At the heart of the YMCA lies the power to transform?both yourself and the world around you. From our exceptional fitness, personal training, sports and aquatics programs, to our extensive preschool and school-age programs, to our fun family and community events, the Y offers an array of options focused on strengthening bodies, minds and communities.
When you are involved with the Y, you help bring about lasting personal and social change. Whether you want to nurture the potential of children, improve your family?s health, or give back to your neighbors, your involvement with the Y will positively impact your community.
There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That's because, in neighborhoods across Chicagoland, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver, positive change.
YMCA Camps - where kids get outside, unplug and have fun!
Camps at the YMCA have one thing in common: they’re all about discovery. In Y camps, children are given the opportunity to explore, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and create lasting friendships and memories!
Y camps have a way of transforming children’s lives - it takes them away from their normal routine, and creates a safe environment for them to encounter and overcome a variety of challenges. With the great outdoors as a backdrop, staff design activities that teach life lessons such as persistence in completing difficult tasks, creative problem-solving, and working together as a group in order to achieve a common goal. Each camp experience nurtures character development through our 4 Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
Y camps aren’t just for summer! Year-round opportunities are available at many of our membership center and resident camps, and offer both overnight-and-day camping trips.
Questions about which camp is right for your child? Click here for more information on how to select a camp.
All YMCA camps are ACA-accredited, which means we maintain the highest of standards when it comes to program quality. We believe the most fundamental elements of a positive day-camp experience include the safety and well-being of your child. Our day camps provide an environment where children are constantly active, learning and laughing!
Since 1921, Camp Duncan has provided safe, quality camping programs for boys and girls ages 7-15, and Teen Adventure Camps for teens ages 15-17. Camp Duncan is a summer resident-camp located on Fish Lake with 300 acres of picturesque landscape featuring woodlands, open fields, rolling hills and nature trails. Special activities include hiking, ropes courses, archery, campfire circles, zip-lining and much more!
Camp MacLean is located in southeast Wisconsin on 247 beautiful acres made up of lakefront property, woodlands and spacious fields. With over 20 year-round cabins, Camp MacLean offers every guest and camper the opportunity to explore and get back in touch with nature. The camp offers a variety of activities including kayaking, archery, hiking, tobogganing, adventure courses and much more. Camp MacLean also leaves plenty of room for traditional camp activities such as sing-alongs, campfire circles and campouts!
Nestled on the edge of Manistee National Forest near Muskegon, Michigan, Camp Pinewood boasts over 200 acres of vast woodlands, and sits on the edge of a 45 acre, spring-fed lake - Lake Echo. Camp Pinewood features a diverse variety of activities including climbing, hiking, fishing, ropes courses, zip-lining, snowshoeing, mountain biking and more! Its convenient location ensures that each guest enjoys the natural beauty of its facilities.
Camp Independence is a special place for campers ages 7+ with spina bifida and other neurological disabilities. Like many Y programs, Camp Independence focuses on learning skills, developing character and making friends! Located on 300 beautiful acres of woodlands, rolling meadows and lakefront property, Camp Independence offers a range of activities including accessible ropes courses, archery, campfire circles, floor hockey and more! Few environments are as special as Camp Independence, where children become a community as they learn how to be more independent and contribute to a group.
Family Camp Nawakwa offers a unique experience - an opportunity to bring together entire families through camping. Nestled in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin - home to the Native American band of Lake Superior Chippewa - Camp Nawakwa sits on 180 acres of pristine forest lands, wetlands and lakes with abundant wildlife. This year-round camp features a variety of activities including swimming, hiking, kayaking, Native American and wildlife presentations, cross-country skiing and more!
When planning a conference or retreat for your business, worship group, scouts or University, our camps offer unique settings and a range of activities. Each of our camps offer a variety of established programs, but can work with you to create a tailor-made program specific to your group!
