YMCA CAMP LAKEWOOD
Dive into a world of adventure with our diverse overnight camps in Potosi, MO! Explore Traditional, Equestrian, Rangers, Mini Camp and Leadership. Our structure is designed to be progressive, with opportunities for ages 6-17 that grow along with them.
Camp Lakewood proudly holds accreditation from the American Camp Association (ACA), signifying our commitment to providing high-quality camps.
🛶 TRADITIONAL OVERNIGHT CAMPS
5 Nights: Sunday-Friday
(ages 8-16)
Adventurers (ages 8-10)
Adventurers uncover the magic of camp as our youngest traditional week campers! From horseback riding to lake adventures, campfires, and target sports like archery and slingshots, there's a world of excitement waiting for them. Campers stay in our more modern Main Camp cabins (learn more about Main Camp accommodations below).
Explorers (ages 11-12)
Explorers choose from a range of activities like archery, arts & crafts, canoeing, and swimming. Our caring staff greets each camper on arrival, fostering connections with cabin mates. Daily cabin gatherings promote learning and lifelong friendships. Accommodations are in Main Camp (learn more about Main Camp accommodations below).
Pathfinders (ages 13-16)
Pathfinders enjoy days filled with camp games, activities, and fun under our staff supervision. The goal is to foster individual growth and instill core values in teens. Amid making a positive impact, there's also time for carefree enjoyment. Weather permitting, teens stay in our East Camp rustic cabins and sleep for one night under the stars (learn more about East Camp accommodations below).
Main Camp features dormitory-style lodging near the heart of the camp is perfect for chaperoning campers at appropriate ratios by the camp counselors. Cabins feature modern bathroom facilities, air conditioning, and bunk bed sleeping areas. Many have comfortable lounges, porches, and fireplaces to encourage socializing that fosters solid friendships.
Main Camp houses campers ages 6-12 years old.
On the other side of the lake is East Camp, with our original rustic cabins complete with a central bathhouse and pavilion. There is no air conditioning. This is throwback camping as we all loved as kids ourselves! East Camp is a place for teens to call their own.
East Camp houses campers ages 13-17 years old.
🐴 EQUESTRIAN Camps are full. Waitlists are available.
5 Nights: Sunday-Friday
(ages 11-12 & 13-16)
For horse-loving campers, Equestrian Camp teaches grooming, saddling, and horse handling. Riding skills progress with trotting, cantering, and advanced techniques, including multiple trail rides and an overnight with their horse. Camp traditions like games and swimming complement the equestrian focus. Ages 11-12 stay in Main Camp and ages 13-16 stay in our more rustic East Camp. Note: Both Equestrian Camps (Sessions 2 and 9) are waitlisted for 2024.
🥾 RANGERS
5 Nights: Sunday-Friday
(ages 10-16)
The Ranger program equips campers with essential wilderness skills in their outdoor Ranger Village, where they sleep under the stars (weather permitting.) They learn open-fire cooking, shelter building, teamwork, camp exploration, trip planning, and "Leave No Trace" ethics from our experienced staff.
◉ Junior Rangers (ages 10-12)
An ideal program for campers who love the outdoors, have camping experience or want a new adventure. They learn campfire cooking, shelter building, teamwork, and outdoor living skills. While most of their time is away from traditional camp life, they choose and participate in two clinics during the week. Junior Rangers stay in Main Camp cabins.
◉ Hiking Rangers (ages 13-16)
Rangers will take a journey of backpacking adventures to uncover hidden gems within the 5,200-acre campgrounds.
◉ Survival Rangers (ages 13-16)
Rangers will master wilderness survival skills, including shelter building, fire making, and cooking. They'll face various survival challenges, and be prepared to conquer anything Mother Nature presents.
◉ Rustic Engineering Rangers (ages 13-16)
Rangers will build towers, forts, engineering projects, tables, chairs, and more. They'll also explore the art of blacksmithing.
◉ Ozark Adventure Rangers (ages 13-16)
Exploring the Ozark region, campers will acquire paddling techniques and embrace "Leave No Trace" ethics on a multi-day canoe trip with camping along the river. This exciting adventure promises to reveal natural wonders of the Ozarks and bring out the adventurer in each camper.
◉ Canoeing Rangers (ages 13-16)
Canoeing Rangers will dedicate their initial days to mastering various paddling techniques, building fires and shelters, and packing essentials, all geared toward an incredible three-day, two-night canoeing expedition.
🏕 MINI CAMPS
3 Nights: Sunday-Wednesday
(ages 6-16)
Mini Camp (ages 6-7)
Days of supervised fun await with games, pony rides, arts and crafts, nature, and swimming—a perfect camping start. Our attentive staff guarantees a safe and happy experience for first-time campers. Lodging is in our Main Camp cabins (learn more about Main Camp accommodations below).
Mini Adventurers (ages 8-10)
Introduce your 8-10-year-old to camp life with Mini Adventurers: a safe, fun, and exciting sleepover camp experience. From swimming to archery, arts & crafts to campfires, enjoy activities and stay in Main Camp cabins (learn more about Main Camp accommodations below).
Mini Ranch (ages 13-16)
Triangle Y Ranch offers an intensive equestrian training experience! Campers form their own special group and spend full days at the ranch with expert staff, advancing riding skills and delving into advanced horse care, history, and ranch management. Ranch campers stay in our more rustic East Camp, a place for teens to call their own (learn more about East Camp accommodations below).
Mini East (ages 11-12)
Has your camper ever wondered what’s on the other side of the lake or heard the legend of the 97 stairs? They can find out for themselves as they enjoy a 3-night taste of East Camp and all the excitement across the lake. This is a great introduction to East Camp for pre-teen campers (learn more about East Camp accommodations below).
Ultimate Mini Camp (ages 8-16)
Want more camp before school starts? Our ultimate mini session offers the last chance squeeze in favorite activities like archery, kayaking, and climbing. Age-specific cabin gatherings ensure fun and friendships. Main Camp hosts ages 8-12, and our more rustic East Camp welcomes ages 13-16 (learn more about Main & East Camp accommodations below). Don't miss the final summer campfire!
Main Camp features dormitory-style lodging near the heart of the camp is perfect for chaperoning campers at appropriate ratios by the camp counselors. Cabins feature modern bathroom facilities, air conditioning, and bunk bed sleeping areas. Many have comfortable lounges, porches, and fireplaces to encourage socializing that fosters solid friendships.
Main Camp houses campers ages 6-12 years old.
On the other side of the lake is East Camp, with our original rustic cabins complete with a central bathhouse and pavilion. There is no air conditioning. This is throwback camping as we all loved as kids ourselves! East Camp is a place for teens to call their own.
East Camp houses campers ages 13-17 years old.
Leader-in-Training Program
Our two-week Leader-In-Training (LIT) program is a challenging camp experience designed to mold future leaders. The program emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and pushes campers to evaluate themselves. This is an important step towards becoming a CIT. LIT helps teens become better team players, problem solvers and leaders.
LITs must have completed their sophomore year of high school.
Counselor-in-Training Program
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is an intense look into what it takes to become a counselor at YMCA Camp Lakewood. The four-week course begins with two weeks of childcare skills and program training. In the third week, the CITs shadow camp counselors while still receiving more hands-on training. In the final week, the CITs are put to the test by being assigned a cabin where they take on a leadership role.
This is a highly rigorous program and all interested campers must complete an application, interview, and reference check to be considered. Candidates must have completed their junior year of high school.
Outdoor Education Programs
The classroom is a great avenue for learning, but stepping into the natural classroom with our Outdoor Education program supplements traditional education in a real and unique way.