Camp Winadu

Do I have to be a good athlete to be a Winadu camper?

No. Boys of all athletic abilities thrive at Winadu and return year after year. The only requirement is a love of sports or a desire to participate in sports. Over the course of a seven week session, a novice athlete will see remarkable improvement in his favorite sports and emerge a more confident and independent boy.

Shouldn't a boy who loves sports go to a specialty camp?

Winadu provides several distinct advantages over sports specialty camps.  The quality of instruction at Winadu is as good, and in many cases better, than even the top sports specialty camps. We also provide a true camp experience, with campfires, cheers, spirit, and lifelong friendships. This experience is not available at specialty camps.  At Winadu, campers develop close relationships with their cabin counselors and with their instructors. Our staff is trained to focus on personal as well as athletic development of our campers.  Our professional coaches spend seven weeks teaching our boys, rather than one or two.  The cross training offered by exposure to multiple sports offered at Winadu is better for the development of young athletes than over-specialization.  Additionally, Camp Winadu offers E3 Sports performance training which improves speed, strength, and agility, and reduces the risk of injury.  E3 Sports is an advantage that no other camp provides.

What distinguishes Camp Winadu from other camps?

Winadu is unique because we combine a professional, instructional sports program in a warm, nurturing atmosphere with a sincere value system. Our campers acquire excellent skills in both individual and team sports while they make lifelong friends. The importance of treating one another respectfully is constantly reinforced in all aspects of camp life.

What is "Team Winadu?"

We stress the concept of "Team Winadu." Team Winadu means that the most important thing in life is to help one another.

How is the staff selected?

Winadu takes pride in providing mature, professionally trained staff. We employ numerous teachers and coaches with extensive experience working with children. Our counselor staff is comprised of people who have already completed one year of college, and most are at least 21 years of age. Many of our staff members are former Winadu campers. Our recruiters hold personal interviews on college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Staff members are selected for their dedication to children and for their ability to motivate and teach new skills to our campers. Head counselors and head coaches are professionals working in their field of expertise during the school year.

What is Camp Winadu's philosophy regarding athletic competition?

At Camp Winadu, we believe athletic competition provides a great opportunity for teaching.  Our campers learn to handle winning and losing with proper sportsmanship.  They learn the merits of hard work, and how to be a good teammate.  We teach campers and staff that no one should ever be afraid to make a mistake in sports.  We do not believe that negativity has a place in teaching young people sports.  Our staff is trained to enhance boys’ enjoyment of sports while they improve their skills.  While we encourage passionate play on the courts and fields, Camp Winadu has a relaxed atmosphere where boys feel comfortable being themselves and forging lifetime friendships.

How does the program work?

The program at Winadu is both balanced and varied in a way that gives every child the opportunity to pursue his personal interests. In addition to required group activities, all campers sign up for "Selectives", our daily elective program. Two-week long clinics in all athletic and non-athletic activities are also incorporated into the schedule. Trips, Special Events and Inter-Camp games spark the weekly program.

The program varies by age. Our youngest campers, the Braves and Pioneers, have a structured program, which incorporates instruction in sports, swimming and tennis, as well as Selectives and daily recreational swim.

The program for campers over the age of 12 is entirely elective. These divisions, Upper Hornets, Lower Warriors, Upper Warriors, Olympians and Seniors are scheduled on an individualized basis for Clinics, Tournaments and Leagues. Selectives are offered several times a week. The flexibility of the program provides an opportunity for boys to specialize in a particular activity. We encourage older campers to vary their choices to take full advantage of all that Winadu has to offer.

What is the clinic program?

Each boy at Winadu signs up for specialty clinics, which are scheduled for one hour each day for two weeks.  Below is a list of the clinics we offer:

Water Sports: Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Sailing, Swim Team, Water Skiing and Wakeboarding

Land Sports: Archery, Baseball (batting, fielding, pitching and catching), Basketball (offensive & defensive, weak hand, post up play), Beach Volleyball, Fencing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Karate, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Roller Blade Hockey, Roller Blade Skating, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Speed Training and Weight Lifting

Artistic and Creative: Creativity, Drums, Guitar, Magic, Piano, Rocketry and Wood Shop

Does Winadu offer specialty sports programs?

