Camp Downer

Residential summer camp for children ages 8-16 in Sharon, Vermont

Camp Downer’s mission is to provide a positive and affordable camping experience for youth in a safe, constructive, and welcoming environment.

Three friends with their arms around each other's shoulders, standing by a pond with green trees in the background.
Three campers standing outdoors on a gravel area, smiling and hugging each other, with trees and parked cars in the background.

Why the name Camp Downer?

Charles Downer donated 705 acres of forest in Sharon, VT to the state of Vermont.

The land then became the Charles Downer State Forest and now is the home of our beloved Camp Downer!

Want to learn more? Read more about Camp Downer’s History here.

Three smiling campers in colorful summer outfits and pink jackets posing outdoors on a grassy field with other children in the background.

Who’s excited for Summer 2025?!

(We sure are!)

Follow us on Instagram at @campdowner!

Session 3 Honor Campers! What a great way to end the two-week with an outstanding group of honor campers!🌲⛺☀ #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
Session 3 Honor Campers! What a great way to end the two-week with an outstanding group of honor campers!🌲⛺☀ #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
After a jam packed weekend full of Olympic events ending with one of the closest races to the top we have ever seen a winner had to be declared and it was: Madagasc-OWL #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #session3 #summerfun☀️
After a jam packed weekend full of Olympic events ending with one of the closest races to the top we have ever seen a winner had to be declared and it was: Madagasc-OWL #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #session3 #summerfun☀️
Session 3 is off to a great start! Can't wait to see what the next two weeks have in store! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025
Session 3 is off to a great start! Can't wait to see what the next two weeks have in store! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025
Session 2 Honor Campers! Indoor campfire never extinguished the downer spirit within each of our campers!🌲🏕 #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
Session 2 Honor Campers! Indoor campfire never extinguished the downer spirit within each of our campers!🌲🏕 #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
Session 2 is in full swing, and campers are enjoying every moment, making memories and friendships! We look forward to the rest of the week with campfire and the softball game! ⛺🌲 #campdowner #session2 #SummerCamp2025
Session 2 is in full swing, and campers are enjoying every moment, making memories and friendships! We look forward to the rest of the week with campfire and the softball game! ⛺🌲 #campdowner #session2 #SummerCamp2025
Session 1 Honor Campers who did an exemplary job living the Downer Spirit! Thank you all for an amazing first week of camp!! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
Session 1 Honor Campers who did an exemplary job living the Downer Spirit! Thank you all for an amazing first week of camp!! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie
Can you believe we're already halfway through Session 1? Time flies when you're having this much fun! We're already looking ahead to the first Campfire of the season tomorrow evening 🔥, and we're super excited for all the incredible adventures the
Can you believe we're already halfway through Session 1? Time flies when you're having this much fun! We're already looking ahead to the first Campfire of the season tomorrow evening 🔥, and we're super excited for all the incredible adventures the rest of this summer holds! 🎉 #GreatStart #SummerAdventures #Session1 #campdowner
🎉 Celebrating 80 incredible years of Camp Downer! From summer memories to lifelong friendships, this special place has been creating magic since 1945. Our special collection is here–featuring classic hoodies, tees, and caps that let you carry
🎉 Celebrating 80 incredible years of Camp Downer! From summer memories to lifelong friendships, this special place has been creating magic since 1945. Our special collection is here–featuring classic hoodies, tees, and caps that let you carry a piece of camp wherever you go. Whether you’re an alum, current camper, or camp family member, wear your Camp Downer pride! Shop the 80 Years of Camp Collection - now available! 🏕️✨ #campdowner #80years #downerspirit #camplife #summermemories #campcollection #camppride #memories #tradition​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
📸 Camp Downer Program Spotlight: Photography! Step behind the lens and discover the magic of film photography! In this hands-on program, campers explore camp with a manual SLR camera, capturing black-and-white shots of friends, forest trails, and h
📸 Camp Downer Program Spotlight: Photography! Step behind the lens and discover the magic of film photography! In this hands-on program, campers explore camp with a manual SLR camera, capturing black-and-white shots of friends, forest trails, and hidden camp moments. 🌲✨ Then it’s into the darkroom, where they’ll learn how to develop their own black & white prints to take home—real photos, made the old-school way. 🎞️ Capture. Develop. Frame the summer! #CampDowner #PhotographyProgram #FilmPhotography #SummerOfAdventure #BestSummerEver
It’s here! The winning design from our Camper Designed T-Shirt Contest is now available in our online store in both youth and adult sizes! A big shoutout to Ruby for the amazing artwork that brought this tee to life. 🎨👕 Grab yours today!
It’s here! The winning design from our Camper Designed T-Shirt Contest is now available in our online store in both youth and adult sizes! A big shoutout to Ruby for the amazing artwork that brought this tee to life. 🎨👕 Grab yours today!
Session 3 Honor Campers! What a great way to end the two-week with an outstanding group of honor campers!🌲⛺☀ #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie After a jam packed weekend full of Olympic events ending with one of the closest races to the top we have ever seen a winner had to be declared and it was: Madagasc-OWL #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #session3 #summerfun☀️ Session 3 is off to a great start! Can't wait to see what the next two weeks have in store! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 Session 2 Honor Campers! Indoor campfire never extinguished the downer spirit within each of our campers!🌲🏕 #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie Session 2 is in full swing, and campers are enjoying every moment, making memories and friendships! We look forward to the rest of the week with campfire and the softball game! ⛺🌲 #campdowner #session2 #SummerCamp2025 Session 1 Honor Campers who did an exemplary job living the Downer Spirit! Thank you all for an amazing first week of camp!! #campdowner #SummerCamp2025 #campdownerspiritwillneverdie Can you believe we're already halfway through Session 1? Time flies when you're having this much fun! We're already looking ahead to the first Campfire of the season tomorrow evening 🔥, and we're super excited for all the incredible adventures the 🎉 Celebrating 80 incredible years of Camp Downer! From summer memories to lifelong friendships, this special place has been creating magic since 1945. Our special collection is here–featuring classic hoodies, tees, and caps that let you carry 📸 Camp Downer Program Spotlight: Photography! Step behind the lens and discover the magic of film photography! In this hands-on program, campers explore camp with a manual SLR camera, capturing black-and-white shots of friends, forest trails, and h It’s here! The winning design from our Camper Designed T-Shirt Contest is now available in our online store in both youth and adult sizes! A big shoutout to Ruby for the amazing artwork that brought this tee to life. 🎨👕 Grab yours today!