Camp season 2025 ended on a high note with the final Carnival of the summer, hosted by our incredible partners at Stifel!

Before closing out with cotton candy and ring tosses, campers wrapped up a full session of classic summer fun—learning to pitch tents in Outdoor Adventure, splashing in the lake, boating and practicing their strokes, diving into arts & crafts, and playing every sport in sight. Campers also explored the cultures of their counselors through dishes representing their home countries—like Scotland, Jamaica, and Mexico—cooked up as part of a special International Night. Other highlights included camp cookout night and a very festive Christmas in July, complete with hot cocoa, “holiday” photos, and lots of dancing and singing to jolly tunes.

Camp Lanowa joined day campers from Allie’s Place and Prospect at Camp Wakonda for a fun-filled day that brought all the summer magic together. Stifel volunteers were all in—popping popcorn, spinning cotton candy, helping kids create their own jewelry, and leading some very competitive ring toss rounds.

The bouncy houses and water slides were crowd favorites, and face paint was in full effect just in time for Cotton Eye Joe. As for the classic carnival games—let’s just say some campers had better aim than others.

Representatives from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also returned this session, setting up another interactive table—this time featuring animal pelts, bones, and even a live snake! The display sparked curiosity and conversation about the wildlife and ecosystems of Harriman State Park, where HFH Summer Camps is located.

Thanks to everyone who made this summer unforgettable. We’re already counting down to HFH Summer Camps 2026!

Some of the photos featured were taken by Amos Oman, a returning HFH Summer Camps counselor who is working to break into professional photography. Between leading activities and supporting campers, Amos has been capturing day-to-day life at camp through his lens—giving us an inside look at summer at Camp Lanowa and Camp Wakonda.

HFH Summer Camps’ third and final session is officially under way! At Camp Wakonda, the day camp, students from Allie’s Place and Saratoga jumped straight into the lake upon arrival. Some focused on learning how to float, swim, and blow bubbles, while others competed to see who could hold their breath the longest or dive the fastest for rings.

One enthusiastic day camper couldn’t contain his excitement as he climbed out of the water:

“It was so fun in the lake! There was a lot going on, and I was swimming … summer camp is fun to be at because you don’t have to do homework.”

We couldn’t agree more. Camp Wakonda is the perfect first step into the world of camp, giving kids a peek at all the fun—and helping them dream big about sleepaway adventures at Camp Lanowa next summer.

Speaking of Camp Lanowa … both campers and staff have been keeping busy! They’ve been rotating through a variety of breakout sessions, including nature exploration, outdoor adventure, swimming, and arts and crafts.

Over at the lake, 26 campers have passed their deep-water test this season—an impressive milestone, according to Waterfront Director Macy. One camper, Meadow, came out of the water glowing with pride:

“The swimming today was exciting. What happened was, I passed my deep-water test! At first, I was nervous about it and pretty scared. I had to believe in myself to be able to pass my test … I like this session because they taught me how to swim!”

Each night, campers enjoy a themed evening program—from International Night to Christmas in July. On the second night, everyone gathered for a cookout, where staff grilled hamburgers and hot dogs over the fire. Campers capped off the night by roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the session holds!

Session 2 at Camp Lanowa came to a close earlier this week, and campers headed home with new friendships, lasting memories, and plenty of stories to share. Here is a recap:

Campers spent much of their time soaking up the sun and cooling off in the lake—practicing their swimming skills, building confidence in the water, and enjoying free swim with friends.

Thanks to the firepits built by the Rockland Conservation Corps earlier this summer, campers got to gather around the fire, roast s’mores, and wind down with classic campfire stories.

Every night at Camp Lanowa brings something new during evening programming, but one crowd favorite is always the annual “Halloween” celebration. Campers and staff went all out with costumes, trick-or-treated for candy, and dared to enter the staff-led haunted house.

The fun isn’t over just yet—Session 3 is just around the corner, and we are ready to welcome our final group of campers for one last summer adventure!

The first session of Camp Lanowa wrapped up last week, and we are filled with gratitude for the volunteers and donors who made sure campers arrived geared up and ready to make the most of summer. Their support helped create a welcoming and thoughtfully prepared space for kids to swim, hike, boat, garden, and more.

In June, the Rockland Conservation Corps spent time installing six brand-new fire pits and dozens of benches with the guidance of Hudson Valley artist and conservationist Timothy Englert. The handcrafted gathering areas have already become a hub for classic camp activities like roasting marshmallows.

Also in June, volunteers from Risk Strategies helped bring a new garden to life—planting herbs and vegetables that campers will be able to watch grow and enjoy into the summer.

