Camp Jackson

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

YMCA Camp Jackson is a place for establishing friendships that last a lifetime, having fun in one of Colorado's most beautiful outdoor settings and sharing the fellowship that enhances social and outdoor skills. Team building and character development are at the foundation of every activity that we run.

Mornings are spent learning new skills in one of our four traditional Specialty Areas. New this year, we are adding Choice Blocks where campers can choose from an additional block of activities that will focus on their individual 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.

There is nothing more central to the camp experience than cabin life. It is our desire that each child should have the opportunity to make great friends, learn new skills and leave our program with a higher level of confidence, maturity and understanding of our four core values- Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. In the cabin, campers learn to respect differences and live together as part of a community. In this small group setting, campers can learn self awareness, communication, trust, patience, empathy and team work.

Be sure to check out our Scholarships and Discounts!

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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.

$450 Y Member / $525 Y Non-Member
Weekly beginning on Sunday, June 10th – August 3rd.

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.

$450 Y Member / $525 Non-Member
June 10th - 29th and July 22nd – 27th.

Specialty Areas

During the morning, Base Campers will spend their time receiving in-depth instruction in one of our four Specialty Areas. When you register, please be sure to indicate your order of preference so that we can get your camper into the area of their choice. We will do our very best to get campers assigned to their first selection, but Specialty Areas are assigned on a first come, first served basis and we will occasionally have to place campers in their second choice to maintain quality of programming. Also, campers returning for a second week will be placed in their second choice for their second week of camp so that they can learn new skills and meet new people.

Your choices are...

Marksmanship

This area includes archery, riflery and slingshots. It starts with safety and basic techniques, then progresses to advanced techniques and competitions. We focus on the sport from a marksmanship perspective. We emphasize the positive ethics and safety around shooting sports. Your camper will learn to be safe on and off the range. All instructors are top quality and trained by an NRA Range Safety Officer. All campers 10 and up will be able to use our .22 rifles. All campers under 10 will learn the basics and fundamentals on our BB guns. We have bows to fit campers of all sizes and abilities. Bows range from 8lb recurves to 25lb compound bows.

Eco Survival

Experience the great outdoors first hand at 8000 feet! Go on hikes discovering forests, creeks and meadows. This area combines nature education with hands on arts and crafts. Campers explore the ecosystem around camp, practice survival skills, animal tracking, outdoor cooking, and create fantastic art projects.

Mountain Sports

Campers spend time at the lake canoeing, rock climbing at Crockett Falls, orienteering and learning backpacking skills. This is the ultimate specialty area for outdoor enthusiasts. Your camper will learn waterfront safety, safe climbing practices, and how to build fantastic outdoor camps! YMCA Camp Jackson is the only Y Camp in Colorado to teach rock climbing on real rock routes. This experience can't be matched by climbing walls or gyms. We know your camper will love pushing their limits in this program!

Horsemanship

Campers learn Western Riding techniques through a variety of games and patterns. Participants then practice some of the basic gymkhana events. This is interspersed with trail rides through our scenic property.

Choice Blocks

Choice Blocks are new this year and will give campers more control over their schedule. These blocks will be centered on a common theme, but will approach each theme from a creative angle. Activities will be customized to the needs of the group each week.

Blocks are Crafty Creations, Drama / Dance, Ecology / Science, Group Games, Horses, Marksmanship or Mountaineers. Examples of possible activities include:

Arts & Crafts: Paper Making, Sidewalk Chalk, Tie Dye, Bracelets, Drawing, Origami, Hiking Sticks, Leaf Rubbing, Pet Rocks, Face Painting

Drama & Movement: Backyard Band, Line Dancing, Yoga, Learning to Listen, Creative Moves, Zumba, Bag Skits, Country Swing, Karaoke, Parent Skit

Ecology & Science: Exploring Hike, Bubbles, Sand Volcanoes, Recycled Paper, Bottle Rockets, Build / Float Boats, Water Goggles, Solar H20 Still, Gardening, Ecology Hike

Group Games: Gaga, Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee Golf, Kick Ball, Thistle Wars, Boffers, Exploring Hike, Obstacle Course, Charades, Cloud Watching

Take Aim: Rock Throwing, Sling Shots, Archery, Riflery, Catapults, Sponge Launch, Egg Drop, Sink Your Boat, Water Balloons, Egg Toss

Mountaineers: Shelters, Fire Starting, Geo Cache, Animal Tracks, Bouldering Hike, Fire Starters, Creative Climbing, Canoeing, Fort Building, Outdoor Cooking

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 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

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.

$525 Y Member / $600 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: June 24th - 29th and July 22nd – 27th
Ages 15-17: June 10th-15th and July 8th-13th

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.

$500 Y Member / $575 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: June 17th - 22nd and July 29th - Aug 3rd
Ages 15-17: June 10th-15th and July 15th-20th

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.

$525 Y Member / $600 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: June 10th - 15th and July 29th - Aug 3rd

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 3 overnight trips; one on the river, one climbing and a weekend trek.

$875 Y Member / $1000 Non-Member
Ages 13-15: July 8th - 20th

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 towards 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 8th - 20th

Counselors In Training (Ages 15-16)

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 17th - 29th and July 22nd - August 3rd

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 / $275 Non-Member
Weekly, beginning June 17th - August 3rd.

Register here!

2018 Job Descriptions

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 March 1, 2018.
$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 YMCE 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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