![campers and counselors enjoying camp games and songs in a large group](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Overnight-Camp-Header.jpg)
Creating lifelong memories
Prepare your child to unplug and experience the magic of overnight camp. At camp there are towers to climb, slides to ride, roaring campfires to gather around, and memories to be made. Overnight camp is an American rite of passage that we’ve been passing on since 1918.
Overnight campers gain independence, build friend-making skills, challenge their limits, explore the natural world, and create lifelong habits of healthy living. Each overnight camper chooses two skill areas that he or she will learn and attends those clinics every day, providing an opportunity for substantial skill progression. Campers also choose daily cabin challenge activities with their bunk mates, enjoy laid back siestas, take part in all camp evening programs like campfires and capture the flag, as well as ride the slide or take on the lake during swim time.
About Clinics
Campers will get to choose these activities on the first day of camp based on their interests. These do not require pre-registration and vary from week to week.
Sample Clinics Include
Climbing, boating, archery, basketball, rugby, origami, arts & crafts, Get Dirty!, trick shots, herping, swimmers club, fishing, cardboard boat building, outdoor cooking
Overnight Camp Daily Schedule
7:45 | Flag Raising |
8:00 | Breakfast |
8:40 | Morning Inspiration |
9:00 | Clinic Period 1 |
10:15 | Clinic Period 2 |
11:30 | Quest |
12:15 | Round-up |
12:30 | Lunch |
1:30 | Siesta |
2:30 | Cabin Challenge |
3:45 | Waterfront Time |
5:15 | Flag Lowering |
5:30 | Dinner |
6:15 | Court Time – Trading Post |
7:00 | Evening Activities and Campfire |
9:00 | Back to Cabins/Get Ready for Bed |
10:00-10:30 | Lights Out |
Download our Parent Handbook for more information about preparing for camp!
Overnight Camp Sessions (Ages 8-13)
Overnight Camps run from Sunday drop-off between 4-5 pm until Friday pick-up between 5:30-6:30 pm.
Session | Dates | Theme | |
---|---|---|---|
Overnight Camp A | 6/16/24–6/21/24 | Pirates of Fish Lake | Register |
Overnight Camp B | 6/23/24–6/28/24 | Wizarding World | Register |
Overnight Camp C | 6/30/24–7/5/24 | Pokemon | Register |
Overnight Camp D | 7/7/24–7/12/24 | Survivor | Register |
Overnight Camp E | 7/14/24–7/19/24 | Galaxy Adventure | Register |
Overnight Camp F | 8/11/24–8/16/24 | Knights of Ohiyesa | Register |
Overnight Camp G | 8/18/24–8/23/24 | Alien Invasion | Register |
Overnight Camp Rates
Camp Type | Fee on 10/24/23 | Fee after 10/24/23 |
---|---|---|
Traditional Overnight Camp | $669 | $769 |
Mini Camp | $509 | $529 |
Overnight Camp LIT/CIT | $1399 | $1499 |
Ponderosa Camp | +$149 | +$149 |
Fall & Spring Kids Camp
Session | Dates | Fee | |
---|---|---|---|
2023 Fall Kids Camp | 10/20/23–10/22/23 | $160 | Register |
2024 Spring Kids Camp | 4/19/24–4/21/24 | $180 | Register |
2024 Fall Kids Camp | 10/18/24–10/20/24 | $180 | Register |
![a photo of 4 people smiling while riding a horse](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/7-horse-barn.jpg)
Speciality Overnight Camp Programs
Ponderosa Ranch Camp
Ponderosa Ranch Camp at Camp Ohiyesa is an overnight camp program designed for horse-lovers. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy horses, Ponderosa Ranch Camp teaches fundamental horse riding, maintenance and care.
Available during every Overnight Camp session.
Leaders in Training (LIT)
The Leader-In-Training, or LIT program at Camp Ohieysa offers campers ages 14 and 15 the opportunity to spend 2 weeks unplugged on the shores of beautiful Fish Lake. Campers will learn the basics of becoming a youth leader both in and out of the camp environment, under the guidance of our trained teen leadership staff. LITs will be tasked with working together to complete challenging group tasks, participate in group discussions on what it means to be a leader, and work directly with our campers. They will get a hands-on experience of leading a group of youths, all while still getting to take part in the camp activities they know and love. LITs will spend a night camping in tents on our camp property and take part in an offsite day trip to a nearby location.
Leaders in Training runs from Sunday drop-off between 4-5 pm until Friday pick-up between 5:30-6:30 pm. Weekend stayover is included for LIT campers.
Session | Dates | |
---|---|---|
Overnight Leaders in Training AB | 6/16/24–6/28/24 | Register |
Overnight Leaders in Training FG | 8/11/24–8/23/24 | Register |
Counselors in Training (CIT)
The Counselor-In-Training, or CIT program at Camp Ohiyesa is designed as a first taste of life working at camp for campers aged 16 and 17 years old. CITs will spend the first part of their time learning strategies on working with kids and building an arsenal of techniques and skills. Once they’re ready, CITs will move in to a cabin of overnight campers where they will assist the senior counselors in their role of giving their campers the best week possible. Frequent debriefs and breaks will be incorporated, as well as opportunities for the CITs to take part in all of the activities that make camp fun. At the end of their second week, CITs will take part in an overnight trip as a celebration of their accomplishments over the past two weeks. Please call and/or email us to make this reservation for your CIT camper – camp@ymcadetroit.org or 248-887-4533.
Counselors in Training runs from Sunday drop-off between 4-5 pm until Friday pick-up between 5:30-6:30 pm. Weekend stayover is included for CIT campers.
Session | Dates | |
---|---|---|
Overnight Counselor in Training CD | 6/30/24–7/12/24 | Email camp@ymcadetroit.org to start! |
Mini Camp
Mini camp is a Sunday – Wednesday program designed for ages 7-9 as an introduction to overnight camp. Campers are picked up Wednesday at 4:00 pm unless the family is notified their camper wants to stay. If that is the case, families will pay the remaining cost of overnight camp (minus what they’ve paid for mini camp).
Check-in is Sunday from 4-5 pm. Camp will notify parents Wednesday at 10:00 am if your camper has interest in extending their stay to Friday.