FAQs
What sets K&E apart from other camps?
There are more than enough great camps out there. So why do families keep choosing K&E summers?
Easy. The pieces fit together into an ideal summer for kids.
Long sessions. Three to six weeks gives kids time to build real friendships, develop habits that stick, and truly disconnect from screens. That depth changes everything.
Brother-sister balance. Boys and girls get their own programs and lodges, then come together for Color War, campfires, and traditions that bind the whole camp into one community.
Small by design. Fewer than 200 campers on each side of camp means every kid has a chance to shine and be known. Our directors aren’t running camp from a distance. They’re on the fields, in the dining hall, at the campfire.
The 3:1 ratio trade-off. We choose counselors who deeply know your kid over filling camp with specialists. If your child has an amazing day, someone notices. If they need encouragement, someone notices. Usually more than one person.
Down-to-earth culture. Families tell us they value the camp culture: less about flash, more about kindness, character, and making real connections.
That’s K&E. If it sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s talk.
What exactly is a brother/sister camp and what makes it unique?
Boys and girls grow up with different expectations and pressures. At K&E, they get the benefit of time apart in programs built for them with time to come together for traditions that connect everyone.
The truth is, boys and girls need some of the exact same things: strength and vulnerability, sports and creativity, independence and belonging. They just reach for them more freely in single-gender spaces.
That’s why Evergreen and Kenwood exist side by side—each giving kids the comfort to grow in their own way. Boys and girls have their own programs and lodges, building confidence and independence without distraction.
Then they come together for Color War, campfires, evening events, and shared traditions that weave every camper into one community.
Oh, and real-life brothers and sisters come home speaking the same camp language, carrying stories and friendships they’ll share for life.
It’s the best of both worlds.
What are your summer camp's bunk sizes and ratios?
At K&E, a 3:1 camper-to-counselor ratio isn’t just a number. It’s a promise that your child will be known, not just supervised.
Bunks have 6-8 campers
Bunks have 2-3 counselors
These counselors have one job: spend their days with your campers. Playing, eating, hanging out, and actually knowing them.
Longer sessions and time together mean staff understand campers’ moods, strengths, and the moments they need encouragement or space.
If your child has an amazing day, someone notices. If they need a bit more encouragement, someone notices. Usually more than one person.
We choose counselors who deeply know your kid over filling camp with specialists. The relationships come first.
Who are your staff? How old are they?
Our staff are one of the biggest reasons families choose K&E and keep coming back.
Most of our bunk counselors started as campers. They grew up here. They know the songs, the traditions, the rhythms of camp life—and they know what it means to take care of kids the K&E way.
Bunk counselors: College-aged or older
Specialty staff: Most have completed college and work as professional educators or in child-centered fields year-round
Over 80% of our staff return year after year. That continuity matters. It means campers see familiar faces, and staff know the culture they’re upholding.
The Kenwood side is led by men who model what it means to be compassionate, strong, and steady. The Evergreen side is led by women who show girls that confidence and kindness go hand in hand.
Staff are chosen for character first, then skill. They’re here because they genuinely care about kids—and it shows.
How does your camp handle food allergies and sensitivities?
For almost 20 years, K&E has been completely peanut and tree nut free—across every meal, snack, trip, and treat. No exceptions.
That means:
- All meals and snacks
- Baked goods and ice cream
- Movie night candy
- Out-of-camp trips
- Chinese food night
- Our homemade hummus and pesto
- No sesame seeds, sesame oil, or peanut oils either
For gluten, dairy, and other allergens: We work with families to accommodate dietary needs. Each meal includes a salad bar, fresh fruit, and options for vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly diets.
If your child has specific dietary restrictions, let us know. We’ll make sure there’s always something safe and satisfying for them to eat.
Can you tell me about your camp's medical team? How close is the nearest hospital?
K&E has physicians on-site throughout the summer, working in rotating shifts. Our camp doctors live on campus and are either pediatricians or emergency room physicians.
We also have 2-3 registered nurses on staff full-time, plus a health center administrator.
