Rookie Sessions

A chance to dip their toes in — without diving into the deep end.

Sending a young child to overnight camp for the first time is a big decision — and we know it can feel like a leap of faith. Rookie sessions exist because we believe every child deserves the chance to experience camp on their own terms, at their own pace. Designed exclusively for first-time campers ages 7–10, each rookie session runs for ten days — long enough to settle in, make real friends, and have a genuine camp experience, but short enough that it never feels overwhelming for a first-timer or their family.

Rookie campers do everything regular campers do. They eat together, play together, and live in cabin groups just like the rest of camp. The only difference is that their session is shorter — and if they decide they never want to leave, we make it easy to stay. Rookies who are having the time of their life can extend right into the remainder of the regular session, with just a phone call home to seal the deal.

Rookie Session Dates

Rookie Session 1: Wednesday, June 23 - Friday, July 2
Rookie Session 2: Monday, July 12 - Wednesday, July 21
Rookie Session 3: Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 8

*all sessions are 10 days and for first time campers, ages 7-10. 

Full dates and rates are available here.

Enroll Now

A gentle on-ramp

Ten days gives a first-time camper time to adjust, settle in, and start having fun without the pressure of a full multi-week commitment hanging over them. About a week in, we check in with each rookie camper and ask if they'd like to stay for the rest of the session. There's no right answer, we're just as happy to send them home proud of what they did as we are to watch them decide they never want to leave.

Their own cabin community

Rookie campers live together in cozy 8-camper cabins — Cubby for girls, Tolcheff for boys — so they're surrounded by peers who are all navigating the first-camp experience together. Both cabins have their own single-stall bathroom with a shower and sink right inside. No stumbling out into the dark to find the shower house, just the quiet reassurance that everything they need is steps away.

The full camp experience

Rookie campers aren't a separate program, they're part of camp. They join all the same activities, evening programs, and daily rhythms as every other camper. Each rookie is also paired with a dedicated upper-camp "big brother" or "big sister" — an older camper who checks in with them and is always a friendly face to look for across camp.

Practical overnight comfort

We encourage families to pack whatever small comforts from home help their child feel settled. A nightlight, a sound machine, a favorite stuffed animal, if it helps them sleep, bring it. There's no such thing as too much cozy at Windridge.

Loving it? They can extend their stay.

Rookie campers who are having a great time are invited to stay for the remainder of the regular session, and in our experience, most of them want to. Here's how it works:

1. About a week into camp, we check in with each rookie camper individually to see how they're feeling.
2. If they want to stay, we let them call home to ask, making it their decision, their conversation, and their win.
3. If the family's schedule allows, the camper simply transitions into the remainder of the regular session seamlessly. We'll reach out ahead of time so you're never caught off guard by the call.