Hartford's Camp Courant - Nation's Oldest and Largest Free Summer Day Camp - Continues to Earn Plaudits

Founded in 1894, Hartford’s Camp Courant is a youth development organization and the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the United States, serving 750 children from the City of Hartford each day during the summer months.

The accolades continue for the Camp Courant organization, and their growing array of initiatives.

This month, Hartford’s Camp Courant received the 2025 Community Business Award for the Town of Farmington from the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce.

The award, which honors “excellence and commitment” across the region, was presented in honor of Camp Courant’s rental venture, ‘The Pavilions.’ Launched in 2024, in collaboration with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s social enterprise accelerator to further boost mission funding through entrepreneurial strategy, ‘The Pavilions’ brings what is described as a one-of-a-kind event venue to the Greater Hartford region that mixes rustic chic with elegance and creativity.

“This is a great honor and such a pivotal moment for Camp,” said Corrianne Chipello, Camp Courant executive director & CEO. “The commitment from both our staff and board to get this initiative off the ground, and to see such a successful rollout, showcases how wonderful our community comes together to support us. Being recognized in this way truly means the world, and I can’t thank our friends from the Central Chambers and the region enough for being such great champions for Camp.”

‘The Pavilions’ targets a wide range of market segments, including corporations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, youth sports, and group homes, as well as individuals or families looking to hold birthday or graduation celebrations. Camp Courant’s full, 36-acre campsite can be rented out for any private event of any kind.

All proceeds from facility rentals directly support the organization’s mission in providing a free summer camp for Hartford’s children.

Camp Courant’s operational capabilities throughout the year, thanks to its versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, allow the nonprofit to offer all bookings as private events, ensuring exclusivity and privacy for those who rent the facility.

Those interested in rental bookings, pricing or inquiries are encouraged to contact Tricia Rowold, director of donor & volunteer experiences, at trowold@campcourant.org.  For more information on the organization and its prorams and events, go to http://campcourant.org