French Woods Festival
Private
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is a co-ed performing and visual arts overnight (sleepaway) camp for ages 7-17 on 1,000-plus acres bordering a private lake in the Catskills at Hancock, New York, established in 1970. Campers choose from nearly 400 majors and minors each session across theater, music, dance, circus, magic, visual arts, culinary, and horseback riding, using five theaters, two circus pavilions, music centers, and a challenge course. It runs four three-week sessions plus a week-long mini-session.
The practical details
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 French Woods Festival directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
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★★★★★Kim BorenThe most beautiful place to enjoy sharing our passion for music and friendships.
★★★★★BarbaraI never went I am just reviewing for fun. I am rating 5 star bc my friend enjoyed it 😊😊😊
★★★★★Kymberly EdwardsAll 3 of my kids have gone here! Thank you for giving them life long memories and friendships. The staff is delightful and I feel safe. My son’s first year I cried every day for him and had to pick him up early. Fast forward 3 years laters…He can’t wait to go back!! And I know he is having the best time ever. No electronics is the best detox!!
★★★★★Louis TimanaI was a counselor during summer 2025.. unforgettable!! Intense, exciting, emotional.. this place has everything you could ever wish for if you are into arts mostly. Do not believe me? Come back with me in 2026 and find out!
★★★★★Crystal BuenoMy teenaged son, an instrumentalist, attended FW in 2021, 2022 and we're excited to be making plans for him to return in 2023. FW is truly a transformational experience. My son's musicianship and skill level with his instruments always takes a massive leap every summer after FW. My kid arrives at camp a little uncertain, a little apprehensive, a little anxious ... and at the end, we pick up a confident performer who has grown through the experience of orchestra, small group ensembles, solos, a symphonic band, and even the frenzy of the pit for some of the theatrical shows. The summer of 2021 marked the return to sleep-away camps after Covid, and we were so very grateful and understanding for all the strict protocols and safety measures that FW put in place. Unfortunately, this meant outside visitors couldn't attend performances and shows in 2021, but we were grateful that they streamed them over Zoom so we could watch from home. The summer of 2022 allowed for some careful loosening of restrictions, so this was our first time, as parents, actually visiting the camp, eating the amazing food in the dining hall, checking out the cabins, and finally getting to see the performances live. I appreciate how hard the staff worked to make camp safe. The camp is beautiful, the dining hall and the facilities are great. So many opportunities for music all day, and then whatever else my son feels like doing -- cooling off at the waterfront, learning some card tricks from "Magic Larry," working out at the 'Mo, learning some new recipes in the test kitchen, or just relaxing with friends and making something weird and tie-dyed in the craft lodge. My kid talks about camp, the friends, the funny things that happened, and especially the people (Ron is a legend! Brian is the king!) non-stop for the whole year, anticipating when he can finally return. We are eternally grateful for the FW experience!