Programs for kids, and adults

Camp Unirondack’s summer operations include seven weeks of youth programming. About 400 children, ages 8–18, gather on 9 acres situated next to Beaver Lake. Each week consists of approximately 65 original programs, with about 40 staff for every 65 campers. Activities range from workshops to hikes, talent shows to gaming sessions.

Seguin and his team have also been expanding Camp Unirondack’s scope to include adult and family-focused offerings.

“We found there’s a real demand for it. People want things to do with their families, but also adults want to have community-based experiences. You can go and do a vacation anywhere, but what people are really craving in their lives goes beyond getting away from work. It’s people craving community. They’re craving connection with the outdoors and they’re creating these intentional experiences where they’re doing something really meaningful with their time [in a way] they can’t in their everyday lives.”

Camp Unirondack, which markets itself as “radically inclusive,” is operational from May through mid-October. Seguin estimated that approximately 100 individuals participated in adult programming in 2025, with more expected for 2026. 

Whatever age one first encounters Camp Unirondack, though, campers often keep coming back. Seguin himself is evidence of this. In addition to having worked at the camp for 16 years, he was also a camper from the age of 8. 

“I just never left,” he said. 

A trusted, welcoming space

The reasons campers return consistently are myriad, but certain themes emerge. Campers both past and present mention the freedom and independence encouraged among attendees, as well as the authentic sense of community and inclusion. 

Part of that authenticity can be perhaps chalked up to the camp’s inclusion of youth board representatives. Dylan “Collie” Collins Noonan, 17, is one such representative and has attended the camp for the past five years or so. Elected by their peers, the youth representatives attend board meetings throughout the year, weighing in on operational decisions.

You’re definitely made to feel more like a person that’s being respected as opposed to just someone who’s lesser than the adults around you—and I think that’s a very important environment for kids to have.

Dylan “Collie” Collins Noonan

Parents agree. Lindsay Brandon Hunter and her two children have attended the camp’s intergenerational programs as a family. Her kids have stayed at the youth camps as well. 

“I’ve never been somewhere where my kids and myself felt so encouraged to show up as our authentic selves,” she said. “Camp is one of the few places where there’s zero pressure to be anything other than yourself and [you] find that everyone is really glad to see you and engage with you in that state.” 

“[Camp] doesn’t expect [my kids] to be any particular way except what’s in their heart, and that’s so rare,” she said. “Maybe that’s the thing I appreciate most about sending my kids there. They talk about camp the rest of the year, and one of them told me recently that it’s the place where they feel most at home, maybe even including actual home, which I felt like was really high praise.”

Financial support for those in need

In the spirit of inclusivity and access, all of Camp Unirondack’s programming is priced on a sliding scale. If the lowest price tier is still out of reach, families can apply for a “campership.” For some programming, such as the annual Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat, a weekend retreat for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies, the sliding scale goes down to zero. All programming is free for Indigenous campers.

“In general, we have a policy of not turning anyone away,” Seguin said. “If you want to come to camp, we’ll figure out a way to make it happen.” 

Operating the nonprofit does come with its challenges. The bulk of the camp’s budget comes from program fees, making it necessary to fundraise and seek grants to support financial accessibility for all campers. 

“We’re small, and we’re hidden away, and a lot of folks don’t know about us,” Seguin said. “We know there are a lot of folks out there who would benefit from the services we offer, and it is constantly a challenge to try to reach people.”

Still, it’s an effort that’s well worth it.

“We have youth who discover something, go home and the next year they come back and they’re so much more in their bodies and in themselves in an authentic way—and that’s really beautiful and amazing to see.”

Caleb Seguin, camp director

To learn more about Camp Unirondack, visit unirondack.org. In particular, Seguin encourages those interested in the Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat to register in advance, as it typically fills up. For those with questions or those interested in supporting Camp Unirondack’s programming, email Seguin at caleb@unirondack.org.

Link to actual Article

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/communities/radically-inclusive-lowville-summer-camp-celebrates-75-years/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUetPFwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7MFW7MiTGyainlGZEh8xIseG7Nq1umg2PzKTzW7bT6fvN53IrRXQ_erg3rSw_aem_aj66ptwY4uD51tJKADQ_Vw