Specialty programs, which feature extra instruction, practice and game time, are offered in all sports at no additional charge.

Additionally, we offer a 3 day “mini-sports week,” that gives our campers the opportunity to focus on the sport that most interests them.

For boys who are interested in professional instruction in golf and ice hockey, Winadu offers intensive off-site programs for an additional fee.

Winadu Golf: Wonderful instructors and excellent courses make this program ideal for both the beginner and the advanced golfer. A 4 to 1 camper to staff ratio allows for individual instruction for every camper. Boys play golf at many of the scenic Berkshire Mountain courses. More advanced golfers compete in Jr. PGA tournaments. Campers who enroll in this program, may choose golf for their afternoon clinic and "hit the links" 4 to 5 times per week. We also offer a partial golf program.

Winadu Ice Hockey: This is one of the finest ice hockey experiences anywhere! Campers participate in 7 four-hour sessions during the summer. We have exclusive use of the Veteran's Memorial Rink in North Adams, Massachusetts, only 25 minutes from camp. Bill Kangas, longtime varsity hockey coach at Williams College, directs and personally supervises the entire program along with special guest coaches.

What trips are offered?

Exciting trips include Backpacking and Hiking in local state forests. Older boys embark on extended trips to destinations such as Montreal, Boston, Cooperstown, Maine, Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Will I have the opportunity to participate in activities other than sports?

Camp Winadu is not just the finest boys sports camp in the US.  It is a traditional sleep-away camp with all the activities you would expect and then some.  Our campers can enjoy our crafts program, Creativity, which includes woodworking and rocketry.  We offer piano, guitar and drum lessons.  We also have an active outdoor adventure program.  Musical performances, campfires, and many other traditional camp activities are all part of a summer at Winadu.

Are there socials with girls from nearby camps?

Throughout the summer there are socials with our sister camp, Danbee, as well as with other fine girls camps in the Berkshires. The number and format of the socials depend on the age of the campers.

How is the food at Winadu?

Winadu's chef is an expert at preparing food that boys enjoy, and he has been at Winadu for many years. Our meals are nutritious and include many of the boys' favorites. The Winadu bakery offers homemade cakes and cookies. In addition to our regular menu, a popular feature is our daily sandwich bar at lunch and outdoor barbecue each evening for dinner.

How do the boys get to camp?

Bus transportation is available from North and Central New Jersey, Long Island, New York City and Westchester. Our counselors escort campers on flights from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our staff also meets boys from other locations at the Albany, NY or Hartford, CT airports.

Who will take care of my son if he gets sick or is injured?

Winadu's health care staff consists of six nurses and a physician, in residence seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Clinic call is held after breakfast and dinner, but campers are treated at any time if they are ill or sustain an injury. Campers receive routine medications at mealtime and bedtime according to your instructions on the medical form and medication form. Our health care staff is available to consult with you and will call you or emergency contacts in the event of an emergency.

Local physicians attend to campers who need to see a specialist. They are affiliated with the Berkshire Medical Center, trauma center and teaching hospital, located five minutes from Winadu.

Is there a chance for fathers to enjoy Winadu?

We know you dads will be jealous of all the fun your sons are having! Spend quality time with your son directly after the close of camp at Winadu's two-day "Father and Son Camp", open to campers and their fathers, older/younger brothers, uncles, grandfathers and friends or business associates. Boys and their fathers participate in a wide variety of activities that include: tennis tournaments, softball games, golf tournament, basketball games, water sports, campfires, and much more!!!

How can I find out more about Winadu?

Our directors meet with every boy and his parents prior to attendance at camp. New campers and their parents may visit camp late in the spring, before camp opens. Many families enjoy touring during the camp season, and we offer tours by appointment only during camp.

Boys at Winadu improve their skills both physically and socially, make lifelong friendships and HAVE A GREAT TIME! Please call our office if you have any questions or need more information. We look forward to meeting you and your son.