Discovery Happens at YMCA Camp Independence
Registration for 2026 Overnight Camp is Now Open!
Campers ages 7–19 build friendships, try new activities, and gain confidence through sports, arts and crafts, campfires, paddling, and more. Adults ages 20+ can dive into the same classic camp fun while strengthening connections, celebrating personal growth, and embracing their own adventurous spirit. All of our programs promote confidence and cooperation and, best of all, are loads of fun!
Play Video For Discover All that YMCA Camp Independence Has to Offer!
Discover All that YMCA Camp Independence Has to Offer!
Our campers build confidence, friendships, and unforgettable memories in a community designed for fun and belonging. Want to see what makes Camp Independence so special? Click the play button to watch our video and experience camp life in action. Or, click the button below to read about how we empower every camper to shine!
Find Joy in Giving
Every year, Camp Independence provides a safe, welcoming, and encouraging environment to every camper. Your investment ensures that the Y has the resources it needs to care for the children, families, and communities we are privileged to serve, including providing scholarships to campers in financial need.
And each fall, Camp Independence gathers supporters from across the Midwest to join together for our Annual Gala. This event alone raises well over half of the funds needed to ensure no camper is turned away due to inability to pay. Thanks to generous donors, most campers attend Camp Independence for a fraction of the actual cost of camp, ensuring every child has the opportunity to attend, regardless of their family’s financial situation!
What`s Happening Near YMCA Camp Independence
-
group of girls on grass
The Science — and Soul — of YMCA Camp Independence
Camp Independence shows how a week of fun, friendship, and research driven support can shape a lifetime of confidence for youth who have spina bifida.
Read More -
Camper at Camp Independence
YMCA Camp Independence: Where "We Can Do That" Is Just the Beginning
Learn more about YMCA Camp Independence from a camper and her parent!
Read More -
Gala
Celebrating the Magic of Camp at the 2025 YMCA Camp Independence Gala
Thank you to those who keep the campfires burning bright!
Read More