A summer camp organized by the National Park Service offers a captivating adventure for children.
The Bringing Youth Outdoors Together Summer Camp Program, a joint initiative between the National Park Service (NPS) and YMCA, provides week-long outdoor adventure camps for children aged 5-15 near national parks. Launched in 2015, this partnership focuses on recreation, conservation, service, and hands-on learning about nature and history.
The program offers a unique opportunity for youth to explore their local natural spaces, often within just a few miles of their home communities. With over 100,000 children served since its inception, the program has successfully connected dozens of YMCA branches with national parks across the U.S.
For teens aged 16-18, the program provides leadership roles as camp counselors, offering a platform to develop skills like teamwork, environmental stewardship, and understanding of group dynamics. Young adults aged 18-25 can also benefit from jobs and internships within the program.
Accessibility is a key focus of the program. With 592 YMCAs located within 10 miles of a national park, 336 within five miles, and 87 within just one mile, the program is easily accessible for diverse communities. Families looking to find a camp near a national park can explore YMCA branches that are within close proximity to these parks. Checking with your local YMCA or the National Park Service website can help identify specific camps and registration opportunities linked to this program.
The program also offers immersive outdoor experiences, such as stargazing at Zion National Park for veterans, active military, and their families. Furthermore, the YMCA's community roots, located in more than 120 countries worldwide, make participation in the NPS-YMCA Summer Camp Partnership Program accessible to a global audience.
The success of the program is due in part to the dedication of partnering YMCA branches and national parks, who have doubled participant goals and matched funding. The program aims to nurture a lifelong appreciation for national parks as dreamy outdoor playgrounds, offering scholarships to make participation as inclusive as possible, for people from all walks of life.
In addition to the traditional camp activities, the program includes service-learning projects, such as cleaning up Anacostia National Park. Certain programs also teach park history and ecology, earning badges that symbolize participants' commitment. The National Park Service's B.A.R.K. Ranger Program is another aspect of the partnership, offering educational eco adventures in national parks like Biscayne, one of the largest great barrier reefs in the world.
The YMCA's StoryMap tool on their website can be used to find a camp near a national park. The program's focus on recreation, conservation, and service provides unique outdoor experiences, hands-on learning opportunities about nature and history, and opportunities for growth. Join the Bringing Youth Outdoors Together Summer Camp Program today and create unforgettable memories while learning about our national parks!
[1] National Park Service and YMCA press release, 2021.
The YMCA's website features a StoryMap tool for finding a national park summer camp, creating an avenue for exploration in travel and education-and-self-development. This program's focus on lifestyle, encompassing recreation, conservation, service, and hands-on learning, offers a unique learning experience about nature and history for children and teens.
