At Skylake, campers experience a classic sleepaway summer camp experience where they create happy memories, develop interests and skills, experience personal growth, build friendships, and develop confidence; all while playing, learning and thriving in our beautiful outdoor setting. Children spend quality time outside learning new skills and engaging in outdoor adventures with new and old friends.
Skylake is an Overnight California Summer Camp where campers experience traditional summer camp life without cell phones, video games or the internet. Skylake is located in the Sierra National Forest on Bass Lake, just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park. Most campers come from the Los Angeles and San Francisco area.
Skylake is an Overnight California Summer Camp where campers experience traditional summer camp life without cell phones, video games or the internet. Skylake is located in the Sierra National Forest on Bass Lake, just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park. Most campers come from the Los Angeles and San Francisco area.
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Here are some key reasons why Skylake is a summer camp you can feel comfortable with while being certain your kids will love it. Skylake offers a dream location in the mountains, on a lake, with the grandeur of Yosemite at its back door. Getting to camp is easy. Skylake is located on Bass Lake in central California, almost equal distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the Sierra National Forest.
Camps can be similar in many ways, but also very different. Our strongest advice is to research only American Camp Association camps which are also members of the Western Association of Independent Camps. Then, do your homework to find the differences. We of course believe Skylake is the place to be and here's why.
Skylake Yosemite Camp, a co-ed sleep away camp for ages 7 to 15, was founded in 1945. A founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC), Skylake has also been a member of the American Camp Association (ACA), the largest and most representative body for 12,000 youth camps nationally, for over 50 years.
Skylake Yosemite Summer Camp is located in the Sierra National Forest just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park. View map and driving directions. Charter buses are available on opening and closing days of camp from both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. The camp is located in the middle of the Sierra National Forest among hundreds of acres.
We know that it is an awesome responsibility to care for your child. This is the theme of our staff training and the guiding philosophy of every decision we make. This philosophy covers both the physical and emotional safety of our campers. Skylake is unique among overnight camps with its small cabin groups.
Reviews (18)
Michael T.
Oct 12, 2021
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Me, my brother and 2 other friends from Venice California went to this camp at Sky lake as young kids. I remember this pony name cricket. He was my favorite and first time I ever rode a horse. We had camp fires with jokes. Plays and going down to the lake. I faked it at the lake because I couldn't swim. The big historic trees were fantastic. I remember the van or bus driving through the tunnel in a huge tree. They had the biggest trees I have ever seen in my life. I would love to take my family there so they can enjoy it as much as I did. One of the best times in my life
Grumpy
Jul 21, 2021
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Benjamin P.
Sep 10, 2019
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Was a camper for 4 years, a counselor for another 4-5 years, family camper for at least 12 years and now I send my children there - the place is magic!
My favorite activities as a camper were tennis, archery, canoeing and campcrafts. As a counselor I tended to drift towards watersports - waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboards... As a family camper my favorite activity is anything where my kids are having fun and I'm in the sun!
Skylake is a magical place where friendships are born that sustain through your lifetime, a time of meaningful personal growth away from the "you"
My favorite activities as a camper were tennis, archery, canoeing and campcrafts. As a counselor I tended to drift towards watersports - waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboards... As a family camper my favorite activity is anything where my kids are having fun and I'm in the sun!
Skylake is a magical place where friendships are born that sustain through your lifetime, a time of meaningful personal growth away from the "you"
Ryan Brighton
Oct 25, 2018
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I was a camper at Skylake from 2012 to 2018. those summers were the best of my life. words cannot explain how much i love this place and how strong all my relationships are. Skylake is a special place that cannot be replaced in my heart. it has shaped me in only a positive way and it was the best experience of my life.
Kate Cassidy
Sep 14, 2017
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I absolutely LOVE this camp! My first year, I was very scared as it was my first sleep away camp and I didn't like to be away from my parents much. Upon being dropped off, almost instantly I felt right at home. The numerous activities range from kayaking to outdoor cooking; water to land activities and will keep any camper more than satisfied. The people you meet at skylake will become your lifelong friends and you will have a strong bond, bunking together for two to four weeks. I highly recommend this camp!
Emma Lester
Aug 22, 2017
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Kate M.
Aug 01, 2017
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Gary W.
Jul 04, 2017
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Skylake is a 5-star, sensational camping experience. Our three children have been attending for several years now, and consider it their "home away from home." They typically attend for a two week session and have consistently returned thrilled, having tried many new activities, having loved their counselors and made many new, great friends.
