Camp Child
LEARNING LEADERSHIP
At Camp Child we seek to build lifelong leaders by creating lifelong memories, lifelong learners, and lifelong friends. Camp Child is an open and welcoming place where children are challenged in quality, values oriented programs and activities. The legacy of Camp Child began in 1943 when the Harry S. Child family donated 17 acres to the Helena Family YMCA. Today campers enjoy spending a week with our dedicated and caring counselors learning about themselves, learning about their natural world and learning how to protect it, ensuring the legacy of leadership will live on for generations.
The YMCA is hiring for the summer!! Download an application and a job description here! We are looking for energetic, caring individuals to work as camp counselors this summer. Weekly stipend (depending on experience), plus room & board!
Camp counselor job description
SUMMER 2013
NEW!! FAMILY CAMP: May 25-27
We cook & clean, you connect with your kids. No need to rush out of town to grab your camp spot because your cabin is warm and ready for you when you get here! This camp is lead by Angel & Heath Nordquist of Montana Wilderness Adventure Company. Angel & Health both have great memories of being YMCA campers at Camp Child. We are excited to bring the camp experience full-circle!
Y-Members: Adults$50/Kids $25
Non-Members: Adults $100/Kids $50
CIT CAMP: June 9-12
Ages: completion of 8th or 9th grade
Counselor in Training or CIT Camp is the first step toward a rewarding summer experience for young men & women who want to become camp counselors at Camp Child. Participants must have completed 8th or 9th grade and should be willing to return for at least one week over the summer as a volunteer helper.
CIT camp is 3 days of structured camp activities, training in first-aid/CPR, and learning how to implement the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. After campers have completed their training they may be assigned to assist a counselor for at least one week over the summer.
Y-Members: $50 Non-Members: $100
OPERATION MILITARY KIDS - CAMP PEE WEE
JUNE 14-16
Military kids ages 6-10 from ALL Branches are welcome to join us for a weekend of outsdoorsy fun! Kids will be able to go canoeing, swimming, learn to start a fire, prepare a meal, and set up a tent.
Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child and Youth Services, National 4-H Headquarters/USDA, and Montana State University.
For more Information please contact:
Catherine McNeil, Lewis & Clark County 4-H, Military Program Coordinator
Ph: 406-439-8570/email: cmcneil@montana.edu
NEW!! YMCA MOUNTAIN SKILLS CAMP: June 16-21
Ages: 9-14
Our new Mountain skills camp is THE place to learn about "THE LAST BEST PLACE". Nestled among the backdrop of the Continental Divide, Camp Child offers a gorgeous mountain setting complete with moose, blue birds, fox, and eagles who have all been known to call Camp Child home.
During our week of camp, we will literally learn to climb mountains, both real and perceived. Through a series of carefully planned challenges campers will face down fears and overcome them on their own personal journey of growth and development. Campers will leave feeling stronger, more confident, connected and secure.
Some of the activities to expect are building a fire, learning to read a compass, scaling "the wall", using a GPS, pitching a tent, campfire cooking, building a shelter, fishing, canoeing, identifying edible plants, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming.
Y-Members: $225 Non-Members: $275
NEW!!! WRITER'S CAMP: June 23 - 28
REAL WRITERS, REALLY WRITING
Ages: 12-17 years
The year the Y has partnered with the Lewis & Clark Library to bring a new experience to Helena's youth. Work with experienced writers like Teen Services Librarian Heather Dickerson and Carolyn Patterson. Poetry, improvisation, writing for the stage, storytelling, and comics combine for a full writing smorgasbord of styles, technique, and approaches. Writers will vary their day with group activities, individual time, and workshop sessions to share and hone their craft.
Each night campers and staff will come together to celebrate the day's creative work. With poetry slams, storytelling sessions, or an on-stage play, writers will have an opportunity to share their talent as well as laughs.
Imperative to the creative process is fun and breadth of new experiences. While we will spend a significant amount of each day in the creative process, we'll also spend time enjoying camp! Canoeing, hiking, capture the flag - you name it, and we'll probably do it.
Campers will leave feeling energized and excited about their writing and the creative process. An anthology of the best of each writer's work will accompany campers when they leave as a reminder of all they accomplished.
Y-Members: $225 Non-Members: $275
ELEMENTARY CAMP: July 7-12
Ages: completion of 3rd-5th grade (approx 8-12 yrs)
Camping at the Y is a fun and unique experience that gives children the opportunity to discover their full potential, meet new friends, play and create memories that last a lifetime. Through camping children explore nature, become a community and develop confidence, independence, leadership and social skills.
Y-Members: $225 Non-Members: $275
ASTHMA CAMP: July 14-19
The goal of camp is quite simple: to offer a summer camp for children with asthma where they can learn the necessary skills to manage their asthma while at the same time enjoying hiking, running, swimming and other activities - just like kids at traditional summer camps.
Cost: $100
Click here to view more photos on our Facebook page
NEW!! OUTDOOR SCIENCE CAMP: July 21-26
WITH EXPLORATION WORKS!
Ages: 9-14
Get outside! Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) lead by the awesome staff at Exploration Works and traditional camp fun with the Y! Is pollution upstream harming the aquatic life in the Little Blackfoot River? Is there a "green" solution to improving the aquatic environment at Camp? We'll explore these questions and more with our friends from Exploration Works and local water quality experts. We'll also have time to see how art & science collide, observe wildlife in the area, hike, swim, boat, 
play and generally have a great camping experience.
Y-Members & Ex Works Members: $245
Non-Members: $295
MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP: July 29 - August 2
Ages: Completion of 6th-8th grade
The Y has been a leading provider of summer camp for over 125 years and continues to provide youth with an enriching experience, ensuring campers are in a safe environment with caring YMCA staff who instill positive values that help build their kids’ character.
Y-Members: $225
Non-Members: $275
ELEMENTARY CAMP II: (tentative) August 18-23
Ages: 8-12
Nothing to do the last week of summer? Depending on interest and available staff, we will hold elementary camp the final week of summer.
Y-Members: $225 Non-Members: $275
AMENITIES
Heated cabins
Heated bathhouse
New Septic System completed 2009
Upgraded Water Treatment System completed 2010
Removal of Pine Beetle killed trees completed 2012
New Rainy Day Shelter completed 2011
New Ropes/challenge course being designed
WHY GO TO CAMP?
Try new things, challenge yourself, make some new friends, appreciate nature, get a change of scenery, get healthy, gain confidence, pick a cool nickname, learn to lead, have a lot of fun, create a better world for all and to enjoy the outdoors and all it's splendid beauty.
