Girl Scouts gathered at picnic tables at Camp Kaufmann. Two counselors makes accounements while the smoke from grilling burgers rises in the background.

Fun is always in season at Camp Kaufmann!

No matter the length of your stay, you're sure to enjoy the benefits of meeting new friends, learning new skills, and connecting with nature!

Located 75 miles north of NYC in Dutchess County, Camp Kaufmann stretches over 425 acres and features a lake, archery range, pool, hiking trails, butterfly garden, greenhouse, rope challenge courses, zipline and more. Each year, our camp welcomes over 5,000 New York City Girl Scouts from diverse backgrounds, some of whom have never left their own borough, for a unique and immersive experience.

Camp Kaufmann is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, and is fully accredited by the American Camp Association.

Registration for Winter and Spring 2023 is open!

Girl Scouts of Greater New York is excited to open registration for the Winter and Spring 2023 camp season! If you've booked a Camp Kaufmann trip in years past, you did so through our booking platform, CampBrain. CampBrain will still be our registration platform this season.

Learn more about Camp Kaufmann's upcoming programs through the 2023 edition of our Get Outdoors Guide below!

Fall 2022 Virtual Programs

This fall, Camp Kaufmann’s property upstate will be closed for renovations as we work to build the new dining hall and recreation center, Girl HQ! In the meantime, we will be offering virtual programs to ensure Girl Scouts continue to have access to outdoor education.

At this time registration for all fall virtual events has closed. View our events calendar for more upcoming Girl Scout events. Learn more.

Theme Weekends

Check out the Get Outdoors Guide for more information on Theme Weekends in 2023!

Theme Weekends are for Girl Scouts of all ages and their troop leaders. Meals and programming are provided by camp staff.

Theme weekends are a great opportunity to come to camp in a smaller group, while still taking the opportunity to bond with fellow Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts will earn badges, explore camp, and more! Girl Scouts sign up for these events individually (not per troop). Troops are welcome to come, however, Girl Scouts will still need to be registered on an individual basis.

Adults attending will need to ensure they are at the Girl Scout ratio and meet the necessary Camp Certifications.

Day Trips

Check out the Get Outdoors Guide for more information on Day Trips in 2023!

Day trips are perfect for first time campers of all levels! All day trips run 10am - 4pm, and includes lunch, snacks, s'mores, a patch, and programming provided by camp staff.

Girl Scouts will earn badges, explore camp, and more! Girl Scouts sign up for these events individually (not per troop). Troops are welcome to come, however, Girl Scouts will still need to be registered on an individual basis.

If you are looking for a specifc theme related to one of the outdoor badges, we are happy to out that together for your troop! We can customize your day for what would be best for your group.

Adults attending will need to ensure they are at the Girl Scout ratio and meet the necessary Camp Certifications.

Summer Sleep Away Camp

Summer Sleepaway Camp is all about making lifelong memories with new friends! Campers in grades 2 – 12 have the opportunity to participate in themed programs that range from 3 days to 2 weeks. During their visits, Girl Scouts will have the chance to try new things in a safe and supportive community, earn badges, and enjoy camp amenities such as:

Ziplining*
High ropes course*
Low ropes course
Swimming in the pool
Row boating on Lake Carola
Canoeing on Lake Carola
Archery*
Theater & performing arts pavilion
Campfires and s’mores
Vegetable garden
Butterfly garden
Frog pond
Environmental science activities
Hiking trails
Basketball court
Soccer
Volleyball
Stargazing

*Available for Juniors and up

All of this is a part of an amazing summer experience at Camp Kaufmann. We hope you join us in introducing Girl Scouts to a variety of experiences that acclimate them to the natural world.

History

Camp Kaufmann was established in June 1959, however the history of the property started before then. Below is a timeline of events of Camp Kaufmann

1920s: Harriet Dyer Price Phipps becomes a young troop leader, who was good friends with Juliette Gordon Lowe. She had a legendary dedication to the Girl Scouts in NYC, and even wore her Girl Scout uniform to buy a wedding gift at the Cartier Mansion!
Phipps called several acquaintances, including John D. Rockefeller Jr – a philanthropist, to see if he would be interested in funding a camp for the Girl Scouts.
In order to help fund the camp, Phipps proposed the Scouts sell cookies.
In July 1956, the 128 acre property was purchased for $40,000 with the help of the gift from Rockefeller, cookies sales, and other donors.
The land Rockefeller donated at the time was called “Camp Merrywood”. The property had a farmhouse and chicken coop. The name would eventually change to Camp Kaufmann.
June 1959: Camp Kaufmann was officially established. Nearly 300 people attended the ceremony where women were while cheered when making a campfire out of birch logs.
As time went on, the camp expanded to three times its original size. Currently camp is 425 acres.
Camp Kaufmann changed its name to honor Henry Kaufmann, a Pittsburgh department store heir who donated millions to create many camps in the New York City region

Click here for information about camp-related COVID-19 policies.

Camp Resources

For more information, please contact customercare@girlscoutsnyc.org.

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