Summer Camp immerses children in a community where making friends is natural, exploring new interests is encouraged, and discovering inner strength is guaranteed. The Y offers three types of summer camps at Horsethief Reservoir.
Youth camp is all about developing positive relationships, learning new skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Would you like to extend your camper’s experience? New this year, Y
Camp offers a thirteen-day Session in July, combining two consecutive weeks of camp!
Teen Camp is the ultimate summer camp experience for teens. Social time for building friendships and opportunities to try all the camp activities.
Summer Resident Camps are overnight camps at Horsethief Reservoir running from Sunday to Friday for eight weeks each summer.
It’s an opportunity for your child to learn skills they can use for life. Through new experiences, new friendships and connections with nurturing counselors, your child can discover their potential and be encouraged to live a life of purpose.
Adventure Camps are Summer Resident Camps focused on a wilderness experience where campers and sleep in tents each night.
Campsites are located on camp property and near restroom and showering facilities. Adventure & Jr. Adventure programs provide a safe and controlled environment for youth to develop a love for the outdoors that will last a lifetime.
Junior Adventure Camp, Adventure Camp
$383 members / $475 non-members
Jr. Adventure gives an introductory glance into the world of wilderness living and adventure. Campers tent camp each night and learn how to interact with the natural world around them.
Adventure Camp is for those campers who are ready for a fully immersed wilderness experience. Campers tent camp each night at Adventure Base Camp located on the outskirts of camp.
This camp will focus on Climbing! We have developed new real-rock routes on the back side of our property that this program will get daily access to under the tutelage of rock climbing guides. What makes this camp different is that at least half of each day will be spent climbing!
At the Y, we believe leadership is a skill that can be learned and is essential for success in life. We understand that developing and practicing these skills early is necessary for teens to recognize their full potential. Y Summer Leadership Camps place teens in a supportive group setting where they can practice leading peers and others. Campers leave better prepared to lead in their schools, churches, and communities.
However, because your teen is still a camper, there is always time for them to participate in fun camp activities. Leadership campers will have the opportunity to visit most of the typical camp activities.
The Leader in Training (LIT) program is open to campers who are in 9th or 10th grade (incoming).
The LIT program takes a deeper look into leadership, challenging teens to practice creativity, manage a project as a team and begin to identify which leadership skills they are already great at or need to continue to develop.
Building on our LIT program Counselor in Training focuses on how to take our personal leadership and teach them to others. We spend the first week taking a crash course on our staff training and the second week partnered with one of our Youth Camp Cabins. CITs are bonded for life as they share this valuable experience together.
Applicants must have completed the Leaders in Training Program OR be an incoming 11th grader.
Transportation is provided to camp and from camp for a $25 fee (each way). The bus departs from the West Boise YMCA at 5959 N Discovery Way, Boise, ID 83713.
We encourage parents to come to camp and see the facility as they drop off or pick up their camper and enjoy the chance to meet their counselor(s)! When you pick up your camper from Y Camp, join them for lunch and let him/her give you a tour of Y Camp.
Transportation Location Time
Bus to campWest Boise YMCA Sunday, 10:15-10:30 am
Parent drop off at campYMCA Camp at Horsthief Reservoir Sunday, 1:30-2:30 pm
| Transportation | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to Boise | West Boise YMCA | Friday, 3-4pm |
| Parent pick-up at camp | YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir | Friday, 12-1pm |
Your camper will experience a full day of fun at YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir!
| 7:00am | Wake Up |
| 7:45am | Breakfast/Flag Raising |
| 9:00am | Morning Activities Begin |
| 12:45pm | Lunch |
| 1:20pm | Toes Up (Rest Hour) |
| 2:30pm | Afternoon Activities |
| 4:00pm | Waterfront Time (times vary) |
| 6:00pm | Dinner/Flag Lowering |
| 7:00pm | Evening Program |
| 8:30pm | Embers (daily reflections activity with cabin/yurt/living group) |
| 9:15pm | Ready for Bed/Lights Out |
| Week 1 | June 16 – June 21 |
| CIT Week 1/2 | June 16 – June 28 |
| Week 2 | June 23 – June 28 |
| Week 3* | June 30 – July 3 (short week) |
| Week 4 | July 7 – July 12 |
| CIT + Youth Week 4/5** | July 7 – July 19 |
| Week 5 | July 14 – July 19 |
| Week 6 | July 21 – July 26 |
| CIT Week 6/7 | July 21 – Aug 2 |
| Week 7 | July 28 – August 2 |
| Week 8 | Aug 4 – August 9 |
| * Special Pricing Youth, Adventure Short Week: $475/$383 **2 Week Camp: $1719/$1499 |
All summer camp programs require a $65 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit to register. Balances must be paid in full at least 2 weeks prior to check-in day for your session unless prior arrangements have been made. If payment is not received, your registration may be cancelled and your payments forfeited.
Final payment is due two weeks before camp (unless prior arrangements have been made). Scheduled payments may be made online. If payment is not received, your registration will be cancelled and your payments forfeited. If you have extenuating circumstances or if you would like to apply for financial assistance please contact the Camp Registrar at 208 344 5502 ext 250.
Once a camp is full, a waiting list will be established. When a spot becomes available, the first eligible camper on the wait list will be called. Campers are called on a first-come, first-served basis.
We are proud to say no child will be turned away due to the inability to pay. However, camp space is limited, so we operate on a first come first served basis. Please complete the Financial Assistance Application and return to any of the Treasure Valley YMCA facilities.
