Green Chimneys Summer Camps

Green Chimneys Summer Camps offers dynamic summer camp programs that include outdoor education and activities, farm and wildlife center visits, and hands-on environmental learning through student trips to a 350-acre nature wonderland. Campers take part in learning through discovery with challenging outdoor activities and nature exploration, and experience organic farm and gardens that incorporate nature study and sustainable practices. Programs are part of a broader nature-based model that includes farm and wildlife rehabilitation programs and over 300 farm animals, horses, and unreleasable wildlife, with a philosophy that not all animals are there to be hugged, especially wildlife such as eagles, hawks, and owls.

• Ages: 4–15 years old

Founded in 1947, Green Chimneys is a multi-faceted nonprofit organization helping young people to maximize their full potential by providing residential, educational, clinical and recreational services, in a safe and supportive environment that nurtures connections with their families, the community, animals and nature. Green Chimneys Summer Camps are part of accredited day camp programs for children and teens at Hillside and Clearpool Summer Campsites, supported by certified teaching staff and small class sizes with an 8:1:2 student to faculty to teaching assistant ratio. Green Chimneys is recognized as a worldwide leader in animal-assisted therapy and educational activities for children with special needs, and its programs use innovative therapies and tools to teach critical life skills, including work with animals that have difficult histories as productive metaphors for children overcoming challenges. The organization’s programs celebrate the dignity and worth of all living things and are grounded in a human-animal connection across 550 combined acres that include a Model Forest promoting learning and best practices in forest management and water conservation, as well as farm, garden, and outdoor adventure spaces. Green Chimneys is part of the surrounding community, offering preschool programs, summer camp, outdoor adventures for school groups, public events, and community-based support for youth and families, and it collaborates with local and regional schools to provide hands-on environmental learning and comprehensive support services to at-risk, runaway, homeless, and foster care youth and families in crisis within Putnam County. Kristin Dionne is named Chief Executive Officer of Green Chimneys, and Green Chimneys School is an accredited special education school on two campuses.

Last updated May 28, 2026.