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Chautauqua Boys' and Girls' Club

★★★½ 3.68 reviewsChautauqua, NY

Private

The Chautauqua Boys' and Girls' Club, on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY, is a summer day camp founded in 1893—billed as the longest-running summer day camp in the U.S.—for youth ages 7–15. Campers take part in swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, field and team sports, nature, crafts, music, and the arts. It runs Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m., with an optional midday 'Lunch Bunch.'

The practical details

Environment
Indoor/Outdoor
Operator
Private
Before you register

We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Chautauqua Boys' and Girls' Club directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.

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Ben Clendenning
★★★★Meg Aukeman
★★★Dory Barnard

This is a decent camp for kids. Personally I attended every summer (10 years). It definitely has its pros and cons as it can be very fun and a good way to meet other kids, but it could also be toxic and not very inclusive, especially in the older groups. Most if not all of the activities are athletic, so often the less athletic or competitive kids were left out, especially if they couldn’t make good friends. The counselors also often made friends with specific campers, leaving some feeling left out, though they were never mean and always had a passion for kids. However, when a camper can keep up and fully participate with the necessary skill and vigor, it could be very fun especially with good friends. Friends are a central part of this experience so one’s good friends, or lack thereof, can make or break the experience. Overall I would say it is a good place to send your children that is well run and fun, but it is certainly not without its cliques and competition.

★★★★★Josh Ericson
Quinn Roberts

Don't waste your money here. First of all the name is misleading - it's not affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America, nor is it co-ed. It should be called the "Chautauqua Boys and Girls Never Interact Club" I went here for the summers of '07 and '08 and I got picked on because I was the smallest and least athletic and I didn't make any friends. If you or your child is a boy and is not very athletic, you're going to have a bad time. My mother forced my sister and me to go to this camp because she went there and was later a camp counselor and was trying to live vicariously through us. Lastly, it's also extremely expensive. I think it may have cost over $1000 just for 2 weeks at this camp.

Price not listedVisit camp website