Camp Lakewood Programs & Electives

Mini Camp
ages 6-8; 4 days, 3 nights
For that first camp experience, we offer Mini Camp, a closely supervised introduction to camping with lots of individual attention. A ratio of at least one counselor per four campers is maintained. Cabin groups try out some of the camp's activities together, but kids also have the opportunity to choose a few activities on their own during Smorgasboard. Games, pony rides, arts and crafts, hiking, nature, swimming and more fill a camper's day. Understanding that this is possibly a child's first time away from home, our caring staff keeps them safe and ensures that they will have a wonderful time.

Main Camp
ages 8-12; 1 week
Upon their arrival, each camper registers for daily activity clinics. The campers also gather as a cabin group each day where they play, learn and bond together while participating in activities like scavenger hunts and trail rides. After dinner, an evening program rounds out the day. Each cabin will also venture into the woods for an overnight where they sleep under the stars and cook meals over a campfire or in a Dutch oven.

Teen Camp
ages 13-16; 1 or 2 weeks
Teenagers at Camp Lakewood receive an experience suited to their needs. East Camp provides a summer camp experience without forgetting that the teen is growing into an adult. Aside from participating in clinics of their choice, the camper's days are filled with social interaction, friendship, fun, and teamwork under the watchful eye of the Camp Lakewood staff. Our goal is to help the camper develop into a great individual, while learning about the four core values of the YMCA - Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Although this is a time to make an impact on a teenager's life, it is also a time to relish the joys of being carefree and young. The camper will have the opportunity to have as much fun as they possibly can. The East Camp cabins are rustic with no air-conditioning and campers share a centralized bathhouse with restrooms and showers.

Junior Ranger
ages 10-12; 1 week
Designed to allow the younger campers to experience an outdoor challenge. The campers will experience outdoor living and cooking, map reading, shelter building, forest games, cave exploration, and working as a team. The campers will learn to cook outdoors, live in tents, and explore the woods. They will also travel off-site to experience an overnight canoeing or backpacking adventure.

Ranger 1
ages 13-16; 1 week
Ranger campers leave Camp Lakewood for adventures in the great outdoors. They will learn basic skills that will enable them to pursue further wilderness outings. The campers will experience many outdoor adventures and skills such as hiking up to 15 miles, canoe trips, orienteering and map reading, and outdoor principles such as "leave no trace."

Ranger 2
ages 14-17; 2 weeks
Ranger 2 campers will learn wilderness skills, hike about 30 miles, go on a multiple-day canoe trip, and experience other adventure activities like Alpine Tower and our rappelling walls. The campers will also go on a solo night, where they will test their newly acquired abilities to camp in the woods, develop self-confidence and independence, and experience a unique kind of freedom. There is no prerequisite for this program.

Leadership Development Program (LDP)
ages 15-16; 2 weeks
LDP is a challenging camp experience designed for those who are interested in becoming better leaders, or who want to take the first step toward becoming a camp counselor. When the individual enters the program he or she works together with the LDP group to learn how to function as a team while learning cooperation, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork. Throughout the two-week stay, the LDPs work hands-on witht he campers, running morning flag raising, the East Camp Radio Show, and at least one service project. Their counselors supervise the LDPs as they assist camp counselors by running programs for their cabins, and go on a two-day canoe trip to experience leadership and group dynamics first-hand. Facilitated discussions on the issues that face teens today are examined in a constructive, educational manner. While this is a fun and engaging program for teens, education and leadership are the primary focus of the LDP program.

Counselor in Training (CIT)
ages 16-17; 3 weeks
The CIT Program offers campers the opportunity to make the transition to counselor. It is not a prerequisite to have been a Camp Lakewood camper to participate in this program. The CITs primary experience is that of a developing counselor. During the first two weeks, the CITs plan and facilitate activities for other campers, learn to be self-sufficient in overnight outdoor camping, role play scenarios that test their abilities to make good decisions, and move into a mentoring program that gives the CIT a realistic view of the camp counselor's life. During the final week, the CITs assist in a cabin while trained staff monitors their experiences. Camp Lakewood offers a continuing education program, inviting CITs to come to camp some weekends during the school year to work with YMCA Adventure Guides. They receive ongoing training in areas of leadership, recreational activities, outdoor skills, and behavior management. The CIT is encouraged to attend two of the continuing education weekends.
An application and interview is required for all CIT participants. After you have sent a registration form and deposit, Camp Lakewood will return an application and letter describing the interview process.

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ELECTIVES
Electives are only available to Main Camp and Teen Camp participants.

Horsemanship
ages 10-17; 1 week
Available for all sessions. Campers in 2-week sessions may sign up for either week. 2 hours a day of riding instruction. Takes the place of 2 clinics. Grooming, saddle, bridle, anatomy of the horse, and Western riding are all taught in this introduction to horses and their care. Learn about breeds and characteristics, riding positions, commands, walking, and trotting.

Equestrian
ages 10-17; 1 week
Available for all sessions. Campers in 2-week sessions may sign up for either week. 4 hours a day of riding instruction. Takes the place of 4 clinics. In this one-week program campers learn basic responsibility for their horse, such as grooming, saddling, and proper riding technique. Campers in this program are separated into groups by their skill level and then the program is developed around the rider's ability. There is a strong focus on increasing the camper's ability to communicate with the horse. Campers spend more time in the saddle, both arena work and trail riding. Campers are continually challenged with agility tests, obstacles, and cantering, as well as Western and English riding styles. Campers are also taught barn maintenance, horse health, differences in tack and horse commands by the qualified staff at the Triangle Y Ranch.

Advanced Equestrian
ages 10-17; 2 weeks
Available for all 2-week sessions. 4 hours a day of riding instruction. Takes the place of 4 clinics for BOTH weeks. This program begins with the equestrian one-week program (see above description). The second week offers a new level of equestrian knowledge, skills, and activities. While continuing to hone the skills described above, campers are taught specialized horse techniques and the necessary skills to begin jumping a horse. While in the two-week program, the campers master new abilities that allow them to take part in rodeo activities, such as barrel racing and pole bending. They also gain the confidence and ability to partake in the skill of loping a horse. Trained wranglers oversee each activity ensuring the safety of each child. This is the perfect program for the horse lover or the cowboy present in all of us.