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Overnight Camp for ages 6-15
Our weeklong Overnight Camp allows children to experience adventures in a safe, caring camp environment. Activities will enhance a camper's self-esteem, confidence, and social skills.
Children will live in a 10-12 camper cabin with at least two well-trained, responsible staff leaders. A positive, Christian setting is provided for the campers at all times with their own age levels. Our goal is for campers to leave with a deeper understanding of their own potential and a new collection of life-long memories and friends.
2025 Overnight Camp Parent Packet
2025 Overnight Camp Parent Packet (Spanish)
Age Groups
Climbers - Ages 6-9 (Rising 1st-4th graders)
The focus for the Climber campers is to build their confidence. Climbers try a variety of activities, make friends, and learn about their interests. Climber campers travel with their cabin groups to an array of activities. They will have opportunities for swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, water zip lines, crafts, archery, water slides, and other activities focused on the success of our youngest campers. The ratio of campers to staff will be smaller for this group.
Mountaineers - Ages 10-12 (Rising 5th-7th graders)
The Mountaineer program is the next step in our progression focus. Mountaineer campers will spend half of the activity time in cabin-centered activities and the second part of their day will open choice rotation areas. Campers will have the opportunity to choose the activities that interest them most and mingle with other campers within their age group that aren't within their cabin. Many activities will have levels of skill and experience they they can learn. Campers will stay in cabins of 12-15 campers with at least two staff. Campers will meet friends from within their cabins as well as outside who have similar interests and goals.
Explorers - Ages 13-15 (Rising 8th-10th graders)
The Explorers program is the oldest age group in our traditional camp program. Campers will have the opportunity to choose the activities that interest them most and mingle with other campers within their age group that aren't within their cabin. They will also have the opportunity to participate in classes of their choice later in the week to continue to work on skills and work toward new levels of progression. Each day there will be opportunities for group activity time for Explorers to experience all the great activities camp has to offer. Explorers also end their day later and have a larger offering of activities. The program will have a focus on interacting with friends in a positive social atmosphere.
Leadership Camps (Rising 10th-11th grade)
More information about our Leaders in Training and Counselors in Training camps is available here.
Adventure Camps - Ages 13-15 (Rising 8th-10th graders)
More information about our Adventure camp offering information is available here.
Camp Activities
Our activities encourage campers to challenge themselves, enhance skills, and learn positive values from our staff and each other. Imagine climbing 30 feet off the ground, riding horseback on majestic Sauratown mountain, enjoying a canoe ride on our private lake, or creating an artistic masterpiece during arts & crafts. Sessions are designed to be fun and progressive, so each year campers will learn new skills and talents even if they participate in the same activities year after year. Older campers will choose classes to participate in for the week to provide a more individualized skill development based on interests. Options may include (*based on age)
Check In/Check Out Information
Check in time: Families will get an email with the assigned time and cabin assignment within the week before your session begins. If you are dropping off multiple campers with different assigned times, we ask that you use the later time if possible. All check in times are between 2:00-4:00pm on Sunday.
Check out time: Friday at YMCA Camp Hanes from 3:30-5:30pm. Dinner will not be served on Friday prior to check out.
If you need to pick up or drop off campers at another time, please call the camp office at 336 983 3131 or email the registrar at registrar@ymcanwnc.org
Hold Overs (10-15)
For an additional fee, campers who are staying for back to back sessions can continue the fun between the weekends. Meals, supervisors, and laundry services are all provided, along with a more relaxed version of our activities. Holdovers are only offered later in the summer, make sure to check dates before registering.
Camp Activities
Choice Activities
Open Lake inlcudes: All Age Groups have an Open Lake Time (Activities *Based on Age)
The well
Water Zip
Canoes
Lake Slide
Paddle Boards*
Cabin Activities
SWIMMING/POOL PADDLEBOARDS FISHING
GAMES NATURE ROOM RIFLERY*
SPORTS SERVICE PROJECTS CLIMBING
ARTS & CRAFTS VOLLEYBALL ARTS & CRAFTS
CANOEING LOW ROPES SPORTS
HIGH ROPES* HIKING 5-STAND SHOOTING CLAYS* (SHOTGUN RANGE)
TEAM BUILDING THE BLOB*
CREEK STUDY CLIMBING WALL* *Ages 10 and up
ZIP LINES ARCHERY
OUTDOOR COOKING KAYAKING
SLING SHOTS HORSEBACK RIDING
Evening Activities
Age groups gather for evening activities, including:
Campfires (Opening & Closing)
Rocks Pool parties
Skit nights S'mores
Dances Karaoke
Scavenger Hunts Stargazing
Weekly Swim Assessment
The first time a participant visits the pool they are asked to take a swim test. Participants may not re-test within the same week.*
A. The swim test consists of:
- Jumping into the pool at the 6ft end.
- Swimming to the shallow end then back to the deep end. Preferably on their stomach with their head near the surface.
- Pulling themselves out of the pool without the use of a ladder.
- Jumping back into the deep end of the pool and treading water for 30 seconds with their head above water.
Participants are not forced to take the swim test. If a participant does not feel comfortable taking the swim test and opts not to, they will receive a red band. If the bottom of their chin is 4.5 feet tall, they automatically receive a yellow band; this height is marked by a piece of tape at the pool. Their chin must be above this piece of tape to qualify for a yellow band meaning they can safely be within the deepest part of the shallow section without a PFD.
b. Once participants have finished their swim test, their swimming ability is identified by a colored swim-band. These swim-bands are to be worn every time a camper enters the pool and are to be returned at the end of each pool session.
- A GREEN band is given to those who complete the entire swim test without assistance. They may use the entire area of the pool without a life jacket.
- A YELLOW band is given to those who are able to complete the swimming portion of the test, but, are unable to pull themselves out of the pool without using the wall. If they cannot tread water for 30 seconds they receive a yellow band. If they choose to go into the deep end of the pool, marked by the lane lines, they must wear a life jacket.
- A RED band is given to those who are unable to complete the swim test, complete it with assistance, or those the lifeguards on duty feel are not a strong enough swimmer. They may use the entire area of the pool only while wearing a life jacket.
All campers and staff, regardless of swimming level, must wear a life jacket when participating in lake activities, except for the water zip line.
*If a camper comes back for multiple sessions they can retake the swim assessment or choose to keep their previous band level they've earned for that season.