Overnight Camp for Boys Ages 8-16
From days filled with fun and adventure to nights around the campfire, magical childhood memories are made at Camp Lawrence. Situated on the southern tip of Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, Camp Lawrence is home to two beautiful, natural beaches, multi-purpose playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, a craft shop, archery and riflery ranges, a primitive outpost, ropes courses and more. Seventy acres of rugged, natural terrain offer our community of 150 campers and 65 staff members plenty of room to grow.
The boys choose their schedules from a wide range of athletic, creative and instructional activities that are designed to challenge campers according to their age, interest and skill. At Camp Lawrence, boys gain the skills and experience necessary for physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth.
Rates & Dates for Summer 2027
Registration Dates
- October 14, 2026, at 9:00am – Registration opens for returning campers and their siblings.
- October 21, 2026, at 9:00am – Registration opens for waitlisted campers from the previous season.
- October 28, 2026, at 9:00am – Registration opens for new campers.
Registrations can be done online, by phone at 978-975-1330 or in person at the camping services office at 165 Haverhill Street, Andover, MA.
Camp Dates
Two Week Sessions
If choosing two consecutive sessions, it must be either 1 & 2 or 3 & 4.
- Session 1: June 27 – July 10, 2027
- Session 2: July 11 – July 24, 2027
- Session 3: July 25 – August 7, 2027
- Session 4: August 8 – August 21, 2027
One Week Sessions
One week sessions are for Camp Lawrence first-time junior campers only (entering grades 3-6).
- Session 1A: June 27 – July 3, 2027
- Session 1B: July 4- July 10, 2027
- Session 4A: August 8 – August 14, 2027
- Session 4B: August 15 – August 21, 2027
Camp Rates
- Two-week session: $2,675
- One-week session: $1,600
*One-week sessions only available at Camp Lawrence for first-time junior campers (entering grades 3-6).
Tuition covers the cost of activities with the exception of bus transportation, camp store and laundry service.
Deposits, Payments and Cancellations
- $300 deposit per two-week session is due at the time of registration
- $200 deposit per one-week session is due at the time of registration
- Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable between sessions, seasons or siblings
- Full payment for the tuition balance is due by April 1, 2027
- $150 late fee will be charged if full payment is not received by April 1, 2027
- Tuition is non-refundable & non-transferable between sessions, seasons or siblings after April 1, 2027
- Refunds will only be made in the case of a documented illness of the camper or death of an immediate family member
- Cancellations must be submitted via email to campinfo@mvymca.org
Activities
Archery
Campers will have the chance to learn and improve their accuracy and precision in the sport of Archery! They will learn how to properly hold a bow and shoot an arrow in a controlled setting while also having fun!
Arts & Crafts
Express your creative side with arts and crafts! Campers will be able to improve their skills in beading and painting just to name a few! Traditional craft projects will also be incorporated throughout the week to provide a wide range of crafts.
Basketball
Learn how to pass, dribble and shoot while enhancing overall basketball skill. Campers will learn the rules of the game while also creating a fun and encouraging environment for all skill levels.
Campcraft
Campcraft will teach campers all about outdoor living. They will learn how to build camp fires, tie knots, first aid and other important skills that are important for surviving outdoors.
Canoeing
Learn how to paddle forward, backwards and all other basic strokes in order to enhance your canoeing skills.
Fishing
Get hooked on fishing! Kids will learn the basic skills that are involved in fishing such as baiting the rod and casting the line. This is the perfect activity which will improve fishing skills of all levels.
Fitness
Experience fitness the fun way! There are activities for all skill levels which will increase physical activity while getting campers involved and active.
Floor Hockey
Campers will learn the basics of “puck handling” as well as how to shoot and pass while engaging in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Floor hockey is something that is fun and open to all skill levels.
Frisbee
Kids will learn the proper throwing and catching techniques as well as basic game play. With the game of Frisbee the emphasis is on fun! This activity is great for all levels and is a way to get kids active and engaged while having fun!
