Camp Mah-Kee-Nac

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac was founded in 1929 by camping great, Joe Kruger, on the shores of Lake Mahkeenac, now called Stockbridge Bowl in Lenox, Massachusetts. Joe was a pioneer in camping and was among the first directors to implement a systematic, education-based approach to the summer camp experience. Joe's vision is still alive at Mah-Kee-Nac and our philosophy, program and physical layout still reflect his child-centered vision.

Rachel and Jamie Chadwin have spent the greater part of their lives at overnight camp as campers, counselors, athletic/program directors, assistant directors, and now Co-Directors. They each bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to Camp Mah-Kee-Nac.

Jamie and Rachel began dating as camp counselors, graduated college, eventually married, and returned to camp together to pursue not only a career but the most meaningful life for their family.Rachel, in addition to some years of teaching middle school, has been involved in camping for the greater part of her career.

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac is nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts on the Stockbridge Bowl (aka Lake Mahkeenac). MKN is the only camp on our water, making the six-mile long lakefront a very private amenity for our boys to enjoy endless water sports and activities.

Only two and a half hours from the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area and approximately two hours from Boston, we are privileged to be in an area that offers a great sense of culture and often take advantage of our surroundings.Between the Tanglewood music venue, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Norman Rockwell Museum, Lenox Massachusetts has something to offer the whole family.

Many of our boys who attend Camp Mah-Kee-Nac take full advantage of the variety of activities that we have to offer. While they might be very busy with athletics or extracurriculars at home, they recognize that camp is a place where they can ALSO comfortably explore many other interests such as our waterfront sports, our MAK Adventure program, and our Media and Arts programs.

The environment MKN creates is one in which our boys learn a strong sense of community, where the gestures of openhandedness is encouraged within and to others. Camp Sea Stars North is a trauma-informed summer camp opportunity for the children of the Newton/Sandy Hook community. Mah-Kee-Nac staff volunteer their time to work as bunk staff, program instructors and special event planners to make this experience possible.