Growing Up at Ludlow’s: Where Kids Build Confidence and Lifelong Skills

You come to Ludlow’s to get away. To relax. To enjoy the beautiful surroundings. To spend time with your favorite people.

But when you come to Ludlow’s with the family, you’re getting something even more. You’ll discover your kids come away with a newfound confidence and real-life skills they can use every day.

From cooking their first camp meal to leading the way on the trail, Ludlow’s offers a unique place where kids can not only create great vacation memories, but also create skills for life. 

Skills for Life

As a contained, private island, Ludlow’s offers peace of mind for parents.

Kids can roam and explore safely without worrying about traffic or getting lost, providing the perfect playground for kids to test their own boundaries, make mistakes, and try new experiences.

Fishing Lessons

Learning to fish at Ludlow’s is less about reeling in the catch and more about learning patience, navigating disappointment if the fish aren’t biting, and working at a new skill that’s both fun and challenging.

Kids will have the help and guidance from our staff to help them through each step. They’ll help set kids up with all the gear they need, teach them how to bait their own hook, find the right fishing spot, and how to take the fish off the hook once they make their first catch.

We also host a Weekly Fishing Derby, where kids try to catch as many fish as possible in 20 minutes, and the winner walks away with a trophy. It’s a great opportunity to put their skills to the test, engage in friendly competition, and hang out with other kids their own age.

On the Water

Between our climbing iceberg, waterslide, and countless watercraft, kids have the perfect opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and see what they’re truly capable of.

Nothing quite builds confidence like going down the waterslide on their own or jumping off the very top of the climbing iceberg! Letting your kids take the lead paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking encourages that independence — especially for the older kids.

Letting them explore the lake on their own is a great way to build leadership skills and self-reliance. 

Cooking Basics

What better skill can your kids develop than being able to make a simple meal for themselves? And even for you!

Each of the cabins comes equipped with a full kitchen, making it the perfect opportunity to let your young ones take the lead on putting together their own sandwich for lunch or scrambling the eggs for the whole family in the morning.

For the older kids, you can go one step further and have them take charge of the grill, learning how to light it up, make sure it’s clean, and, of course, learn when to flip the patty for a perfectly cooked burger.

Adventures in Leadership and Independence

With so many activities to pick from at Ludlow’s, giving kids agency to choose their own vacation adventure is a great way for them to explore what they love and venture out on their own.

For instance, kids can take the lead on our Great Ludlow's Photo Hunt challenge, tracking down 10 different photo spots to capture around the island. 

Our Camping Island and Picnic Island are also fantastic ways for kids to strike out on their own. Accessible only by water, both Camping and Picnic Island are private and for Ludlow’s guests only. The kids can paddle over and enjoy an afternoon on Picnic Island or bring their pajamas to camp out in the bunkhouse on Camping Island.

This unique experience helps build problem-solving skills, teamwork, communication skills, and sharing responsibilities with their family, siblings, and friends in a safe and fun environment. 

Leaving with More Than Memories

The best part? The kids will be having a blast all while gaining these important life skills. More than anything, they’ll remember you letting them take charge with the grill, having the confidence in them to conquer the climbing iceberg, and giving them the room to explore the island with their siblings or friends they met at the cabin next door.

Those are memories (and skills!) that will last a lifetime.