Go on an Adventure this Summer!

Start an annual tradition and join us for an adventure of a lifetime and experience character-building, self-discovery, and lasting friendships with Frost Valley YMCA’s adventure programs! Our programs offer a wide range of activities that will challenge campers and build character, all while making lasting friendships. Whether on an adventure trip to beautiful and awe-inspiring places around the East Coast or at camp right here in the Catskills, campers will push themselves out of their comfort zones and grow in ways they never thought possible.

Campers discover in themselves newfound confidence and strength through these experiences. They learn how to trust in themselves, and each other, as they work together to explore, problem-solve, and achieve common goals. It’s an empowering experience for all!

Adventure is for all! Frost Valley YMCA offers three different programs for campers entering grades 5-11, each with its own take on the meaning of Adventure: Adventure Village, Teen Adventure Trips, and Adventure Rambler.

Adventure Village, affectionately known as Advill around camp, is for campers in grades 5-9. Adventure Village is comprised of two mini-villages: Woodwise is for campers entering grades 5-7, and Sequoia is for campers entering grades 8-9. Adventure Village is a co-ed specialty program that is a mix of traditional resident camp and our adventure trips program. Adventure Village campers will spend the first half of their 12-day session on Frost Valley’s property doing adventure-focused programming and developing their technical skills. Campers will spend the second half of the session going on their mini-trip! Mini trips are 3-4 night backpacking, canoeing, or climbing trips that get progressively more difficult as campers grow through the program. That means each summer in Adventure Village leads to new trips with new and old friends!

Teen Adventure Trips are for our campers who want to go on longer adventures while growing their resilience, confidence, and skills. Adventure Trips are for campers ages 12-17 (grades 7-11) and each trip is based on the age of the campers. Within the trip program, there are different tracks that campers can choose from Leadership, Experience, and Service. Each track has its own progression tailored to its purpose. Trips are small but tight-knit communities, as the trips are made up of only 6-8 campers who really lean into the spirit of adventure mindset. Click here for a full list of trips and their ages.

Adventure Ramblers is a one-week intro to the adventure program! Campers entering grades 5-7 are invited to dip their toes into Frost Valley’s outdoor adventure programs. Campers will gain new skills as they sample and learn the basics of backpacking, camping, climbing, paddling, and environmental education. The Intro to Adventure program enables participants to build confidence in their outdoor skills so they can take on the next level of adventure programming. Campers will also gain a sense of belonging, not only in nature but in the adventure program at Frost Valley YMCA as a whole.

Horse Trails is a one-week program designed for horse enthusiasts who want to build their skills both with horses and in the outdoors. Campers entering grades 8+ (min age 12) are invited to saddle up and hit the trail for this exciting horse trekking adventure through our pristine Catskill Mountain trails. Campers will have full responsibility for caring for their horse while on the trail including grooming, tacking, feeding, and much more. Learn outdoor wilderness skills while spending nights at campsites. This challenging yet fun excursion requires that riders be confident walking/trotting a horse and comfortable in the great outdoors. 

Not sure which program is right for your child? Search by age and/or interest.