Summer is coming up fast and what better way to have fun and learn a little something new than going to an overnight camp? There are plenty of options close at hand, from the faith-based to wilderness outings to Scout camps. There are camps you can send your kids away to for a weekend or more, and there are camps you can attend as a family.

        Overnight camps are a perfect way to build memories. I’ll bet many of you have fond memories of attending camp. I have great memories of my week away at Outdoor School in sixth grade, and the girls in my Girl Scout troop are still talking about the weekend troop camp we attended two years ago.

        There are a lot of options to be had right here in Idaho. One of the most noteworthy is the new YMCA camp opening this June. It’s the first new camp the YMCA has opened anywhere in the nation in years, and it’s going to be something special.

        The camp is on 420 acres of scenic wilderness land nestled up to the south end of Horsethief Reservoir, a no-wake lake. It has extensive facilities, including 10 insulated cabins, five yurts, an outdoor pavilion, a giant pole barn that serves as the main lodge, a beautiful campfire area, miles upon miles of hiking trails… and that doesn’t even cover it all.

        The camp will be a year-round facility. During the summer it will be a traditional summer camp for kids. During the off-season, it will be open for school groups, family weekends, corporate retreats, and more.

        The new YMCA camp is meant to get kids and families outside where they can learn about and interact with the environment. To that end, everything in the camp has been designed with careful consideration of the environment. Teaching opportunities abound—the handholds on the rock wall that are in the shape of local plants and wildlife tracks, for example.

        When asked about the experience of bringing this camp to fruition, the Treasure Valley YMCA CEO Jim Everett has this to say: “We think it’s going to be one of the finest camps in the world…Finding a piece of land like this is difficult. It’s got waterfront property…forest…and it’s only an hour and a half from Boise.”

        Everett continues, “It’s just another reminder of the generosity of people in this community…we’re in a tough economy and yet we have people who are so generous, not just with their pocketbooks, but their time. John Fery and Tim and Mary Wilcomb and so many others have dedicated a significant amount of time and money over the years to make this crazy dream a reality. And it’s for one purpose… to help kids. It’s so inspiring for me to work with people like that. It makes me feel so great to live in a place like this.”

        The new YMCA camp will open this summer on June 12. Please visit the YMCA website (www.ycampidaho.com) for more information about this exciting event.

        Below is a sampling of a few other camps to consider for your kids or your whole family—make sure you check out Treasure Valley Family Magazine’s Summer Camp Guide for a complete listing.

Faith-Based Camps

        Camp Perkins is a Lutheran outdoor camp. It offers summer camp for kids, adult and family camps, and retreat opportunities for religious congregations. The camp also offers outdoor education opportunities in the fall and winter and it offers Leadership Training programs as well. Camp Perkins is located in the Sawtooth National Forest. (www.campperkins.org)

        Camp Pinewood is a Baptist Bible Camp located in McCall. The camp has 45 beautiful acres of forests, streams, meadows, and more. During the summer, Camp Pinewood offers weeklong camping experiences for kids, families, and adults and seniors. During the other seasons, the camp is open for weekend retreats and conferences. (www.camppinewood.org)

        Luther Heights is Bible camp located in the Sawtooth Mountains. The camp offers summer camping opportunities to elementary, junior high, and high school students. They also offer family camps, adult programs, and church retreats. (www.lutherheights.org)

        Cathedral Pines is a semi-rustic, Baptist camp located in the stunning Sawtooth Mountains. The facilities provide a general assembly area, a dining area, and cabin space to sleep up to 150 people. The camp serves church groups, school groups, theater groups and more.  (www.cathedralpines.org/)

Wilderness Camps

        Cascade Lake 4-H Camp is open to 4-H members and nonmembers alike. It’s located on the Cascade Lake Reservoir and has 56 acres of forested land. This camp can also be rented and provides a facility for self-directed groups of any size to enjoy overnight or day camping experiences. Campers can hike, fish, boat, swim, play basketball or horseshoes, and more. The trails are kept in a wild state to create more opportunities to observe plant and wildlife. (www.cascadelake4hcamp.com)

        Juniper Mountain Outfitters offers a variety of wilderness experiences from trail rides to horse camps to guided horse packing trips. The camp is two hours from Boise near Warm Lake, Idaho. The base camp has five sleeping tents and a large cabin for cooking and meals. You can arrange camping or horse riding for your family or for a larger group.  (www.junipermountainoutfitters.com)

Scout Camps

        The Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council has two camps in Idaho serving girls of all ages. Camp Alice Pittenger is located in McCall on the shores of Payette Lake. Girls learn about water sports and much, much more. Pine Creek Ranch is a horse camp nestled in the mountains outside of Salmon, Idaho. All girls are welcome. (www.girlscouts-ssc.org)

        The Boy Scouts Council serving Idaho offers several overnight camp options. Camp Morrison is located on Payette Lake near McCall. Camp Cullimore, at the same location, provides high adventure opportunities to older boys through activities like whitewater rafting, rock climbing and rappelling, water skiing, and snorkeling. The Boy Scouts also have the Salmon River High Adventure Base Camp and camping opportunities for younger boys at Webelos Woods.  (www.oreida-bsa.org)

        Most camps are either beginning to take registrations or have already started, so don’t wait too long to line up your summer overnight camping experience either for your kids or for your whole family. 

Heather Robson is a local freelance writer with a passion for healthy families and for the outdoors. You can send her questions and comments at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Photo credit:  Treasure Valley Family YMCA, Horsethief Reservoir Camp