Summer Camp
The opportunity to live and play with peers in a structured natural setting is a tremendous growing-up experience.
Welcome
Camp MacLean provides overnight programs ranging from three days to two weeks for boys and girls between 7 - 16 years old. Our goals of camp are to increase self-esteem, provide a small group living experience, teach life skills through activities and make sure that every camper has fun. We want campers to have a fun summer vacation.
The foundation of our camp program is the staff and counselors. Our staff is dedicated to working with youth. Counselors stay in the cabins and help campers develop a sense of community and shared responsibility. Counselors are carefully selected, screened and trained prior to the start of camp. We provide a staff to camper ratio of 1 to 5.
The health and welfare of our campers is our first priority. All activities operate under strict policies and procedures. All of our counselors and summer staff are trained in CPR. Certified lifeguards are on duty during waterfront activities. In addition, a registered nurse lives on site. Camp MacLean is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Camp Maclean has been providing those experiences for children and teens since 1941. We pledge our complete support and care to create a safe a rewarding camp experience for your child. Thank you for considering YMCA Camp MacLean.
Below you will find a listing of all of our summer programs. Additional summer camp information can be found on our FAQs and forms pages. Please contact us anytime you have questions as you look towards sending your child to YMCA Camp MacLean!
Explorer Program
Ages 7-12 (one-week or two-week options)
This main camp program is a great opportunity for girls and boys who are going to camp for the first time or for those looking for a traditional camp program. Children are placed in cabins by age and gender. A counselor, junior-counselor and 10 campers live in each cabin. In this highly structured program, campers participate in two skill periods in the morning and two skill periods in the afternoon. Skill classes offered include archery, crafts, soccer, aquatics, softball, drama, teambuilding, nature and much more. Evenings are spent enjoying game activities, Mount MacLean Skyway, campfire programs, sing-a-longs, campouts and carnival night.
Explorer Express
Ages 7-12 (three-day camp)
This program is ideal for younger, first-time campers or for those wanting to stay at camp for less than a week. Just like our Explorer program, children are placed in cabins by age and gender. Up to ten campers live in a cabin with a counselor and junior counselor. Explorer express is structured and allows campers to choose their activities including: archery, arts & crafts, boating, swimming, softball, nature, soccer, drama and much more. Evening activities will include campfires, climbing, sing-a-longs, boating, fishing, games and other fun activities.
Pioneer Program
Ages 13-16 (one-week or two-week options)
The Pioneer program is designed with teens in mind. Activities include a mix of water sports, climbing, team-building, overnight camping and canoe trips, sports, archery and much more. In addition we give teens the time to make friends in a positive environment away from the cell phone and computer. While the program has structure it also allows teens to choose their activities. Out-of-camp trips utilize a variety of state parks in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
High Adventure Camp
Ages 12-16 (one week)
This program offers the opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, trust and teamwork. Activities include climbing and zipping Mount MacLean Skyway and utilizing our forest zip line, burma loops, catwalk, traverse wires, and much more. While campers are always belayed for safety, the fear, courage, and sense of accomplishment are real. Our trained staff provide an environment of "challenge by choice." Enrollment is limited to eighteen campers per period. First time campers who are 12 years old are encouraged to enroll in the Explorer Program. Horseback riding is not available for high Adventure campers.
Devil's Lake Rock Climbing Trip
Ages 13-16 (July 14 - July 20, 2013)
Is your teen looking for an outdoor climbing and camping adventure? This program offers teens the opportunity to develop confidence and self-esteem while experiencing the popular sport of rock climbing. This five-day experience includes the challenging activities found in our High Adventure Camp program with the highlight being a three-day trip to Devil's Lake State Park where campers will climb rock bluffs overlooking scenic Devil's Lake. While campers are belayed for safety, the challenge, courage and sense of accomplishment are real. Our trained staff will provide an environment of "challenge by choice" to ensure each teen progresses at his/her own pace. This program includes tent camping, rock climbing, outdoor cooking, ropes courses and hiking. Our staff will teach all the necessary camping and climbing techniques needed for the week. Previous camping experience is not required, but a sense of adventure is!
Aquatics Camp
Ages 11-16 (2nd, 3rd, and 6th sessions)
Aquatics camp is a two-week program designed to teach campers a variety of skills and sports available on water. Campers enrolled must be proficient in front crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke and display endurance in the water. Skills include mask, fin and snorkel, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and distance swimming. Campers are on the water for three hours in the morning. They take part in regular camp activities in the afternoon and evening.
Super Heroes Theme Week
Ages 7-12 (Session #4 - July 22nd- July 27th, 2013)
For the first time campers can experience the fun of joining forces with the MacLean Superheroes. Pick up your mask, throw on your cape and it’s time to come find your super powers and skills as we protect camp from all of the super villains. Throughout the week will partake in events that will find and improve our superhero skills.
Hogwarts Theme Week
Ages 7-12 (Session #5 - July 29th- August 3th, 2013)
Back by popular demand! Campers of all ages are invited to our 4th Annual Hogwarts Theme Week. Wizardry fans and novices alike will engage in all of our usual camp activities with a special Hogwarts twist. Campers will have the opportunity to express their love for the wizardry world through participation in activities including quidditch, their own sorting ceremony and a search for the sorcerer's stone.
Leader-In-Training (LIT) Program
High School Students up to 16 Years
This three-week leadership program is designed to help teenagers develop the skills necessary for success in high school, employment opportunities and life experiences. Each LIT session has up to 20 teens and three staff. The daily schedule includes service projects, discussion workshops and team-building activities on our high and low ropes course. Through these activities, we challenge teens to properly balance work and play, to accept construction criticism and to be accountable for their actions. Many LIT's go on to be members of our staff. Because of the special nature of the LIT program, we require campers to participate in one session of another camp program before becoming a LIT. Please contact the camp office for more information on the LIT program at 262-763-7742.
Day Camp
Day Camp Program
Challengers 6-8 year olds • Voyagers 9-11 year olds • Teen Scene - 12-15 year olds
Campers spend their day 9:00am – 4:00pm with campers of their age group allowing them to play and make friends with their peers. Activities are offered based on ages, abilities, and interests which include:
Archery Swimming Climbing
Skyway Walking Hiking Crafts
Playing games & Sports Drama Singing
Team building Ga-Ga Boating and more
Campfire cooking and nature classes are also included to round out this traditional camp experience. Teen campers may also experience sailing, kayaking, and zip-lining.
Overnight Campouts
YMCA Camp MacLean offers an overnight campout for Day Campers ages 10 and up. Day campers will get to experience the night life of camp with songs around the campfire, s’mores, star gazing and more. The overnight campouts will take place the Thursday Night of sessions A, C, E, G and I. Campers must be enrolled in those sessions to attend the overnight.
Extended Camp Program
Extended camp is available 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Campers will have more time to do some of their favorite camp activities. Breakfast, snack and supper are included as part of extended camp.
Day Camp Theme Weeks
As part of our Camp Programs we also have Theme Weeks. Campers will partake in camp programs that also have special theme twist.
Week B: Wild West Week (June 24-28)
Week D: Pirate Week (July 8-12)
Week F: Super Hero Week (July 22-26)
Week G: Hogwarts Week (July 29-Aug 2)
