7-8 Year-Old Campers: Explorer Camp Program
The Explorer program is designed to have our youngest campers “try everything on their plates”. The counseling staff are specially trained to provide support, leadership, guidance and non-stop fun! In cabin groups, staff introduce Explorers to swimming, archery, climbing, arts & crafts, nature and much more. This program is designed as a 1 week camp although campers may sign up for additional sessions.
9-11 Year-Old Campers: The Voyageur Program for Girls (Rovers Village) and Boys (Cubs Village)
Voyageur Campers will be part of a cabin group that participates in activities together. Each camper will have one dedicated swim period a day and will have a set schedule of core programs through the week. Campers will also have the ability to choose some activities based on their individual interest. Care is taken to provide instruction adapted to each child’s age, interest and skill level. Campers spend time with their cabin group each day building friendships, working and playing with their peers and developing self-confidence. Campers in this age group will have an opportunity to canoe at Blue Marsh Lake with their cabin group. The Voyageur program is designed as a 2 week session.
12-15 Year-Old Campers: The OWL Program for Boys (Loggers Village) and Girls (Trailblazers Village)
Our teen campers are the Older, “Weiser”, Leaders of our camp community. will be part of a cabin group that participates in activities together. Each camper will have one dedicated swim period a day and will have a set schedule of core programs through the week. Campers will also have the ability to choose some activities based on their individual interest. This program will challenge your camper, by introducing team-building, in-depth programming, and by giving them the opportunity to teach a skill they have mastered to others. This crew has a special “Night Owl” schedule with extended evening programs with their friends, special events and activities beneath the moon and stars including overnight campouts at the Peak. The OWL program is designed for a 2 week stay at camp.
Summer Camp Activity Choices
Creative Arts – Arts and Crafts, Dance, Music, Drama, Guitar
Adventure – High Ropes (12 and older), Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, Zip Line, Team building
Nature – Hiking, Outdoor Living Skills (OLS), Fishing & Pond Ecology, Introduction to reptiles with live snakes and turtles!
Athletics – Mountain Biking (Voyageur and OWL), Mountain Boarding, Court Sports and Field Sports
Shooting Sports – Archery, BB’s, .22 Riflery (12 and up), Trap (12 and up)
Horseback Riding – English Riding Lessons*, Pony Rides (Explorer)
*Additional Fee
Summer Camp Evening Programs
When the sun goes down at camp we keep going! Night life is a large part of the camp experience. Some of our evening programs include:
Capture the Flag, Campfires (smores!), Talent Shows, Predator and Prey, Smugglers, Scavenger Hunts, Bombardier, Challenge Night!, & Pool Parties to name a few.
Summer Camp Activity Choices
Swimming – Recreational (built in everybody's schedule), Boating – Canoeing/Kayaking (10 and older*)
Sailing (12 and older*)
Creative Arts – Arts and Crafts, Dance, Music, Drama, Guitar
Adventure – Quad jump (12 and older), Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, Zip Line, Team building
Nature – Hiking, Outdoor Living Skills (OLS), Fishing at the Pond, Introduction to reptiles with live snakes and turtles!
Athletics – Mountain Biking (Voyageur and OWL), Mountain Boarding, Court Sports and Field Sports
Shooting Sports – Archery, BB’s, .22 Riflery (12 and up), Trap (12 and up)
Horseback Riding – English Riding Lessons*, Pony Rides (Explorer)
*Additional Fee
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• No refunds will be made for late arrivals or early departures.
• In case of homesickness, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal there is NO refund of any fees.
• A $200 non-refundable deposit is required for each camp session with registration. Tuition balance is due 2 weeks prior to your camp experience.
• All trading post deposits are non-refundable. Any remaining balance left in the Trading Post account will be donated to the SMYMCA campership fund. Cancellations and Refund Policy If a cancellation occurs 60 days prior to the beginning of the session, payments will be refunded, MINUS the deposit. After this time, no refund will be given.
We welcome you to the mountain and invite you to share in our Fire of Friendship, determined in our belief that every person shares the potential to grow in wisdom, to discover their unique and independent voice, to nurture others and to engage their communities. The fun and challenging programs we offer foster communication, trust, problem-solving and deeper spiritual connections, while preparing young people to lead and be led. The South Mountain YMCA Camps are more than a series of camping and retreat programs on the mountaintop, they are a way of life – a philosophy – that are exciting to explore and easy to embrace.
Keep the Fires Burning!
The Mission of the South Mountain YMCA is to provide a camping experience, educational and other programs that build personal leadership, character and life skills while developing caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in young people, families and communities.
The South Mountain YMCA Camps, operating as an independent YMCA Camp and Conference Center since 1983, has been providing youth recreational and educational programs for over 60 years (previously under the direction of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County). Camp Conrad Weiser and Bynden Wood Day Camp provide the primary backdrop for all activities, however program opportunities today stretch into areas of Outdoor Education and Environmental Education Programs, Curriculum Training, Corporate Conferencing, Kindred Group Retreats, Church Retreats, Parent/Child Programs, and more.
The YMCA serves over 8,500 individuals annually with participants largely drawn from the local area and surrounding communities. Our summer campers come from Pennsylvania, our neighboring states, and more than a dozen other countries.
Our team are the heart and soul of the South Mountain YMCA Camps. Our services and programs are about developing people, and it takes a dedicated and passionate team make them happen.
Facility and Location
The South Mountain YMCA Camps reside outside of Reading, PA on the border of Berks and Lancaster counties. Our properties include the beautiful vista of Cushion Peak. The main entrance to our 600 acres can be found at 201 Cushion Peak Road, Reinholds, Pa. The lodge is comprised of the Tea Room, the Auditorium (seats 100 comfortably), Bathrooms, and the Lodge Kitchen.
The Bynden Wood Lodge: is perfect for team building activities, or for special events and retreats.
The Dining Hall: built in 1948, seats 200 adults, and is perfect for events and retreats
The Wigwam: Constructed of two levels. The top floor is an auditorium with a stage, and the lower level is comprised of bathrooms and a recreation hall.
Cabins: There are 24 identical cabins on our site. Each has 14 bed for a total of 336 beds. The cabins are broken into 4 villages, and each village has it’s own shower house per village.
Shower House: Each village has a shower house with showers and toilets for 84 people.
The Durdan Chapel: The Chapel includes outdoor seating with sound support for 300 adults.
The Duberstein Equestrian Center: Ideal for hosting equestrian events, our outdoor ring features a judges booth and a concession stand.
Other facilities include: The Climbing Wall, The Schiaroli Zip Line, The High Rope Course, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, and a pool
With more than 600 acres and 90 buildings, the South Mountain YMCA Camps offer plenty to see and do. We hope you’ll join us in exploring one of the most beautiful spots in Pennsylvania.
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| Program Name | Grade | Age | Hightlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literary Theme Camps | {{ '5th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 5th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '10 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '15 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser was voted Best of Berks County Living from 2015 - 2021 |
| Horse Riding Camp | {{ '4th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 4th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '9 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '15 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | This camp is for the serious equestrian, spend half of the day at the barn and learn all about horses. |
| Teen Adventure & Leadership Programs | {{ '5th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 5th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '12 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '16 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser was voted Best of Berks County Living from 2015 - 2021 |
| The International Camper Exchange Program (ICEP) | {{ '8th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 8th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '13 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '15 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | The South Mountain YMCA Camps has been running ICEP trips with YMCA Camps around the world for more than 50 years. |
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