If you are looking for a camp with a diverse, well-established wilderness program staffed by experienced counselors and specialists and suited to all ages and abilities,  Pok-O-MacCready is all that and more!

Every camper has the opportunity to participate in a variety of wilderness experiences (see below), and what experiences they are!  Nothing can match the lessons learned, the breathtaking beauty, the challenges overcome, and the camaraderie felt during a camp trip into the mountains or on the lakes of the Adirondacks.

Trips are sent out of camp nearly every day and vary in length from half-day to day-long, overnight, and multi-day excursions.  There are trips of varying difficulty levels and distance to appeal to all campers.

Hiking – Pok-O-MacCready is nestled among a group of small local mountains, which serve as a gentle introduction to hiking, camping, and wilderness skills.  They offer beautiful views of Lake Champlain, the High Peaks, and the local landscape, and many campers who discover their love of hiking and the outdoors on these trails continue to expand their horizons on more challenging terrain.

The next step for avid hikers is to enjoy the myriad of trips we offer into the Adirondack High Peak Wilderness.  With picturesque summits and diverse forests, the Adirondacks represent one of the most dramatic mountain ranges in the country.

Many campers aim to climb all 46 peaks with elevations above 4,000 feet to become “Adirondack 46ers”.  Each summer, Pok-O as a whole successfully sends out hikes to all forty-six peaks and celebrates the individual campers and counselors who have completed their forty-six, which typically takes several summers.  Read more about camp’s long tradition of climbing the 46 here.

Mountain Biking - Bring your own bike or use one of ours from the Hard Rock Bike Shop.  During both day trips and overnight, campers experience biking on wilderness lumber roads, taking the ski lift to the top of Whiteface or Gore Mountain and racing to the bottom, and traversing the well-marked trail network at Mount Van Hoevenberg.  Beginners and more advanced riders will learn all aspects of wilderness mountain biking.

Rock Climbing – It is one of life’s most extreme challenges.  Under expert instruction, campers learn basic safety and skills, first at the camp climbing tower and then on extended trips into the Adirondacks. A new rock climbing tower is under construction for Summer 2008, boasting indoor and outdoor walls and a bouldering cave - pictures coming soon! Rock Climbing teaches perseverance, trust, and the value of personal achievement through hard work and practice - important lessons for all campers.

Canoeing/Kayaking – With several dozen boats and two trailers, Pok-O-MacCready sends canoeing and kayaking trips to all corners of Adirondack Park.  By navigating the Saranac Lake chain and other waters, and camping on remote islands, campers learn why these scenic and often relaxing trips are so popular. 

Pok-O Patch – Towering above Long Pond are four peaks near and dear to Pok-O-MacCready campers.  Rattlesnake, Bare, Sugarloaf, and Pok-O-Moonshine afford easy access to beautiful views and rewarding climbs.  Campers who climb all four peaks in one summer earn a Pok-O Patch!

Fishing – For the sportsmen and women at Pok-O-MacCready, Long Pond’s stock of Northern Pike, Perch and Bass can provide endless hours of pleasure and challenge.  As a bonus, several beautiful campsites situated on the shores of the pond are owned by camp.  If the demand warrants, extended fishing and fly-fishing excursions are sent to lakes and streams of the Adirondacks.

Sailing – Using well-equipped state campgrounds as bases, sailors take our fleet of Lasers onto the vast and windy waters of nearby Lake Champlain.  With the skills learned on more forgiving Long Pond, campers experience the joy and challenge of riding the wind.

Scenic Trips – These very popular trips are ideal for campers who want to experience the beauty of the Adirondack wilderness and spend a day wandering trails and exploring waterfalls without the extreme demand of climbing a mountain. We strongly encourage every camper to try at least one trip, and this is a wonderful option for a fun day spent in nature.

On wilderness trips, all campers and counselors share the responsibility of carrying gear, cooking, route finding, and campsite etiquette.  Led by experienced counselors and staff members, and with an emphasis on safety and skills, campers are exposed to all aspects of wilderness living. All of our trip leaders go through extensive training during pre-camp, including Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications, orienteering skills, campsite selection and set-up, and outdoor cooking.

Campers have the ability to earn “Trip Points” based on their performance and attitude while on wilderness trips.  Patches are earned and special awards are presented based on how many points are earned.  Of course, nothing quite matches the experience itself.

Pok-O-MacCready Camps, P.O. Box 397, Willsboro, NY 12996
800.982.3538   www.pokomac.com   info@pokomac.com