Girl scout camp, Saranac Lake, NY

Introduction / Overview

When New Yorkers hear the name "Girl Scout Camp" associated with the Adirondacks, it immediately conjures images of tradition, skill-building, and pristine wilderness—and the location on NY-30 near Saranac Lake is at the heart of that legacy. It is vital for local users to understand that this facility is not a public, drive-in campground in the conventional sense, but a cherished, specialized institution dedicated to youth development.

The address 6883 NY-30 points to the vicinity of Camp Eagle Island, a historic former Girl Scout Camp, now operating as a non-profit organization dedicated to youth summer programs for girls, as well as adult retreats. While the specific address is near the mainland base for the island camp, the primary experience is steeped in the unique history of the Adirondack Great Camps, located on the magnificent Eagle Island in Upper Saranac Lake.

This destination is not where local residents can book a standard campsite for their family vacation. Instead, it serves a higher purpose: inspiring and empowering girls, ages 9-17, to become confident, collaborative, and courageous leaders through unplugged Adirondack experiences. Its mission is deeply aligned with New York's tradition of preserving wilderness while fostering personal growth. The program's core is an immersive, all-girl environment that utilizes the stunning natural environment for swimming, hiking, canoeing, and building lifelong friendships—a truly unique educational and recreational opportunity for the local community's youth.

Location and Accessibility

The experience begins from the Saranac Lake mainland, with the address 6883 NY-30 locating the access area to the water. The actual camp, Eagle Island Camp, is a 31-acre National Historic Landmark situated on an island in Upper Saranac Lake, deep within the Adirondack Park.

Address (General Area): 6883 NY-30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA

For participants, round-trip transportation is often coordinated, especially for New York City-based groups (such as NYCHA residents who receive scholarships), highlighting the camp’s commitment to accessibility for all local residents across the state. The camp is highly remote, offering a true "unplugged" experience. It is located near the Tri-Lakes region, placing it close to the cultural and recreational hubs of Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. This proximity allows for structured off-island activities while maintaining the secluded nature of island life.

Access to the island is entirely by boat, underscoring the exclusive, focused nature of the camp environment. The mainland base of operations is near the historic Saranac Inn area, accessible via the scenic NY-30. This routing makes the start of the camp journey an immediate immersion into the majestic scenery of the Adirondack wilderness, setting the stage for the empowering, nature-focused programs ahead.

Services Offered

The services at this location are structured around providing a fully immersive, supportive, and educational residential camp experience. These are not typical public camping amenities but rather comprehensive services for registered participants.

Residential Accommodations: Campers stay in historic, Adirondack Great Camp-style dorms and cabins, ensuring a unique and communal living experience.
Full Meal Service: All meals are provided in a central dining hall, ensuring campers are well-nourished for their daily adventures.
Programmatic Activities: A structured curriculum of daily activities is offered, including waterfront time, swim lessons, creative workshops, and STEM-inspired outdoor education.
Waterfront Safety and Instruction: The camp waterfront program is led by trained and certified staff, including lifeguards, offering high standards of safety for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing.
Medical Support: A qualified medical professional is typically on call to tend to any unexpected needs, providing peace of mind for parents across New York.
Financial Assistance: The camp offers generous financial assistance packages, often supported by scholarships from various funds and organizations, to ensure the experience is accessible regardless of a family's ability to pay.

Features / Highlights

This location stands out not for its public accessibility, but for its historical significance and the profound impact of its dedicated programming.

National Historic Landmark Status: Eagle Island is a designated National Historic Landmark and a preserved Adirondack Great Camp, offering campers a rare chance to live and learn within a significant piece of New York history.
Unplugged Island Environment: The camp is entirely on an island, providing a naturally 'unplugged' setting that removes the distractions of modern technology and encourages deep engagement with the outdoors and peers.
Empowerment Programs for Girls: The core feature is the mission to inspire girls (ages 9-17) to be confident and courageous, with activities designed to foster leadership skills, collaboration, and self-reliance in an all-girl environment.
Diverse Water and Wilderness Activities: Programming emphasizes hands-on skills such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, traditional camp survival skills (fire-building, shelter-building), and nature exploration.
Adult and Family Retreats: In addition to the youth summer camp, the organization frequently hosts Women’s Weekends and Family Camps, allowing local adults to experience the beauty and history of the island.

Contact Information

As this is a private, programmatic facility and not a public campground, contact is primarily for enrollment, group bookings, or inquiries about its non-profit mission.

Address (General Access Area): 6883 NY-30, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA

Camp Phone (For Administrative/Enrollment Inquiries - Please search for the operating organization): Please refer to the camp’s official website for current year-round contact information and enrollment details.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

While not a traditional destination for public overnight stays, the former Girl Scout Camp at this Saranac Lake location, known today as Eagle Island Camp, remains incredibly suitable and valuable for New York residents. Its suitability lies in the unique service it provides to the community and its status as a historical and ecological resource.

For New York families, this camp is a premier source of character development and outdoor education for girls. It is a place where young New Yorkers can gain confidence and essential life skills through a structured, safe, and profoundly scenic wilderness experience that is increasingly rare in the digital age. By preserving and operating a National Historic Landmark, it also allows local citizens to connect with a significant part of the state’s heritage. New Yorkers seeking to empower the next generation of female leaders, or those interested in adult retreats in a spectacular Adirondack setting, will find this exclusive and mission-driven location to be one of the region’s most valuable assets. It serves as a shining example of how New York’s natural resources are utilized not just for recreation, but for impactful education and community building.