17 outrageously expensive summer camps where kids have the time of their lives

At Camp Wildwood, activities include archery, beach volleyball, swimming lessons, polo, and more. Kids are split up into groups based on age to make for an even playing field.

Campers can also look forward to canoe trips, white-water rafting, and pizza parties for those with the cleanest bunks.

Lake Bryn Mawr campers adhere to a strict "Angel Code," which supposedly governs their actions at camp as they swim, play tennis, tumble in the gymnasium, make arts and crafts, and learn cooking.

Special events at the camp include the "Miss Firecracker Contest," a camp-wide Olympics, and a week-long event called the "Color War."

Just about every sport you can think of is on offer at Camp Cedar, including lacrosse, hockey, fishing, volleyball, archery, and water skiing.

The camp also takes kids on trips to places like Mt. Katahdin, the Appalachian Trail, and Baxter State Park.

Camp Androscoggin boasts 125 acres of shoreline property for campers to enjoy.

Kids especially love playing in the epic Field House, with a high school regulation basketball court and 30-foot ceilings.

At Camp Robindel, girls bond over pottery, yoga, horse riding, paddleboarding, surfing, kneeboarding, and more.

On a bi-weekly basis, the camp serves a rotation of Chinese, Mexican, Hawaiian, and Italian meals. The girls all dress up according to the evening's culinary theme.

Brant Lake Camp has the usual camp sports, but it prides itself as a place where “sports are done right." The staff provides a more holistic approach to organized play, realizing that not every camper is a future D1 athlete.

Apart from sports, campers can work at the radio station or learn how to sail.

At Camp Takajo, instructional swim is part of the younger campers' daily routines until age 12.

As boys get older, they're able to pick and choose their activities, including team sports, rock climbing, woodworking, digital photography, and white-water canoeing.

Tripp Lake Camp is touted as "one of the finest girls’ camps in the country." Campers can play ga-ga ball and lacrosse, perform in theater, and take part in the equestrian program, among other activities.

The camp assigns each younger girl two "big sisters" who will write the camper letters and look out for her during her stay.

Camp Skylemar spans 200 acres in Maine. The camp features a five-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, and three indoor-outdoor basketball courts.

The camp website states that the summer program will "teach boys to win graciously and lose with honor."

Camp Matoaka bills itself as "the official camp of summer."

The 150 acres of grassland and lakefront promises both land and water sports. Uniquely, Matoaka also offers creative arts, including photography, computers, radio, and video.

Kids go on day trips to water parks, theaters, white-water rafting excursions, and baseball games a few times a week.

Offering 23 activities taught on land, 17 water activities on the East Lake, and a host of creative arts options, Camp Manitou claims to be one of the nation’s foremost sleep-away camps.

Camp Laurel is one of the few co-ed camps in Maine. Its 250 girls and 250 boys are spread out among four campuses for a small community feel.

Camp activities include equestrian pursuits, team sports, metalsmithing, illustration, dance, improv, and the requisite water sports.

Camp Vega is a unique summer camp where girls can figure skate, perform in a music recording studio, partake in gymnastics and cheerleading, sail, and play tennis.

Girls can also receive private instruction on any activity they'd like to excel in.

Camp Mataponi's motto is, “You don't need to be the best, you just need to try your best."

Campers spend their days participating in on- and off-water sports, tennis instruction, art, and dance. More advanced campers can take part in horseback riding, theater acting, and gymnastics.

Point O'Pines Camp is nestled in New York's Adirondack country. The camp emphasizes its "familial feel," backed up by the fact that 90% of its campers return year to year.

Activities include musical theater, team sports, water sports, and organic gardening.

Raquette Lake Camp is one of the hardest summer camps to get into, with only about 10-12 spots open for new campers each year. A lengthy interview process is administered to prospective new campers.

Full uniform attire is required and meals are prepared by the on-site chef. Girls can take part in gymnastics, canoeing, sailing, and an equestrian program, while boys stay busy with lacrosse, archery, mountain biking, baseball, and more.