By Molly Triffin

As the snow melts off Mansfield and a mosaic of ferns, moss, and wildflowers reclaim the trails, the Green Mountains transform
into an unparalleled setting for a one-of-a-kind camp. Designed for kids ages four to 12, Spruce Peak Day Camp offers more than a fun escape; it’s a playground of possibility designed to spark discovery. From forest walks to golf lessons, silly games to service projects, every day fosters opportunities for connection, creativity, adventure, and growth.

The Power of Camp

Research backs what parents and counselors have long known: Camp matters. A longitudinal study from the University of Utah and the American Camp Association found that kids who attend high-quality camps gain independence, social skills, a love of nature, and a deeper sense of community. Perhaps most compelling, 58 percent of campers report they feel more present in the moment. Researchers suggest that camp offers a unique combination of engagement, belonging, and experiential learning that helps kids thrive.

This rings true at Spruce Peak. “Campers step away from their busy lifestyle, unplug, and connect with those around them,” says Jules Anderson, club relations and marketing manager at KE Camps, which oversees Spruce Peak Day Camp. “Adapting to a
new environment leads to insights that can open doors for them.” She points to kids who emerge from a summer at Spruce Peak with a newfound passion for the environment that carries over to their life back home.

“Being out in nature brings out a different side of kids than a classroom setting ever could,” adds head counselor Matt Annis, who also supervises the Stowe Busters ski program. “We fuel that growth and help kids build confidence in the outdoors.” He recalls one camper from the city who had limited experience in nature and arrived hesitant to touch a bug. By the end of the week she was picking up worms and playing with salamanders.

The camp schedule strikes a balance: structured enough to feel predictable, but with a degree of flexibility to allow for  spontaneous adventure. “You never know what you’ll stumble upon walking through the woods,” Annis says. One post-storm hike turned into a handson lesson on erosion. Another day, a group of campers spotted a beaver dam, which inspired them to build (and later dismantle) their own stream structures, experimenting with how to move water in different directions. For many families who winter at Spruce Peak, summer camp is a natural continuation of mountain life. “Kids have the chance to reconnect with their ski-season friends and create new memories that strengthen those bonds,” Anderson says.

They also get to see the slopes from a whole new angle. “We take gondola rides and visit the trails they ski on,” Annis says. “Last summer, we hid a pet rock up high in the Buster glades off Perry Merrill. The kids were amazed when they found it in the winter—at eye-level because of all the snow.”

A Day in th Life

Spruce Peak Day Camp is a Monday to-Friday experience filled with variety, energy, and intention. Whether families sign up for a full week or just a day here and there, each morning begins with “Hello Camp”—a team-building launchpad complete with camp-wide cheers, chants, and a daily preview to get everyone excited.

From there, the day unfolds with a blend of structured activities and camper-driven fun. “We give campers a traditional sleepaway camp feel in a convenient day camp format,”

Anderson says. Every week includes introductory golf lessons, swimming at the One Spruce Peak pool, karate (taught by the local organization Mt. Mansfield Martial Arts), arts and crafts, STEAM projects, classic games like tag and “ships and sailors,” and fun with food—such as Iron Chef challenges or cupcake decorating. Lunch is delivered from the Club at Spruce Peak.

The program is also entirely screenfree, encouraging campers to fully engage with their surroundings and peers. “We find that campers are having such a good time, they don’t miss their devices,” Anderson says. 

Theme days add an extra layer of flair. Wacky Wednesday features a rotating lineup of concepts such as Camp Carnival, Secret Spies, and Animal Planet. On Thankful Thursday, campers participate in a community service project (more on that later). Friday Funday is aimed at boosting camp spirit through celebrations like crazy hair day and silly sunglasses day. 

Where Fun Meets Character

What truly sets Spruce Peak Day Camp apart is its commitment to character building. “We’re not just trying to tire kids out,” Annis says. “We want to help shape who they’re becoming.”

That’s where the SMILE system comes in: Campers earn colorful wristbands by embodying the principles of Sportsmanship, Mindfulness, Inclusion, Leadership, and Enthusiasm. “This encourages campers to recognize the traits they have within themselves and be proud of how they contribute to the camp community,” Anderson says.

Campers strive for one band per week, choosing a trait they want to develop and working toward it with support from counselors. This approach celebrates not just individual achievement, but the kind of core values that creates a culture of kindness and camaraderie.

Another unique aspect? Mixed-age grouping. “Big kids have a chance to take on more responsibility and help care for little kids, who look up to them as role models,” Annis says.

Meanwhile, Annis has noticed that younger campers will initiate imaginary play, often inspiring their older peers to join in too. “We created a fishing village, floated tin foil boats, and crafted fairy houses out of ferns and sticks,” he says. “It’s neat to see kids of all ages working together, building off each other’s ideas.”

He also points to Thankful Thursday as playing a key role in campers’ emotional growth. Last summer, they made thank you cards for veterans leading up to the Fourth of July, assembled dog toys for the humane society, and picked up trash around the
magic carpet.

“It’s important for kids to learn to give back to their community at an early age,” Annis says. “When they feel empowered to make a difference, it sticks with them and makes them want to help more and more.” This year’s Thankful Thursday plans include drawing get well cards for hospitalized kids and running a lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer. 

The emphasis on character has struck a chord with families. “The most positive feedback we receive is about our values system,” Anderson says. “Parents report that their children have grown so much.”

At its heart, camp is about joy—and Spruce Peak Day Camp delivers joy in spades, helping young adventurers discover not only the world around them, but also the best within themselves. These memories, and the lessons they impart, will stick with them long after summer fades and the wristbands wear out.