Camp Experience

For overnight camp, cabinmate requests can be made at the time of registration. When two campers of similar age from different families each make a mutual request during online registration, we will do our best to assign them together. Please understand that such requests are sometimes difficult to guarantee because age group and gender enrollment can vary from session to session. Camp Speers uses the following criteria when considering cabinmate requests: An exclusively mutual request made by two campers who are in the same grade, less than 12 months apart in age, and have the same gender identity.

For day camp, leaders assign children to cabin groups based on grade and age in order to ensure program quality and progression. Enrollment does fluctuate, so your camper may be with children a grade above/below them. Specialty programs are grouped by multiple grade levels.

Camper safety is our top priority in the event we encounter inclement weather. We monitor forecasts daily and adjust schedules to keep campers indoors during heavy rain or thunderstorms. While extreme heat is rare in the Pocono Mountains, we ensure hydration with frequent water breaks in the shade and extended swim time on hot days.

All meals are designed to be kid-friendly and feature familiar options such as spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fingers and fries, etc. Each meal includes a main dish along with two side items. At both lunch and dinner, a salad and sandwich bar are available, offering a variety of toppings to create a custom sandwich or salad if the main meal is not preferred. For breakfast, in addition to the main meal (such as pancakes and sausage, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, or eggs and bacon), a breakfast bar with fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, and cereal is also provided.

While there is no pool at Camp Speers, we are very proud of our beloved Lake Nichecronk, a 42-acre freshwater, glacial lake. Our lake provides incredibly fun opportunities for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, standup paddleboarding, and fishing!

American Camp Association standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs. Generally, the ratios at Camp Speers range from: One staff member for every five campers ages 4 and 5; one staff member for every six campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every eight campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 10 campers ages 15 to 17. Our Dragonfly Forest programs have 1:3/1:4 ratio.

Our Day Camp ratios range from: one staff member for every six campers ages 4 and 5; eight campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17.

Camp Speers staffs Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Emergency Medical Technicians whenever campers are present. Additionally, our counselors and specialists are certified in first aid and CPR, with many also trained in lifeguarding.

At Speers, we believe our staff are our greatest resource. Our camp staff all have prior experience working with children and have camp-specific training to ensure they not only provide your camper with a fun experience, but also a safe and educational one.

To ensure your child is in safe hands, all camp staff members must pass through a rigorous series of background checks including; FBI fingerprinting, National Child Abuse Registry, National & State Sex Offender Registry, and full reference checks. All staff also receive over 40 hours of pre-camp training on key topics like; Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention, CPR and First-Aid Training, Camp Health & Safety, Character Development and Group Dynamics, Diversity and Inclusion Training, and so much more.

Our campers are encouraged to unplug so that they can connect with each other and the nature around them! Parents and caregivers can deliver care packages and letters at drop-off, send mail through the postal system, and send one-way emails that we’ll print and deliver to campers daily. Campers can write home and send letters through the postal system, as well. Parents and caregivers can follow along with the camp fun by checking out camp photos on SmugMug, our secure, password-protected photo sharing site. Camp photographers will upload photos each day and will do their best to capture photos of as many campers as possible.

Day campers are encouraged to unplug for a few hours, too! Our photographers will upload photos of day camp fun so you can see what your camper is up to day-to-day.

Camp Speers offers over 25 different day and overnight camp options, with one and two-week overnight sessions for overnight camp. Check out our Camp Finder tool and select a session that best suits your camper! If you have specific session questions, please contact the camp office.

We’re excited to offer families special savings for Day Camp through our Camp Bundle Program! The more weeks you register for at once, the bigger your discount.

Here’s how it works:

• Discounts are applied based on the total number of Day Camp weeks selected at the time of registration.

• Example: If you register for 5 weeks up front, you’ll receive the 5-week discount rate.

• If you decide to add additional weeks later, those new weeks will be discounted according to your updated total — but the original weeks will remain at their original rate.

Yes! Thanks to our generous donors, we offer financial assistance to ensure every child can experience camp. Aid is based on taxable income, family circumstances, and available funds.

• If you cancel by June 1, 2025, you’ll receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit. No refunds are issued after this date.

• Session cancellation requests must be in writing to campers@philaymca.org.

• There are no fee reductions for late arrivals or early departures.

• No refunds for homesickness, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal.

• Approved refunds will be issued via the original payment method.

A little separation anxiety or “homesickness” is normal, and most campers adjust quickly. Our staff are trained to provide support, talk with campers, and involve leadership staff if needed. In cases of severe homesickness, we will contact you to discuss the best way to support your child. Our goal is to help campers successfully complete their session, working as a team with parents to ensure the best outcome.

We suggest parents chat with their children before camp to encourage them to make the most of camp, let them know it’s okay to be missing home and that you’ll be missing them too, but to try new things and have a great time.

When you register for camp, a detailed packing list will be emailed to you (both day and overnight camp). If you’d like to check out the packing list prior to registration, please reach out to the camp office.

Campers should pack enough clothes for their one or two-week overnight camp sessions as laundry services are not available. If a camper has an accident in the night, we will ensure their clothing and bedding is laundered.

Yes, cell phones, electronics, snacks, candy, food, fireworks, cash, personal sports equipment, and inappropriate clothing should be left at home. Additional items include alcohol, illicit drugs, nicotine, tobacco, vapes, weapons, knives, guns, and ammunition and campers found to be in possession of these or related items will be asked to leave camp and parents will be notified to pick up their camper immediately.

Camp Speers YMCA is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), annually licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and exceeds the National Standards of the YMCA. We hold a Praesidium accreditation, which shows our association’s commitment to child abuse prevention. Our camp program operates within or above the highest standards regarding health, safety, personnel selection, program quality, and facility maintenance.

Overnight Camp Sample Schedule

Monday – Friday

8:00 Breakfast

9:00 – 10:00 Activity Period 1

10:00 – 11:00 Activity Period 2

11:00 – 12:00 Activity Period 3

12:30 – 1:30 Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 Rest Hour

2:30 – 3:30 Prime Time

3:30 – 4:30 Free Swim

4:30 – 5:30 Cabin Time

6:00 – 7:00 Dinner

7:00 – 8:30 Evening Program

8:30 – 9:30 In-Cabin Chat/Activities

9:30 Lights Out

Programming for holdover weekends is available to for campers who stay for consecutive sessions.

• At the time of registration, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot in each selected session.

  • Overnight Camp, One-Week Session: $200 per session

  • Overnight Camp, Two-Week Session: $300 per session

  • Day Camp: $50 per session

• Final payments are due and will be charged on June 1st.

• Optional payment plans: Your card will be charged on the first day of each month.

• Payment options include cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.