We are located near Lake Tahoe on the shore of beautiful Ice House Lake in the Eldorado National Forest. Mountain Camp's minimal technology, non-competitive program is designed to make sure each child succeeds. We work to create a fun and safe environment that encourages independence while nurturing lasting friendships.
At a time when children are increasingly surrounded by computers, televisions, and video games our goal is to get campers outside, actively creating, playing and learning lifelong outdoor skills. Camp is outstanding at teaching the values of self-reliance and resourcefulness.
At a time when children are increasingly surrounded by computers, televisions, and video games our goal is to get campers outside, actively creating, playing and learning lifelong outdoor skills. Camp is outstanding at teaching the values of self-reliance and resourcefulness.
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Legendary Stanford University Athletic Director Chuck Taylor founded Mountain Camp in 1966. For twenty years the camp operated in the Santa Cruz Mountains before relocating to its current site on Ice House Lake in the Eldorado National Forest in 1986.
Over the years, what was once a small, modest, extremely rustic program has grown into one of the finest private resident camps in the western United States serving more than 1800 campers each summer.
Over the years, what was once a small, modest, extremely rustic program has grown into one of the finest private resident camps in the western United States serving more than 1800 campers each summer.
The Daily camp schedule is filled with fun and exciting activities. Each camper has the opportunity to choose the activities that interest them the most and will be able to participate in the wide variety of programs we offer. Because age groups vary by session, we divide our camper groups into three groups based on incoming grade level.
The Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) program is available for campers entering 10-12th grade who are attending our two-week sessions (Sessions 3, 4 or 5). The program emphasizes leadership skills, creativity, team building, self-compassion, and most importantly fun!
By acting as role models for younger campers and assisting in leading different aspects of the camp program, it is our goal that the C.I.T.'s walk away having learned new leadership skills and have formed lasting memories with our youngest campers.The daily schedule of a C.I.T. is very similar to that of an Alpiner camper.
By acting as role models for younger campers and assisting in leading different aspects of the camp program, it is our goal that the C.I.T.'s walk away having learned new leadership skills and have formed lasting memories with our youngest campers.The daily schedule of a C.I.T. is very similar to that of an Alpiner camper.
Sailing is one of the most popular waterfront activities. Trained instructors teach campers how to sail or even just take them out for a sail (if campers don't wish to learn how themselves). Campers learn quickly and start going out on their own on one of our lasers (small 3 person boat) or take a Hobie-cat out with a few friends (big 5-7 person boat).
Reviews (20)
Jen S.
Jul 29, 2021
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Sylvia P.
Sep 11, 2020
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My son adores this camp. On a gorgeous lake in the Sierra's, water sports (kayaking, fishing, sailing, etc.) are plentiful. The camp is very well run, and we've been pleased with the counselors and organizational processes. We couldn't have hoped for a better first sleep-away experience. My son was heartbroken to miss it this year due to the Covid closure.
Ina M.
Jul 31, 2019
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My son has been attending Mountain camp for 2 years now, and he had an amazing experience both times. He loves all the activities offered in MC, the food is mouthwatering, the care they receive is terrific! All his counselors his year were foreigners and this was not an obstacle for all the kids to enjoy themselves! MC ROCKS!!
Ina Muratas
Jan 16, 2019
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My kiddo attended Mountain Camp for 2 weeks this summer, and it was his first time sleeping away from home. MC staff are very attentive, responsible and strong leaders! They went all out, even calling me at 9.30pm to let me know how the transition was going the first day that he arrived there! Natalie Medcalf, the program director, is wonderful and very helpful! Adam, Jeff, and Meyes, his counselors, made everything run so smooth! Thank you Mountain Camp! Thanks to you my kiddo is more confident, made new friendships, and is looking forward to return next summer!
Oscar Barris
Jan 05, 2019
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Heather D.
Jul 07, 2017
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Lori D.
