Session Types

Find the right program for your camper

Plus, see our complete Summer Calendar below so you can plan your next summer at Hochelaga

Dates, Rates, and Registration Portal Here

(all session types)

Day Camp

Age Range: Rising 1st grade - Rising 11th* grade

Our Day Camp programming runs side-by-side with our overnight programming to promote inclusion within our camp space and traditions. Our Day Campers have a group of assigned counselor staff who will be with them through each day to ensure they have familiar faces everywhere around camp they may go as they choose day-to-day from our different Day Camp class programming.

Day Campers can get dropped off daily at camp, or take our camp bus (stops at Chimney Corners between Milton & Colchester, and the University Mall in South Burlington). Day Campers are also invited once weekly to sleepover at camp if they would like to experience a taste of Overnight Camp.

*While we offer Day Camp programming to a wide age range, the majority of our 30 Day Campers each session are in early to late Elementary School. We offer older Day Campers the option to participate in Day Camp programming, or if they would like to join into available spaces in Overnight Camper classes for their time with us.

Mini-Camp

Age Range: Rising 2nd-6th grade

Mini-Camp sessions combine the best of day and overnight camp into a one-week hybrid session. Mini-Campers will arrive with our Day Camp cohort Monday-Wednesday of their session, and transition into overnight campers for Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Mini-Campers will be assigned their own cabin from day-one of their session (which they’ll get to instantly start settling into and decorating for their sleepover nights), as well as cabin counselors who will get to know them individually to help support them throughout the week as they begin to connect with their Overnight Camper peers who they’ll be living near.

Counselor in Training (CIT)

Age Range: We are in the process of increasing the age of our first year staff (LITs), and in turn, our CITs as well. We believe that giving our campers more time to exist at camp (and in the world) as “kids” will serve their developmental readiness to take on the responsibilities that accompany being a camp counselor, leader, and role model later on.

During our 2026 season, our CIT program will be prioritizing acceptance of rising 12th grade participants. As to avoid heavily disrupting traditional patterns and expectations within our community, we will still be accepting CIT applications from rising 11th graders for this summer. Beginning with our 2027 season, we will only be accepting applications from rising 12th grade individuals.

Our CIT Program is designed not only to guide participants in their transition to becoming Camp Counselors but also to empower them to grow into young leaders within their communities. During their 5 week program, CITs get to take their first steps into their “counselor shoes” as they create their own camp classes, and begin supporting camper cabins. CITs stay together in our CIT cabin, with their Head of CITs nearby. Each summer, our CITs take a camping trip off-site together with their counselors

CIT Application (Must be completed prior to enrollment)

Overnight Camp

Age Range: Overnight campers must be at least 7 years of age and/or a rising 2nd-11th grade

Overnight Camp at Camp Hochelaga is our flagship program. For over 100 summers, Camp Hochelaga has proudly been home to overnight camp experiences designed to give campers a safe space centered around our values of play, empowerment, diversity, compassion, community, and environmental connection.

Our overnight campers are assigned a cabin during their stay, where they will bunk with up to 7 other campers of similar age. Our upper-bunks all have guardrails included, and each camper bed has shelves built in for storage - in addition to space under and next to bunks. Each cabin will have 2 assigned counselors who live nearby in platform tents.

Cabins are organized by age into 3 cabin groups - “lines” - that typically breaks down as follows:

Lower-Mid Line: Elementary-aged overnight campers

Upper-Mid Line: Middle-School-aged overnight campers

Senior Line: High-School-aged overnight campers

2026 Summer Calendar

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What’s on the Calendar for our Upcoming Season?

Day Camp (DC) Season: June 15 - August 14

Overnight Camp (OC) Season: June 21 - August 14

Mini-Camp: June 29 - July 3 (additional sessions may be added)

Counselor in Training (CIT): July 12 - August 14 (CIT Trip off-camp July 29 - August 1)

Please note that weeks that are listed for traditional programming (such as Banquets, Musical, & LOG) are the weeks that the classes creating that tradition will run. Each event date is listed on the day which it takes place. For more information about Traditional Programming at camp, you can find complete descriptions for each on our Activities Page.

Typically, 10 spaces will be offered each Tu/We/Th evening of each session for enrolled Day Campers who would like to join camp for a single night sleepaway. Day Campers will sleep on provided mattress pads in our Day Camp Dugout with 2+ of their counselors with them for support. During our Day Camp Only Week we will hold 1 sleepover evening which all enrolled campers are invited to. This sleepover will be held in the lodge, and include time up at the bonfire (weather permitting).

 FAQs

  • Our registration portal can be found HERE. (Link unavailable currently, 2026 registration opens Dec 15, 2025 for returning households, and January 5, 2026 for new households)

    You may also be interested in first viewing our Dates & Rates or Circle of Girls+ Scholarship pages, or our Camper/Family Handbook.

  • We typically recommend for all Overnight Campers to have spent at least one night away from their familiar home and primary caregiver/s. Camp brings with it a new sleeping space, in a cabin without electricity, filled with unfamiliar faces. When campers are ready to brave some “newness,” camp offers a wonderful space for them to meet other kids (and counselors!) they may not have crossed paths with otherwise - and these meaningful new connections can help shape their future.

    And, it’s okay to not feel ready for overnight camp yet. If your camper feels more confident in a new space after getting to settle in a bit first, we recommend trying a week long session in our Day Camp*, or Mini Camp** programs. When campers are feeling ready for overnight, our single-week sessions allow kids to expand their summer experience at their own pace.

    *Each Day Camp session offers one sleepover night per camper enrolled

    **Each Mini Camp session offers two consecutive overnights in a cabin to offer a more gentle transition into overnight camp

  • Between sessions (Fri-Sun) we offer specialty programming we refer to as “Changeover.” Changeover activities are different weekend-to-weekend, and often include opportunities for campers to explore some of the amazing local experiences that Vermont has to offer. Previous Changeovers have included: hiking in state parks, watching Lake Monsters baseball games, berry picking, exploring Shelburne Farms & Museum, rock climbing at Petra Cliffs, mini-golf, enjoying a drive-in movie together, and more!

    Our Changeover Schedule for our upcoming season will be available online by mid-Spring. You can also follow along on our Social Media as we announce Changeover programming and other updates for our upcoming season.

  • Check out our complete Camper/Family Handbook which includes more on our policies & procedures, what to expect, and our recommended packing list.

    Questions arising as you’re preparing for your summer? Feel free to reach out with questions! (Contact Us)