Sleepaway

Sleepaway camps near Frisco (2027)

A week at sleepaway camp is a big step, for kids and parents. Here are overnight camps Frisco families can drive to, and how to plan for one.

Updated Oct 17, 2026

Sleepaway camp gives kids a week of independence, new friends and outdoor adventure that day camp can’t match. Most overnight camps are a drive from Frisco, so the right choice depends on your child’s age, how far you’re willing to go and how long a stay they’re ready for.

Overnight camps we list

Pine Cove (near Tyler, about 100 miles from Frisco)

A Christian camp with separate overnight camps for each age group. 2027 dates and prices are already posted: weekly sessions run from May 30 to August 7, 2027.

One-week sessions are $1,749, or $1,549 for the first and last weeks of summer. Two-week sessions for the older camps are $3,148. Pine Cove offers scholarships. Some 2027 weeks already have waitlists.

If your child isn’t ready to stay overnight, Pine Cove also runs a one-week day camp in McKinney, Pine Cove City at First McKinney, July 26–30, 2027.

YMCA Camp Carter (Fort Worth, about 45 miles from Frisco)

YMCA Camp Carter is a YMCA overnight camp for ages 7 to 17, grouped by age or grade. Week-long themed sessions run Sunday to Friday, with archery, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, animal care and swimming, and three meals a day. In 2026, sessions ran from mid-June to mid-July. YMCA members pay less.

Distances are straight-line miles from central Frisco, so the drive will be a bit longer. Each camp page shows the distance from your own ZIP code.

Is your child ready?

Signs a child is ready for a week away:

  • They’ve enjoyed a sleepover or a night at a relative’s without much homesickness.
  • They can handle basic routines on their own: showering, getting dressed, keeping track of their things.
  • They’re excited about camp, not just going because a sibling or friend is.

If you’re not sure, start with a shorter stay or a day camp with a similar feel, and plan the overnight week for next summer.

Choosing a camp

  1. Match the age group. Camps like Pine Cove split campers into separate camps by grade, so kids are with their peers.
  2. Ask about a typical day. Activities, free time, cabin size, and how counselors handle homesickness.
  3. Ask about phones and letters. Find out whether campers can call home and how you’ll hear how the week is going.
  4. Plan the drive. Check drop-off and pickup times; a camp 100 miles away means two round trips that week.
  5. Budget for extras. Ask about transportation, camp store spending money and any special-activity fees.

Fitting it into your summer

A sleepaway week fits well in the middle of summer, between day camp weeks. Add it to your summer planner first, then plan day camps around it. See every option on our sleepaway camps page.

Dates and prices above are as posted by each camp: 2027 for Pine Cove and 2026 for Camp Carter until it posts 2027 details.

Common questions

What age is right for a first sleepaway camp?

Many overnight camps start around 7 or entering 2nd grade. Readiness matters more than age. Kids who have enjoyed a sleepover away from home and can manage basic routines on their own usually do well with a one-week first stay.

How much does sleepaway camp cost?

Much more than day camp, because meals, lodging and supervision around the clock are included. Pine Cove's 2027 one-week sessions are $1,749, or $1,549 for the first and last weeks of summer. Most Frisco-area day camps start under $300 a week.

When should I register for sleepaway camp?

Earlier than for day camps. Pine Cove posted its 2027 dates and prices in the fall, and some weeks already had waitlists by October 2026. If you have a favorite, register as soon as it opens.

Can I add a sleepaway week to my summer plan?

Yes. In our planner, tap the week and choose the camp. Our "Plan it for me" tool never adds overnight camps on its own, since that's a choice families make on purpose.