Parent Info
Here at YMCA Camp Benson boys and girls have been given the opportunity to create a very special community focused on friendship, acceptance, self-discovery and independence since 1928.
Overnight summer camp gives children the chance to step away from the familiar parts of their daily routine and venture outside their comfort zones. They make new friends, lifelong memories and learn new skills in a safe, well-supervised, and “unplugged” environment. Whether you’re looking for a week-long overnight camp, an overnight summer camp for younger campers or a teen leadership program, YMCA Camp Benson has a program that’s right for you.
“YMCA Camp Benson provides a positive alternative reality to his digital and virtual tech world. It provides a necessary connection to the natural world and personal, meaningful face-to-face social relationships. Also he just gets to have FUN!” – Camper Parent
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS
EXPLORER CAMP
Entering 1st - 3rd Grade
EXPLORER Camp is a 4-day, 3-night camping experience designed to introduce our youngest campers to the overnight camping experience. Explorer campers travel together and sample camp activities in shorter, age-appropriate activity periods. Our Explorer Camp counselors are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where our youngest campers can become more independent and build new friendships.
ADVENTURE CAMP
Entering 3rd - 8th Grade
Adventure Camp is a week-long overnight camp for boys and girls focused on achievement, belonging and independence. During this week of camp campers will overcome challenges, develop self reliance, become more confident and make lifelong friends. Here, campers learn to cooperate, empathize and communicate with others in the outdoors.
MEGA CAMP
Entering 3rd - 8th Grade
MEGA Camp is a 14 day overnight camp that allows our campers to more fully immerse themselves in the YMCA Camp Benson experience. Campers get the chance to try more activities, participate in the special weekend stay over and get to know their counselors and fellow MEGA campers much better. MEGA campers will leave with a greater sense of independence, belonging and accomplishment.
MINI CAMP
Entering 1st - 8th Grade
TEEN CAMP
Entering 7th - 12th Grade
KEEPING CAMP AFFORDABLE
Every child deserves an overnight summer camp experience. Just one summer at camp can positively influence a child’s life forever. As a non-profit dedicated to youth development, YMCA Camp Benson wants the overnight summer camp experience to be available to everyone. Below are some ways that can help make camp fit any budget.
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPTIONS
Camp Scholarships
We understand that some families may still need some additional assistance to help get their children to summer camp. If your need is greater please do not hesitate to apply to our Camp Scholarship program which provides scholarship off of Member and Non Member prices. This confidential Camp Scholarship allows numerous children, who would otherwise not be able to attend, to experience all that YMCA Camp Benson has to offer. Applications for Camp Scholarships will be made available on our website beginning March 2, 2020, with submission being accepted after that.
Please click here to begin the scholarship application.
Please feel free to contact Gwyn “Mama G” Bemis if you have any questions.
gwyn@ymcacampbenson.org
Annual Candy Bar Fundraiser
Discounts
- Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA members and our Partner YMCA members receive $50 off of camp fees.
- $25 off of camp fees per child after 1st child registered.
PREPARING & PACKING
THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOUR CAMPER ARRIVES
Please review this list before your arrival to make sure everything is completed before your campers stay. All items can be completed by logging into your Camp-In-Touch Account. Getting ready for a session for overnight summer camp takes some time and preparation.
Completion the Camper Profile and Health History Form two weeks before your camper’s session.
Camp balance is paid in full two weeks before the start of your camper’s overnight summer camp session.
Read through the YCB Parent/Guardian Handbook.
Read through 2021 COVID-19 Policies & Procedures.
PACKING FOR SUCCESS
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
CHECK IN
Where: The Merrill Benson Pavilion (located right next to the parking lot)
Notes: Please bring all campers medications with you to the Pavilion, so that you can check them in with the Camp Nurse.
CHECK OUT
When: Saturdays at 9:00 AM for all campers.
Where: The Merrill Benson Pavilion (located right next to the parking lot)
Notes: Do not forget to pick up your campers medication from the Camp Nurse. Make sure to stop into the Camp Store and check your balance.
WHAT TO DO DURING & AFTER CAMP
Staying in Touch with Your Camper
16355 Scenic Palisades Rd.
Mount Carroll, IL 61053
Visitors Policy
Lost and Found
Post-Camp Survey
DINING INFORMATION
YMCA Camp Benson Dinning Information
At YMCA Camp Benson it is our goal to serve healthy, balanced and kid-friendly meals. Each meal is served family style, where we focus on the sense of community and fellowship. Campers are responsible for helping set the tables and cleaning up after themselves.
YMCA Camp Benson’s Dining Hall is a peanut free facility offering vegetarian and gluten free meals for campers with dietary restrictions. We have fresh fruits and other snacks available throughout the day for our campers and staff. Please remember to complete the necessary camper medical form which will list all dietary restrictions for camp to be aware of prior to your camper’s arrival.
YMCA Camp Benson Menu
YMCA CAMP BENSON CAMP STORE
At YMCA Camp Benson it is our goal to serve healthy, balanced and kid-friendly meals. Each meal is served family style, where we focus on the sense of community and fellowship. Campers are responsible for helping set the tables and cleaning up after themselves.
