Waterfront

The Motocross is a huge hit with our older campers (age 11+). Whether it is on our trails through the woods, or on the circuit track, campers have the opportunity to race against each other. Helmets and long pants are required of all riders. Formal safety and bike maintenance lessons are built into the morning instruction periods.

The Kart track at the top of the road is the place to test your driving skills. All campers have the opportunity to try and beat the camp speed record around the track. In addition, basic engine care and maintenance are taught in morning instruction sessions.

Shred the wake! There is no better feeling than riding the wake off the back of our boats on a beautiful Summer’s day on Bantam Lake. Without fail, one of camp’s most popular activities, we won’t lie to you, you’re probably going to have some epic falls when you first take the rope – but that’s just part of the journey to perfection.🏄🏼‍♂️ 🤙🏼

Take it to the next level? We offer an intensive Waterski/Wakeboard Camp –  check out the details by clicking below.

Waterskiing on beautiful Bantam Lake is 5 to 6 days a week. Your camper will receive instruction in all skill levels of our program depending on their current ability. We look after all levels, whether they are a beginner, or if they are trying out something a little more advanced… trick skiing, slalom and even barefoot! We are stoked to shred Bantam Lake with you. And don’t worry if you have never tried before, we’ve got a training boom and we’ll have you on your feet in no time.

Our newest activity at Awosting is quickly becoming one of our most popular! Campers learn to work with their team to reach a goal, as they duck in and out of barriers.

Any Hunger Games fans out there? Be sure to swing by the Archery range to become an Elite Bowman. Whether you want to improve your accuracy or you’re just looking for some fun, our archery range is the best place for boys to become sharpshooters. Morning instruction teaches campers the skills they need and the safety required to be a top-notch archer. Practicing daily pays off when the boys compete against the girls of Camp Chinqueka in one of the summer Archery exchanges.

In the afternoons, we also open up our 1,000 ft. Zip Line for campers to enjoy. Campers zip from platform to platform – one of the best new activities added in recent years! (Psst… Parents, if you sign up for 4+ weeks and come for a Visiting Day, you too can give it a try. You won’t be disappointed – it brings out the kid in all of us!) And if you’re concerned about safety, don’t be. All of our Tower and Zip Line staff are certified in Climbing Tower Safety and the 1,000 foot zip line is staffed with at least 4 counselors while in operation.

The waterfront is so much more than boats or swimming. Your camper can try out his skills on our Water Trampoline, he can run across the slippery log, swing from the rope swing or get ‘Blobbed’! We won’t ruin the surprise there. We also have the AquaMat for those adventurous warrior who try to  be the last man standing. There is also opportunities to head out on our banana boat or tube off the back of one of our speed boats for that ultimate adrenaline rush!

For the more advanced wakeboarders and water-skiers take your skills to a new level with Wakesurfing! Ride the wake of our new Moomba Helix, and surf like a champion, just like Kelly Slater! 🏄🏼‍♂️ 🤙🏼

Take it to the next level? We offer an intensive Waterski/Wakeboard Camp –  check out the details by clicking below.

Trying to become the next Messi or Ronaldo? Boys will focus on the basics of shooting, dribbling and strategies used in soccer.  Skill development is the focus of the morning instructional periods but boys get to try out their new soccer skills during afternoon electives or open activities in the evening. You will often find a game of mud-soccer going on if we ever have liquid sunshine at camp.

Gain exposure to Lax while at camp practicing throwing, catching and cradling.  We do not allow checking here at Awosting and just expose the boys to the fundamentals of the game.

The diamond is always in action.  Instruction focuses on hitting, catching, throwing and fielding.  Sometimes you will even catch a good old-fashion game of kick ball on this field.

Dribbling, shooting, passing our courts are always alive with instruction and regular pick-up games during free time.

Bump. Set. Spike! Campers learn about game rules and develop new skills on our sand volleyball court. A fun game for boys of any age.

Adrenaline junkie!? Look no further… Suspended 30ft in the tops of the trees. YOU have to pull the cord to swing down… have you got what it takes?

Gaga literally translates from Hebrew to ‘touch-touch’. It’s a game widely known across the camping world. You have dodge, run, jump and throw – can you be the last man standing in the arena!?

Flip and fly through the air on our awesome 30 foot bungee trampoline. Campers of all ages are welcome to jump till they drop. We open this activity up for afternoon electives and special events, like Socials with Chinqueka.

We head over to Camp Chinqueka to use their incredible High Ropes course. Campers try their hand at 6 challenging elements in the treetops of the Shepaug Valley.

