Shaping Boys into Good Men Since 1903

MOWGLIS

Boys Overnight Summer Camp in New Hampshire

Camp Mowglis is a three, four or seven-week youth development experience – a New Hampshire outdoor overnight summer camp for boys ages 7-15. Every summer, we host a small group of around 100 boys in the natural beauty of the New Hampshire mountains and disconnect from everyday life in search of something bigger.

Explore Our Industries

Pathways to Growth and Adventure

Our diverse range of activities, known as “Industries,” empower campers to explore new interests, develop skills, and build lifelong friendships.

Hiking

The Brown Ribbon
Campers embark on journeys through forests, mountains, and scenic trails, learning essential skills like navigation, Leave No Trace principles, and trail safety. This activity builds endurance, confidence, and a profound connection to the great outdoors.

Crew (Rowing)

The Maroon Ribbon
Our rowing program emphasizes teamwork and physical endurance. Campers work together to master rowing techniques, fostering camaraderie and collective achievement.

Axemanship

The Orange Ribbon
Campers learn the art of using a knife, hatchet, and ax safely, following techniques developed by Colonel Elwell. This challenging activity builds responsibility, respect for tools, and a sense of accomplishment.

Archery

The Golden Arrow
Campers begin with the fundamentals of equipment safety and proper shooting technique, aiming to develop focus, discipline, and precision. As they progress, they experience the thrill of hitting the target, boosting confidence and concentration.

Arts and Crafts

The Black Ribbon
The Craft Shop buzzes with creativity, offering opportunities in leatherwork, drawing, painting, and pottery. Campers unleash their imagination, creating personalized projects that foster artistic expression and fine motor skills.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The Red Ribbon
Campers navigate the serene waters, mastering paddling techniques and water safety. This adventure promotes teamwork, physical fitness, and an appreciation for nature’s tranquility.

Photography

The Black and White Ribbon
Campers learn the art of photography, including camera operation, composition, and developing techniques. Capturing camp moments enhances observation skills and artistic appreciation.

Riflery

The Red, White, and Blue Ribbon
With a focus on safety and precision, campers practice marksmanship, enhancing concentration and self-discipline. This structured activity promotes patience and responsibility.

Sailing

The Golden Anchor Ribbon
Our sailing program teaches campers to navigate and control sailboats, emphasizing seamanship and a love for the water. This exhilarating experience builds confidence and independence.

Archery

The Golden Arrow
Campers begin with the fundamentals of equipment safety and proper shooting technique, aiming to develop focus, discipline, and precision. As they progress, they experience the thrill of hitting the target, boosting confidence and concentration.

Arts and Crafts

The Black Ribbon
The Craft Shop buzzes with creativity, offering opportunities in leatherwork, drawing, painting, and pottery. Campers unleash their imagination, creating personalized projects that foster artistic expression and fine motor skills.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The Red Ribbon
Campers navigate the serene waters, mastering paddling techniques and water safety. This adventure promotes teamwork, physical fitness, and an appreciation for nature’s tranquility.

We would love to welcome you to experience The Mowglis Way for yourself.

When you remove the 21st Century stress and strain, true magic has space to grow in the white space that remains.

Camp Mowglis is the world you wish you could create for your son — one where values are instilled, meaningful friendships are created, and life can be simple again.

Mowglis School of the Open

Our “School of the Open” program is based on the timeless values of honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect for others (including Mother Earth).

He may look the same when he returns home, but you’ll notice the change in subtle yet powerful ways:

The Camp Mowglis Mission

The mission of Camp Mowglis is to develop integrity, empathy, resilience, and leadership in young men through the time-tested and fun outdoor experiential program and community we call the “School of The Open.


At the core of the Mowglis mission is a commitment to create youth of sturdy character.


The changes your son experiences here permeate through all areas of life.


And while he’ll be thrilled to reunite after his seven weeks away, he’ll also have a new pack: the Mowglis family. Friendships from Camp Mowglis have deep roots and provide a support network to carry your son throughout his life. Your son will always have a home here.

History

Camp Mowglis founder Elizabeth Ford Holt asked herself the same question. She saw growth opportunities for boys slipping away as the pace and demands of daily life increased.

Young men needed to get back to basics. To learn life’s important lessons. To feed their souls, nourish their minds, and strengthen their bodies.

Mrs. Holt wanted to give boys a place to breathe. To build. And to belong.

Every summer, we host a small group of around 100 boys in the natural beauty of the New Hampshire mountains and disconnect from everyday life in search of something bigger.

Plan Your Son's Summer: Sessions and Pricing Details

We offer multiple session lengths and pricing levels, along with limited scholarships, to help families find the right fit for their budget

Timeless Memories: The Mowglis Gallery

Step into a world where over a hundred years of history and action unfold through captivating photos. Discover the legacy of Mowglis preserved in our incredible archives.

