PROGRAMS WITH PURPOSE
Summer camp can change a child’s life and we love welcoming campers to our Camp family! In everything we do, we believe in fostering growth and passion, in an accepting community that is steeped in tradition. For over 100 years, we’ve provided campers from all around the world the opportunity to experience the magic of camp, with the perfect setting on the shores of Lake George, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.
At YMCA Camp Chingachgook, we value the opportunity to teach, learn and grow with every camper through programs that promote our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
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At the root of each program is our main belief that every day at Chingachgook offers the perfect setting for character development, building confidence & independence, making lasting friendships and providing a safe place for kids to be kids. The friendships and memories made each summer are a testament to the fact that the true magic of Chingachgook comes from all the people that make up our Camp family!
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YMCA Camp Chingachgook offers four major programs during the summer to ensure there is something for every child. We invite you to continue scrolling to learn more about each program we offer.
Overnight Camp
We’re building kids that are confident, independent, resilient and who understand that our community is better together. Serving campers aged 7 to 15, our overnight camp program is made up of six 1 or 2 week sessions. Campers may choose to stay for multiple sessions and we offer an optional “hold over” weekend in between each session. Our overnight camp experience is intentionally based on our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We value the opportunity to learn and grown with each and every camper, while providing a variety of activities that give each camper the best time of their lives.
We start the morning with the bugle call of reveille, spend the busy day connecting with friends, trying new things in skills classes, cooling off at the lake during free swim, and then wrap up each day with an all-camp evening program, followed by the sound of taps playing across Camp as campers settle into their bunks for the night. While our campers always talk about how much fun they have, we know our true impact is in the growth they experience by being a part of our Camp family. You can learn more specifics about our program by scrolling down on this page or contacting us to set up a tour.
Adventure Trips
Since the first group of Schenectady boys paddled to our Lake George home in 1912, Chingachgook has been a pioneer in youth development and community building through adventure programming in the Northeastern United States. Today, we explore wilderness from the New York Adirondacks to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Canada.
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Develop independence, confidence, leadership and new outdoor skills that will endure far beyond your trip, as you face new experiences through inspiring environments and awesome adventure sports.
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Our Adventure Trips create a progressive program with four levels to match your age and abilities. You can experience opportunities for growth with every year of participation, along with new destinations, experiences and challenges, allowing you to fine-tune your leadership year after year.
Day Camp
We’re building kids that are confident, independent, resilient and who understand that our community is better together. Serving campers aged 5 to 10, our day camp program is made up of nine, 1 week sessions. Campers may choose to stay for multiple weeks, each week runs Monday to Friday with an option for extended care until 5PM and an optional overnight each Thursday.
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Our day camp experience is intentionally based on our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We value the opportunity to learn and grow with each and every camper, while providing a variety of activities that give each camper an unique experience each day plus a chance to practice their independence.
Leadership Programs
Teens ages 15 to 17 looking to increase their responsibilities at Camp and gain community service hours may choose to take part in one of Chingachgook’s Leadership Development Programs.
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Those interested can choose from either a 5 or 4 week Counselor-In-Training Program or two week leader-in-training adventure trip. These unique opportunities provide teens with the chance to develop their personal leadership style, hone in on their communication and problem solving skills and gain valuable professional development that will help them succeed at Camp, in school and in any workplace.