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Camp Kaufmann

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Fun is always in season at Camp Kaufmann!

Summer Camp 2019 Registration is Now Open→ Find Her Camp

About Camp Kaufmann

Located 75 miles north of New York City in Dutchess County, Camp Kaufmann stretches over 425 acres and features a lake, an archery range, a pool, hiking trails, a frog pond, a butterfly garden, an organic garden and greenhouse, and rope challenge courses.

Each year, our camp welcomes more than 5,000 New York City Girl Scouts. A distinguishing feature of Camp Kaufmann is that it brings together girls from diverse backgrounds –  some of which have never left their own borough, let alone experienced camp. Camp Kaufmann is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, and is fully accredited by the American Camp Association.

Troop Camping

Troop Camping is a weekend experience for up to 72 hours in duration, planned and carried out by a troop at camp. The troop leaders reserve housing at camp, plan for meals (buys, brings or orders her food) and plans all activities on their own (bringing their own supplies). Arrival window time on Fridays is usually 5pm – 10pm and departure time is on Sunday at 10:00am. For any camping trip, the troop must have one First Aid and CPR Certified Adult for each group of 44 campers. Each house or unit must have its own First Aid and CPR Certified Adult. If you plan to use the fireplace, fire ring or seasonal unit, you will need a Great Outdoors Certified Adult.

If you are staying in a lake house and do not plan on using a fire place or pit, then you will only need an adult who has taken the Overnight Adventures and Beyond training. Troop Camping is offered every weekend from September to May (with a few holiday exceptions). Pricing, housing options and dates will be available in the upcoming Get Outdoors Guide. Remember, troop camping means you are doing your own programming, renting your own unit and cooking your own meals—all which you learned to do during your camp trainings. 

  • Add on an Outdoor Classroom: Troops can choose to enhance their experience by hiring one of our experienced counselors to run a specific activity for them. You will notice that there are different classrooms based on the season and they are offered at different rates. Outdoor Classrooms are listed in the “Outdoor Guide and registration link.  Outdoor classrooms may include archery, low rope team building games, survival skills, campfire and s’mores, hikes, pond study and butterfly garden and sledding.
  • About Theme Camping: Theme camping is Troop Camping with a fun theme! Troops prepare, cook, serve and clean up their own meals. We provide the menu and all the ingredients, which will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive. We also provide Saturday programming. You are responsible for any activity Friday night or Sunday morning. Arrival window time on Fridays is usually 5pm – 10pm and departure is on Sunday is at 10:00am. Stay tuned for the upcoming Get Outdoors Guide for all the fun themes for this year including fright fest, ski weekends among many others. 
  • Registration: To register your troop for a Troop Camping trip at Camp Kaufmann, please click here.
Theme Weekends

Theme Weekends are for Girl Scouts of all ages and their troop leaders. Meals and programming are provided by camp staff. Troop Leaders must still hold Outdoor Camp Certifications.

For any camping trip, the troop must have one First-Aid and CPR Certified Adult for each house of 20 campers. If you plan to use the fireplace, fire ring or seasonal unit, you will need a Great Outdoors Certified Adult. If you are staying in a lake house and do not plan on using a fire place or pit, then you will only need an adult who has taken the Overnight Adventures and Beyond training.

Learn More
Summer Sleep Away Camp

Girl Scouts of Greater New York is excited to announce the launch of our very own Sleep Away program at Camp Kaufmann. Whatever your girl loves to do, she will find it at Camp Kaufmann!

Summer Sleep Away Camp is all about making everlasting memories with new friends! This is the first time in over 20 years that our girls in Greater New York are going to enjoy a true summer camp experience in July and August. In the past, the Mom and Me weekend offerings were just in June. We heard the girls loud and clear and are expanding our programming!

Campers in grades 2 – 8 have the opportunity to select a one-week long experience, from Sunday to Friday, with a fun theme! Our program gives girls the chance to try new things in a safe and supportive community. There is a special magic that exists in the woods and in building camp traditions. Campers will 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
  • Gaga pit
  • 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 giving girls a variety of experiences that acclimate them to the natural world.

Camp Kaufmann will have 8 weeks of summer camp for girls to choose from. We are located just shy of 2 hours from NYC and are accessible by car and Metro North. We will also have a bussing option available. Campers arrive at 3pm Sunday and depart at 3pm Friday.

Come to Camp Kaufmann

There are lots of ways for you and girls to enjoy the outdoors. No matter the length of your experience, girls will certainly benefit from it. They can try new things, build their team-building skills, meet new friends, feel a connection to the natural world, and enjoy the fresh air.

Living in an amazing city like New York can provide so many unique opportunities, but sometimes you need to break out of the concrete jungle and enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Brown.