Improv/Theater
Channel your creative side and express yourself while engaging in fun improv and theater games and activities. This is a great way to build confidence and explore your imagination!
Kayaking
Learn the important skills involved with Kayaking. Campers will learn how to steer and paddle properly to enhance their knowledge and safety on the water.
Lacrosse
Learn the basics of stick handling, dodging, and shooting while also focusing on speed and agility. Lacrosse is a fun and fast pace activity that will also teach the campers the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship!
Music
Campers will have the opportunity choose from a verity of instruments from guitars to other percussion instruments. They will learn the basic skill of the instrument and walk away with a passion for music.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor education will teach campers about the nature around them. They will be able to identify different plants and animals by the end of the session.
Paddle Boarding
Campers will have the opportunity to learn how to paddle board.
Photography
Using digital photography campers will learn how to capture their beautiful surroundings. They will learn how to frame photos and use special effects which will help bring out their creative eye while also learning proper camera handling.
Ping Pong/Table Tennis
Improve your ping pong game while learning basic skills and rules involved in the game! This sport will get campers involved and emphasizes team work and sportsmanship!
Radio/Broadcasting
Broadcasting programs offer campers the valuable knowledge and skills in editing, recording sound design and much more! This is a great way to build the skills and open the possibility of radio and broadcasting to a younger community!
Riflery
Campers will learn safe firearm handling with the supervision of a certified instructor. Campers will use .22 caliber rifles to improve accuracy in target shooting while also learning the importance of responsible gun handling.
Ropes Course
Campers will have the ability to try high and low ropes courses. This is a great way to build trust and get out of your comfort zone while trying something exciting and new.
Rugby
Learn the fundamental skills that are involved in the fast pace game of Rugby! Ball handling and footwork will be emphasized in the teaching of this game.
Sailing
Campers will have the opportunity to learn everything that is involved with sailing a boat. From basic boating safety to all parts of the sailboat campers will walk away from this activity knowing all there is to know about sailing!
Snorkeling
Learn the proper techniques to get the most out of your snorkeling experience! Campers will learn the proper way to wear masks, snorkels and fins while exploring the world under water!
Soccer
Campers will learn how to kick, dribble, shoot and pass and all of the basic rules that are involved with the game of soccer! This activity is great for all skill levels and will help promote physical activity in a fun environment.
Swimming
Swimming is an important skill that we believe all campers should have. All campers will engage in swim lessons to enhance their strokes as well as open swim.
Video
Campers will have the ability to learn how to shoot and edit video that is used to make things like the camp final video.
Volleyball
Learn basic skills of volleyball such as how to set, serve, pass and spike the ball. This is a fun and engaging activity that will get all campers involved in physical activity while also having fun!
Waterskiing
Under the guidance of skilled professionals campers will have the ability to engage in waterskiing activities and learn the proper techniques while also learning about water safety.
A Day at Camp
7:00am | Reveille |
7:35am | Line-up/Flag Raising |
7:45am | Breakfast |
8:15am | Morning Thought/Cabin Clean-Up |
9:10am | First Instructional Period |
10:10am | Second Instructional Period |
11:10am | Third Instructional Period |
12:10pm | General Swim/Free Time |
12:45pm | Lunch |
1:30pm | Siesta |
2:25pm | Fourth Instructional Period |
3:25pm | Fifth Instructional Period |
4:30pm | Free Swim/Free Time |
5:45pm | Dinner |
7:10pm | Flag Lowering |
7:20pm | Evening Program |
9:15pm | Taps |
Testimonials
A Summer That Shapes a Lifetime: One Family’s Journey at Camp Lawrence
For Stephanie Lee of Bedford, NH, YMCA Camp Lawrence has become a meaningful summer home where her boys grow, connect, and discover their potential. Three of her children—Nathan, 17, a second-year CIT; Abner, 14; and Phinehas, 12—have thrived in the camp’s tech-free, community-centered environment since 2021. Stephanie credits camp with building confidence and leadership, especially for Nathan, who later became captain of his high school rowing team. She values the friendships, responsibility, and creativity her sons gain, as well as the supportive, well-trained staff. For the Lee family, Camp Lawrence is truly transformational.
