Overnight Camp
At the Des Moines Y Camp a week of Overnight Camp is more than a week away from home: It’s an opportunity to grow. For us, Overnight Camp is architecture. Instead of designing and constructing a beautiful new home or a skyscraper to tower above the city, we are building confident, caring, independent young people.
We start with a foundation centered on our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. From that base we support every camper with positive role models in the form of Y Camp Leaders. Each Leader is well-trained and motivated to ensure that every child builds positive relationships with cabin mates and fellow campers. The week is framed with opportunities to try new things like horseback riding, archery, canoeing, zip lining, rock wall climbing, crafts and more. Campers are strengthened by the sense of confidence gained by learning new skills and making choices throughout their time at camp, all of which allow them to learn more about themselves. Finally, every camper will come home decorated from head to toe with tie-dye shirts, friendship bracelets, dirty shoes and beautiful new smile. As they leave, they’re reminded to take camp with them and “do all the good you can".
The Des Moines Y Camp strives to make camp affordable for all. Through the generous donations of Y members, community members and local businesses we are able to offer Financial Assistance to individuals and families at all income levels to make our programs accessible to all.
Financial Assistance Tiered Pricing Structure Parent Information Email Your Camper Lost & Found
Traditional Camp
Ages 9 – 12
Traditional Camp is the mainstay of the Des Moines Y Camp’s summer program. It is a great opportunity to experience the many programs and activities that Y Camp offers. Campers are part of a cabin of similarly aged peers, with whom they decide what their week will entail. Our afternoon schedule is designed to give campers and their cabin mates as much flexibility and as many creative opportunities as possible by allowing them to build the schedule as they go. Y Camp also encourages campers to choose their own adventures through our skills program. They select a set of two to three skill areas they wish to learn more about and spend four days of the week becoming more proficient. Every evening we close the day with one of our evening programs, which are a chance to bring the whole camp together and enjoy being a part of the community. If your camper is looking for a diverse and empowering experience, Traditional Camp is the place to start!
2025 PRICING:
Tier 1 $850; Tier 2 $750; Tier 3 $650
| One-Week Sessions 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Week |
| June 15- 21 | Week 2 |
| July 6-12 | Week 5 |
| July 13- 19 | Week 6 |
| July 20- 26 | Week 7 |
| Aug 3- 9 | Week 9 |
| Aug 10-16 : Summer Send-Off | Week 10 |
Register Now
See more information on the Week 10 Summer Send-Off Under Specialty Camps.
Mini Camp
Ages 7 – 8
(9 year olds may attend Mini Camp if they are not ready to attend a full week)
Mini Camp is, in essence, an introduction to Y Camp. It’s designed to give our youngest campers a chance to learn about Overnight Camp without needing to stay the full week. As a four-day, three-night program to prepare our young campers for the week-long program, Mini Camp mixes large and small group time so that campers develop friendships and build character every day. It’s the start of the journey toward a strong and long-lasting relationship with Y Camp.
Have a Mini Camper ready to experience a full week at Y Camp?! Register for Session A & B to stay the full week!
2025 PRICING:
Tier 1 $475; Tier 2 $375; Tier 3 $275
| Mini Camp Sessions 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Week |
| June 15- 18 | Week 2A |
| June 18- 21 | Week 2B |
| July 6- 9 | Week 5A |
| July 9- 12 | Week 5B |
| July 13- 16 | Week 6A |
| July 16- 19 | Week 6B |
| July 20- 23 | Week 7A |
| July 23- 26 | Week 7B |
| Aug 3- 6 | Week 9A |
| Aug 6- 9 | Week 9B |
Teen Camp
Ages 13 – 17
Teen Camp translates the Y Camp experience into a program that caters to our older campers. Today’s teenagers face many challenges, several of which stem from a need for belonging. Y Camp creates an atmosphere of acceptance and a tradition of community so that every teen develops a strong relationship to camp and fellow campers. We find that teenagers prefer more time to build friendships with peers, a more relaxed schedule and opportunities to express themselves; that’s where Teen Camp comes in. We give our teens opportunities to socialize and develop relationships with one another, provide a wide array of skills and activities for camper to find their niche and design a schedule that offers more “down time” to relax with friends in the “Closest Place to Heaven on Earth".
2025 PRICING:
Tier 1 $850; Tier 2 $750; Tier 3 $650
| One-Week Teen Camp Sessions 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Week |
| June 15- 21 | Week 2 |
| July 6- 12 | Week 5 |
| July 13- 19 | Week 6 |
| July 20- 26 | Week 7 |
| Aug 3- 9 | Week 9 |
Specialty Camps
Specialty Camps are designed to focus on a particular program or area of interest. Some camps, like Dismantled and Camper vs. Wild provide a different experience to some of our older campers, while others give more advanced instruction in skills such as Art and Fishing. If your camper is looking for a different, exciting camp experience, please look into our Specialty Camp and find the camp that fits your needs!
2025 PRICING:
Tier 1 $850; Tier 2 $750; Tier 3 $650
Adventure Camp
Ages 9 - 11
Week 5 / July 6- 12
Adventure Camp activities allow campers to play in the mud, build bird houses and go carts, go fishing, explore the woods around camp, and more. The program provides Leaders who are positive role models for the campers, encourages respect and responsibility in each camper’s journey, and teaches the values of confidence and individuality. The adventures are just around the corner, as each camper will gain friendships and learn lessons to last a lifetime.
