Camp DeSoto - First Term
A 4-week Christian summer camp for girls, focused on outdoor adventure, personal growth, and community.
▌ Editor's read Camp DeSoto's website loads successfully and presents as a legitimate overnight camp for girls. The camp has been operating since 1929, indicating a long-standing presence and experience in summer camping. Their 'About Us' page details a strong Christian mission, aiming to help girls grow in faith and character. The website explicitly states that 'All staff members are required to pass a background check prior to employment.' While not listed in the ACA directory, the camp has a 4.9-star rating from 104 Google reviews, with many parents praising the positive impact on their daughters' confidence and spiritual development. The program offers a wide range of activities including horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, and outdoor adventures, all within a structured Christian environment.
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Since 193096+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 7–16
Camp DeSoto - First Term is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. overnight/sleepaway programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1930 (96 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
- Ages: 7–16
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 264 Highway Above the Clouds, Mentone, Alabama 35984
- Phone: (256) 634-4394
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $6700 for 4 weeks. A $1000 deposit is required with the application.
Runs 24-hour residential, 1 session (0 one-week, 1 multi-week block), from Jun 6 to Jul 1.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jun 6 – Jul 1, 2026 · 4 weeks · $6,700
↗ What parents like
- Develop independence
- Build lasting friendships
↘ Watch for
- High cost
- Long duration
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Camp DeSoto - First Term
- What ages does Camp DeSoto - First Term accept?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term is open to children ages 7–16. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp DeSoto - First Term cost?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term publishes $1,675/week for the standard session. $6700 for 4 weeks. A $1000 deposit is required with the application. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp DeSoto - First Term's hours?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Camp DeSoto - First Term?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term is operated by a private business, with 96 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp DeSoto - First Term provide lunch?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Camp DeSoto - First Term compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Mentone?
- Camp DeSoto - First Term is one of 15 overnight/sleepaway camps in Mentone that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp DeSoto - First Term with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
- Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp DeSoto - First Term.
- Camp Laney - Junior Camp Session · Mentone, AL · Ages 7–9 · $2,900/week
- Camp Laney for Boys - Two Week Session · Camp Laney for Boys · Ages 7–14 · $2,525/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls · Alabama · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls - Mini Camp · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–10 · $3,238/week
- Camp Skyline Ranch for Girls - Two Week Camp · Mentone, AL · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week
- Camp Skyline Yoga & Wellness Program · Camp Skyline, Mentone, AL · Ages 7–16 · $1,500/week
- Camp Skyline for Girls · Alabama · Ages 6–16 · $2,957/week