Camp Jackson

Since 1916, YMCA Camp Jackson has been providing kids and families with outstanding programs focused on helping them learn, grow and thrive.

Mornings are spent learning in one of our four traditional skill blocks. Campers also have Choice Blocks where they can choose from an additional block of activities that will focus on their individual creative interests. The afternoons are spent with cabin groups trying new activities and experiencing the great outdoors. On Wednesday night, every cabin will go on "Packout" where they sleep under the stars and cook over a campfire.

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Traditional Base Camps (Ages 7-12)

The Camp Jackson Base Camp program is where your child’s camping traditions begin! Campers that sign up for our traditional summer camping program will be put into gender specific cabins with 8-12 children of similar ages/grades and will enjoy age appropriate activities led by their two counselors. As your child progresses in age the camp program will progress along with them adding adventures and challenges along the way.

This one week program is our most popular program at Camp Jackson and it is a great introduction to our camp community. Spend a week in the beautiful mountains, making new friends, learning new skills and making memories that will last a lifetime. Every day is spent with cabin mates and new friends while the evenings are spent with the whole camp in evening programs and camp fires.

$475 Y Member / $550 Y Non-Member
Weekly beginning on Sunday, June 9th – August 2nd.

Teen Base Camps (Ages 13-14)

This program is for those Base Campers ages 13-14 who are beginning to shift from Base Camp into Teen Adventure Camp. While these campers follow the traditional Base Camp schedule and participate in Specialty Areas, they will be sleeping in the Teen Center and will participate in select “teen only” activities as well as thought for the day and evening devotions are lead co-ed to help with the transition.

$475 Y Member / $550 Non-Member
Weekly beginning on Sunday June 9th - August 2nd

Skills Block

Learning new skills is one way that campers at YMCA Camp Jackson will grow in confidence and character. When registering, please indicate your first and second choice so that we can best place your camper. These Skill Blocks are filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Survival Skills

New this year! These campers will spend time learning the basic skills required to survive in the forest. They will cover shelter building, fire starting, water purification and basic hiking first aid. This skills block will also cover Leave No Trace principles such as know before you go and minimal impact. GPS skills will be taught and reinforced with geo-caching and getting lost hikes.

Horsemanship

This program is designed to introduce campers to Western horsemanship and the responsibilities of care for large animals. Campers in this program will split their time between lessons in the arena and trail rides throughout the property. Be sure to send your camper with extra pants and good closed toed shoes!

Marksmanship

With an emphasis on safety and responsibility, this program uses BB guns, .22 rifles and archery equipment to teach basic marksmanship skills using methods such as breath control and aiming techniques. Campers will also learn about proper care of equipment and target scoring.

Mountain Sports

Each day offers its own adventure as your camper is introduced to new challenges in rock climbing and canoeing. Our rock climbing routes are natural slab located in the Crockett Falls valley. Canoeing is done at Lake Beckwith where we cover safety and paddling techniques.

Creative Block

Camp is a place where creativity is a way of life and where a camper can fit in. To learn more about themselves, we encourage campers to explore and play. Their Creative Block allows flexibility for creative programming with small groups and gives campers some variety in their schedule. When registering, please indicate your preference for Creative Block time.

The Arts: This is for all those campers who love to express themselves artistically. Daily choices may include arts & crafts, dance, drama or skits. You may find yourself in the middle of a flash mob or spending quiet time doing nature sketching. Whatever you are doing, it will be fun and creative!

Science & Ecology: Want to learn more about our environment and where we fit in? Do you love asking questions and finding answers? This creative block is for all the upcoming scientists who enjoy doing hands on activities. You can build sand volcanoes and watch them erupt, go on a hike to find geodes and break them open, build catapults and launch sponges. Gardening, ecology hikes and much more are options for your week.

Group Games: For all those campers who would rather be moving and doing, this block will keep you busy at all times. Choose between the Gaga Pit or a rousing game of Ultimate Frisbee. If you're feeling medieval, you may opt to build cardboard armor and do some Boffer jousting. You might even create your own game!

Pioneers: Campers will choose from activities that will make them feel like they're in the wild west. A day may include an exploration hike with fort building or choose to learn about animal tracking. These campers can go rock climbing or shoot sling shots. You never know what your day will bring, but be ready for anything!

Teen Adventure Camps (Ages 13 - 15)

Teen programs at YMCA Camp Jackson are designed to help our young people grow into responsible adults. Social responsibility, self confidence, community building and character development are at the root of all of our Teen Programs. Tailored for the older camper, Adventure camps are a natural extension of the Base Camp experience. Adventure programs recognize the developing needs of teens for more adventure and challenge. This is a unique camping experience, enhancing the development of outdoor living skills, natural awareness, and close relationships with others. With our wide variety of activities, there's bound to be something for everyone. Choose from Adventure Programs: Rafting, Climbing, Horsemasters, Combo or Leaders In Training.

High School Adventure Camps (Ages 15-17)

High School Adventure camps are a unique experience designed to focus on teens in high school and the challenges that they face. Leadership, self-esteem and group work are just a few of the areas that campers will explore and grow in. Daily activities provide youth an opportunity to tackle new skills and take risks that will inherently build confidence and assurance. Campfires, devotions and thought for the day are all times where campers can develop the deeper relationships necessary to feel connected and understood in their community.

