Complimentary Camp Advisor Service

Ready to discover the perfect sleepaway camp experience? We’ve reimagined our Top Sleepaway Camps & Tours Guide to bring you something special! True to our mission of “Giving Moms the Gift of Time,” we’ve curated an exceptional resource featuring real camp stories from fellow camp moms, insider info, mom resources, packing tips and more.

While each camp in our guide offers outstanding facilities, diverse activities, and exceptional staff, the true magic lies in the friendships made. Let the Local Moms Network help connect you with the perfect fit for your child and family.

Meet Camp Advisor, Matt Candel

Summer camps are in Matt Candel’s DNA. His connection to camp life began before he was born—his parents celebrated their honeymoon in 1965 by working at Brant Lake Camp. His dad was a group leader and his mom was their first female counselor! This family legacy continued through his brother Lou, who served as lacrosse director at Camp Wayne for Boys before becoming Athletic Director at Poly Prep Country Day School.

When COVID paused summer camps in 2020, Matt and Lou created “Lax and Hoops Prep” to provide at-home, small group sports training on the East End of Long Island. Matt coordinated daily schedules for hundreds of moms and a roster of twenty-five coaches for basketball, lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, and field hockey sessions.

Matt has also volunteered at Sunrise Day Camp, a free camp for children with cancer and their siblings. “Coaching lacrosse and basketball to kids who have never been on a team and miss a lot of school while in hospitals,” he shares, “has been the most meaningful experience I’ve had outside of parenting my own kids.”