By Taylor Smith

Located in Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Wayne County, Lake Bryn Mawr Camp for Girls is a rural summer haven that prides itself on building “summer sisters” among girls ages 7 to 15. 

Established in 1921, the overnight camp includes a 15,000-square-foot gymnastics facility, an equestrian center with 40 horses, 40 acres of trails, two riding arenas, a dance center, 15 tennis courts, two swimming pools, a cooking studio, seven soccer fields, a putting green, and a ropes and agility adventure course. Lake Bryn Mawr boasts an impression return rate of 95 percent, and the camp directors make a point of visiting every new family at their home in the fall. 

Each morning begins with “Reveille” at 8 a.m. The flag is raised and campers have breakfast in the dining hall. The rest of the morning is filled with age group assembly and two activities. After lunch, campers enjoy a siesta, or rest hour, to recharge for the afternoon. Three more hours of play and instruction continue until 5:15 p.m. when campers can freshen up before dinner. The communal evening meal is followed by free play, an evening activity, and a snack before bed. The “Taps” bugle sounds at 9:15 p.m., signaling the completion of another action-packed camp day. 

Favorite all-camp special events include the Male Staff Beauty Contest, Miss Firecracker Contest, Olympics, Chocolate Banana Night, surprise late-night snacks, and the weeklong Color War. 

The camp also features off-site trips to nearby theme parks, such as Hershey Park and Dorney Park. Older girls can extend their out-of-camp experience with overnight trips to the Berkshires, Martha’s Vineyard, Baltimore, Lake Placid, Montreal, Boston, or Newport, Rhode Island. 

For two decades, Lake Bryn Mawr Camp has been under the ownership and direction of Jane and Dan Kagan. With three grown Bryn Mawr girls of their own, Jane and Dan are fully-immersed in the lasting and significant impact that quality overnight camp can have on a young girl’s upbringing. During the winter months, the Kagans operate all things Bryn Mawr from their Short Hills, N.J. office, working directly with parents, staff administrators, and operation managers to ensure that the coming summer will exceed expectations. During the summer months, they call Lake Bryn Mawr Camp home. 

Lake Bryn Mawr Camp for Girls is located at 593 Bryn Mawr Road in Honesdale, Pa. For more information, call (570) 253-2488. Prospective families can take a virtual tour of the camp online at www.campbrynmawr.com.