Jun 28, 2017
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My son attended 2 years ago. He requires daily prescription medication. We followed the instructions for providing the medication to the camp exactly. We were horrified to find out when he returned that he had not been given his medication for the entire week. The failure to provide him with his medication hindered his ability to fully participate in or enjoy camp activities, and on the whole, his experience was a negative one. I write this review as a warning to other parents whose children require daily medication. I don't know if our experience was an outlier or if this has happened
Alex S.
Jan 28, 2017
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I attended this camp as a child when it was in the Santa Cruz mountains. I wanted my kids to have a similar experience. Their location in the El Dorado National Forrest iThey are situated on a beautiful lake setting in the middle of a Forrest.
This is the highlight of my kids' summer. They have endless choices of activities during the day. There are multiple lake activities, a very impressive ropes course, fort building, music (my son picked up guitar last year). Each day the kids can build their ideal itinerary.
The counselors are very well trained and come from all over the world.
This is the highlight of my kids' summer. They have endless choices of activities during the day. There are multiple lake activities, a very impressive ropes course, fort building, music (my son picked up guitar last year). Each day the kids can build their ideal itinerary.
The counselors are very well trained and come from all over the world.
K. E.
Jan 13, 2017
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It's hard to describe how much our family loves Mountain Camp. My oldest son is 14 and my youngest is 12 - they've both been going to MC every summer since they were 8 years old.
As a mom, here are some of the things I most appreciate about Mountain Camp:
- Kids get to choose their own adventure. Campers spend their day rotating around the four areas of camp with their age group. At each area, they get to choose which activity they'd like to do. (And there are TONS of activities to choose from!) Counselors do a great job of encouraging them to try new things, but in the end,
As a mom, here are some of the things I most appreciate about Mountain Camp:
- Kids get to choose their own adventure. Campers spend their day rotating around the four areas of camp with their age group. At each area, they get to choose which activity they'd like to do. (And there are TONS of activities to choose from!) Counselors do a great job of encouraging them to try new things, but in the end,
Cynthia B.
Dec 07, 2016
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My daughter has attended three different summer camps over the last five years, and while she loved the other camps, this one was terrible. We're not extremely picky about the facilities (which were okay, not great), the activities (again, not great - a comparatively small selection of activities, cheap equipment, disorganized) or the food, but the killer was that most of the counselors seemed disinterested at best. My daughter said her counselor didn't try to hide her dislike of the children, and told them that she hated the job, she just took it for the chance to spend the summer
B. G.
Jul 26, 2015
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I can't say this was a great experience for my son...not even an OK one. He is an outstanding kid, great athletic ability, good leadership skills, etc. I know this from previous school and team experiences. He has been to other camps and is ecstatically happy when he comes home...even getting camper of the week from another camp at Tahoe. He struggled through the week and was very happy to get home. He felt the counselors were just OK, the food mediocre, and nothing for snacks...you just had to wait for the meals. There was never a follow up letter from the camp about the week, how my son
David K.
Jan 01, 2015
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Our 3 kids love it. Our oldest will be back for his 4th year this summer. We've always had only friendly and energetic counselors and no problems with our kids. They come back tired, dirty, sun tanned and full of great stories, songs and memories. Life as a kid should be full of rich experiences. This place definitely serves it up.
Amy B.
Jul 02, 2013
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This is the most amazing camp EVER!!! Our kids love all the activities (waterskiing, sailing, paddle boarding, ropes course, mt. biking, arts and crafts and SO much more!). The camp is at Icehouse Lake in Pollock Pines. The water temperature is ideal and the sunsets provide the perfect backdrop for the evening program. We go for a weekend every year as a family and the kids go on their own for a week as well (begging for us to send them for multiple weeks). Everyone who works at Mt. Camp is top notch and many return year after year. I trust them completely. They do everything they possibly can
Cec C.
Jun 18, 2013
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Truth be told, I haven't attended Mountain Camp since around 20 years ago. But I have such fond memories of it, I have already insisted to my husband that our (future) child go there.
