SNEC Summer Camp Sessions at Camp Winnekeag
Summer camp at Camp Winnekeag runs in weekly sessions through June and July, organized by age group. Programs are run by the Southern New England Conference (SNEC) of Seventh-day Adventists. A 10-year-old and a 16-year-old won't share a cabin or rotate through the same activities — the schedule is built around what's developmentally appropriate for each group.
Mornings typically start before the heat sets in. Campers eat breakfast in the main dining hall — meals are vegetarian, and the kitchen can accommodate most dietary restrictions arranged in advance. After breakfast, morning devotions run for about 30 minutes; these are a fixed part of the daily schedule. Then activity rotations begin. The waterfront is usually the most popular station: swimming in the designated area supervised by a certified lifeguard, canoeing, kayaking in FunYaks, and — for older groups — waterskiing and wakeboarding behind the camp's ski boat. The lake is calmer in the mornings, which makes it better for instruction.
On land, the archery range runs structured sessions with a certified instructor. The ropes course and zip line are used for team-building — groups work through the low elements before moving to the high challenge elements and finally the zip line through the forest canopy. The climbing wall in the gymnasium gets used on rain days and as a scheduled program in its own right. The equestrian program is available to campers who sign up in advance; sessions include grooming, handling, and riding — not just a trail walk. Mountain biking trails connect to the Ashburnham State Forest.
Evenings vary by session and age group. Campfire programs — songs, skits, stories — are a regular part of the schedule. Older teen sessions typically include extended worship or discussion programs after dinner. Lights-out times are set by age group. Campers sleep in cabin clusters separated by age and gender, with counselors in the same cabin. Beds stay where they are — state codes govern spacing and egress. Campers are expected to bring their own bedding; a full packing list is provided at registration.
The camp's programming reflects its Adventist roots. Daily worship is built into the schedule, and the overall program is intentionally faith-centered. Families should know this going in — it's not a secular program. That said, campers from many different backgrounds have attended over the years, and the staff approach is non-coercive. All personnel working with campers go through background checks before the season begins.