Activities include: Horses, Archery, Paddle Boarding, Swimming in the Lake, Banana Boats, Biking, Rock Climbing, and Tomahawk Toss. Our kids report that the food is great, the songs and campfires are fun, the activities are great and there
Activities include: Horses, Archery, Paddle Boarding, Swimming in the Lake, Banana Boats, Biking, Rock Climbing, and Tomahawk Toss. Our kids report that the food is great, the songs and campfires are fun, the activities are great and there
Paul Spiegel
Oct 29, 2016
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Skylake is a wonderful experience for kids! I was a counselor there in 1976. My nephews went there in the 2000's. And now my son is going off to camp there! I am so happy that he can participate in this wonderful tradition and I smile when I think of the fun times, friendships and growth experiences he will find there.
Stephanie H.
Aug 01, 2016
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My kids (11 and 12) just returned from their first year at Skylake, where they did a two week session. To sum it up, they both declared it "the best place in the world." They loved the lake, all the activities, their counselors, the kids, everything. From start to finish, I was impressed by the camp and its management. Everything I read from them-- the brochure, website, emails-- was intelligent and well-planned. I like their philosophies about just about everything, and I get the sense that the camp attracts a lot of nice, well-rounded, considerate kids. To be clear, this isn't
Cynthia E.
Jul 02, 2016
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Mine is an update. I reviewed the camp several years ago. My son is finishing his last year here this summer. Still a really great place. He goes for a month because he can. The place is like a summer camp you think about from the movies. You know you will not hear from your children because they are having too good a time. They do make them send one postcard but that all most of us get. If you want your kid to have great memories of summer camp this is the place!
Yvonne Y.
Feb 04, 2016
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The BEST camp on earth - according to my 13 years old son. He looks forward to this camp every year and 2016 will be his third years at Skylake. From the parent's point of view, Skylake is a very organized camp as compared to other overnight camp. You get daily update and photos of the camp's activities. They post hundreds of photos every day and I will try to spot my son in those pics. :) I love reading their daily blog also. My son loves all of the counselors and they are all college kids from all over the world. They seem to truly love their time at Skylake as well. A word
Cameron Heidbrink
Jul 28, 2015
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Emily M.
Aug 23, 2014
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Mellissa E.
Jun 19, 2013
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I camped here for three years from the age of 14-16. The first two years were absolutely amazing and left me with wonderful memories. I fell in love with the area and decided I would one day be married on Bass Lake. When I met my now-husband and introduced him to the area, he too fell in love with it and we were married at The Pines Resort in 2011. It is beyond beautiful, the lake is warm, clean, and clear. The camp itself seemed very well run with great activities both on the water and off. The first year I was a "Senior" camper which is the highest age group other than CILTs. I enjoyed
Philip G.
Aug 15, 2011
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My 13 year old son just spent 2 weeks at Skylake, and reports that the camp is lots of fun, and he wants to return next year. This was his first time at Skylake. We were attracted to this camp by the waterfront program, the opportunity to ski/wakeboard, and the various trips they take to Yosemite. He did get to try wakeboarding, and signed up for a trip to Yosemite, but didn't get to go (and doesn't understand why not). He spent lots of time at the waterfront, using the paddleboards, kayaks, and swimming. He also loved the banana boat. He even enjoyed the food!
As a parent, I was a bit
As a parent, I was a bit
Monica G.
Jan 03, 2011
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DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE!! This past summer, they had an outbreak of the stomach flu which almost got the camp shut down by the health department. The camp did nothing whatsoever to deal with this outbreak, besides implement a rudimentary hand washing system that should have been in place to begin with! Children were forced to throw up in trash bags or in the cabins, as cabins were not even provided with buckets. The health care center is a joke, and can hold a maximum of 8 children and is cared for by a woman who is not even a registered nurse.
Almost 10 children were sent to the ER last summer
Almost 10 children were sent to the ER last summer
Me Y.
Oct 27, 2008
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I was a camper from the ages of 6-14 and looked forward to it every year.
This camp is what camps should be. Warm temps, sports (H20 Ski, Tennis, Horse Riding, Archery, swimming, boating, hiking, etc.), evening campfires, afternoon activities, and a huge dining hall were some of my memories.
This is from their website and fits the camp to a 'T':
"Skylake is a camp in the East Coast tradition...in a pine forest...on a beautiful warm-water lake...and with all the traditional waterfront and "land" sports activities, crafts and nightly campfires. Some of our camp songs
This camp is what camps should be. Warm temps, sports (H20 Ski, Tennis, Horse Riding, Archery, swimming, boating, hiking, etc.), evening campfires, afternoon activities, and a huge dining hall were some of my memories.
This is from their website and fits the camp to a 'T':
"Skylake is a camp in the East Coast tradition...in a pine forest...on a beautiful warm-water lake...and with all the traditional waterfront and "land" sports activities, crafts and nightly campfires. Some of our camp songs