Thanks to Citi Bank, campers were greeted with welcome bags full of beach towels, toiletries, water bottles, goggles, and journals. Alston & Bird NYC packed bags with essentials like insect-repellent bracelets, playing cards, and flashlights, while Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP contributed even more: games, toys, crafts, and colorful duffle bags stocked with blankets, shower items, and more.

The Good+ Foundation made sure every camper had essentials like swim trunks, sun hats, socks, and even a few comforting stuffed animals. At a June concert, Collective Scream and Wrong Choice Records rallied the local music scene to collect additional camp gear through a community donation drive.

Because of this incredible support, our campers arrived prepared, excited, and cared for—and the next two sessions will be just as ready!

The first session of HFH Summer Camps wrapped up earlier this week with an energetic celebration at the traditional end-of-session carnival. Campers from Camp Lanowa and families from Camp Wakonda day camp gathered for a day packed with games, music, and classic summertime treats.

With the sun blazing, the water slide quickly became a favorite, offering a refreshing way to beat the heat. Cold treats like shaved ice and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—with a full lineup of DIY toppings—helped campers stay cool between activities.

There was something for everyone—from the high-energy bounce house and games like giant Jenga to crowd favorites like the ring toss, basketball hoop shoot, and fishing game. Kids lined up for face paint, temporary tattoos, and arts and crafts stations, creating colorful sand jars and beaded jewelry to take back with them as mementos.

A live DJ kept the energy high throughout the afternoon, spinning the kids’ favorite hits that had everyone on their feet. Some campers even stepped behind the booth to try their hand at spinning discs themselves.

Lunch was served BBQ-style, with grilled burgers and hot dogs followed by sweet treats including cotton candy and popcorn.

Adding an educational twist, representatives from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation set up an interactive table featuring animal pelts and bones, sparking curiosity about the wildlife and ecosystems of Harriman State Park, where HFH Summer Camps is located.

Camp Lanowa and Camp Wakonda are officially open, kicking off another exciting season of HFH Summer Camps! From gymnastics and sports to swimming and arts & crafts, campers are diving into a week full of adventure, creativity, and connection.

Sleepaway campers arrived at Camp Lanowa earlier this week and are already settling into the rhythm of camp life. At the waterfront, kids jumped into swim lessons and free swim, learning new skills and cooling off with games, floating, and splashing under the guidance of the waterfront staff.

Meanwhile, the arts & crafts cabin has been buzzing with creativity. Campers are mastering rubber band jewelry—some making bracelets for loved ones, others experimenting with rings and chatting with new friends as they worked.

At Camp Wakonda, families from Clinton arrived today and jumped straight into the fun. After enjoying swim time and a hearty meal, campers joined staff for a colorful session of sand art.

We’re thrilled to see campers enjoying every moment—and can’t wait to welcome even more throughout the summer!

This gallery features photos taken by campers during the 2024 HFH Summer Camps season. Inspired by volunteer Daniel Friedland—who’s continuing the family tradition of his older siblings volunteering at camp—this project gave campers a chance to capture camp through their own lens. Enjoy!

Camp has always been a safe space for me to learn more about myself, grow into my independence, and foster new relationships. The camp I attend does not allow phones, so our only method of recording our memories and keeping them alive when the summer is over is through writing and a camera lens. This makes it possible throughout the year to relive my experiences, my emotions, and the connections I made through the pictures my camp counselors send after our summer. They memorialize the time.

HFH Summer Camps provides a summer camp adventure for children experiencing homelessness, and I wanted to help offer a method for recording their memories and keeping them alive after the summer months have gone. During the summer of 2024, I supplied cameras, each with 27 exposures, to the campers at Camp Wakonda. Each camper was also given a notebook to write about their photos to help commemorate these moments and hopefully keep them alive throughout the year! In addition to this digital gallery, which showcases the memories captured by the campers, each child received a memory book that includes their photos alongside additional ones taken by staff, offering a view of the camp season through the campers’ own lens.

I’m so honored to have been a part of this photo experience for the campers at HFH Summer Camps. I hope that these memory books will be the start of many time capsules they can look back on as they continue to move through life and create more memories!

Daniel Friedland, age 16
HFH Summer Camps Volunteer

The last session at Camp Wakonda brought together the best of camp life, from cherished traditions to new experiences. From the moment the campers arrived, they dove headfirst into a week full of classic camp activities, evening programs, and new outdoor adventures. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the memorable moments from the final week of the season.

