The Ultimate Summer Camp Wedding Venue in New York

Check out One of the best wedding venues upstate New York has to offer

If you're planning a wedding in New York and looking for a venue that blends scenic beauty, casual elegance and exceptional value, the Berkshire Retreat Center at Camp Schodack is absolutely worth considering. Nestled on 150 acres of secluded lawns, hidden in the woods and located conveniently close to the Catskills and the Berkshires, this unique retreat offers everything you need for an unforgettable wedding celebration. Here’s why it stands out:

A wedding in the amphitheater at the Berkshire Retreat Center

enjoy your own private venue for the entire weekend

Located in Nassau, New York, just a few hours from NYC, the Berkshire Retreat Center spans over 150 acres—40 acres of open fields, cabins and activities with over 100 acres of woodlands that surround the property, all criss-crossed with trails and hidden nooks. When couples book the venue, they enjoy exclusive use of the entire property for the weekend—no shared public access and no outside guests. That means privacy, flexibility, and a chance to design your wedding exactly the way you want it to be.

The main lawn at the Berkshire Retreat Center

Built‑in Activities for a Whole Weekend of Fun

Booking our venue isn’t just a one‑day affair. Camp Schodack is built for weekend-long immersive celebrations, giving your guests quality time together. Our couples still reach out to tell us how much their guests enjoyed the go‑karts, zip lining, climbing tower, pool parties, campfires under the stars, and even the Ninja Warrior course! Not to mention, lawn games, karaoke and more!

Wedding guest on water slide at the Berkshire Retreat Center

Stunning Upstate NY Scenery

The natural landscape at Berkshire Retreat Center is breathtaking no matter what time of year. Imagine ceremonies beneath towering trees, receptions framed by rolling emerald lawns, and evening gatherings by firelight surrounded by the forest. It’s rustic yet refined, informal yet scenic—perfect for couples who want a relaxed ceremony with visual impact and to be surrounded by their friends and family. The Fall season especially lights up the landscape with vibrant foliage, making it an ideal season for weddings.

n aerial shot of the Berkshire Retreat Center

Flexible Accommodation & Catering options

Our venue can host up to 500 guests, and we offer lodging for up to 350 on-site, with recently refurbished cabins featuring en‑suite bathrooms and shower facilities. We have a number of larger, open cabins for groups and families as well as a selection of smaller, more intimate accommodations for couples who need a little privacy. All of our cabins have ensuite bathroom and shower facilities

We offer a combination of DIY and fully-catered packages. Couples are welcome to bring in all of their own food and drink suppliers or alternatively, take up one of our catering packages to let us do it for you with buffets, BBQs or even food carts to make it that little bit more unique.

A Fall wedding at the Berkshire Retreat Center

Final Thoughts

We think that the Berkshire Retreat Center at Camp Schodack is as unique as it is beautiful (we may be a little biased!) But, if you want your wedding to be less of a snapshot and more a weekend-long celebration, and if you value scenic fall foliage, forested trails, and the glow of a camp fire under the stars, with inclusive lodging so your guests stay connected all bundled up with a flexible package giving you incredible value (aka a wedding experience that feels upscale, but doesn’t break the bank) then we think we are exactly what you are looking for and we would love to talk with you more.

The truth is that seeing is often believing, so we invite you to come and see for yourselves. If everything we have shared above sounds like your vision, get in touch with a member of the team to book your tour.

The main entrance at the Berkshire Retreat Center

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Camp Schodack was founded in 1957 and has been family owned and operated for four generations. It's rich history and beautiful landscape make it the perfect venue for groups who want to spend quality time with their guests. There are 150 acres of privately owned land for you to use, and spacious indoor venue spaces for additional use. No matter what your plans may be, the Berkshire Retreat Center at Camp Schodack will make it spectacular - You don’t have to take our word for it, simply see what our guests have said and better understand how we continue to get 5 star ratings from all who stay with us!

Amazing Retreat Locations

5 Amazing Retreat Locations in New York

Finding the right location for your event can be a challenging task, especially when there are so many options to choose from. Having been providing amazing experiences for over 60 years, we know that choosing the right Retreat Center is important, so here we have taken a look at 5 totally different Retreat centers in and around New York State to give you and your guests inspiration for next getaway.

The Summer Camp - Camp Schodack

With overnight accommodation for up to 500 guests at any one time, Camp Schodack is a truly unique location in the foothills of the Berkshires. Spread over a 100-acres, this privately owned venue operates as a Summer Camp from mid-June to mid-August. One of the benefits to a venue such as this is that any rental group has the bonus of taking advantage of all of the activities that are part of the property during their stay. These include go-karts, archery, a climbing tower, 7 tennis courts, 2 heated outdoor swimming pools as well as a range of indoor and outdoor areas and meeting spaces to take full advantage of the beauty of the capital region.

