Frost Valley YMCA is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive camp community where every camper is accepted for who they are. The camp offers one and two-week programs from July to August for second through 10th graders and features a traditional overnight summer camp, teen and pre-teen adventure trips, horse camps, farm camp and its very own adventure survival camp.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
“We want children to know this is a safe place for them to be exactly who they are and who they want to be,” says Erin Johnson, director of marketing and PR. “Children and teens grow in a safe and engaging environment where they can spend their first nights away from home, gain skills as young leaders and bond with new friends on mountain hikes, swimming and boating in Lake Cole, ziplining, sleeping beneath the starry Catskill sky and more.”
Along with its values-driven programming, Frost Valley YMCA offers a unique tiered pricing structure that allows parents to pay the price that works best for them, as well as financial assistance so that no child has to miss out on a life-changing camp experience. Food is included, and transportation can be added for a fee.
“The one phrase we hear over and over again is: ‘Frost Valley is my home away from home,’” Johnson says. “Campers learn how to step out of their comfort zones, try new things and work together as a cohesive camp community with campers and counselors from all walks of life.”
UPHOLDING CORE VALUES
Frost Valley YMCA was founded in 1885 as The Boys’ Camping Society and after several iterations held its first camp in 1958 on the former estate of Julius Forstmann. The original 2,200-acre piece of land in the Catskill Mountains has since expanded to 5,500 acres.
Today, the camp is a traditional overnight experience including waterfront activities, daily flag raising and a twist on “capture the flag” called USB. It’s all driven by eight core values: Caring, Community, Diversity, Honesty, Inclusiveness, Respect, Responsibility and Stewardship.
“Frost Valley infuses its core values into nearly every aspect of a camper’s day, from seeing the names on our camp road signs—for example, Diversity Drive—to participating in activities that have been intentionally developed to foster an appreciation for each of our core values,” she says. “Our camp is best known for its values-driven programming.”
2000 Frost Valley Rd., Claryville, NY
845-985-2291
frostvalley.org