Camp Onaway

Founded in 1911, Camp Onaway is a technology-free, traditional summer camp for girls in Hebron, New Hampshire on the shores of crystal clear Newfound Lake. Our small, nurturing community is committed to the individual development of our 90 campers, ages 9 through 15.

Through creating opportunities for each girl to realize her full potential, not in comparison or competition with others, but through aiming consistently toward high standards, an Onaway camper comes to know her own strengths, her values, and her own goodness.The small size of Onaway not only means a close community of campers and counselors, but also guarantees each girl will get the maximum amount of individual attention.

Camp Onaway provides girls the time, space, and guidance to develop the physical and spiritual strengths necessary to meet the challenges of today's world with honesty, sensitivity, and courage. The Onaway Board of Trustees is committed to enabling each camper to develop her best self, individually and as part of the Onaway community, guided by Onaway's values and traditions.

Camp Onaway was established in 1911 by Mrs. Henry (Mabel Woodbridge) Hollister, whose family members remain connected to the camp to this day. Mrs. Hollister found the name Onaway in Longfellow's epic poem, The Song of Hiawatha, which captured the desire of the early 20th century to return to nature.

Newfound Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in the country and as caring stewards of the environment, Onaway girls volunteer to help protect it, along with area woods and trails. We seek ways of minimizing our footprint through simple living, recycling and composting, water conservation and minimal energy consumption.

Our program balances a scheduled morning of instruction with choice periods in the afternoon. We hope each camper will become proficient and derive pleasure from accomplishment in all Camp activities, but we also make sure to provide time for each camper to make choices and pursue passions in activities.