Since 1983, Deer Crossing Wilderness Camp has provided a wilderness adventure for active 8-17 year olds in Eldorado National Forest near Lake Tahoe. Deer Crossing stands out from other summer camps due to our emphasis on skill building and wilderness safety, our focus on developing resilient youth, and our no-road access, off-the-grid location where campers hike in and all gear is boated in. Accredited by the American Camp Association.

Our talented staff teach beginner through advanced activities, at the level each camper is ready for. The camp emphasizes water activities—such as Canoeing, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Sailing, Paddle boarding, and swimming—as well as land-based activities—such as Rock Climbing, Technical Tree Climbing, Bouldering, Archery, Hiking, Backpacking, Arts and Crafts, and Orienteering (map and compass). For older campers, we offer leadership development training programs: counselor-in-training (CIT), leader-in-training (LIT, and wilderness-guide-in-training (WGIT).

This is a true wilderness facility, off-the-grid with no road access. We use solar power to provide electricity to the two-story lodge, and satellite internet for communications. Campers and staff sleep in platform tents in the forest behind the lodge. Our neighbors are bald eagles, marmots, chipmunks, trout, and of course deer. Our High Sierra mountain location at 6400 ft elevation boasts great winds for sailing and windsurfing, real granite climbing walls from beginner to advanced, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Summer camp is powerful – it has the ability to develop character and change lives in important ways. Now more than ever, children need the life skills, experiences, and time in nature that camp provides. At Deer Crossing campers learn how to be responsible for themselves. Campers are expected to get themselves up in the morning (bring an alarm clock!) and to breakfast on time. During individual sessions and as campers get older, we provide a series of increasingly-challenging activities and programs to strengthen their resilience and self-confidence. Successful campers are active youth who can swim comfortably using a recognized stroke (with face in water, not dog paddling), are excited to learn new outdoor skills, can ask adults for help if needed, and want to come to Deer Crossing Wilderness Camp.