Overnight Camp for Girls Ages 8-16
For building self-esteem, reconnecting with nature, and making life-long friends, there is no place better than Camp Nokomis for Girls. Camp Nokomis’ forty acres of property includes densely-wooded areas, multi-purpose playing fields, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, an archery range, a craft shop, ropes course, two beaches and more. Our program for 150 campers led by 60 staff embraces each girl’s individual abilities and needs, while remaining sensitive to her age and interests.
Through a mix of athletic and creative activities, as well as unscheduled time, girls learn to be independent, resilient and confident. Camp Nokomis provides a nurturing environment for each camper to develop her skills and value the skills and talents of her peers.
75th Anniversary
Celebrating 75 years of empowering girls ages 8-16 to be confident leaders, build lifelong friendships, and connect with nature. Check out the timeline of Camp Nokomis (so far).
Rates & Dates for Summer 2026
Registration Dates
- October 15, 2025, at 9:00am – Registration opens for returning campers and their siblings.
- October 22, 2025, at 9:00am – Registration opens for waitlisted campers from the previous season.
- October 29, 2025, 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
If choosing two consecutive sessions, it must be either 1 & 2 or 3 & 4.
- Session 1: June 28 – July 11, 2026
- Session 2: July 12 – July 25, 2026
- Session 3: July 26 – August 8, 2026
- Session 4: August 9 – August 22, 2026
Camp Rates
- Two-week session: $2,550
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
- Deposits are non-refundable & non-transferable between sessions, seasons and siblings
- Full payment for the tuition balance is due by April 1, 2026
- $150 late fee will be charged if full payment is not received by April 1, 2026
- Tuition is non-refundable & non-transferrable between sessions, seasons and siblings after April 1, 2026
- 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
Bullseye! Learn how to properly hold a bow and shoot an arrow as you improve your accuracy and precision in this fun activity. Instructors focus on safety and mechanics of the sport.
Basketball
Learn how to pass, dribble and shoot while enhancing your overall basketball skills. Taught in a fun and encouraging environment, campers of all experience levels learn the rules of the game while improving their techniques.
Campcraft
Develop your outdoor skills by learning how to build campfires, tie knots, read maps, use a compass, provide first aid and much more. Fun and empowering!
Canoeing
Forward stroke, draw stroke, J stroke and so much more: learn and improve your paddling skills as you canoe the beautiful waters of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Ceramics
Mold clay into a bowl, a figurine or wherever your creativity takes you in this craft. You will learn how to prepare the clay for firing and how to glaze your piece…and every process in between.
Copper Enameling
Pick a pre-cut shape or cut your own form to make jewelry and other trinkets in this craft. You will learn to glaze, fire and buff copper into beautiful pieces.
Dance
Exercise your mind, body and spirit! Improve your dance skills and let your expressive side shine. In an encouraging and fun environment, you will want to show off your moves at the end of the session.
Dramatics
If you love the stage, this activity is for you! Learn different acting techniques and backstage preparations as you put together a dramatic production to perform at the end of the 2nd and 4th sessions. Available to 4 or 8 week campers only.
General Crafts
Express your creativity with gimp, glitter, paint, beads, yarn and so many other art supplies. The possibilities are nearly limitless in this fun crafting activity.
Improv/Theater
Channel your creative side and express yourself through diverse improvisational and theater games. This is a great way to build confidence and explore your imagination.
Kayaking
Learn the skills of this fun water sport. You will learn how to steer and paddle a kayak properly as instructors focus on safety and technique.
Leathercraft
In this fun and unique craft, you will learn how to cut, sew, stamp and add snaps to leather. Campers can make everything from wallets to belts and purses to signs.
Nature
Familiarize yourself with your surroundings by learning how to identify different plants, animals and other natural phenomena around you. Explore the natural world in this educational and fun activity.
Photography
Using a digital camera, you will discover how to best photograph the people and places around camp before learning how to develop the images in the camp’s darkroom. Find out how to frame photos and use special effects to bring out your creative eye.
Ropes
From the climbing wall to the peanut butter pit, you will challenge yourself physically and mentally as you build trust with your fellow campers in this activity. Available to Middler and Senior campers only.
Rowing
Knowing how to row is helpful to any lover of boats. Learn the techniques and strokes of the sport in this fun water activity. Perfect for any skill level.
Sailing
Hoist up your sail and feel the wind in your hair! Learn everything from the parts of the boat to how to read the wind’s direction in this beloved camp activity.
Silvercraft
Cut, solder and shine silver into a necklace, bracelet or earrings in this skilled crafting activity. Available to Senior campers only.
Soccer
Dribble, pass, shoot, score! Learn to improve your footwork and soccer skills in this team-oriented activity. Fun for all skill levels, this sport is a great way to get your heart rate up.
Swimming
Perhaps it’s because we operate an island camp, but we think it’s important for everyone to develop aquatic skills. Whether you want to feel confident swimming a lap or hope to compete on a team, our instructors teach stroke mechanics to every level of swimmer.
Tennis
Learn to play a sport that you can enjoy for the rest of your life! Whether you have never held a racket or want to practice your ace serve, we will teach you about scoring, sportsmanship and all of the strokes of the game on our clay courts.
Volleyball
Learn 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! Available to Middler and Senior campers.
Waterskiing
Always a popular activity, you will get individualized attention from our enthusiastic instructors whether you’re learning to ski for the first time or are experienced enough to maneuver trick skis.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is great fun and rewarding to learn! You will learn the techniques that will have you up and surfing in no time!
Woodworking
Our newest activity in the Craft Shop, campers create pieces of art and function from wood. Learn how to safely handle tools as you discover how and when to use nails, glue and sandpaper to put together your project.
A Day at Camp
7:45am | Reveille |
8:10am | Flag Raising/Thought for the Day |
8:15am | Breakfast |
8:45am | Cabin Clean-Up |
9:20am | First Instructional Period |
10:20am | Second Instructional Period |
11:20am | Third Instructional Period |
12:30pm | Lunch |
1:30pm | Rest Hour |
2:20pm | Fourth Instructional Period |
3:20pm | Fifth Instructional Period |
4:30pm | Free Swim/Crafting Club/Free Time |
5:00pm | P. D. P. (Pre-Dinner Program) |
6:00pm | Dinner |
6:45pm | Early Evening Boating/Free Time |
7:45pm | Evening Program |
9:00pm | Junior Taps |
9:30pm | Senior Taps |
Testimonials
Messina Family – Camp Nokomis
For the Messina family, Camp Nokomis is a cherished tradition spanning three generations. Francesca Anne Messina attended as a child, and now her daughter Enza is in her fourth summer, proudly continuing the family legacy. At camp, Enza thrives in a screen-free, supportive environment, building independence, confidence, and creativity through activities like woodworking and lake challenges, while forming strong bonds with her counselors, who serve as role models. Francesca values Nokomis as a safe space where girls grow, unplug, and develop responsibility and self-reliance. Watching Enza return each summer, Francesca sees not only her daughter’s joy but also the confident young woman she is becoming through her time at camp.
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.
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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