Camp Overview

A unique, overnight, freedom of choice, program for campers age 9-18, Buck's Rock offers a non-competitive environment where campers work with qualified, professional artists and teachers who nurture and support their skills and interests in professionally equipped studios.

Since 1942, Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp, a residential camp in New Milford, CT, has offered young people a wide range of creative and performing arts. Buck's Rock is an educational institution that believes in the ability of young people to structure their time intelligently and to use freedom productively. We believe that young people can best act and work creatively when they choose their activities and are allowed the time they need to pursue them. Thus, at Buck’s Rock, campers are given the freedom of choice to decide for themselves the activities in which they will become involved.

The Performing Arts include: music, theater, dance and comedy. Our Music Department features an orchestra, jazz band, string ensemble, chorus, a cappella groups, rock bands, pit orchestra, marching band, a professional recording studio and private instruction in voice and most instruments. Our Theater Program offers 8-10 fully mounted productions including two musicals, and features costume, set design and lighting and sound departments. Our Dance Program includes ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, lyrical and yoga classes. We also have a very unique Comedy program with workshops in standup, improv and sketch comedy.

The Creative or Visual Arts include: glassblowing, flamework, metalsmithing, painting, drawing, culinary, ceramics, printmaking, leather, puppetry, woodworking, sculpture, digital photography, sewing, batik, weaving, bookarts/papermaking, computer layout and design, creative writing, computers and video. There are also ample opportunities for campers to enjoy our swimming pool, animal farm, and radio station and take part in team sports and individual sports such as archery, tennis, martial arts and fencing.

Campers work along side qualified professional artists and teachers who nurture and support their talents and skills as they perform and create. Each activity has its own area and is equipped to professional standards. Campers are housed by age/grade. Cabins house approximately 24-32 campers and bunks are mostly for 4 campers. Guidance Counselors live in the same area with our campers and act as surrogate parents, relating to their campers, guiding and mentoring them. Instructors work with campers individually in our various studios and also interact with them when on house duty, eating in the dining room or participating at evening activities. Buck's Rock's community is  unique, creative and diverse, and campers experience an enormous amount of growth and self-discovery in our supportive and nurturing teaching and learning environment.