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.

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 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.

The third and final session of the HFH Summer Camps 2023 season culminated in a grand finale with the campgrounds transforming into an old-fashioned carnival. Thank you to the amazing team at Stifel, who not only sponsored this wonderful event, but brought an entire team of volunteers to facilitate the fun with traditional carnival game stations, including ring toss, giant connect four, bowling, fishing, and face painting. Campers rummaged through costumes to dress up for polaroid photo mementos and lined up for a shot to win plush toys at classic carnival games—unquestionably the main attraction. Cotton Candy and popcorn wafted through the air and the kids personalized their own ice cream sundaes at the Ben & Jerry’s station. A live DJ took the buzz of the carnival to a whole new level and the festivities reached a peak when Stifel volunteers, campers, and staff came together in an impromptu dance session to the Cupid Shuffle—capping off the event on a high note.

With help from wonderful volunteers over the past couple of weeks, Camp Wakonda is ready to welcome the first session of campers! A huge thank you to our friends at Rockland Conservation Corps for re-vamping the barn—the hub for performing arts activities—and installing a new campfire pit, to Barclays Bank volunteers for planting beautiful gardens, and to Old Navy Westchester and the Bronx volunteers for their help and expertise in decorating the camper cabins.

To register your kids, ages 7-11, for camp Session 2 (July 19 – July 26) or Session 3 (August 2 – August 8) click here.