summer camp

Camp Ernst is ... "One of the best life experiences for my son. A camp that is always improving, with a fun, wholesome, safe program that has been around for generations. Kudos!"

EVENING ACTIVITES

Sunday - Counselors and campers have the chance to dress up in goofy costumes based on the week's theme and enjoy the energetic OPENING CAMPFIRE with songs, skits, introductions and our live band, Pink Splash! 

The dates for Summer 2012 will be:

 

  • Week 1: June 10 - 16 Alien Invasion
  • Week 2: June 17 - 23 Pirates, Ninjas, and Cowboys, OH MY!
  • Week 3: June 24 - 30  Beach Party
  • Week 4: July 1 - 7 4th of July
  • Week 5: July 8 - 14 Superhero
  • Week 6: July 15 - 21 Robots and Dinosaurs
  • Week 7: July 22 - 28 Christmas in July
  • Week 8: July 29 – August 4 Olympics
  • Week 9: August 5 – 11 Harry Potter

 

Monday and Tuesday - You'll play a gigantic game with your unit. Some of our favorites are Capture the Flag (get the other team's flag before they capture yours!), Lost Batallion (work together to find hidden staff members, earn Camp Ernst "money", and keep it dry while running through the water gauntlet!), and Chaos (roll the giant dice to determine your team's next challenge).

Wednesday - Get ready to spend some great time outdoors with your friends at a cookout, playing dodge ball and eating s'mores.

Thursday - Everyone gets excited for the Camp Ernst Party featuring Sno Kones, popcorn, cotton candy, tractor rides, music and friends, followed by the Fine Arts Talent Show where we view the week's movies and presentations by the dance, music, and art clubs.

Friday - To close out the week of fun and friendship with Unit Awards, Honor Night Campfire, memory sticks, and a slideshow.

ON SITE EXTREME ADVENTURES

Powerline Mountain Biking at Camp Ernst
Gain confidence and have a blast while navigating the progressive trail system on our mountain bikes. Under the direction of camp staff certified by the League of American Bicyclists, beginner and intermediate riders will ride every day during their scheduled hour and a half, then spend the rest of the day doing all their favorite traditional Camp Ernst activities.

Skateboard Camp
Bring your skateboard, helmet, and pads and we will travel daily to Ollies World Class Indoor Skatepark, for progressive skateboarding from beginner to advanced levels. Then it's back to camp for the afternoon to enjoy all your favorite Camp Ernst activities.

WESTERN RANCH EXPERIENCE

Campers (ages 9-15) can adopt a horse for a week and take daily trail rides, while still having the opportunity to participate in all other programs.

On The Waterfront

The waterfront of our own spring-fed lake is one of Camp Ernst's most popular activity areas. The 100 foot waterslide, banana boat, aqua cycles, kayaks, canoes, Sno Kones, water trampoline, and BLOB make this a great destination for fun in the sun, supervised by YMCA-certified lifeguards, of course!

AT THE ROPES COURSE

Challenge yourself to:

  • Ring the bell at the top of the Climbing Wall.
  • Zip more than 250-feet into the woods from our 30-foot Zipline tower.
  • Trek across the Burma Bridge suspended over a pond
  • Jump off the Airwalk platform and soar through the air in a giant loop.
  • Swing to the tops of the trees on our Giant Swing.

All of Camp Ernst’s Ropes elements utilize helmets, harnesses, professional climbing ropes and caribiners.


 Summer Spot Saver

“I think the awards he received made him feel good about himself – it’s obvious you place a high value on respecting others and teamwork. We were impressed that he could do so well going into an environment which was foreign to him. He wants to come back next year!”

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