I'm sure things have changed a bit, but my favorite things were learning archery, singing camp songs (by Jimi Hendrix, the Lemonheads, and the Who, for example), getting a pair of Chuck Taylors, and painting a mural in the nurse's station (I wonder if it's still there!)
Such great memories.
I'm sure things have changed a bit, but my favorite things were learning archery, singing camp songs (by Jimi Hendrix, the Lemonheads, and the Who, for example), getting a pair of Chuck Taylors, and painting a mural in the nurse's station (I wonder if it's still there!)
Such great memories.
Laura Z.
Mar 26, 2012
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I have been part of the Mountain Camp family since I first attended when I was 12 years old. I spent three years as a camper, two as a CIT, and eight as a counselor. Needless to say, I love Mountain Camp.
The location is perfect. It's isolated and rustic, but still comfortable, and it's on the most beautiful lake in the world. Amazing sunsets, sailing, windsurfing, swimming on the dock, stand-up paddleboarding, and (more recently) waterskiing and wakeboarding, set in an ideal mountain setting.
As a camper, my favorite thing about camp was the staff and the friendships I made. Many
The location is perfect. It's isolated and rustic, but still comfortable, and it's on the most beautiful lake in the world. Amazing sunsets, sailing, windsurfing, swimming on the dock, stand-up paddleboarding, and (more recently) waterskiing and wakeboarding, set in an ideal mountain setting.
As a camper, my favorite thing about camp was the staff and the friendships I made. Many
Julie W.
Jun 05, 2011
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My kids have attended Mountain camp for the last 7 years, my son 5 years as a camper and 1 year as a CIT. My daughter is returning for her 3rd year and can't wait for all the fun activities. Favorites are sailing, tubing, water carnival, water trampoline, volleyball, mountain biking, mountain scooters, kayaking/canoeing, science, overnight camping trips, newspaper, guitar, dodgeball, archery, dance, and arts & crafts. The camp offers so many more activities and my kids have had the opportunity to try all of the over 40 activities offered by Mountain Camp.
They love the counselors
They love the counselors
Peter R.
Apr 18, 2011
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My 12 year old son couldn't wait to sign up again this year for a two-week session. He chose to go last year without any school friends opting to make new "camp" friends and the experience was life changing. His cabin mates and counselors made for a wonderful experience. The camp's focus on outdoor activities and celebration of each individual camper is a welcome counter-point to the competitive sports camps he is involved in otherwise.
Lynn N.
Apr 16, 2011
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Both of my kids went to camp from age 9 to their teens. They truly loved the experience and they really build self esteem in middle school aged kids, who can be overwhelmed by the school and peer pressure experience. Our son ended up being a counselor and loved working at the camp through the summer during his college years too. I can't say enough about the quality of a summer experience at this camp and how great they are. Plus they both loved the food and didn't miss being us!
Christina X.
Oct 05, 2010
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This seemed like the perfect first sleep-away camp. They have a dvd that they'll send you and if you still have questions, there are numerous parents in your area who will be happy to host evening meetings to answer questions. The camp itself is in a beautiful, isolated, mountain setting, within easy walking distance to a lake that has little other traffic. There are countless activities available and great food and the kids are so busy, they have little time to miss electronic devices.
My biggest problem is that the counselors allowed the entire cabin to continually bully my child the
My biggest problem is that the counselors allowed the entire cabin to continually bully my child the
Normandie R.
Mar 17, 2010
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Mountain Camp rocks! My sons have been attending Mt. Camp for the last four years and are returning again this summer. I LOVE the fact they don't allow gameboys, iPhones and other technologies - it's good for the boys to unplug, roll in the mud, climb trees like monkey's and experience new found independence. The first summer they attended I personally checked it out myself, upon my arrival I was handed a cool glass of lemonade and greeted with a warm smile. I like the self serve first aid station equipped w/ sunscreen and band-aids. I love the spirit where kids can be kids
