonderful summer on Lake Champlain. With that in mind, all camps at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum are Pay-What-You-Can! When reviewing this year’s camp schedule, you will see the Standard Tuition for each camp, which goes towards staff time, safety equipment, and the gear and supplies we need for these fun camps.

When you register for a camp, in the final payment section, you will again see the standard tuition for your selected camp. You will then be able to pay any amount towards tuition. Please pay what works best for your family and, if you can, help us make camps available to all. No matter what you pay, you will be registered for your camp.

If you are not attending camp but you would like to support our pay-what-you-can programs, please consider making a donation.