Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp

It is like a creative arts planet. Totally unique & amazing! I was a camper there in the seventies & now my daughter is attending her fourth summer there. Not a place for kids who lack self motivation.

I have been a counselor at the Camp in the 90s and it was a blast. Frankly I was somewhat jealous about the vast amout of activities and choices the kids could choose from. Now, 20+ years later, it feels like they’ve kept the spirit up and it is about as much fun and excitement today as it was back then.
Highly recommended.

Without question, it is the best camp in the world (I in fact refer to it as ‘the best camp in the world’ in conversation!). I have never met anyone who experienced Buck’s Rock as anything less than life changing and a blast. The fond memories from my 5 summers there define me still now, well into my adulthood.
It’s a no brainer.
What I wouldn’t do to go back to those summers!

I went to this camp for 3 years and those were the best summers I ever had. Amazing camp, so many things to do there, I recommend it highly.

Buck’s Rock is the best. I’ve worked there as a counselor and it was the best summer of my life. The campers are very, very lucky to attend such a wonderful, life-​changing camp, but the staff is just as lucky to work there. It’s a community that benefits everybody that’s a part of it. I made and learned about just as much music and art as my students. I can’t wait to go back.

One of the great transformative experiences of my life and my brother’s, too – we went to BR in the summer of Woodstock! My brother learned to weld and went on to earn a BFA in sculpture; I wrote, acted, did silversmithing and batik, among many, many other adventures. I remember Ernst and Ilse very fondly and had my first interview – at 13 – at their upper west side apartment in order to join the camp. Loved it and wish every creative teen could attend.

Went in the mid-​90s and made so many friends, learned so much about different artistic mediums and truly found my voice for the future. This camp is on a whole other level than traditional camps or sports camps. Using Montessori methods, campers are allowed to use their time as they see fit. There is no schedule of activities, all day all activites are free for all to do (except glassblowing, you have to sign up in the morning for a time slot as its so popular).
My favorite shops were photo, although I just found out they got rid of the darkroom a few years ago :(when I visited last weekend. Printmaking, sculpture (bronze casting was wicked!) bookmaking, clown shop and glassblowing.
The staff was always incredible, knowledgeable and good at helping campers who were loners get a group of friends going while bringing out their talents.
Always a group of kids playing instruments together outside the office, a dance show being planned and a theater production in rehearsal. This might be some of the best and brightest kids from the area doing what they do best, dancing like no one is watching.

I went in the 70s, my brother in th 60s, now my son is in his second year. We all adore this camp for so many reasons.
It is not for jocks, pampered, or close-​minded people. Go here if you are artistic, free spirited, and self motivated.