During our morning activity periods many of our campers will experience team building activities and challenge courses in our low ropes program. Campers will learn the importance of teamwork to overcome each part of the challenge course.

The campers from Awosting get frequent chances to visit with the girls of our sister camp, Camp Chinqueka. We get together for “socials” (dances) once a week. D.J.’s are brought in throughout the summer, and on occasion, campers get to assist counselors in choosing the music for the evening. The boys and girls also have friendly competitions in various activities on an elective basis.

Ready to be the next Ryan Seacrest of the Awosting Radio show?  We broadcast live to the world throughout the week be sure to tune it live to your son’s show. You can even make some requests for your favorite songs!

Being a proficient swimmer is an important life skill. Our American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors (WSI) will help guide your camper in becoming a more accomplished and confident swimmer. Campers receive swim instruction from American Red Cross certified instructors/lifeguards and can enjoy free swim all afternoon, if they choose. This philosophy is at the heart of all of our instruction programs, from beginner to Lifeguard Training. Instructional swim periods are scheduled for your camper every other day.

Could you survive in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back? Learn how to track animals, build a shelter, and make a fire. You won’t believe how many ways you can catch a fish or start a fire using nothing but what you find in the woods. If you like the Discovery Channel, this activity is for you!

Trek through the wooded trails behind the cabin areas if you are a beginner – or make your own course in the more advanced biking sessions. Cannondale and Trek bikes are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own cycle (storage will be provided). Come bike the forests of the Litchfield hills!

Are you headed to the NFL? Come test your skills against your fellow Awosting campers. At Awosting, we play mostly touch football with an emphasis on passing and running plays.

There is nothing better than a relaxing summer afternoon sailing on Bantam Lake. Our boats include Aqua Fins, 21ft Daysailer, and Catamarans. Additionally, regattas with our girls camp, Camp Chinqueka, are often scheduled throughout the summer.

Awosting’s Canoe and Rowboat fleet is nearly 2 dozen strong. Campers receive instruction in certified programs and may receive their Basic Rowing or Fundamentals of Canoeing certification if they pass their test at the end of the course. Campers also use the many boating facilities for afternoon journeys on the lake or fishing expeditions. Day and overnight canoe trips are also offered throughout the summer.

With our Stand-Up-Paddleboards, campers can spend their elective periods in the afternoon at the waterfront. Paddle around, hang out, and enjoy the peace. Why not try some paddleboard Yoga while you’re at it!

Explore all our lake has to offer. Head out with a buddy Kayaking or why not test out your rowing skills. Some boys even head out to catch fish. Maybe you can beat the Awosting record?

Move over Federer, future U.S. Open champions can be seen daily on Awosting’s tennis courts. Campers receive instruction and can participate in tennis tournaments, camp-wide tennis ladders, and coed matches with the girls from Camp Chinqueka. Additionally, campers may sign up in the afternoon elective periods to practice their skills and receive additional instruction.

Easily one of the most popular activities at Awosting, the Climbing Wall and Zip Line are for the campers that like challenges. In order to take a ride on the tower zip line, campers must first scale one of the sides of the climbing wall – always supervised by several trained staff members. Additionally, campers can opt to rappel. We also have an indoor Climbing Wall for an additional challenge. As with all the activities at Awosting, safety is always the first concern – but having FUN is a close second!

Campers learn to design and build projects from scratch or they may use examples from summers past to bring home as a souvenir from camp. Counselors work with campers to teach and operate power equipment such as the jigsaw, sanding belts or a drill press. Whether it is a “specially designed” ping-pong paddle or a coat rack for dad’s upcoming birthday, woodworking at camp makes each project fun and rewarding.

Possibly the most exciting parts of our day happens after dinner… evening activities! We give it our all during friendly competitions like Capture the Flag, Gold Rush or Zombie Apocalypse. We use all of our creativity during Talent Shows or Cabin Lip Sync Contests. We come together as a community during our weekly campfires, full of games, songs and occasionally a hilarious theme. And we love the surprising, new activities that we get to try out each summer – some that will become new traditions for the next generation of Awosting boys!

This exclusive area of camp is designed and dedicated to our most seniors campers in camp. We have hammocks in the tree, music, fairy lights and a campfire. Just a place for seniors to hang out in their free time. There is also a clubhouse for cards games or even the occasional movie.

Each session we take our seniors campers (14+) to hang out with our sister camp in a ‘mini-social’ type setting. We have music, snacks, fussball, pool and table tennis.

