Summer Camp
Camp Pinewood offers quality resident summer camp programs for youth aged 5-17. Opportunities include traditional camp, tripping, teen leadership, and more!
Popular Programs:
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Campers,
We would like to invite your child to spend this summer with us. Since 1925, YMCA Camp Pinewood has been providing youth and families with high-quality camping experiences. Going to summer camp is not only a memory that your child will cherish forever, but it also has the potential to change their life. We offer a supportive environment for campers to learn and grow. Campers will have opportunities to make new friends, learn cooperation and independence, try new activities and build skills that will last a lifetime.
Join us for fun and adventure this summer and become a member of the Camp Pinewood family.
Erik Bengston, Executive Director ebengston@ymcachicago.org, 231.821.2421
2013 Session Dates
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June 23 – 29 |
Session 1 |
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June 30 – July 13 |
Session 2 CIT 2 Pioneer Unit |
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June 30 – July 6 |
Session 2A |
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July 14 – 27 |
Session 3 LIT Pioneer Unit |
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July 14 – 20 |
Session 3A |
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July 28 – August 10 |
Session 4 - WAITLIST CIT 1 Pioneer Unit |
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July 28 – August 3 |
Session 4A |
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August 4 – August 10 |
Session 4B - WAITLIST |
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August 4 – 7 |
Mini Camp |
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August 11 – 17 |
Session 5 |
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August 18 – 24 |
Session 6 |
Y choose Camp Pinewood?
Values and Mission: As a part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Camp Pinewood is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility while focusing on the values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. Camp Pinewood does this through a low camper to staff ratio that allows for individualized attention and support. Our staff live these values and help each camper to do so as well. We take time for reflection everyday to explore these and other topics in meaningful ways.
Heath and Safety: The health and safety of our campers is a priority. We follow industry standard risk management policies and practices. All of our staff are certified in First Aid and CPR and receive training on camper health and wellbeing. We also have an on-site health officer that takes care of basic health needs, medication administration, and responding to emergencies.
Staff: We hire talented and enthusiastic college students and graduates after an intensive hiring and background check process. Staff then complete an in-depth, weeklong training that covers everything from teambuilding to how to make yummy meals over a campfire. We also hire Specialists for many of our activities to ensure a consistently high quality program for all of our campers.
Facilities: Our 200+ acre site includes hardwood forests, plenty of trails to explore, and a beautiful spring fed lake. We have 14 renovated, winterized cabins, two newly remodeled central bath houses, two lodges, and a modern dining facility. Other amenities include an outdoor Chapel, two sports fields, two ropes courses and zip line, a climbing wall and access to nearby rivers, national forests, and Lake Michigan.
ACA Accredidation: Camp Pinewood is ACA accredited, which means that we maintain the highest standards in program quality and are peer reviewed every three years.
Learn More!
Scroll down for an overview or click on the links below for more in depth information.
Traditional Camp
Traditional Camp is the heart of Camp Pinewood! Each day campers will enjoy several of the numerous activities available at Pinewood including swimming, boating, teambuilding, or arts and crafts. All campers will have opportunities to select activities individually and with their cabin. Evening time offers an opportunity for special programs such as Capture the Flag or a cookout with thier cabin. During two-week sessions 2, 3, or 4 campers will take a special field trip during one day and spend a night camping out under the stars. Campers are placed in cabins based on age with up to 10 campers and 1 or 2 terrific staff. This year campers will be grouped into units by grade level in order to give younger and older campers experiences that are catered to their age.
Rangers: Entering Grades 1-3. August 4-7
This 4 day, 3 night program is a great introduction to camp. With a low camper to staff ratio of 1:4 campers will get plenty of support as they try a bit of what Pinewood has to offer. Archery, hikes, swimming, arts and crafts, and roasting hotdogs over the fire are just the beginning. $400
Explorers: Entering Grades 2-4. Sessions 1-5.
Explorer campers will choose 4-8 different activities individually each week. Additional activities may be enjoyed as a cabin group. Two-week campers may also choose a one night on-site camp out. 1-Week: $765 2-Weeks: $1175
Voyager Unit: EnteringGrades 5-7. Sessions 1-5
Voyager Unit provides opportunities for campers to experience activities on an intermediate level. Two-week campers may also choose a one night on-site camp out. 1-Week: $765 2-Weeks: $1175
Navigators: Entering Grades 8-11. Sessions 1-5.
Navigator campers will choose 1-2 individual activities per week to explore more in depth. Other activities may be enjoyed as a cabin group. Campers will have an opportunity for a 1 night off-site trip. The oldest 2-week campers will also attend the Senior Beach camping trip at Muskegon State Park. 1-Week: $765 2-Weeks: $1175
Summer’s Last Hurrah: Entering Grades 2-8. Session 6.
You don’t want to miss this! A special session to send summer out with a bang. Try much of what camp has to offer plus enjoy special programs such as a camping trip at the beach. $765
Program Add-Ons for Traditional Camp
Campers may choose to add-on any of following activities when registered for traditional camp. Please choose only one add-on per week. Exception: campers in two-week sessions may choose to participate in horseback riding twice.
Model Rocketry: Entering Grades 5-10, Sessions 2, 3, or 4. *Sold out in 2011!
Campers will build and launch up to three rockets. $50
Sailing: Entering Grades 8-10. Session 2, 3, or 4.
Learn to sail on Lake Muskegon during 8 lessons from professional instructors. $250
Horseback Riding Trail Ride: Entering Grades 4-10, Sessions 1-5.
Give horseback riding a try with one introductory lesson. $40
Horseback Riding Lessons: Entering Grades 5-10, Sessions 1-5.
Slip on your cowboy boots for 4 mornings of riding and caring for horses. $150
Tripping Programs
Pioneers: Entering Grades 9-12, Sessions 2, 3, or 4.
Experience a week-or-more long wilderness trip via trail or river, or both! To prepare, practice outdoor skills, build teamwork on the ropes course and learn organization, cooperation, and personal responsibility. $1175
Teen Leadership Programs
Leader-in-Training: Entering Grades 10-12. Session 3.
Learn the basics of leadership during this two week program. Campers will build confidence, problem solving, cooperation, and leadership skills through hands on camp activities. Application is required, and the program is filled first-come, first-served. $1175
Counselor-in-Training I: Entering Grade 11. Session 4.
Counselor-in-Training has expanded to a two year program! During the first year, learn the basics about youth development, leadership, facilitating and camper health. Successfully completing CIT 1 will make participants eligible for CIT 2 in 2013. Applications are required. LIT is not required but highly recommended. $1175
Counselor-in-Training II: Entering Grade 12. Sessions 1 & 2
CIT 1 is NOT required for CIT 2 participation. In this three-week program CITs will learn basic camp counseling skills. Sessions in youth development, leadership, facilitating, camper health, homesickness and behavior management, risk management, team-building, and leading camp activities. Participants will complete a service project at camp, take a tour of at least two other camps in the area and spend one week in a cabin “live-in,” to experience being a counselor while being mentored by experienced staff. Applications are required. LIT and CIT 1 are not required but highly recommended. $1175