A noble vision that is as true today as it was over 100 years ago

For over a century, we’ve been guided by a commitment to integrity, innovation, and community. The values that laid the foundation of our journey remain at the heart of everything we do today. As we look to the future, we honor this legacy by continuing to inspire, empower, and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.

Where life-changing summers leave lasting memories.

Real Stories from Camp Mowglis Families

Discover how our unique approach to adventure, learning, and growth has shaped their lives and created memories that last a lifetime

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FAQs for Parents

You’ve probably got a lot of questions about the experience at Camp Mowglis. Here are the most common questions that we get, and their answers. If your specific question isn’t answered, please call 603-744-8095 or email Director Nick Robbins with ANY questions, and he’ll be happy to answer them!

If you’ve got questions about what life is like at Camp Mowglis, here are some of the most common questions we get asked (and their answers of course). Do you have a question that isn’t answered here? Please shoot us a note on the Contact Us page, and we’ll get right back to you.

Who owns Mowglis?

Mowglis is owned and operated by the non-profit Holt-Elwell Memorial Foundation, whose trustees hire, advise, guide and support a professional camp director. Mowglis receives hundreds of generous contributions each year from alumni, parents and friends to help close the gap between tuition and expenses.

At Mowglis boys are immersed in outdoor life. We offer A range of traditional camp activities, and encourage boys to find something at which they can excel and gain enjoyment and confidence from that experience. The program encourages skill development with campers working on requirements in activity areas they choose and earning ribbons for achieving competence.

Through cabin life and daily duties, weekly hiking and camping trips, music and singing, and our unique crew program, our campers develop a strong sense of community. The Mowglis program emphasizes respect for nature, encourages personal growth, fosters life-long friendships, and is a ton of fun!

The Mowglis campus covers 155 acres on the northeast corner of Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. The main camp is situated on 55 acres located directly on the lake with over 1,300 feet of shoreline. There are over 30 rustic buildings.

The staff receives training for ten days prior to the arrival of the boys and is instructed in the general education of youth. All our counselors are American Red Cross certified in CPR and First Aid. Key waterfront personnel are WSI (Water Safety Instructor) certified, and Lifeguard-certified through the American Red Cross. Key trip personnel are certified Wilderness First Responders. Counselors who drive campers are at least 25 years old.

What does this mean? The American Camp Association sets the highest standards in the industry. Being ACA accredited indicates a level of professionalism in camping and means we have voluntarily taken the time to insure our program and site meets the strictest codes of safety and excellence. Learn more about ACA accreditation.

What is it like to live at camp?

At Mowglis you live with other campers your age in open-air dormitories. Each boy is assigned a bunk and a set of shelves for personal belongings. You can pack for camp in a duffle bag or a trunk. However, once you unpack your trunk will be stored until the end of camp. You sleep with sheets and blankets and your sleeping bag will be used for overnight trips. You will have the chance to swim every day. We have a campfire circle every night.

Yes! Mowglis offers 16 different activities and what you do is your own choice. We have a daily schedule where campers sign up for instruction in their chosen activities and there are also open periods when you can try something just for fun. When you find an “industry” you like you can sign up to spend more time practicing that activity, acquiring new skills and maybe earning a ribbon.

At Mowglis you will get to try new sports and activities that might not be available at home like archery, riflery, rock climbing, rowing crew, windsurfing and woodworking. Our boys play a lot of pick-up basketball and soccer…and tether-ball at Mowglis is legendary! Many of our boys enjoy a break from the sports they practice and play at home during the fall, winter and spring.

You will eat with other campers your age and staff “family style” for all meals. Meals are delicious, home-made, and kid-friendly. Some favorites are spaghetti, fajitas, pizza, stir-fry, and BBQ. Dessert is served every night and many lunches. Campers take turns as dining room helpers.

Yes! You will go on different types of trips depending on your age and ability. We go hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing and kayaking. It doesn’t matter if you have never done these things before, you will have the opportunity to participate and we will not ask you to do more than you can handle

Wall of love

Hear first-hand from our incredible community of customers.

I have fond memories of summers at camp Mowglis in the early 80’s, and I sincerely believe the Mowglis “School of the Open” experience helped to shape the man I have become. It seems to me that while in the midst of just being a kid, this growth and maturity is difficult to see as you are simply having a great time and do not realize the life skills you are learning. However, looking back as an adult I cannot fail to notice the skills, behaviors, values and “can-do” attitude I can attribute directly to that formative experience. This last year my 12-year-old son attended Mowglis for the first time, and my wife and I were pleasantly surprised by the newly found growth and maturity he displayed after only a few short weeks. As one minor example, we were walking through the Boston airport after picking him up from camp and he was rather loaded with his camp gear. I picked up one of his bags offering to help and he said to me, “No Dad, I got it. They are (referring to the bags) my responsibility.” My wife and I just looked at each other surprised and rather proud of the changes we were already seeing in him as he heaved all his bags onto his back and headed to our gate.

