18 summer camps for the world’s rich kids

Whereas most parents are trying to find cheap childcare for summer break, the super-rich have an entirely different set of issues. They’re deciding between camps that cost more than luxury vehicles, with private chefs, helicopter rides, and programs that would leave run-of-the-mill summer camps resembling backyard playdates. These are not your run-of-the-mill arts-and-crafts events — it’s Swiss Alps excursions, sailing across seas, and networking events that match up with top university programs.

From the Adirondacks’ crystal-clear lakes to Switzerland’s snow-clad mountains, these high-end retreats are for families that see summer camp as an investment in their child’s future. The price tags, however, can be eye-watering, far more than many families take home in a year. Here are 18 summer camps where money is no issue, and the experience is tailored to match.

Junior & Teen Camp Switzerland in Flims-Laax

JTCamp has earned recognition as the most exclusive and expensive traditional summer camp globally, with six-week sessions ranging from $16,312 to $19,575 depending on add-ons like a skiing trip to Zermatt. Located in the famous Swiss resort area of Flims-Laax, this camp attracts international students from at least 25 countries annually.

The program blends traditional camp activities with language courses and excursions throughout the stunning Swiss countryside. What sets it apart isn’t just the Alpine setting but the level of personalized attention — with campers from elite families worldwide creating connections that often last well into their professional careers.

Raquette Lake Camps in New York

Situated in New York’s famed Adirondack Mountains, Raquette Lake Camps operates as historic and highly regarded brother and sister camps with extensive facilities, including gymnastics centers, water sports, and comprehensive arts programs. The camps maintain high standards and attract affluent families seeking traditional summer camp experiences in a pristine wilderness setting.

With their three miles of shoreline on the lake, the camps provide sailing, canoeing, and multi-day wilderness expeditions that have become signature experiences for campers. The facilities rival those of top athletic institutions, offering everything from regulation sports fields to specialized creative spaces where young people develop both physical skills and artistic talents.

Camp Laurel in Maine

Camp Laurel blurs the line between camp and country club, with a 3,000-foot gymnastics center, aerial adventure courses, and boutique-style fitness options from yoga to spin. The eight-week program costs approximately $16,000, though additional charges for equestrian activities, day trips, and extended expeditions can push the total well beyond $19,000.

Located on Echo Lake in Maine’s Belgrade Lakes Region, the camp features regulation sports fields that rival collegiate facilities. The 3,000-foot gymnastics center and 8,000-foot indoor field house ensure activities continue regardless of weather, while the complete fitness center with dedicated weight and cardio studios caters to health-conscious young athletes.

Le Rosey summer camps in Switzerland

Le Rosey’s main offering, ‘Le Classique,’ welcomes eight to 15-year-olds for three weeks in July, combining sports and visual arts with specialized courses in culinary arts, digital creativity, and leadership. The camp accommodates up to 300 students and costs CHF12,500 for the three-week program, though families seeking a more intimate experience can choose premium packages that can reach CHF15,600 depending on duration and activities.

Living in an international environment with 78 nationalities represented, campers effortlessly switch between languages while experiencing both lakeside and Alpine adventures. The world-renowned school’s summer programs promise a ‘unique life experience’ that enriches children’s holidays with exposure to different cultures and languages.

Stagedoor Manor in New York

Stagedoor Manor tops many lists as the most expensive per-session camp, charging $5,645 for each three-week program at their exclusive acting facility in New York’s Catskill Mountains. The camp’s alum roster reads like a Hollywood who’s who, including Natalie Portman, Jon Cryer, Robert Downey Jr., Zach Braff, and Lea Michele, among dozens of other successful entertainers.

The former summer resort features eight indoor and outdoor theaters where campers participate in 14 full-scale productions during each session. Beyond the theatrical training with award-winning coaches and industry professionals, the campus includes pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, and the beloved Open Mic Coffee House for evening entertainment.

Camp Pontiac in New York

Camp Pontiac offers seven weeks of luxury summer programming for $16,450–$16,950 for the 2026 season (with early discounts bringing it to $15,950), featuring everything from pottery and STEM activities to circus training, wakeboarding, and a ninja warrior course. The camp also provides a four-week option for first-time campers at approximately $11,950, making the experience accessible to different comfort levels.

