Founded in 1921 by progressive educators, the camp is in its 97th year. Resting on 225 acres on Round Lake, It’s off of state Route 73 outside of Lake Placid, associated with North Country School.

The working day consists of barn chores and taking care of the farm animals while others harvest food. Every morning, the kids sing songs together at what they call “council,” along with choosing what activities they wish to do during the day. With the day being so busy, the kids have a rest hour where they can choose to nap, read, write or draw, along with receiving their mail. There is also a period where both younger and older campers come together for what they call “juice and crackers.” In the afternoon, the campers have a “work job” such as repairing boats, collecting firewood for the camp-wide fire, picking flowers for tables or preparing organic food from the farm for meals in the kitchen. Many of the materials and food the camp uses come from their property in some sort of way, such as yarn, wool, wood and eggs.

“Everything the kids do in their chores is something that needs to be done,” said Director Karen Culpepper. “It gives them a sense of pride they are helping the community, which also helps give them confidence. That’s a big part of it, and they do all sorts of things that are fun during the day, but they also have responsibilities.

“We tell the kids, ‘Many hands make light work,’ because look at what you have accomplished in this one hour that one person would take weeks and weeks to do.”

Ivry, 9, takes a break from weaving on a loom to pose with Camp Treetops Director Karen Culpepper. (Enterprise photo — Dana Hatton)

Camp activities include canoe building, nature programs, arts and crafts, ceramics, woodshop, weaving on a loom, cooking in the camp kitchen or pizza oven, waterfront games and required swim and horseback riding lessons. Cascade and Pitchoff mountains are visible from the camp, allowing for hikes, both day and overnight. There are also canoeing, kayaking and sailing.

A bell will ring indicating the next period. Being connected at camp is different from being connected in the real world. The kids don’t have watches or any kind of electronics on them, and often walk around barefoot.

There are 170 to 180 kids in total, split between two camps: Junior Camp for kids ages 8 to 11 and Senior Camp, ages 12 to 14. About 85 percent return for multiple years, and they come from 24 different states and 12 to 15 countries, including South Africa, China and Hong Kong.

The camp runs for a total of seven weeks, costing over $9,000, with a four-week option costing $7,000 in the summer. Although roughly 25 percent of campers benefit from the scholarship program.

Culpepper is actively involved in the camp community, knowing every boy’s and girl’s name. The kids feel comfortable around her, saying hi and coming to hug her. The campers will often engage in conversations with her.

Treetops campers work on a wooden canoe. (Enterprise photo — Dana Hatton)

“It’s awesome, and I want to come back every single year until I’m a senior camper,” Camp-goer Elmira exclaimed. The camp asked that the Enterprise not publish campers’ last names.

When Culpepper asked Elmira what makes camp awesome, she said, “all the different activities we get to do.”

Former camper Lucy Hochschartner, now part of the office staff, said, “Camp Treetops was a wonderful experience for me because it was the one time that I got to be truly relaxed. Without watches, there was no worry about being late. Without technology, there was no stress about what was going on in the wider world. I had time to do anything: read, canoe, knit, do barn chores. Most of all, I had time to get to know one of my best friends in the world.”

“We really want kids to become independent,” Culpepper said. “Counselors don’t march them from activity to activity. They are here for seven weeks. They know the place; this is their home.”

Soccer field at Camp Treetops (Enterprise photo — Dana Hatton)

A camper smiles as he does chores at Camp Treetops. (Enterprise photo — Dana Hatton)