YMCA of Greater Bergen County Camp Programs
For the best in summer camping, look no further than the YMCA of Greater Bergen County. Whether you are looking for a day or overnight camping experience the Y has a program that will fit your needs, budget and interests.
Our Site
All of our camps are nestled in the beautiful and scenic woods of Harriman State Park along Lake Kanawauke. Harriman State Park , New York’s second largest state park, provides 200 miles of hiking trails, 31 lakes and access to the Appalachian Trail among its 46,000 acres of wilderness. Thirty miles from Hackensack campers are bused to camp each day from the Y. Two waterfronts and a fleet of canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddle boats offer a wide variety of waterfront activities.
Our Quality Staff
The YMCA of Greater Bergen County Camp Staff is dedicated to provide your child with an exceptional camping experience. We recruit our summer staff through local colleges and online camp job sites. All hired have experience working with children and many are seeking college degrees in education and outdoor education. In addition, we hire international staff for our residential camp in order to introduce campers to other cultures. Specialists are hired to provide your children with the best progressive and goal oriented instruction for activities such as: boating, arts and crafts, nature, rock climbing/challenge course and archery. All staff are given background checks and participate in an extensive 4-14 day orientation training.
Our Camp Programs
Our camps are traditional, back to basics summer camps. Each camp offers an unplugged experience for children to reconnect with the outdoors while being introduced to a variety of activities. All our programs promote the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty developing self confident and independent campers.
With success last year of this new program we decided to not only offer it again but to make it even better! This special program for 13 and 14 year olds offers all the fun of camp with added activities such as rock climbing, all day hiking adventures, kayaking, low ropes course and zip line. Added new this year is an off-site day trip per session. Day trip activities may include: visit to Trailside Nature Center, a hike on the Appalachian trail, or repelling a ravine.

TeenVenture campers will also begin to develop their leadership skills. Teen counselors will focus on small group dynamics, team work and values. Each session the group will be given a service project that gives back to the camp. Projects may include: clearing a trail, leading an all camp activity or repairing a cabin.

Finally, teens can choose to participate in an overnight offered once a session. Leaders will guide the group to an offsite spot where teens will learn how to build a fire, cook over an open flame, pitch a tent and sleep under the stars.