Full refunds minus the deposit will only be issued for cancellations made in writing at least 14 days prior to camp. No refund will be issued for cancellations made 13 days or less prior to camp. All deposits are non-refundable. A transfer fee of $25 will be charged for changes made after May 1.
Requests must be of the same gender, campers should be no more than a year apart in age, and the request must be reciprocal, meaning that each camper must request and accept the request of the other camper they wish to pair with.Because we attempt to provide a diverse cabin group experience as possible we will honor only one, cabin mate request from each camper. Our goal is to remove any potential for cliques, so that campers who do not already know some of their cabin mates will not feel left out. We are very aware of the anxieties, emotions, and desires that campers feel toward this life changing experience. Our policies are part of the design that allow us to continue to practice youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Lincoln McLain | Associate Executive Director
email Lincoln
Libby Hansen |Camp Registrar
email Libby
Daniel Alpers | Camp Director
email Daniel
Debi Bean | Program Director, Outdoor Education & Retreats
email Debi
John Flanagan | Program Coordinator
Teresa Wood-Adams | Executive Director
email Teresa
Mail: 301 Horsethief Rd
P.O. Box 87 Cascade, ID 83611
Camper Email: horsethief@ymcatvidaho.org
General: ycamp@ymcatvidaho.org
Campers may deposit money to a camp store account during the registration process online. At least once during the session campers will have the opportunity to make purchases. Counselors also help campers manage their money wisely so it lasts through the week. Clothing and souvenir items range from $1-$40.
To add money to your child’s account, log in to your Camp Account.
Some clothing items will be on display for parents to purchase at check out at camp as well.
Any remaining balance of $5 or less will be donated automatically to the YMCA Annual Campaign. This campaign provides financial assistance to those who otherwise could not afford to participate in services and programs offered by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA.
Please use the Camper Packing List from the PDF above to record what your camper brings to camp. We also suggest putting the list in the camper’s luggage so that they can check to make sure they have everything when packing to go home. Please review the Y Camp Dress Code, detailed in the Parent Guide, as you prepare your camper for camp.
Average daytime highs are between 75-95 degrees while evening lows can be as low as 35 degrees. Please be certain your camper has warm clothing. Long sleeves and pants are required for evenings at camp as they help protect against the cold as well as insect bites.
Remember that your camper will be spending most of the day outdoors and they will get dirty. Please send OLD clothes, towels, and shoes, and be sure to label ALL clothing and equipment.
Please do not pack cell phones, electronics, pocket knives, firearms, alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco. Note: YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir is a nut-free facility.
Send a Package to Your Camper
You are invited to send a package to your camper while they’re at camp. Packages can be dropped off with your camper at check-in or mailed to YMCA Camp no later than Tuesday.
Include the camper’s name, session, and cabin on the package.
Mail to: YMCA Camp
USPS: PO Box 87, Cascade, ID 83611
FedEx/UPS: 301 Horsethief Road, Cascade, ID 83611
This pricing covers all activities and meals.
You are welcome to drive your camper to camp and/or pick your camper up at camp and driving directions are included in the Parent/Guardian Guide.
There is also transportation provided to camp and/or from camp. Our camp bus departs from the West Boise YMCA (5959 N Discovery Way, Boise, ID 83713). The bus fee is $30 each way.
Meet your camper’s counselor(s)! We encourage parents to come to camp and see the facility as they drop off or pick up their camper. When you pick up your camper from Y Camp, join them for lunch and let him/her give you a tour of Y Camp.
Transportation Location Time
Bus to campWest Boise YMCA Sunday, 10:15-10:30 am
Parent drop off at campYMCA Camp at Horsthief Reservoir Sunday, 1:30-2:30 pm
Transportation Location Time
Bus to BoiseWest Boise YMCA Friday, 3-4pm
Parent pick-up at campYMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir Friday, 12-1pm
*All Campers must be checked in by an adult. Check-in will take 15-30 minutes, please plan accordingly. The process includes tagging luggage, confirming registration information, turning in any medications, and talking to your camper’s counselor.
No child is ever left alone at Y Camp! We have 24-hour supervision and many of our staff are former campers who have been through the leadership training programs. Others have experience at different camps around the country. All of Y Camp staff and volunteers are interviewed, have background checks through our HR department, and attend week-long staff training before the start of summer camp.
Registration can be completed online by following the links above on this page. Summer Camp registration can take about 30-45 minutes. We suggest that you set aside some time to do this from the comfort of your home where you have access to all the documents required. Because we want to ensure the safety of your child, there is a lot of detailed information that is needed.
If you feel as though you need additional help or have questions with the registration process, please call the Y Camp Registrar at 208 344 5502 Ext 250.
YES! Our new registration system will allow you to set up a payment plan that works for your budget. This is one option to make camp more affordable and allow ample time to pay for camp.
YES! We are committed to making sure any camper who wants to come to camp gets a chance to and money never stands in their way. More information about our financial aid can be found on our Financial Aid page.
Summer camp is a fabulous way for campers to develop new skills, self-confidence, and make new friends. Campers learn and discover through a variety of activities such as archery, climbing tower, biking, sports, teambuilding, games, songs, arts and crafts, and more! We even have a spectacular waterfront with gorgeous views of Long Valley. We offer evening activities such as campfires and cookouts. All our activities are designed to help campers grow and learn more about themselves and others while living by the core values of the YMCA of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
Have more questions? Email our Camp Director Daniel at daniel.alpers@ymcatvidaho.org