Camp “Dismantled”
Ages 12 – 15
Week 6 / July 13- 19
Dismantled is a program full of opportunities to make the camp experience completely different. We decided to throw our regular schedule out and create a camp that is, well, dismantled. With activities like late night arts and crafts and canoeing by torchlight, Dismantled offers a different set of rules. Campers will have a tie-dye battle, have dinner for breakfast and paint a horse. These new experiences come with the strong friendships and learning opportunities that Y Camp is known for. Sometimes it’s relieving to turn camp on its head and do things a little differently, just ask our Dismantled campers!
Camper vs Wild
Ages 11 - 15
Week 7 / July 21- 26
Designed for those with adventurous spirits, this camp is full of campfire cooking, tent camping and survival instruction. Campers leave the cabins behind and journey into the wild for a week of challenges, such as building a fire, making a meal and building shelters. With the guidance of our enthusiastic and trained staff, campers will embrace their inner woodsman or woodswoman and grow in confidence and respect for the outdoors.
Summer Send Off
Ages 9-12
Week 10 / August 10- 16
Get ready to show your team spirit! At Summer Send-Off, campers will be placed into color teams for a week filled with epic competitions and exciting challenges. From swim relay races and team tournaments to Capture the Flag and Lip Sync battles, each challenge will offer teams the chance to earn points based on their teamwork, character and spirit. Throughout the week, we continue to focus on fostering strong relationships, rooted in character development and our core values. After an unforgettable week, campers wrap up their adventure with a closing campfire ceremony where points are tallied, and teams are awarded honors for their hard work and collaboration. In between team challenges, campers will enjoy classic camp activities with their cabin like campfires, archery, horseback riding, canoeing and more! It’s the ultimate combination of teamwork, adventure and fun! Because this is a new program, details are subject to change as we prepare to provide the strongest program for campers.
Art-Rageous
Ages 9 – 12
Week 5 / July 6- 12
Art-Rageous is a week long camp directed toward campers who love to create and express themselves. Campers in this great art camp spend every morning drawing, painting, sculpting and more. With their cabin, they will also get their afternoon and evening hours to experience the traditional camp activities available. By the end of the week, campers bring home more than just their artwork; they bring home a sense of creativity, confidence and the importance of being unique.
Top Chef Camp
Ages 9 – 12
Week 6 / July 13- 19
Grab your spatula, measuring cup, and ingredients! Top Chef Camp is designed for the aspiring chef. You’ll learn how to cook some basic meals as well as prepare more advanced delicious creations to take home. Campers will make their own cookbook, have an opportunity to make their own new dish and spend the week in the kitchen. When the young chefs are not in the kitchen, they are out enjoying camp and building relationships with cabin mates! Fire up the oven and put your apron on, because this week has all the ingredients for a learning and growing opportunity!
Gone Fishin’
Ages 9 – 12
Week 7 / July 20- 26
With a fishing pole and open water, Gone Fishin’ campers learn the techniques of fishing and take with them a hobby that will last a lifetime. Our young anglers will spend time fishing in our own Pugh Pond, test their skills fishing in the Des Moines River and enjoy a trip to nearby Don Williams Lake. Under the supervision and guidance of our skilled camp instructor campers will learn how to tie a hook, cast, identify different types of fish, and how to handle fish. Gone Fishin’ follows the DNR’s “Fish IOWA!” program and encourages a love of the outdoors and conservational awareness. Grab your pole or use one of camp’s and join us by the water. Do you have what it takes to catch the “big one?”
Ranch Camps
The mist hangs low in the Des Moines River Valley and dew hangs heavy on the grass as the sun rises and begins to warm the woods and pastures. Their boots wet with that dew, our ranch campers walk toward the Y Camp ranch ready to saddle their horses and spend a day riding, grooming and learning. The ranch program is a great fit for horse lovers of all ages. Each week our talented and enthusiastic instructors prepare lessons for campers that cater to skill and experience. Campers will learn more about grooming and horse care, horse equipment, and riding techniques. On day one, each camper is partnered with a horse for the week. The two develop a special bond as a result of the hours spent together each day. Ranch camp provides a good mix of lessons and trail rides to ensure that campers learn riding skills and enjoy spending time on horseback. The program lasts from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., so that campers can still enjoy some of the traditional camp activities during the afternoon. Listed below are the experience and age-based programs Y Camp offers!
2025 PRICING:
Tier 1 $900; Tier 2 $800; Tier 3 $700
Pony Express
Ages 9 – 10
Week 2 / June 15- 21
Week 6 / July 13- 19
Pony Express camper are often beginners looking to learn the basics of horse care and riding technique. These campers receive instruction from our trained ranch staff on grooming, mounting, tack and more. During the week, campers go on trail rides, learn basic commands, and ride to breakfast at the end of the week. Pony Express is the camp for you!
Bronco Busters
Ages 11 – 14 (Beginner or Intermediate)
Week 5 / July 6- 12 *SESSION FULL* WAIT LIST FULL*
Week 9 / August 3- 9 *SESSION FULL* WAIT LIST FULL*
Designed for the older beginner or intermediate riders, this camp is the next step from Pony Express. The program combines more advanced instruction with longer trail rides so that campers have more time to develop bonds with their horse. Each week campers will continue to review the fundamentals of horse care and riding while learning new skills every day.
Ranch and Rodeo
Suggested Ages 13 – 16 (Intermediate or Advanced)
Week 7 / July 20- 26
Ranch and Rodeo is for the advanced rider who is ready to take the next step in their horseback riding career. Campers will learn and practice new skills in the riding arena while taking their responsibility to a whole new level. Every morning campers will catch their own horse, groom and food them, saddle them and take them to the arena. Ranch and Rodeo builds confidence with its mix of instruction and independence. Those who complete the program are official wranglers, and may someday teach campers as a member of Y Camp’s ranch staff. We recommend prior riding experience before joining this camp, as the instruction will include more advanced lessons and require more confidence.
