Facilities
Whether it is Summer Camp or Group Rentals, the Des Moines Y Camp offers a number of available spaces for your group to utilize during your time with us. Our facilities and program areas are not limited to just the summer months; they are accessible and open from January to December. We provide versatile meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 350 people and comfortable sleeping spaces with amenities to ensure comfort for guests. Please call our office or email us to learn more about pricing and date availability.
Meeting Facilities
Pioneer Center
The largest and most modern facility available, the Pioneer Center has the ability to serve groups big and small. With an auditorium that can be divided into halves or opened up to full size, Pioneer can seat up to 350 people and makes a terrific option for a conference or large event. It has a fully functional kitchenette available for serving or preparing meals, two full-sized classrooms for breakout sessions and a large, open atrium to welcome guests to camp. Located near the entrance to camp, the Pioneer Center greets all who enter the Valley.
Chase Lodge
Originally built in the 1930’s, Chase Lodge remains one of the most beautiful camp facilities on-site. With its grand stone fireplace, pine walls and deck that stretches out over the Des Moines River, Chase Lodge is a fantastic facility for the group looking for an intimate, rustic camp experience. It has the ability to seat up to 200 people in its main hall, is equipped with a fully functional kitchen, restrooms and a breakout room. Furthermore, it’s located close to many of the sleeping facilities and is centrally located on camp. Stepping into Chase Lodge is walking into Y Camp’s history and heritage.
Sleeping Facilities
Cabins
The Des Moines Y Camp offers 24 cabins to groups and retreats for their stay. They are separated into five villages: Pioneer, Riverview, Campfire, Arrowhead and Hillside Village. Cabins located in Pioneer, Riverview, Campfire and Hillside Village are available year-round and equipped with restrooms while Arrowhead Village is used from Spring to Fall and utilize the camp shower house for bathrooms. All cabins offer bunked beds for guests and sleep between 12 and 16 individuals.
Cowan Lodge
Made up of the Good Health Center and Skowhaven, this facility is perfect for the small group or leadership team of a retreat. Skowhaven is built with three bedrooms, each of which has two bunked beds, a shower and restroom for residents. Additionally, it comes with a small kitchenette space and living room furnished with sofas and a dining table. The Good Health Center, used as a medical facility during the summer, has three hospital-style rooms all opening to a living room space. It is built with one large shower and restroom for residents to use.
Additional Facilities
Cownie Dining Hall
Y Camp offers hot, fresh-made meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner to any group that would like to take the stress of feeding participants off their plate. Food is served family style by Y Camp’s full-time cook in the Cownie Dining Hall. With the ability to fit up to 300 guests, it is a traditional camp facility complete with a grand stone fire place and pine board walls.
Dahl Lodge
Originally built as Heritage Lodge, it has been converted into a three-season meeting facility. Dahl Lodge is great as a breakout space, an activity space or a meeting point located yards from the Cownie Dining Hall. Equipped with its own stone fireplace and 360 degree view of main camp, it’s a great option to diversify your group’s event at Y Camp.
