Highlights
- Over 100 years of tradition
- Boys from all over US and the world
- Lots of both wilderness and in-camp activities
- Campers and staff that return year after year
Overview
Located in the Mountains of Western North Carolina for 102 years, we emphasize outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. We believe in fun, adventure, safety, and great instruction. Our program is non-competitive, which encourages experimentation, and non-regimented, which fosters self-direction. Our strengths lie in the quality of our staff and the depth of our program. We value diversity, attracting campers from all 50 states and several other countries.
Our goal is to build self-esteem while teaching community living skills, respect for the environment, and a love for the outdoors. We work hard on cooperation, and don’t spend much time on competition, so there aren’t any cups or ribbons or medals. We believe effort and reward are related, and the reward is sweeter when it’s earned. When a camper first gets here, he’ll meet his counselor and his cabinmates. He’ll have 5 or 6 other boys in the cabin, all about the same age, from a wide geographic area. The cabin counselor is like a big brother; he helps each camper work out his schedule, and get comfortable in the camp community. Experienced staff lead and teach a variety of activities that emphasize outdoor adventure: canoeing, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, backcountry hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and horse-back riding. There is a nature center for exploring the natural world and some things just for fun like tennis, pickleball, disc golf, and dodgeball. There are always activities for both the beginner and the advanced camper, so everyone progresses at their own pace. Some activities are scheduled a week in advance, some on the spur of the moment, but each camper has a lot of choice in what he does…
Our program is structured, but not regimented. Campers spend part of their session here at camp and part of their session out in the wilderness on trips. Just like in-camp activities, there are beginner trips and there are advanced trips, so everyone gets to experience overnight camping. Each camper’s personal interests will influence just how much of his session is spent out on trips. For over 100 years, the Bell family has operated summer camps for young people - Mondamin for boys and Green Cove for girls. We believe that a big part of a child’s education occurs outside the classroom. We also believe that young people need roots as well as wings, and that neither is much good without the other. Self-esteem, independent thinking, initiative, the ability to function in a group other than one’s own family, lifetime skills, lifelong friends… all are very important factors in the educational, maturing process. These are the very things a good camp should help foster. Being a citizen in a camp community instead of a child in a home can be a valuable and gratifying adventure.
Junior Camp 5 Days
Ages 6–10
Wed., 5/28 – Sun., 6/1
$1,785
June Camp 3 Weeks
Ages 7–13 - Wed., 6/4 – Mon., 6/23
$6,100
Main Camp 5 Weeks
Ages 8–17 - Fri., 6/27 – Fri., 8/1
$8,600
August Camp 10 days
Ages 6–11 Tues., - 8/5 – Thurs, 8/14
$3,570
Fees are all-inclusive… no extra charge for horses, trips, etc.
Register by December 1st for an early registration discount: $100 off for June Camp or $250 off for Main Camp. Payment plans and limited financial aid are available to qualified families. Apply by March 1st.
6-16 yo
From May to August
1 week
English
Max 180 campers
Boys Only
Shared
Since 1922
Activities
Horseback RidingHikingKayakingCanoeingSailingMountain BikingRock ClimbingSwimmingNatureTennisSwimmingArts & Crafts
Schedule
7:45 wake up
8:30 breakfast
9:00 morning assembly
9:30 – 12:00 morning activities
12:00 – 1:00 free time
1:00 lunch
2:00 – 3:00 rest hour
3:00-5:30 afternoon activities
5:30 – 6:30 free time
6:30 dinner
7:00 – 8:30 evening program
8:45 call to quarters
9:30-10:00 lights out
Accommodation & facilities
Traditional rustic camp cabins. Our waterfront is our most obvious asset – a 350 acre lake surrounded by mountains and often blessed with interesting winds for sailing. Mondamin is also conveniently located with respect to forests and rivers.We own about 800 acres of woodland, shared with our girls’ camp Green Cove, and have easy access to hundreds of square miles of Pisgah National Forest and the Smoky Mountain National Park.
Contact this camp
From
$1,785
Available from May to August
Reviews
Camp Mondamin for boys
| 5 star | 100% | |
| 4 star | 0% | |
| 3 star | 0% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 0% |
Q&A
Deposits are refundable before February 15th for any reason. Payments are refundable before their due dates.
Counselors – head counselors – three directors
Every counselor receives training in first aid and CPR.Waterfront staff are all required to have Red Cross Lifeguard training.All trip leaders must be certified Wilderness First Responders
We do continuous training in child development and activity skills throughout the summer.
We actively recruit staff from different backgrounds and geographical areas.
We have an honor code that includes being honest and treating each other with respect.We do safety and emergency drills each summer to prepare for every situation.
Campers are not allowed to bring Internet-connected devices to camp, including cell phones, tablets, computers, and smart watches.Counselors do not use their devices in the presence of campers.
My husband and his brother were campers and now my 2 boys are. My oldest (a 12 year old) has been a camper the last 5 years. My youngest (a 8 year old) son started last summer in the 5 day camp and will attend the 3 week camp this summer. Camp teaches them so much independence and self confidence. They have made friendships that I hope will last a lifetime! We’ve had multiple friends’ children attend as well and I love to see that they have the same feelings as our family. The staff and counselors are great role models! They truly bond with the campers. This place is magical!
Our kids love the independence, friends, and atmosphere. We enjoy the exposure to other outstanding kids and counselors. The traditions and activities in a wide array of outdoor arenas also add to the over all experience. Our kids are counting down the days until they go this year.
My 10 year old son attended a different camp the two summers prior. Camp Mondamin blew them away. The depth and diverse amount of the activities and his interest in them are a testament as to how great Mondamin is. My sister’s two sons attended and recommended. My son will be back next year and all the years to come.
As an alum and a parent of campers, I love that the kids make friends, spend so much time outdoors, learn new skills, and gain independence in a safe environment. Doesn’t hurt that they’re not on devices either.
This is our son’s 3rd summer at Mondamin and he has been eager to return since the moment he left!
He turned 10 there his first summer and will turn 11 this summer while at camp and there is no better way he would want to spend his birthdays than at Mondamin!
He enjoys all of the activities, but has become fascinated by sailing…something we do not do with him at home, at least not yet. The camp is exactly what I would picture a boys camp: rustic, lake, rope swings, animals, learning how to make a canoe, etc.
The people who run the camp are amazing, and they find awesome counselors. We very much enjoy the detailed weekly letters from his counselor updating us on what he is up to since he does not often slow down enough to write home.
He went on a 3 day climbing trip this past week. We love the independence such trips help them develop. Plus, they have to take the initiative to sign up, prepare for it, and many trips are something they work towards (for safety based on ability).
Their location is amazing for access to all things outdoors and their weather is much milder than lower elevations and southern regions. We are fairly sure he will return every summer and eventually be a counselor.