Located in New York, the facility provides state-of-the-art equipment and professional instruction across all disciplines. The diverse programming allows children to explore interests they might never encounter elsewhere, while the extended seven-week format provides ample time for skill development and lasting friendships.

Point O’Pines Camp for Girls in New York

Point O’Pines offers an all-girls experience for six weeks at $16,600, combining traditional camp activities like sailing and lacrosse with sophisticated programs like farm-to-table cooking classes. The camp also provides a four-week option for first-time elementary campers at $10,000, making it accessible to different family preferences.

Set on pristine lakefront property in New York, the facility provides an environment where girls can develop confidence and leadership skills away from societal pressures. The camp’s commitment to empowering young women extends beyond summer, with many alums maintaining lifelong connections and professional networks established during their time at Point O’Pines.

Camp Wicosuta in New Hampshire

Camp Wicosuta has been rumored in media reports to have hosted high-profile families. However, specific celebrity attendance remains unconfirmed, and the camp charges $9,600 for its four-week all-inclusive summer session in 2025. Despite being shorter and less expensive than some elite competitors, Wicosuta maintains extremely high standards and selective admission processes.

The New Hampshire location provides a classic New England summer camp atmosphere while offering modern amenities and professional instruction. The camp’s reputation and connections to prominent families make it a networking hub for the next generation of leaders, despite its relatively modest pricing compared to international competitors.

Les Elfes International in Verbier

Les Elfes International has become a destination for American families willing to send their children to Switzerland for summer camp, particularly after the pandemic highlighted the country’s reputation as one of the world’s safest. Beyond typical outdoor activities, this luxury camp offers enrichment workshops, including Swiss watchmaking and formal table manners and etiquette classes.

Located in the prestigious ski resort town of Verbier, the camp serves children aged 6 to 17 from wealthy families across the United States, including those from Los Angeles, New York City, Maryland, and Florida. During the pandemic, the camp implemented enhanced safety measures, including robotic temperature monitoring, though current protocols have evolved as health guidelines changed.

Princess Prep in London

Princess Prep programs offer young girls the chance to train like royalty during week-long sessions in London, providing intensive courses in proper etiquette and social graces. Students learn proper posture, etiquette, tea service, and the all-important skill of curtseying should they ever meet actual royalty.

The program covers essential skills like appropriate smiling, standing, sitting, and walking with grace and confidence, along with the importance of proper thank-you notes and social correspondence. While the programs are relatively short, the intensive training and London location make them unique cultural experiences that appeal to families wanting their daughters to master traditional refinements often overlooked in modern education.

Oxford Royale summer programs in the UK

Oxford Royale bills itself as one of the ‘leading global providers of elite summer schools,’ having served over 30,000 students from around the world during nearly two decades of operation. Two-week courses are priced at £6,995 for Oxford and Cambridge locations, £6,495 for London and Yale programs, and £5,995 for UC Berkeley sessions, including meals, accommodation, and speaker events.

What sets Oxford Royale apart is access to world-renowned guest speakers, including former MI5 director general Eliza Manningham-Buller, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, and former Conservative Party leader William Hague. While the programs use prestigious university locations, it’s important to note they are independent commercial operations rather than official university programs, combining academic-style learning with networking opportunities that can shape young minds throughout their educational and professional careers.

International Riding Camp luxury

Elite equestrian summer camps like International Riding Camp in New York offer tiered pricing based on session length, with one week costing $2,000, four weeks at $6,985, and extended 10-week programs reaching $14,700. Daily schedules typically include riding lectures, swimming, water skiing, pottery, arts and crafts, and multiple scheduled horseback riding sessions with international instructors who bring years of professional experience.

These camps’ commitment to luxury extends to meals, which often feature organic foods and fine dining experiences, reflecting the attention to detail expected by wealthy families. The programs attract young riders from affluent families worldwide, creating an environment where equestrian excellence meets international networking opportunities.

Eton College summer courses in the UK

Eton College, the UK’s most recognizable elite educational institution, offers various summer school options, including university preparation courses for older students considering elite college admissions. Programs such as the “Foundation in Global Leadership” are priced at £5,695 for two weeks and £11,390 for four weeks, providing access to the prestigious campus and educational environment.

