Chautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ Club

Chautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ Club offers a recreational day camp program that includes field activities, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, nature activities, crafts, individual and team sports, music, experiences in the arts, arts and crafts, juggling, playground time, and field games. Programming consists of a rotation of various activities that is different every day, and some activities such as sailing and swimming are guided by age and/or skill levels. Older groups, including Group 8 and SAC (Senior Athletic Club), may choose afternoon electives.

• Ages: 7–15 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, with camp operating 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2–4 p.m. during Weeks One to Eight

The Boys’ and Girls’ Club is considered the oldest day camp in the United States, with most buildings dating from the 1890s and the turn of the century, and extensive renovations to all Club buildings were completed in 2001 as part of the “CHQ 2000” long range plan. It is considered the longest running summer day camp in the United States and embraces both tradition and the latest trends in youth education and engagement. Participants are grouped according to the grade they will be entering in the fall and by gender, and the oldest group is called SAC (Senior Athletic Club), serving youth entering the 9th and 10th grades.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Club is directed by Greg Prechtl, who is recently retired as athletic director at the State University of New York at Fredonia and is described as an experienced camp administrator. The leadership team includes Alyssa Porter, Director of Youth and Family Programs, and Greg Prechtl, Boys’ and Girls’ Club Director. Staffing ratios are aligned to New York State regulations for Licensed Children’s Camps.

According to its stated purpose, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club provides an opportunity for young people ages 7–15 to actively participate in a safe and supportive recreational day camp, using programs and facilities that allow for a diverse set of activities that take full advantage of Chautauqua’s natural and cultural resources. The Boys’ and Girls’ Club encourages personal growth for participants and professional growth for staff, emphasizes the enjoyment and appreciation of lifelong skills, and recognizes and nurtures the importance of Club as a source of lasting Chautauqua relationships.

Lunch Bunch is an add-on service for campers registered for Group One and Boys’ and Girls’ Club Groups 2–6 to provide supervision during the 12–2 p.m. program break of the day camps. Lunch Bunch takes place at Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and Group One campers take the school bus with a counselor to Lunch Bunch. All campers need to bring a packed lunch, or families can order a lunch at the Youth Activities Center.

Last updated May 28, 2026.