Not Back to School Camp

Not Back to School Camp includes time to swim, talk, sing, drum, dance, hike, stare at the sky, and play volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Campers and staff teach and learn from each other in activities such as kung fu, cob-oven building, Zimbabwean singing, college applications, surrealist games, VW engine fixing, and human digestion, along with anything else anybody initiates. Campers also read, nap, swing, practice new skills, play music, and make their own fun, and there are evening talent shows where they may dance, sing, show artwork, tell jokes, turn cartwheels, read poetry, or stand up and tell what makes them tick.

• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: Oregon August 5–19, 2026 (14 nights); Vermont September 1–10, 2026 (9 nights)
• Price: Oregon tuition ranges from $1975 to $2670 depending on family income; Vermont tuition ranges from $1415 to $1880 depending on family income; an early registration discount is usually $150 with a deadline usually on March 31st.

Not Back to School Camp describes itself as an “extravaganza for unschoolers, homeschoolers, and self-directed learners ages 13–18.” Campers and staff co-create a wide range of workshops, spontaneous events, and special evening gatherings, and evening talent shows are described as a highlight. Most days, most of the time, campers make their own decisions about activities and bedtimes, and campers choose their own bedtimes and sleeping locations, including some public spaces, though each person is assigned to a cabin. The camp serves three vegetarian meals each day with vegan alternatives, and campers may bring their own jerky, canned fish, or other meat to supplement; food is typically prepared using mostly organically grown ingredients. Each session includes approximately 60–100 campers plus staff, with most campers between ages 13–18 and a cohort of “older campers” ages 19–22 who have an additional application process and additional agreements. One staff person serves as an “advisor” for each camper group and meets briefly with that group each morning. Campers with challenging travel schedules may arrive a day early and take part in a low-cost “work party” helping to prepare for the session, and further details on travel, what to bring, prom theme, health, and more are provided in the 2026 Camper and Parent Handbook, available through an online account.

Not Back to School Camp states that it aspires to create a sanctuary that affirms, inspires, and mentors unschoolers, where campers and staff transform spiritually, emotionally, physically, creatively, and intellectually, where profound friendships begin and grow, and where adventure, mystery, music, wild spontaneous fun, and magic prevail. The camp describes itself as nondemominational and non-religious, and it states that it strives to honor each person’s religious beliefs or lack thereof. It states that it welcomes campers of all races, ethnic backgrounds, genders and gender identities, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds, political affiliations, and physical capabilities. The program notes that it is not as tightly structured as most other youth camps. Multi-session and sibling discounts are available, and diversity scholarships are available for BIPOC campers mostly in Vermont and a few in Oregon. The leadership team includes Maya Toccata as camper-and-family liaison and Sydney as “Logistics Goddess” (logistics coordinator). The camp materials reference ©2017–2024 Not Back to School Camp.

Last updated April 4, 2026.