Week-long Camp (ages 6-15)
Week Long Sessions
Campers ages 6 to 15 enjoy week long overnight sessions from Sunday until Saturday during June, July, and August. Campers stay in cabins with top notch counselors and enjoy all the fun activities Camp Ernst has to offer, including the lake, ropes course and traditional camp activities.
Lakeview Campers
(Typically grades 1-4)
The Lakeview program is specifically for our 6 to 9-year-old campers. Lakeview campers will live in the Lakeview Lodge, which has all amenities under one roof. While Lakeview campers participate in the typical camp activities with their cabin and counselors, they will also engage in special traditions, which add a wacky twist to each day. These include Monday Night Madness, Word of the Day, and Wheel of Wonder.
Valley Campers
(Typically grades 5-7)
The valley is divided into two separate camper units; Red and Yellow. Campers live in traditional cabins and have meals served from the historic dining hall. Campers will have fun and build friendships while participating in all the typical camp activities, such as the ropes course, lakefront, and traditional activities like Archery and BB Guns. Campers and Staff take pride in the valley, with traditions like cookouts, themed evening programs, and vespers make each evening full of fun.
The Leaders In Training (LITS)
(Typically grades 8, 9, & 10)
The L.I.T (Leaders In Training) program is designed for our oldest campers. Leaders will live in the Loft and Longhouse, cabins designed to foster community. In addition to traditional camp activities, campers will also participate in leadership rotations that focus on team-building, communication, and role-modeling. LITs enjoy traditions like LIT Cookout, Pizza Making + Dodgeball, and a favorite…the LIT After Party.
Sample Schedule
Times vary based on age group and unit.
| 8:15am | Wake Up and Breakfast |
| Morning | Activities like the Ropes Course or Lakefront |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| Afternoon | Activities like the pool, archery, nature |
| 5:00pm | Dinner |
| Evening | Big Game like capture the flag or scavenger hunt |
| 10:00 | Lights Out |
Crew (age 15)
The Camp Ernst Crew Program is a leadership experience for those entering the 10th grade. The program, housed in the Yurt Village, is designed to help participants gain leadership skills through trainings and experiential service-learning. Crew participants form a tight-knit group as they work together to complete a variety of tasks and activities every day. Crew members will leave the Crew program with a desire to serve others as well as having grown in Spirit, Mind, Body, and Friendship.
Crew Information Packet
We highly recommend anyone interested in our crew program take time to read the crew information packet. This packet includes important information about the crew program, session dates and rates, registration process, and frequently asked questions.
Wrangler Crew
The Wrangler Crew program is a leadership experience for those interested in our Ranch program. Participants will spend time learning how to teach and lead barn programs and will get a chance to put into action what they have learned. Riding lessons and group training, along with trail riding, barn chores like cleaning stalls, grooming horses, and feeding the goats will also be included. Wrangler crew members will be at the barn during much of the day and with other crew members in the evening.
Shorter Sessions (ages 6-12)
Introduction To Overnight Camp
Campers ages five to nine can try this exciting 24-hour long Intro to Overnight camp on select dates during the summer. This program is a great introduction to see if a week-long Camp Ernst experience is right for them. Campers will stay in a cabin with counselors, eat yummy camp meals, and experience a small sampling of awesome Camp Ernst activities. Times may vary.
| 9:00am | Check-in and games |
| 10:00am | Zipline / Airwalk |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Pool / Horses / Activities |
| 5:00pm | Dinner |
| 6:15pm | Lake |
| 8:00pm | Evening Big Camp Game |
| 9:30pm | Get Ready for bed |
| 8:15am | Breakfast |
| 9:00am | Closing Ceremony and Check Out |
Half Week Camp
Campers ages five to twelve who are looking for more than a one night stay but not quite ready for a full week of summer camp can try out this three night Half Week camp during select dates during the summer. Campers will stay in a cabin with counselors, eat yummy camp meals, and experience a sampling of awesome Camp Ernst activities. Times may vary.
| DAY 1 | |
| 3:00 - 4:00pm | Check-in |
| 5:00pm | Dinner |
| 6:00pm | Activities like nature, horse rides, etc |
| 7:00pm | Evening Program (Campfire, Scavenger Hunt, Adventure game) |
| 9:00pm | Get ready for bed followed by lights out |
| DAY 2-3 | |
| 8:15am | Breakfast |
| All-day | Activity rotations such as ropes course, lake, archery, swimming, games |
| Evening | Similar to Day 1 |
| DAY 4 | |
| 7:45am | Breakfast and pack up/clean up |
| 9:00am | Pick up and sign up for next summer |
Overnight Camp Activities
Ropes Course
Challenge yourself to:
- Ring the bell at the top of the Climbing Wall
- Zip more than 250-feet into the woods from our 30-foot Zipline tower
- Trek across the Burma Bridge suspended over a pond
- Jump off the Airwalk platform and soar through the air in a giant loop
- Swing to the top of the trees on our Giant Swing
The Ropes Course is inspected by a state-licensed professional and all campers and staff utilize helmets, harnesses, professional climbing ropes, and carabiners.
Traditional Activities
At Camp Ernst, days are filled with activities at the Ropes Course, Ranch, and the Lakefront, but that’s not all! Campers will also enjoy:
- Archery
- Nature
- Crafts
- BB guns
- Sports
- Ga-Ga
- Swimming
- Hiking
Lakefront
Camp Ernst lake is a 26-acre, spring-fed, lake with hours of fun docked and waiting for you! The lake includes canoes, kayaks, aqua cycles, 100-foot waterslide, banana boat, the rockit, corcls and more!
Western Ranch
Our Rockin’ E Ranch with The Stables at YMCA Camp Ernst, funded by the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Foundation, includes two riding arenas, a 30+ horse herd, and miles of trails! Every summer we offer a variety of programs for campers of all riding levels. Whether it’s a trail ride or a full week program, you are sure to find a program that will fit your needs.
View MoreMeals
Our kitchen team, led by Food Service Director Javier Villanueva, works hard to make delicious kid-friendly meals each day.
2021 Dining will look different due to COVID-19. We are planning for spaced out eating, enjoying more outdoor dining, and changes to meal service. Click here to view our 2021 menu.
We are able to accommodate different dietary needs, including peanut/tree nut allergies, gluten allergies, dairy intolerance, and vegetarian and vegan diets. While YMCA Camp Ernst staff works closely with families regarding excellent accommodation of food allergies, please note that ours is not a peanut-free or gluten facility and, thus, the possibility of exposure does still exist.
If your camper has special dietary needs, please submit this form at least two weeks before your camper’s week.
Dietary Needs Form