Camp Mowglis is like heaven on Earth with the most spectacular lake on site; it is a very close-knit, fun and loving community that we are glad to be a part of. The entire staff is amazing and very professional, the counselors are great, giving special attention to every camper. Camp Mowglis is not only a fantastic place for our boys to spend their summer but an amazing and caring place that teaches them how to be independent, learn about companionship, to love and respect nature. Camp Mowglis helped my boys understand their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, taught them to make the best out of every possible situation, encouraged them to learn new things and to have a positive attitude, all through activities that are fun, unique and well rounded. Next summer my youngest boy will join his two brothers at camp, that is how much Mowglis has become a part of our family since 2011.

My attendance to Mowglis as a camper (1952-1956) and as a member of the staff as rifle instructor (1961 &1 1962) molded my life. I can not say enough about this "School of the Open". As a retired teacher I have seen a lot of programs for young people. The program "curriculum" at Mowglis is, by far the best to teach character, confidence, maturity and knowledge of things practical in the context of having a really fun summer. A boy will have the experience of learning his limits and at the same time expanding them. He will grow physically, become very healthy because of living 24/7 mostly out of doors, learn skills from swimming, rowing, tennis, nature, environment, hiking, camping, to even singing. The list is long. Mowglis creates responsible mature young men. It did for me and for my sons who followed me there over the years.

The summer of 2013 was my son's first at Camp Mowglis, and I was worried as he was 13 and had never been away to camp before. I was looking for a camp that would have a supportive environment, yet be challenging enough to help my son transition from a boy to a young man. Well, I couldn't have made a better choice than Camp Mowglis! There are not enough words to express how grateful I am for this wonderful place. It is truly like a big extended family. Thomas LOVED his summer there and cannot wait to return for a second year. My only regret is that I didn't find out about it until he was 13. I wish he had started going there earlier. I really cannot say enough about this place. I truly believe it is one of the best experiences you can provide for your son over the summer. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I was introduced to Mowglis through a brother inlaw who attended the camp as a child. My oldest son attended in 2009 and 2010 when he graduated with his Den class. When my son came home from a summer at camp he was a much more mature gentleman, that had learned to live in a community as a productive member. Although at first he was upset about the "no electronics" policy, he said that it was actually great to be without a connection to the world. When I heard this from a 13 and 14 year old I knew it was a special place. My youngest son has attended 2010, 2013 and will continue for the next two summers until he graduates. When school gets really tough I hear the comment " I wish I was back at camp". The boys can take on as much of a challenge as they want, they learn how to be gentlemen. As part of the community the boys have duties which are carried out each day, as well as have industries such as , tennis, archery, riflery, crafts, camping, wood shop, swimming, canoeing, sailing, jr. lifeguard training, row boating, weather, drama, kyaking and more. What more could a boy ask for? I would suggest this camp to every parent of a boy. The friendships developed here last a life time, and they boys have an opportunity to come back after graduation to work as a Jr. Counselor, or Counselor if they choose. Check it out. What better place for your son than in the open air, busy from morning to night, and growing to be a caring respectable gentleman.

I was a camper at Camp Mowglis back in the 60’s. I still have fond memories of my time spent there and are using the life lessons from my time spent there. In this day and age of social media seven weeks away in beautiful New Hampshire is the perfect getaway. Good Hunting!

Meet the people who make camp magic happen.

Our Team

Dedicated to guiding boys toward growth and self-discovery.

Nick Robbins
Executive Director & Camp Director 
Former co-founder of Opendoor. Early staff at Spotify and Clearbit.
Diana Robbins
Assistant Director, Scheduler & Food Service Manager
Lead engineering teams at Figma, Pitch, and Protocol Labs.
Tommy Greenwell
Associate Director & Property Manager
Former PM for Linear, Lambda School, and On Deck.
Jay Gulitti
Assistant Director & Director of Development
Former frontend dev for Linear, Coinbase, and Postscript.
Bartolo Governanti
Director of Alumni Relations & Summer Head of Maintenance
Holly Taylor
Registrar

Be Part of Something Extraordinary

Lead. Inspire. Grow.

We’re hiring for the upcoming camp season! Join a team dedicated to shaping young lives through adventure, leadership, and tradition. Whether you’re returning or starting fresh, become a vital part of the Mowglis story.

Connect with Nick

Nick Robbins

Director of Camp Mowglis

[email protected]

(603) 744-8095