The proximity to London allows for regular educational trips to theaters, museums, art galleries, and historic sites, while weekends become times for adventure and cultural exploration. Students access the same facilities and environment that have educated British royalty and prime ministers, making the experience as much about prestige as education.

Takajo Camp for Boys in Maine

Takajo Camp for Boys requires approximately $11,100 for a full session, though additional fees often apply depending on specific activities and accommodations chosen. Established in 1936, this long-running camp maintains high standards for health and wellness, including organic meal plans that accommodate most dietary restrictions.

Activities include competitive waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, cheerleading, and even studio recording facilities for musically inclined campers. The camp’s emphasis on competitive sports and league play appeals to families seeking athletic development alongside traditional camp experiences, while creative pursuits ensure well-rounded programming for diverse interests.

Pali Adventures in California

Pali Adventures in Running Springs, California, functions like multiple specialty camps rolled into one comprehensive experience, allowing kids to choose from 16 different specialty activities during one or two-week sessions priced at $1,800–$2,000 weekly. Secret Agent Camp teaches combat techniques through paintball campaigns, dirt bike and dune buggy riding, and covert raid training against other camp groups.

Hollywood Stunt Camp provides professional training in safely jumping off buildings, fight choreography, and swordplay techniques. At the same time, Rockstar Academy helps musicians create original songs culminating in professional CD or music video production. The Fashion Institute trains young designers in sewing, pattern use, design sketching, and fashion show production, offering specialized experiences that attract families seeking unique summer opportunities.

Camp Matoaka elite experience

Camp Matoaka represents the luxurious American sleepaway camp experience where wealthy families send their children for networking opportunities that function similarly to fraternities and sororities. The camp provides more than childcare — it’s designed to help kids get ahead in life through connections and experiences unavailable elsewhere.

Along with Camp Mini Yo We Musoka, these camps offer adventures and learning opportunities specifically designed for children from old-money families. The emphasis on networking and relationship-building prepares young attendees for the elite social and professional circles they’ll encounter throughout their lives.

Village Camps international programs

Village Camps brings over 51 years of experience organizing international summer camps across Switzerland, England, Portugal, and Austria, ensuring quality supervision backed by decades of operational expertise. Adventure and Activity Camps offer exciting pursuits including hiking, climbing, rafting, and kayaking in some of the world’s most beautiful locations, with experienced guides and reliable equipment ensuring safe yet engaging experiences.

Sports Camps provide professional coaching in tennis, golf, soccer, and surfing for participants of all skill levels, while Language Programs offer immersive learning adventures in Austria and Switzerland. The international scope allows families to choose locations and programs that match their children’s interests while maintaining consistent quality standards across all sites, making them accessible alternatives to ultra-premium programs.

Brant Lake Camp in New York

Brant Lake Camp represents one of the oldest and most prestigious summer camps in the Adirondacks, with over 90 years of tradition serving affluent families from across North America. The seven-week program costs $16,600 for the 2025 season, with a half-summer option available for $10,000, and offers an extensive waterfront program on pristine Brant Lake, including sailing, waterskiing, and competitive swimming.

The camp’s alum network reads like a who’s who of business and political leaders, creating lifelong connections that extend far beyond summer friendships. With its emphasis on character development alongside athletic achievement, Brant Lake has become a rite of passage for children from established East Coast families who value tradition and excellence.

A world where summer means serious investment

These camps aren’t about childcare at all — they’re networking academies dressed up as summer fun. Parents from major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC, regularly invest amounts equivalent to luxury car purchases for just a few weeks of their children’s summer experience. Many families view these substantial investments as worthwhile for the connections and experiences their children gain, with some programs requiring families to budget well into the five-figure range for a single summer session.

While regular families debate whether they can afford a week at the local YMCA camp, the ultra-wealthy face choices between sailing across oceans, learning Swiss watchmaking, or training with Olympic-level coaches. The price tags may seem astronomical, yet for families where money is no object, these camps provide something far more valuable than recreation — they offer entry into exclusive social networks that can shape entire lifetimes of opportunity and privilege.

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