Nearby medical resources:
- New London Hospital: 8 miles away
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: 35 minutes away
Between our on-site medical team and close proximity to excellent hospitals, your child is well cared for if anything comes up.
How do I speak with a director of your summer camp?
We’d love to talk with you.
Email: jack@kenwood-evergreen.com
Phone: (585) 541-5141
Jack, Sylvia, Scott, and the team are here to answer questions, walk you through what K&E is really like, and help you figure out if it’s the right fit for your family.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. These conversations matter, and we make time for them.
Why choose K&E over a camp closer to home?
New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is where summer feels like summer.
Warm days, cool nights, fresh mountain air, and enough space for kids to run, explore, and disconnect.
The four-hour drive from NYC and Northern New Jersey gives kids the space to fully settle into camp life. They’re far enough away to build their own world (new friendships, new routines, new confidence) without the pull of home just around the corner.
New faces in a new place. Different kids, different rhythms, different energy than the rest of the year. Camp becomes its own neighborhood. The kind where everyone knows each other, in a place with its own inside jokes, traditions, and memories that belong only to summer.
Close to what matters. New London Hospital is 10 miles away. Police and fire departments are under 5 miles. Reliable cell service throughout. We’re remote enough to feel like camp, close enough to handle anything that comes up.
If you’re looking for a camp that feels far enough away to matter but close enough to trust, K&E hits that mark.
Does your camp have a distinct philosophy and core values?
Summer at camp is one of the most important experiences in a kid’s life. That’s what we believe, and it shapes everything we do.
**Camp runs on three agreements:**
1. Take care of yourself and others. Make your bed. Cheer for a friend. Show up for your bunk. Responsibility and care are daily habits here.
2. Work through conflict when it comes up. Don’t avoid the hard stuff. Practice listening, speak up when something matters, and figure it out together.
3. Protect the future of camp. Being part of something bigger than yourself means taking part in traditions spanning generations.
These aren’t posted rules to just walk by and forget. They’re how camp actually works.
Kids leave K&E with real friendships, more confidence, and the ability to handle hard things.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
My child does not have any friends from home going to this camp. How are they going to make new friends?
This is actually one of the best parts about K&E.
Come to camp and show up as whoever you want to be. No baggage, no old roles, just a fresh start with kids who are just getting to know you.
Living together in a bunk of 6-8 kids with counselors who know how to bring a group together? Friendships happen fast. Shared meals, late-night talks, inside jokes after three weeks together—it all adds up.
Plus, most kids show up without friends from home. They’re all in the same boat on day one. By day three, they’ve found their people.
My child is nervous about the first day. Can you tell them what it will be like?
The first day is designed to feel welcoming, not overwhelming.
If you’re coming by bus, you’ll meet counselors and other campers before you even get to camp. There are games, songs, snacks, and a bathroom on board. By the time you arrive, you’ve already made a friend or two.
When you get to camp, you’ll be greeted by a lot of smiling faces. Directors will tell you which bunk you’re in and introduce you to your counselors.
When you get to your bunk, your bed is already made and your bags are unpacked. One less thing to worry about.
The rest of the day?
Playing games, touring camp, eating dinner (usually something like chicken fingers and fries), and hanging out during free play.
Counselors are with you the whole time, making introductions and helping you settle in.
By bedtime, you’re tired in a good way.
Your counselors will tell a story, check in to see if you need anything, and you’ll fall asleep knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
It’s a good first day. Promise.
Does K&E offer a shorter option for first-time campers?
Yes. First-time campers of any age can start with a 3-week session.
Three weeks is enough time to settle in, make real friends, and experience what K&E is actually about. We offer these shorter sessions on a limited basis.
After your first summer, campers attend for 6.5 weeks. Senior campers (finishing 7th, 8th, or 9th grade) come for the full experience.
The longer sessions are where it really clicks. Friendships deepen, habits stick, and kids fully disconnect from everything back home. But we get it. Three weeks is a good place to start.