Sleepaway and Overnight Summer Camps in California
Fun, friends and wilderness adventures await you at this overnight summer camp in California's high Sierra mountains. Located along the peaceful headwaters of the North Yuba River near many different lakes and miles and miles of hiking, biking and horse trails in the splendid Tahoe National Forest, the Camp is a springboard for boys and girls aged 8 to 17 to meet new friends from around the world, try activities that are new to them, and grow their social skills, self-confidence, independence, and appreciation of nature. Recommended by Outside Magazine and The LA Times. Discover what we hope to be the best summer camp in California. See for yourself in this video
No Wi-Fi. Better Connections
We help your boys and girls grow better connections with people, better connections with nature, and better connections with their potential by helping them take another step toward a happy, healthy adulthood through the development of critical life skills. Watch the video below to learn more.
Learn why Outside Magazine named Shaffer's High Sierra Summer Camp as one of its 5 favorite camps in the U.S, and why the Los Angeles Times recommended the camp as one of 14 adventure travel destinations (and only one of two camps)!
Summer Camp Activities
Enjoy tons of great camp activities! In addition to the sleep away summer camp classics every one loves, such as archery, arts and crafts, camp fire and evening program, performing arts, swimming (pool and lake), and volleyball, Shaffer's High Sierra Summer Camp offers exciting wilderness adventure activities including backpacking and hiking (and see our separate explorer program for a more in-depth experience), challenge ropes course, disc golf, gold panning, horseback riding, lake kayaking, mountain biking, mountain boarding, paddle boarding, rock climbing, shelter building, whitewater rafting, and more!
And if your camper can't get enough mountain biking, or loves rock climbing, or wants to add backpacking to their summer camp experience, check out our specialized program tracks in mountain biking, rock climbing, and outdoor living skills!
Plus, if your camper has attended our camp for at least one summer previously, is at least 14 years old, and is coming for a session of two weeks or longer, your camper is eligible for our leadership training program. We explore what it means to be a leader and your child will be given the opportunity to help our staff facilitate a program activity of his/her choosing and to mentor a younger bunk group!
But with a limited enrollment of only 90 campers, sessions fill rapidly. So make your reservation today!
Stanford University Graduate School of Education Research Uncovers Key Life Benefits Provided by Summer Camp
Shaffer's High Sierra Camp along with 5 other summer camps participated in a research study conducted by Stanford University's Graduate School of Education. We wanted to see if a legitimate research study would confirm what we as summer camp directors knew intuitively -- that summer camp benefits kids so much more than simply providing a fun time. Watch this engaging video to see what Stanford learned.
Listen to what noted author and child psychologist Madeline Levine has to say about the benefits of summer camp.
Watch this short video of best-selling author and child psychologist Madeline Levine discussing the true value of summer camp.
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Testimonials
Our son looks forward to Shaffer's High Sierra Camp every summer! He returns home from camp asking to return the next summer for a week longer because he runs out of time and is not able to do all the activities. We also love that the camp picks and/or drops the campers off at the Reno airport.
This was our son's first sleep away camp and it was by far the best camp. He was so excited when we picked him up; he showed us the places he had gone rock climbing and led us on a hike. He had so much self confidence, respect, and patience. Shaffer's High Sierra Camp is magical.
The staff are very well trained to deal with issues that arise in childhood groups. They are supportive, encouraging and are not punitive. My child has attended two years in a row and growth and development were identified by himself and others following each time.
A wonderful camp for my daughter! She just completed her third summer and loved it. Lisa and Scott Shaffer and the whole High Sierra Camp staff do an excellent job creating a magical summer for kids of all ages. Check it out...you won't be disappointed!
This summer's camp experience at Shaffer's High Sierra Camp was the most incredible summer in every possible way for my 14 year old daughter offering the ideal balance of freedom and structure in a high energy "positive" environment that was both empowering and soulful!
My daughter had an exceptional experience at camp last summer. She met other kids from all over world, gained confidence on a mountain bike, cooled off in crystal clear mountain lakes, slept in a tipi, and her overall post-camp confidence soared. She can't wait until next summer to reunite with her camp family.
Lisa and Scott do a great job of managing their camp, their staff and providing a safe, adventurous place for campers! Our son is a child with Down syndrome and is extremely capable, athletic and independent. They make him feel welcome and ensure his success with their close supervision and supportive, enthusiastic staff.
Shaffer's High Sierra Camp has been a special place for our two kids. Each year they return home with stories of amazing adventures from rock climbing, mountain boarding, crafts, hip hop, my list could go. On top of it all they come home with dear friendships, fun memories, and an appreciation for the outdoors and others. Thank you!!!
The best memories of my childhood were being at summer camp. I wanted my daughter to have a great camp experience too, one that would help to create great memories for her. With all of the distractions (electronics!) it's important for me to be able to give my daughter an experience without phones, iPads or computers. We now lovingly refer to camp as Electronics Rehab!!! The fact that my daughter asked to stay 4 weeks instead of 2 next summer says it all.
Shaffer's High Sierra Camp has been a special place for our two kids. They come home from camp ready for the next year. Each year they return home with stories of amazing adventures from rock climbing, mountain boarding, crafts, hip hop, my list could go. On top of it all they come home with dear friendships, fun memories, and an appreciation for the outdoors and others. Thank you!!!
Great experience for all ages, safe and friendly environment that is diverse in every way. Campers immediately feel at home when they enter the camping parking. Staff and counselors greet everyone with a warm smile that is very sincere. Every year when I pick my camper up, I am told in the car ride home she wants to return the next summer!
My son and daughter were 1st time campers and both had such a great time. It was my daughters 1st over night camping experience and she really loved it. She made some great friends as well and is keeping in touch through social media. Even though there was so much to do at any time it seemed they really enjoyed the time just hanging with friends and getting to know everyone.