FAQs
Check out our Parent Handbook for in-depth information on the Camp Lawrence/Camp Nokomis experience.
How do campers get to camp?
There are a few different options for transportation. Please visit our Transportation page for details.
How do Camp Lawrence and Camp Nokomis address the needs of first-time campers?
Before a camper arrives at camp, parents fill out and mail to camp a “Let’s Get Acquainted” form. This questionnaire is reviewed by the Camp Director and appropriate cabin staff and is used to identify the needs, interests, and expectations of campers. When campers arrive at camp, staff spend a lot of time with them talking about their interests, helping them to feel at home and make friends and introducing them to other campers and staff.
When will I be able to see the camp and meet the director?
Each spring we host tours at the camps and in the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s service area. For more information, visit our camp tours page. The Camping Services Office will also notify families about the details of these events.
What are your medical and first aid arrangements?
Each camp has two full-time nurses on staff. Both camps have well-equipped health centers, and a large percentage of our staff are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED, in addition to being certified lifeguards. Lakes Region General Hospital is located a short drive from the Y-Landing Marina.
What is your staff like?
Our staff are young adults, many of whom grew up in our camps and completed our Counselor-in-Training program. All complete thorough pre-season training and the Redwoods Child Abuse Prevention Course. They have been selected for maturity, leadership ability, activity skills, positive and friendly attitudes, commitment to young people and a genuine love for camp. Each camp’s leadership includes seasoned leaders, some of whom are professional educators and registered nurses.
What are the policies and practices regarding religion and worship at camp?
We hold non-denominational services each Sunday that all campers and staff attend. These services are traditionally conducted by our staff and tend to focus on the core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. We respect the religious perspectives of all campers and staff.
How many campers are in a cabin, and what are the cabins like?
Our cabins house between eight and twelve campers as well as two staff members. Campers enjoy adequate personal space and sleep in wooden bunk beds with guard rails. Cabins are wood-frames with window screens. Cabin assignments are based on age and school grade. The directors place campers in specific cabin groups with attention to the balance of people from the same hometown, the ratio of new to returning campers, as well as other factors.
If my camper attends camp with a friend, or a group of friends, can they be in placed in the same cabin?
Cabin placements are made with the overall best interest of the camp community and campers in mind. To promote fairness and encourage new friendships, we no longer accept cabin mate requests for returning campers. We do allow cabin mate requests under the following guidelines:
- Cabin mate requests may be made for first-time campers only.
- Campers may request one cabin mate, and both campers must be the same grade/age.
- The request must be mutual, meaning it must come from both families.
- Cabin mate requests must be received by June 1st.
- While we do our best to honor requests, cabin mate placements are not guaranteed, as many factors influence final cabin assignments.
- Cabin assignments will be revealed to campers upon arrival to the island.
Camp Lawrence Cabin Mate Requests
Camp Nokomis Cabin Mate Requests
Cabin mate request forms will open on October 14 when registration opens.
Do you consider your activities to be competitive?
Our camps offer activities that are instructional and meaningful, offering challenges and growth for both beginning and advanced learners. We focus our attention on ensuring that our activities are both safe and fun.
Where do most of your campers come from?
Our campers come from all over New England, the United States and around the world. Some of our staff and campers have traveled from areas in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.
What is the difference between your camp and other camps?
Our camps stand out for their unique island location and for the team of dedicated staff who return summer after summer. The counselors are strong models of our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Our camps offer a great mix of athletic and creative activities in a setting that promotes self-confidence and teamwork.
How do you handle special dietary needs/preferences?
Our camps can accommodate most dietary food preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). Staff are also made aware of identified food allergies and campers are monitored for safe and healthy eating habits.
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