Several prestigious sleepaway camps on the East Coast have been dealing with a widespread stomach virus this summer, disrupting the final weeks of what are typically idyllic and costly summer experiences for hundreds of children. The outbreak has affected camps primarily in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and the Catskills in New York, leading to increased illness among campers and staff and prompting some families to send children home early.

Tyler Hill Camp, located in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, where nearly 500 campers attend for a seven-week term costing approximately $18,475 per child, appears to be at the center of the outbreak. According to parents who spoke anonymously, the illness began to spread rapidly shortly after the camp’s visiting day in mid-July. Estimates suggest that roughly half of the campers were affected. One parent reported that the camp’s health center was overwhelmed with sick campers, and facilities were stretched thin due to the severity of symptoms, which included frequent vomiting.

This situation has caused concern and significant frustration among families given the high tuition fees and expectations of a trouble-free, engaging summer filled with activities like waterskiing, team sports, and social events. The disruption coincides with the traditional closing activities, such as “color war,” turning what should be a celebratory finale into a challenging period focused on managing illness and sanitation.

Timber Lake Camp, situated in the nearby Catskills and charging $18,225 for the summer season, has also reported an outbreak. Officials at Timber Lake indicated that about 15 campers and staff members have shown gastrointestinal symptoms, with some requiring a short-term departure lasting two to three days. The camp initially suspected that overeating during visiting day might be the cause but later linked the outbreak to a basketball intercamp tournament, as multiple camps reported similar occurrences following the event. In response, Timber Lake set up designated “puking stations” equipped with protective masks and cleaning supplies to manage the outbreak.

Trail’s End Camp in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, another co-ed sleepaway camp where the cost is approximately $18,625 per season, also reported cases following a recent lacrosse tournament held at Tyler Hill. Seven campers from Trail’s End developed symptoms consistent with the virus.

Camp administrators have offered limited public comments. Andy Siegel, owner of Tyler Hill, sent an email to parents stating that the illness generally subsides within 24 to 36 hours, referencing his own recent experience with the virus. He sought to lighten the mood by comparing the outbreak to “the fifth plague of 2026,” citing other recent challenges such as weather extremes and regional environmental concerns.

The combined outbreaks have garnered significant attention among parents and campers, with social media channels and messaging groups rapidly sharing updates and information, turning the situation into one of the most notable camp-related crises of the summer. The affected camps have emphasized their efforts to contain and manage the illness, though some campers have returned home to recover fully.

Requests for further comment from Tyler Hill, Timber Lake, and Trail’s End went unanswered.