Camp Lakewood Programs & Electives

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or Download a 2010 Camp Lakewood Registration Form

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 Smorgasbord. 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
Campers 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 (separated by gender) with restrooms and showers.

Pre-Teen Camp
ages 11-12; 4 days
Has your camper ever wondered where the music comes from early in the morning? Well now they can find that answer for themselves as they enjoy a taste of east camp and all the excitement from across the lake. Your camper will stay in the original camp cabins located on East Camp Hill complete with bath house, pavilion and the throw back camping we all loved as kids ourselves. This is a great introduction to teen camp for those campers who are interested in continuing their camping experience after main camp.

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 while still participating in traditional camp activities each day.

Campers will choose two clinic activities while also learning to cook outdoors, live in tents, and explore the woods. They will participate in a backpacking adventure around beautiful Sunnen Lake to use their new skills. The Junior Ranger program is an ideal introduction to the Ranger and Trips programs at YMCA Camp Lakewood.

Ranger 1
ages 13-16; 1 week
Ranger campers explore YMCA Camp Lakewood for adventures in the great outdoors. They will learn basic skills that will enable them to pursue further wilderness outings.

Campers will experience many outdoor adventures and skills such as hiking, canoeing, orienteering / map reading, and outdoor principles such as "leave no trace." Each week will culminate with a camper planned and implemented overnight adventure around the beautiful acreage of YMCA of the Ozarks.

Ranger Trips
ages 15-17; 1 or 2 weeks
Ranger trips take our campers to new locations for new experiences in the out of doors. Session lengths may vary from one to two weeks.

2010 trips include:

Rock Climbing in Southern Illinois
Sessions 1 and 7

Canoeing on the Current River
Session 2 and 6

River Rafting in North Carolina
Sessions 3/4 and 8/9

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, LDPs work hands-on with campers, running morning flag raising and at least one service project. Their counselors supervise LDPs as they assist camp counselors by running programs for their cabins. 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)
age 16 or 17; 2 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.

Rock Climbing in Southern Illinois
age 13-17; 1 week
This weeklong adventure trip with our professional staff will lead the campers through the basics of rock climbing. Campers will learn simple knot tying, camping gear basics and wilderness skills while at base camp. Then they will travel to beautiful Southern Illinois to experience some of the Midwest’s best climbing. The campers will use Giant City State Park as a base camp for bouldering, rock climbing and rappelling. Campers may use their own harness or belay gear. They may bring climbing shoes and chalk bags.

Canoeing in the Missouri Ozarks
age 15-17; 1 weeks
Explore the beautiful and scenic waters of the Current River in our own Missouri. Spend a week exploring the river with canoes while we learn paddling techniques, leave no trace outdoor ethics, cooking over a campfire and making new friends. With plenty of excitement and natural splendor, this trip is surely a great way to explore the hidden adventurer within us all.

North Carolina Whitewater Rafting Trip
ages 15-17; 2 weeks
This two week adventure is for those campers who love excitement! We will travel to beautiful North Carolina for the finest whitewater on the east coast. Paddle seven different rivers as you develop your rafting skills on progressively more challenging whitewater each day. All trips will be guided by professional, commercial outfitters. YMCA Camp Lakewood has partnered with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of the countries leading guide services, to ensure safety and enjoyment of our trips. We will also enjoy day hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and visit Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park at over 6,000 feet.

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

Horsemanship
ages 10-16; 1 week, 2 clinics
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 10-16; 1 week, 4 clinics
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.

Download a 2010 Camp Lakewood Registration Form