Campers kicked off with a timeless camp tradition: s’mores! On their first night at camp, the kids gathered around a crackling fire to roast marshmallows to gooey perfection and bond with their cabin mates and unit members—who they would be sharing the next week of outdoor adventures with.

Campers had boatloads of fun on the lake during their daily rotation at the waterfront. The young captains honed their paddle skills in canoes and rowboats as they worked together to confidently navigate the water.

During Pioneering, it was all about trust and teamwork! Campers paired up for a thrilling challenge where one was blindfolded and had to rely on their partner to navigate a tricky rope obstacle course. This exercise wasn’t just a test of outdoor skills—it also fostered communication and camper bonding.

Who says Halloween is just for October? At Camp Wakonda, the spookiness came early! Campers donned their best costumes—superheroes, witches, you name it—and took part in a night of spooky games, trick-or-treating, and haunted house excitement.

Campers got a taste of the world’s cultures, thanks to the amazing counselors who brought their heritage to life at the long-awaited International Night. With Camp Wakonda “passports” in hand, they traveled from Colombia to Poland and beyond, sampling delicious foods like arepas and pierogies and learning about the diverse cultures of their counselors.

Water night made a big splash—the sports field became a giant slip ‘n slide and the lake pools transformed into a playground of water games and floaties. It was the perfect way for the campers to cool off and let loose after a hot day.

As tradition goes, the session wrapped up with camp carnival hosted by Stifel. The afternoon buzzed with classic carnival games, colorful face paint, and costumes, while campers snapped Polaroid keepsakes to remember the day. Highlights included the dunk tank, where counselors took the plunge, and a lively DJ set—one camper even got a turn behind the decks! Campers cooled off on inflatable water slides and indulged in tasty treats like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and buttery popcorn. To top it all off, one lucky camper celebrated a birthday, making the day even more special. It was the perfect grand finale to an unforgettable summer.

Our latest session at Camp Wakonda was packed with excitement and creativity. From action-packed sports and captivating nature explorations to lively evening activities, the campers experienced it all. Take a dive into the highlights!

Action was the name of the game at the sports station! Campers embraced the spirit of friendly competition with hula hooping, basketball, and riveting relay games. The potato sack race was a major hit, with campers hopping to victory and cheering each other on.

Creativity was in full swing at the art and music stations. Campers crafted colorful paper lanterns, built their very own birdhouses, and experimented with various musical instruments.

This year, we introduced pioneering, where campers learned essential outdoor skills. On this day, they mastered the art of setting up a tent, preparing them for future wilderness adventures. The campers showed teamwork and enthusiasm as they pitched tents and learned the ropes of outdoor living.

At the nature station, the kids delved into the wonders of the natural world around Camp Wakonda. They learned to identify safe plants and steer clear of poison ivy, becoming little nature experts. A highlight was the nature hike to Twin Lakes Regional Nature Museum, where they interacted with wildlife and deepened their appreciation for the environment.

Lake swimming is always a favorite! Some campers brushed up on their swimming techniques while others tread water for the first time with the help of our dedicated waterfront staff. During free swim, the lake transformed into a bustling playground, filled with spirited water games and moments of relaxation on floaties.

Evenings at camp were just as exciting, with after-dinner programming keeping the fun going. One memorable night featured a color run, where campers raced across the lawn showering each other with bright powdered paint.

The grand finale of the session was the much-anticipated carnival! Campers reveled in an afternoon of traditional carnival games like ring toss, dunking their counselors in the dunk tank, and gliding down inflatable water slides. They celebrated with new and old friends as they won plush prizes, got adorned with fun face paint designs, danced to the tunes of a live DJ, and savored delicious carnival treats, including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and fluffy cotton candy.

The latest campers were all smiles as they arrived at Camp Wakonda yesterday and jumped straight into outdoor fun—playing basketball, tossing the frisbee, and connecting with new and old pals.

Thanks to generous donations, the kids found welcome goodies waiting on their cabin bunk beds. They received stuffed animals from Good+ Foundation and bags with camp essentials like flashlights, beach towels, and additional stuffed animals from Alston & Bird. Kudos to the camp staff for the creative use of colorful chalk for the campers to add their names or drawings to the walls to personalize their spaces (that can easily be washed off for the new campers next session!)

After a hearty breakfast and lively camp songs, campers kicked off their first full day of camp with “community service” a daily activity that teaches campers the importance of being an active part of their community. A group of campers (shown here) watered their garden while others made sure their bunks were tidy before diving into their scheduled activities.

Photo credit to Camp Culture Manager Shawn Thorns.