Find out more here: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

The Learning Center - Peace Village

There are spaces that touch the heart and soul in ways that you will not find anywhere else. Peace Village is a learning and retreat center that offers weekend retreats on a variety of topics where you can learn to meditate and study spiritual knowledge. The silence and tranquility of the Village provides the atmosphere for self-exploration and spiritual practice. Practicing yogis volunteer and teach at Peace Village. Their hospitality and warmth while hosting you during your retreat will be one of the memorable aspects of your stay. Peace Village opened in 1999  and is a retreat center of the Brahman Kumaris .

Find out more here: https://peacevillageretreat.org/

The Meditation Center - Kadampa Center

In 1994 Kadampa Buddhist teacher Geshe Kelsang Gyatso established Chakrasambara Center in New York City and requested one of his senior students, Kadam Morten, to become the principal teacher. The Center started off in a small graffiti covered dance studio near the Bowery, and by 2001 classes were being held in a rented commercial space in Chelsea. With an unprecedented volume of people seeking these teachings and meditations each week, we faced an immediate need to expand. In late 2011 we located and were able to purchase a street front space only two blocks away from our longtime location. After an extensive build-out and the installation of  numerous newly cast Buddha statues, in October 2012 we opened the doors to the future of Kadampa Buddhism in New York City.

Find out more here: https://meditationinnewyork.org/

The Farm - Bailey Farm

Bailey Farms was settled by John Young in the early 1800s, and the original farmhouse still survives. The property was acquired in that century by “Old Ira” Bailey, from whom the Farm gets its name. In the early 1900s, the property was purchased by a Broadway actress. Next, legend has it that a wealthy New York gentleman took ownership of the Farm and in 1937 built a replica of a Georgian estate house for his wife, who had admired a picture of a similar structure in a British magazine. Twenty years ago, Bailey Farms became the retreat and conference center it is today, dedicated to serving the larger community. We regularly welcome schools and colleges; professional and business associations; churches, synagogues, and other religious / spiritually oriented groups; community, civic, and cultural groups.

Find out more here: http://www.baileyfarms.org/

The Mountain Spa - Menla

Set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains, Menla is a hidden oasis, featuring spiritual and wellness retreats as well as exclusive getaways and the world-class Dewa Spa. A truly unique venue, Menla is the Dalai Lama’s cultural center in North America—a modern retreat and destination spa inspired by the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Tibet. Immerse yourself in the magic of our pristine mountain forests, explore hiking trails, encounter wildlife, and discover a rich tapestry of wellness experiences and activities, including workshops with renowned teachers, yoga and meditation, Tibetan healing therapies, massage and other bodywork, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://menla.us/

10 Reasons to get married at Summer Camp

David & Katie who held their wedding at Camp Schodack, NY

1. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

   • Why confine yourself to a room in a hotel or conference center when you can make use of 100 acres of open lawns and woodlands in the countryside surrounded by all the beauty of nature.

2. MAKE IT UNIQUE

   • Create the wedding you want without limitation. Want to bring your own caterers? decorations? your best friend Sally’s dog? Go ahead! You can make the schedule that works best for you without anyone telling you otherwise.

3. THE VIEWS

   • Summer Camps are set in beautiful locations and available during peak seasons. Whether it is spring, summer or fall, the great American outdoors is a truly spectacular backdrop for any event. Get married on a hilltop or in the woods, with beautiful green lawns stretching out as far as you can see or under a canopy in the trees - You can do it wherever you like.

4. ACTIVITIES

   • It’s a Summer Camp and that means all the benefits of having plenty of activities right outside your front door. Basketball, baseball, go-karts, swimming pools, climbing towers, woodland hikes, mountain bikes and more. You name it, they have it and they are all available to entertain you and your guests.

5. MAKE YOUR BUDGET GO FURTHER

   • By renting the facilities, you have the run of the place and can be as lavish or as cost effective as you like. Let them do all the catering or host your own BBQs. You can bring in food trucks or enjoy Camp favorites like grilled cheese!

6. HAVE THE ENTIRE PLACE TO YOURSELVES

   • Having people look in at what is going on can feel impersonal when you are trying to celebrate with friends and family. By having the entire place to yourselves you can hold your dream wedding away from peering eyes and really make it special.

7. INVITE EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

   • Who is going to make the ceremony and then who will only be invited to the reception??? You don’t have to worry about that at Camp. With bunks, cabins and accommodation normally used to holding hundreds of people, you can invite everyone you want with no fear of running out of room.

8. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF CAMP, AGAIN.

   • If you ever went to summer camp then you know how special it is and you’ll get to dive back into that world for the weekend to celebrate your special day. Plus any guests that never went to Camp can finally see what all the fuss is about.

9. MAKE IT LAST LONGER

   • There is no expectation that you will be just there for the day. Many Summer Camps will let you have the facilities overnight or even for the whole weekend. This means that you are in no rush. You can really savor every moment with your guests.

10. FINISH WITH A BANG

    • Imagine getting to the end of your wedding celebrations and watching fireworks paint the sky and after that, instead of having to put everyone in taxis home, you can all wrap up warm and sit round a fire, roasting marshmallows and talking about how great the weekend was. When you are finally done for the night you’ll only have a short walk back too your cabin!