Our magic is rooted in the YMCA purpose of fostering positive spiritual, mental and physical development and in our core values of caring, respect, honesty & responsibility. Our staff make these come alive as they provide every camper with opportunities to experience success in both new and familiar pursuits and build relationships between campers that help form lasting friendships. We work tirelessly to inspire every camper to remark upon their departure, "I had so much fun, I can’t wait to come back!".
Our summer day camp program provides almost limitless opportunities for FUN in a safe and nurturing environment. We take exceptional care to meet the developmental needs of every child.
Nowhere is the setting for this magical experience more inspiring! 1,100 forested acres surrounding our private 42-acre Nichecronk Lake provide us with an unspoiled natural environment to discover and enjoy. When the sun shines you’ll find us traipsing through fields and forests and jumping into crystal clear waters. Rain doesn’t keep us from enjoying the fun as we have lots of indoor space. Since our establishment in 1948 as the first YMCA camp to accept children of diverse races, economic backgrounds, religions and nationalities, Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA has provided magical summer camp experiences for thousands of children. DISCOVER the magic this coming summer!
YMCA CAMP DISCOVERY - DAY CAMP PROGRAM
KINDER KAMP is ideal for children ages 3-5 (must be toilet trained) who have not yet attended kindergarten. Lots of hands-on activities, dramatic play and group games are offered each day. Kinder Kampers find our low staff to camper ratios and lively program are an excellent introduction to the outdoor summer day camp experience. Kinder Kampers may participate in Full Day (8:45 – 4:45) or Mornings Only (8:45 - 12:30)
Youth Camp
Youth Camp is the new name for our summer day camp program and incorporates youth entering 1st grade through 5th grade. This program is designed to give campers a chance to experience everything camp has to offer. They get to choose what activities they would like each morning for the entire week. They also get the chance to socialize with other campers in their age group during our group times and free swims. They will also socialize with resident campers of the same age every other week during our all camp special events.
Teen Camp
Our summer camp program for teens has undergone some changes. We will be taking our teen campers on various off camp trips. All trips will still have the 10-1 ratio of campers to counselors. Trips will be to all sorts of fun places i.e.; baseball games, airport park, roller skating, beaches, river trips, rafting trips, hands on museums, and many more. Couselors will discuss with the campers the weeks itinerary. This will include information on the field trips, group bonding sessions and teambuilding exercises. Tuesday and Friday campers will have the chance to do camp activities they like during the campers choice time. Swimming will still be available on the days they are at camp.
Counselor Internships
Counselor Internships are new to camp this year. These are designed to give older teens the opportunity to gain experience as a counselor and still enjoy all camp activities . Interns must be at least 16 years of age at the start of summer. Internships are unpaid and there is no charge for Counselor Interns. Each session is 2 weeks long and upon completion the intern will be guaranteed a job for the next summer. Interns are able to sign up for multiple sessions during the summer.
Transportation
One Way and Round Trip transportation are available from Delaware Valley Elementary School and Shohola Elementary School. One way cost is $35 per camper per week and Round Trip is $65 per camper per week and includes breakfast.
Pick up times are 7:00am - Delaware Valley Elementary School and 7:20am - Shohola Elementary School;
Drop off times are 5:30pm - Shohola Elementary School and 5:50pm - Delaware Valley Elementary School
| A Typical Day! | |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am – 8:45 am | Before Camp Care* |
| 8:45 am – 9:00 am | Camper Drop Off |
| 9:00 am | Opening circle |
| 9:15 am – 11:15 am | Activity Periods 1 & 2 |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 12:30 pm – 3:15 pm | Activity Periods 3 & 4 |
| 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Discovery Hour |
| 4:30 pm | Closing Circle |
| 4:45 pm - 5:00 pm | Camper Pick Up |
| 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | After Camp Care* |
| * additional fees apply | |
| Sample Activities** | |
|---|---|
| Team Sports | Group Games |
| Fishing | Archery |
| Row Boating | Camp Craft |
| Kayaking | Canoeing |
| Outdoor Cooking | Nature Exploration |
| Drama | Hiking |
| Mountain Biking | Leadership Development |
| Climbing | Arts & Crafts |
| Team Building | Swim Lessons *** |
| Riflery | Free Swim and more... |
| ** Not all activities available all days and/or for all ages. Example: Boating activities are restricted by swim level and age. | *** Required for all ages unless other arrangements are made with the Camp Director. |
Discovery Hour
Discovery Hour gives each camper a choice of activity that they select for themselves each day. Some examples are yo-yo games, gardening, sports, puppetry, magic, outdoor cooking, science experiments.
Closing Campfires
We close each week with a special campfire program at the end of the camp day. Families are encouraged to join us for this special celebration that features performances by all campers.
Horseback Riding
Day Campers, ages 8+ and minimum 52 inches tall, may add Horseback Riding Lessons (1 hour per day) to their camp experience at an additional fee or may participate in the 3 hour per day Riders Roundup Program for those who are true horse lovers! The Riders Roundup program expands lessons in equitation, horse care, grooming & tacking as well as barn maintenance.
Our annual Horse Lovers Day Camp is a full week of horse, horse, horse.... from 9 am - 5pm held the last week of the summer for the equestrian enthusiast. While most of the day is spent with the horses at the Ranch - lunch, snack and a daily swim are included in the program.
Special Needs
Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA strives to meet the developmental needs of children and adolescents through high quality programs and activities. We are pleased to accommodate campers with special needs whenever possible. Please contact our day camp director to determine how we may meet the needs of your child.
Financial Assistance
Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA is dedicated to the many benefits of the camp experience for all. We make every effort to provide financial assistance to campers who require it in order to participate. For information about Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA Campershipss, contact our office at 570-828-2329.
Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA believes that the benefits of our high quality summer camp experience should be
available to every child and teen. Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, we have instituted a voluntary 4 tier pricing program for our Summer Resident and Day Camp programs. Tier 1 most closely pays the true cost of camp and tiers 2 and 3 are subsidized rates that enable other families to also send their children to camp. Tier 4 is our open campership program. This is an option for families whose need for financial assistance is greater than can be met through tiers 2 and 3.
$50 per week deposit due at registration
Kinder Kamp & Youth Camp
Tier Two - $183 First Week, $178 each additional week
Tier Three - $173 First Week, $170 each additional week
Tier Four - Contact our office to request a
Financial Assistance Application
Teen Camp
Tier Two - $215 First Week, $214 each additional week
Tier Three - $198 First Week, $194 each additional week
After Camp Care (M - F 4:45 pm - 6 pm) $ 15/wk
- Daily Lessons: M - F, one hour per day lessons
Tier One - $125 per week*
Tier Two - $120 per week*
Tier Three - $115 per week*
*+ Full Day Program
-
Riders Roundup: M - F, three hours per day
Tier One - $160 per week*
Tier Two - $152 per week*
Tier Three - $146 per week*
*+ Full Day Program
-
Horse Lovers Day Camp: August 20 - 24
9 am - 5 pm
Tier One - $360
Tier Two - $335
Tier Three - $312
Register Online
All fields marked with * are required.