Camp Homeward Bound
A free summer camp for homeless children from New York City, providing a safe and enriching experience.
▌ Editor's read Camp Homeward Bound is an overnight summer camp program run by the Coalition for the Homeless, specifically designed for homeless children from New York City. The website states the camp has been operating for over 30 years, providing a free, week-long experience for children aged 7-11. The program aims to offer a respite from the challenges of homelessness, focusing on activities like swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and nature exploration. The Coalition for the Homeless, the parent organization, has a Google review rating of 4.6 stars based on 107 reviews. While the camp itself is not ACA accredited, its parent organization is a well-established nonprofit. The website does not explicitly mention staff-to-camper ratios or background check policies for staff. Social media handles for the Coalition for the Homeless are @coalitionforthehomeless on Instagram and coalitionforthehomeless on Facebook, where they share updates about their various programs, including the camp.
Who thrives here Ages 7–15
Camp Homeward Bound sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1996 (30 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 7–15
- Hours: sleep-away camp
- Address: 129 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
- Phone: (212) 776-2000
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Camp Homeward Bound is the nation’s first summer sleep-away camp designed specifically for homeless kids.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: Yes
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Homeward Bound
- What ages does Camp Homeward Bound accept?
- Camp Homeward Bound is open to children ages 7–15. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Homeward Bound cost?
- Camp Homeward Bound doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Camp Homeward Bound is the nation’s first summer sleep-away camp designed specifically for homeless kids. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
- What are Camp Homeward Bound's hours?
- Camp Homeward Bound runs sleep-away camp. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Camp Homeward Bound?
- Camp Homeward Bound is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 30 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Homeward Bound provide lunch?
- Yes — Camp Homeward Bound includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
- Does Camp Homeward Bound offer transportation?
- Camp Homeward Bound provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
- How does Camp Homeward Bound compare to other specialty camps in New York?
- Camp Homeward Bound is one of 27 specialty camps in New York that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Homeward Bound with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review licensing, supervision, and accreditation signals.
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