Each summer, the campers gather with the Camp Chinqueka girls to celebrate Independence Day with an old-fashioned Bar-Be-Cue. We eat, play baseball/softball, and when the sun sets- we turn on the music and party!

The fiercest competition of the summer is Watersports Day, without a doubt. Awosting vs. Chinqueka!!! Whether it is in the long distance swim, rock hunts, blobbing competitions or the traditional War Canoe race, campers have a day filled with fun, friends and great sportsmanship. All participants are treated to a delicious buffet dinner and a Social between the two camps.

Each year, the senior campers from both Awosting and Chinqueka, our sister camp, take a 4-day overnight camping trip to Cape Cod, MA or Lake George, NY. At Cape Cod, campers go whale watching, enjoy the ocean with a day at the beach with their camp friends, and learn a little about Cape Cod and its history. At Lake George, campers set up camp in the mountains, get extreme with whitewater rafting, and enjoy some of the many local attractions for summer fun.

Any campers that stay for multiple sessions (4 weeks, 6 weeks, or 8 weeks) ride roller-coasters and have a blast in the water-park at Lake Compounce!

Can you play the guitar, keyboard or drum – head down the ‘Jam Shack’ 🎸🎼and pump out some sweet tunes! Want to learn – we have that covered too!

En garde! Fencing instruction and tournaments are held in foil, épée and sabre. Even campers without any prior knowledge of fencing can become quite skilled in the sport with just a few lessons. Many of our campers have since joined a fencing club since returning home and one camper went on to compete in the Junior Olympics.

As one of our special events our three teams throughout the summer battle against each other for points – don’t worry it’s not all swimming, we have highest ‘blobber’ and boat races too!⛵️

Perfect your short game, hit a bucket at the driving range, and challenge a counselor at the Fairview Farms golf course. Campers are taught basic skills in the morning instruction period and given the opportunity to show off their skills in the afternoons. On trips to Fairview Farms, campers also get a lesson with the course pro.

The gymnastics program offers campers an opportunity to fine-tune their skills on the parallel bars, mat, mini-tramp, rings and the pommel horse. This is an excellent activity for campers to improve balance and motor skills while building muscle.

Whether it be karate, taekwondo, or brazilian jiu jitsu, instruction is offered for those campers with interest. Light contact sparring competitions are also held between those campers with the proper training.

Throughout the summer we encourage healthy competition, our three teams will compete for points in our track and field events.

Think skateboarding is cool? Then you’ll love Mountainboarding. Combine the skills and agility of skateboarding with the terrain and toughness of Mountainbiking and you’ve got one extreme, fun activity.

Want to literally sleep under the star? Weekly overnight trips take the campers out into the wilderness of the Litchfield Hills. Campers set up camp at local private camping sites, normally near a river or lake, and get back in touch with nature. Enjoy an evening sleeping under the stars, roasting marshmallows over a fire and telling stories. To find out about additional co-ed extended camping trips offered to the senior campers of Awosting and Chinqueka, please see our Special Events.

Each week, we have a campfire to bring the campers and staff together for an evening of singing, games, storytelling, and recognition of achievement. With each campfire, campers leave with a lasting memory of a couple hours spent having some traditional camp fun with friends from their cabin and their cabin counselors.

From roasting marshmallows to create the perfect s’more, to creating an earth oven pizza! We’re going to show the boys to cook in the elements of the outdoors and craft some dishes even Chef Ramsay would be proud of!

Open Auditions!! Actors are wanted for this summer’s performances. Campers aid in all aspects of the performance – from lighting and costume design, to scenery and direction. Whether it is a one man play, or a musical with our sister camp – Camp Chinqueka – every production is sure to please even the toughest critics.

Bantam Lake has been known to produce some of the finest fish in Northwestern Connecticut. Campers may use the waterfront docks and boats to fish from during afternoon electives and evening activities, when offered. Additionally, the waterfront often opens up on rainy days to test the theory that the fish really do bite better in the rain. Don’t forget your rain jacket!

Fire up the kiln and get your hands dirty! You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to the Ceramics Shack. We have kick and mechanical wheels, a state-of-the-art kiln, and enough clay and glazes for almost any project. You can even work with the Video program to produce the next great claymation feature.

Learn the latest way to Tie-Dye your socks (bring an extra pair, just in case!) Or, make a lanyard key-chain for a good friend at home. The Arts & Crafts program develops the creative side of our campers. Campers are encouraged to experiment with different type of crafts not taught in a traditional school art program. The results are seen around camp including the backdrop and some of the props in the camp drama productions.