Adventure Programs

Horsemasters

The Horsemasters participants get the complete horse experience and learn the responsibilities of horse ownership. From feeding and grooming, to doing work around the corral, campers will gain basic horse care knowledge while increasing their riding skills. Campers will spend time receiving instruction in the arena as well as take to the trails. Horsemasters will also spend time on the high and low ropes challenge course learning team building skills, as well as join in with camp to participate in activities such as choices, evening programs and campfires.

$550 Y Member / $625 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: July 28th - August 2nd

Rock Climbing

The Climbing Adventure Camp is filled with climbing, climbing and more climbing. Campers begin to learn the basics of top-roping on Camp Jackson property and advance to an over-night pack-out where they will descend into Goliath Gorge in San Carlos to climb on “The Slab”. This rigorous climbing adventure will be led by experienced staff whose first priority is your campers safety. Campers will also participate in a half day rafting trip, high ropes course as well as traditional camp activities.

$525 Y Member / $600 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: July 28th - August 2nd
Ages 15-17: July 14th-19th

White Water Rafting

Our Rafting Adventure Camp features a two day white water rafting experience that is sure to suffice for teens seeking adventure. Campers spend two days rafting down the Arkansas and will camp overnight on its banks. These campers will experience the chilling spray from classic rapids that leave them soaking wet and grinning from ear to ear. Paddlers will also participate in our high ropes challenge course and learn basic rock climbing techniques.

$550 Y Member / $625 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: June 16th - 21st and July 21st – 26th
Ages 15-17: July 7th-12th

Combo

Combo Adventure Camp puts them all together in a two-week challenge that offers rafting, climbing and riding as well as our traditional activities in a back-to-back session. Campers in this program should be prepared to do three overnight trips; one on the river, one climbing and a weekend trek.

$950 Y Member / $1,050 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: June 9-14, July 7th-19th & July 21st-August 2nd

Leaders In Training (Ages 14-15)

This program introduces teens to interacting with groups of varying dynamics and teaches them how to bring a group of individuals together to work toward an agreed upon goal. These teens will work closely with campers and staff to learn the skills necessary to grow as future community leaders. During their second week at camp, they will assist counselors and specialists leading activities to allow for hands-on learning. Leaders will also have the opportunity to plan and implement a choice time. We hope that you will be amazed at the growth of your camper when they return from their two week adventure!

**Prerequisite for Counselors in Training at age 15.

$725 Y Member / $850 Non-Member
July 7th - 19th

Counselors In Training (Ages 15-17)

The Counselors in Training program is designed to train young men and women for potential future employment as a counselor with YMCA Camp Jackson. Our training will emphasize understanding children, respecting diversity, developing leadership and teaching values. CITs will spend their first week learning about counseling skills and the different activities that camp offers. In their second week of the program, CITs will shadow counselors and assist in working with campers in a cabin. The CITs complete the passage into leadership with a 3 day 2 night trek to the summit of Greenhorn Mountain. Our intention is that these campers return from the CIT program prepared to be leaders in their community. To participate as a 15-year-old, campers must have completed the LIT program.

**Prerequisite for CREW.

$725 Y Member / $850 Non-Member
June 9th - 21st and July 21st - August 2nd

CREW (Ages 16-17)

The CREW program is a life changing experience for high school students. Each camper spends their day assisting in every aspect of camp, learning what it means to serve others, and making huge impacts on the lives of younger campers. Campers will have the opportunity to do CREW service projects during their stay. Each CREW member is mentored by the leadership staff at Camp Jackson to be a champion for youth development. Prior completion of CIT is required.

$200 Y Member / $300 Non-Member
Weekly, beginning June 9th - August 2nd.

Register here!

Job Descriptions

The YMCA of Pueblo is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer who values diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, military status or genetic information.

Discounts, Payment Schedule & Financial Assistance

Early Bird, Referral & Family

You asked and we listened. We've added more discounts for our families!

$50 off your camp fees when you refer a new camper who registers. No referral limits! Bring as many friends as you want.
$40 off your camp fees when you register before February 1, 2019.
$30 off for additional campers from the same family.

Peanut Sales:

For those campers who would like to earn their way to camp, the Y offers a peanut sale program. Campers sell toffee-covered peanuts and a large portion of every sale is applied to their tuition. Sales run March 1 through June 1. Each year, dozens of youth finance camp through our peanut program. Pick up your peanuts at the YMCA of Pueblo. Camp registration is required to participate! Learn more by clicking on our Peanut Sale flyer above.

Payment Scheduling

All it takes is $75 to register and secure your camper's spot at Camp Jackson. That $75 goes toward the cost of your camp. We ask for you to pay your total balance at least one month before your camper's session. You can pay monthly, in small payments, or create a plan that fits your family. Let us know how we can help!

Financial Assistance

At the Y, we're all about Youth Development. YMCA Camp Jackson and the YMCA of Pueblo are committed to providing quality programs to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Financial Assistance is subsidized by the YMCA Annual Campaign. If you'd like to contribute to the campaign and help send more kids to camp, click here.

Families can request a financial assistance appointment by calling us at (719) 543-5151. Get a head start and download our Financial Assistance Application here.

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