Summer Camp The Opportunity of a Lifetime
At the start of every summer since 1947, campers and staff from around the globe have gathered at Camp Manitou to share a new chapter in a lifetime experience.
Manitou limits its size to ensure each child has a memorable camp experience. Campers develop a close-knit community feeling amongst themselves and brotherly relationships with the staff while participating in friendly competition.
Beginning as campers and staff members and now as owners and directors, Dave Schiff and I have been returning to Manitou since 1987. There are ten current staff members who have been here even longer.
At Camp Manitou, counselors know campers' names, younger campers interact regularly with older campers, and all members of the camp community respect one another. A former fishing camp, Camp Manitou was opened as a residential boys summer camp in June of 1947 by the Marcus family.
“I came to Manitou when I was 13 years old after having spent the previous four summers at another camp. The transition to becoming a part of the Manitou family was seamless. Now after spending eight years at Manitou my experience has come full circle and I am the leader of one of the four College League teams.” Eric, Newton, MA
DIVERSE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM Athletic and creative diversity distinguishes the Manitou program. With a choice of more than 40 teaching programs, every camper can find an area in which he will experience success.
Manitou promotes team building through inter-camp competition, the College League and the Color War tournament. For boys who prefer individual activities, Manitou offers a variety of individual programs for instruction, discovery and fun.
Each camper, once he is comfortable with our program selection, chooses his own activities to pursue each week. With the privilege of choice, boys learn to make decisions and understand the value of responsibility in a comfortable and supportive environment.
A “typical” day begins at with Reveille at 7:30. Activities and tournaments take place in our exceptional facilities which include a stadium replica of Fenway Park and the Alumni Hall sports complex. Both are equipped with lights for night games, audio PA systems, electronic scoreboards, and more.
7:30 – Reveille
7:50 – Flag raising
8:00 – Breakfast
8:45 – Clean-up and getting ready
9:15 – First elective activity
10:20 – Second elective activity
11:25 – Third elective activity
12:30 – Lunch
1:15 – Rest period
2:15 – College League or special event
4:15 – Open Waterfront
5:30 – Wash-up
5:50 – Flag lowering
6:00 – Dinner
6:45 – Choice Activity
8:00 – Evening activity
9:00 – Milk and cookies
9:15 – After-dark for older campers
9:30 – 10:30 – Bedtime
STRENGTH, INITIATIVE, DETERMINATION Through team building in sports, cabin activities, trips and personal growth in individual activities, campers gain confidence and awareness. We train our staff to promote our core values by ensuring that the camper challenges himself and learns to succeed in many situations.
Manitou offers its older campers a curriculum in leadership that complements our CIT and Junior Counselor programs. Many of Manitou’s leaders are former campers, including the camps’ directors.
LEARNING TO LEAD Residential camping provides an ideal framework for leadership development.
Camp Manitou has long been providing its oldest campers a comprehensive Counselors-in-Training program that prepares them for counselor positions at Manitou. In 2007, Manitou introduced a formal version of a leadership curriculum to campers 14 and older.
Both programs educate campers on the many aspects of leadership, with practical application so they can be a benefit to themselves and their community. Those who successfully complete the program receive a certificate and letter of recommendation reflecting their leadership education and performance over the summer session.
Manitou’s two owners and directors are active examples of how leadership and camping are so compatible. In addition, over 30% of Manitou’s counselors are former campers!
To learn more about the Leadership and Counselor-in-Training programs and how to apply for them, download and review an application.
“The counselors really like spending time with us, they're like big brothers. I've had one counselor for three years. When I'm old enough, I'm going to come work at Manitou.” Michael, Miami, FL
THE CABIN EXPERIENCE At Camp Manitou, we recognize that one of the most significant factors in your son’s camp experience will be his cabin life.
More than just the cabin facility itself, Manitou cabins are organized and planned according to the age group of kids that will be housed there.
Our goal is to always be proactive, making sure there is sufficient staff coverage to oversee the campers at all times. The camper to staff ratio for boys under the age of 11 is 2:1 and 3:1 for boys 11 and older.
The cabin layout is designed to feel like home. Each camper has his own drawers and personal space and every cabin is equipped with bathrooms and private showers. Each has a table or area rug to foster a sense of community - a place where campers can get together for games, conversations, to share birthday cake and have milk and cookies before bedtime.
We spend a lot of time getting to know each camper and ask questions to help us place them in a bunk they will thrive in. To help with a first year camper’s adjustment to camp, we place all first year campers together so they all encounter the same “new camper” experiences together.
A camper’s closest relationships will be formed in their cabin. It is our goal to put assemble cabins that will be together for years. Before becoming directors, Dave and I spent six years as bunkmates!
A LIFETIME INVESTMENT A quality summer camp experience develops values and character traits that last beyond the summer.
“One of the greatest aspects of sending my sons to Manitou is that every summer they come home a little older, a little stronger and they seem to gain an immense amount of confidence from their experience. All winter they look forward to returning to camp. Manitou monopolizes their conversations. It truly is a magical place.” Alyson, Potomac, MD
Camp provides children with a community of caring adults who collectively stand for a shared set of principles and hold each other to high ethical standards. Manitou leaders embody teamwork, sportsmanship, an appreciation of nature, integrity, friendliness, courage, passion, and ultimately, love.
During their summers at Manitou, campers develop self-identity, confidence, leadership, and self-respect. Sending your son to a quality summer camp is an investment in your child’s growth.
Manitou’s impact will last a lifetime. Your son will develop athletic and creative skills he never thought possible. He will forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
Summer Camp—Activities