At Camp Alleghany, we believe that the magic of camp doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build independence, form meaningful friendships, and grow in confidence, courage, and character. That’s why our camp program is built around a three-week session—a thoughtfully designed length of time that allows campers to settle in, dig deep, and walk away transformed.
The Arc of the Three Weeks
The three-week structure is intentionally designed to support your child’s emotional, social, and developmental growth.
Week One is about settling in—getting familiar with the routines, the physical space, and the community. For new campers, it’s a week of exploration, discovery, and learning the ropes. For returning campers, it’s a joyful reconnection with friends, traditions, and the rhythms of camp life. It’s also when campers get comfortable in their chosen activities, whether that’s Drama, Archery, Swimming, Dance, or one of our many fun and challenging activity areas.
Week Two is when things start to click. Campers are now fully in the groove, activities are in full swing, and meaningful progress is being made. This is the “meat” of the experience—when campers begin mastering Archery techniques, memorizing lines for the Drama Show, or working toward a big goal in Canoeing. They’re confident, engaged, and deeply invested in their camp community and personal growth.
Week Three brings it all together. There’s a sense of momentum and purpose. Campers can see how far they’ve come and are motivated to finish strong. It’s when they complete their art projects for the Art Show, perform in the Dance or Drama Show, pass to the next position in Rifle, or compete in the Blue/Gray Swim Meet. The satisfaction of reaching a goal—and being recognized for it—builds lasting confidence.
We’ve seen this arc play out for decades. Camp Alleghany once ran two 4-week sessions, then moved to 3.5-week sessions, and now runs two 3-week sessions. Through these changes, our mission has remained the same: to foster growth, resilience, and meaningful connection. Our many many years of experience tells us three weeks is the right amount of time to do that well.
Intentional Programming for Real Growth
At Alleghany, campers choose four activities to focus on for the entire three weeks. This depth-over-breadth approach gives them time to truly develop skills and see tangible progress. Whether that’s moving to the next level in Canoeing, perfecting a routine for the Dance Show, or mastering a challenging element on the ropes course, our activity structure is designed to encourage goal-setting and achievement.
This extended time also supports character development: teamwork on Tent Row, problem-solving during activities, personal responsibility through daily habits like making a bed or keeping a tent clean. These small but powerful habits are formed through repetition over time—something one-week or even two-week sessions simply don’t provide.
Friendship and Connection Take Time
Research shows it takes roughly 50 hours to form a casual friendship and closer to 200 for a deep bond. Camp Alleghany’s three-week structure creates the space for real, lasting relationships to develop—screen-free and supported by shared experience. These friendships become one of the most cherished parts of a camper’s summer, and often their lives.
What About Mini Camp?
Mini Camp is a wonderful one-week introduction to Camp Alleghany. It’s designed to give first-time campers a taste of the Alleghany experience and build confidence for the full three-week session. However, it’s just that—an introduction. If you already know that a full three-week stay isn’t something you’re open to in the future, Mini Camp may not be the best fit. Our program is rooted in the long-form experience, and Mini Camp is a stepping stone toward that.
An Investment That Pays Off for Years to Come
Camp Alleghany isn’t just about one summer—it’s about many. The growth we see in our campers compounds over time. Alumnae often tell us that the lessons, friendships, and confidence they gained here shaped who they are as adults. The consistency of returning year after year—for three weeks at a time—creates a layered, lasting impact that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
Addressing the Three-Week Worry
We understand that for some parents, the idea of sending your child away for three weeks can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to wonder if they’ll be homesick, if they’ll manage without you, or if it will feel too long. But what we’ve seen time and time again is that three weeks gives campers just enough time to work through those initial nerves, gain confidence, and emerge stronger, more independent, and more sure of themselves. Our experienced staff is here to support your child every step of the way—and to keep you in the loop, too.
A Lasting Return on Your Investment
So we hope you’ll see the three-week session not just as a summer plan, but as an investment in your daughter’s long-term growth. The lessons learned at Camp Alleghany don’t fade when the summer ends—they grow, year after year, shaping your camper into a confident, resilient, and compassionate young woman. We would be honored to be a part of that journey!
