Camp · Theater/Music · Ages 7–17 · $2,250/week
Directory · United States · New York · Hancock
▌ Theater/Music · Ages 7–17

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts

Hancock · $2,250/week

A performing arts summer camp offering diverse programs in music, dance, theater, circus, and visual arts for children

▌ Editor's read The French Woods Festival website loads as a legitimate camp site, showcasing a wide array of performing arts programs. It is accredited by the American Camp Association, with accreditation valid through 2025, confirming its commitment to health and safety standards. The camp, founded by Ron Schaefer, has been operating for 55 years, indicating a long-standing history and experience in youth programming. The website explicitly states a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:2 and mentions that all staff undergo background checks. French Woods Festival is an overnight camp, offering specialized instruction in areas like music, theater, dance, circus, magic, and visual arts. Google reviews average 4.6 stars from over 200 reviews, with many parents praising the quality of instruction and the variety of activities. Social media handles @frenchwoods on Instagram and 'frenchwoods' on Facebook are active, featuring camp life and performances.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 197155+ years operating
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 7–17

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. theater/music 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
Yes
Established
1971 (55 years)
Operator
Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Theater/Music
  • Ages: 7–17
  • Address: 149 French Woods Rd, Hancock, NY 13783
  • Phone: 607-637-8400
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: Session 1 (3 weeks) is $6,750, which is $2,250 per week. Other sessions are more expensive.

5 sessions (1 one-week, 4 multi-week blocks), from Jun 6 to Aug 30.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 1 Jun 6 – 25, 2026 · 3 weeks · $6,750
  • Session 2 Jun 25 – Jul 14, 2026 · 3 weeks · $8,000
  • Session 3 Jul 14 – Aug 3, 2026 · 3 weeks · $8,000
  • Session 4 Aug 3 – 24, 2026 · 4 weeks · $6,950
  • Session 5 Aug 24 – 30, 2026 · 1 week · $2,150

↗ What parents like

  • Wide range of performing arts
  • Over 80 productions each summer

↘ Watch for

  • Very expensive
  • No short sessions available

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts

What ages does French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts accept?
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is open to children ages 7–17. 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 French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts cost?
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts publishes $2,250/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts accredited?
Yes — French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 55 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts?
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is operated by a private business, with 55 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 French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts provide lunch?
Yes — French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts compare to other theater/music camps in Hancock?
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is one of 7 theater/music camps in Hancock 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 French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts with other camps.

Camps near here

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