YMCA Camp Benson’s Dining Hall is a peanut free facility offering vegetarian and gluten free meals for campers with dietary restrictions. We have fresh fruits and other snacks available throughout the day for our campers and staff. Please remember to complete the necessary camper medical form which will list all dietary restrictions for camp to be aware of prior to your camper’s arrival.
CAMP STORE FAQ
At YMCA Camp Benson it is our goal to serve healthy, balanced and kid-friendly meals. Each meal is served family style, where we focus on the sense of community and fellowship. Campers are responsible for helping set the tables and cleaning up after themselves.
YMCA Camp Benson’s Dining Hall is a peanut free facility offering vegetarian and gluten free meals for campers with dietary restrictions. We have fresh fruits and other snacks available throughout the day for our campers and staff. Please remember to complete the necessary camper medical form which will list all dietary restrictions for camp to be aware of prior to your camper’s arrival.
DAILY SCHEDULE
SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
Morning Reflection
This daily occurrence at camp has been traditionally called Chapel. After cabin clean-up all of camp gathers at the Chapel to listen to story or a poem told by one of our staff members. This story, poem or skit highlights one of our six core values: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, dedication, and inclusiveness. We challenge our campers to really think about that core value and to think about how they can model that core value in their lives. This is one of the most serious and meaningful activities at camp.
Camper Choice Activity Time (CCAT)
As part of a camper’s experience, they will have the opportunity to choose activities during the morning hours. CCATs are progressive areas that throughout the week will build on the previous day’s skills to build skills in specialty areas. Choices are made on Sunday evenings afterthey get to view each program areas “commercial” performed by staff.
Free Choice Activity Time (FCAT)
SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
During FCATs 1 & 2 campers have the opportunity to do multiple activities at their leisure with their cabin mates and friends. Activities vary daily and can be anything from ropes, water activities, arts or unique activities planned by our staff. Campers are able to go from activity to activity as long as they are in a truddie, which is a group of three. The Camp Store is also open during FCATS 1 & 2 so campers can grab a snack or some camp merchandise.
Quest
QUEST is an opportunity for individual cabins to grow closer together as a cabin group. Cabins use this time to focus on the Core Values and get to know each other better. Examples of QUEST activities include doing the low ropes course, going on a trust hike, writing a skit for the Staff & Camper Show on Wednesdays and much more.
7:45 AM Rise and Shine
8:00 AM Morning Club
8:20 AM Flag Raising
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:15 AM Cabin Clean-Up
9:45 AM Morning Reflection
10:00 AM CCAT
11:30 AM QUEST
12:15 PM Flagpole
12:30 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Siesta (aka Rest Hour)
2:30 PM FCAT 1 & Camp Store
3:45 PM Afternoon Snack
4:00 PM FCAT 2 & Camp Store
5:30 PM Flag Lowering
5:45 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Evening Program
8:15 PM Slow Songs and Daily Reflection
8:30 PM Showers and Prepare for Bed
10:15 PM Lights Out
* The schedule at Camp Benson varies slightly based on a camper’s age and the program he or she is registered for. For our youngest campers, the evening schedule is modified to get them to bed sooner.
Evening Program
Each evening has a special time for campers to come together as a camp and participate in different activities until the sun goes down! We are on a rotating schedule so each week the activities change allowing a variety of sorts for all campers. Some common Evening Programs are an all camp game in the A-Field, Staff and Camper Show, and Closing Campfire.
CABIN PICTURES
SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
YMCA Camp Benson is proud to offer modern and comfortable overnight summer camp facilities. All of our Camper Cabins were built in 2011 and 2012. These cabins were designed to provide a high-quality overnight summer camp experience while maintaining a rustic camp feel. Each cabin houses between 8-11 campers, 1 Teen Leader (aka SDP), and 2 staff members. Mattress sizes in the cabin are standard twin mattresses. Camper Cabins are all equipped with air-conditioning.
CABIN MAP
SAFETY & ACCREDITATION
PROVIDING A SAFE, FUN AND HEALTHY CAMP EXPERIENCE
The physical and emotional safety of our campers is our number one priority at YMCA Camp Benson. Our camper’s safety and well-being is at the forefront of our minds at all time at camp, from hiring staff to designing new programs to planning Staff Training. As an American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited Camp we proudly meet all of the standards set forth by ACA Concerning staff screening, supervision ratios and topics to be covered during Staff Training. To view these standards, click here.
Our summer camp staff are hired based on their strong character and high ideals. Summer camp staff are carefully selected to ensure that we have a diverse group of skilled and responsible staff who care about children. Before campers arrive, all of our summer camp staff are trained in safety, counseling techniques, conflict resolution, child development, bullying prevention and camp policies and procedures. Our staff understand that his or her job is not just to lead activities, but also to help campers develop life skills while always looking out for their well-being.
Our summer camp staff undergo extensive background and reference checks before being hired. All staff are Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified.
Our one-to-five staff-to-camper ratio makes sure all campers have the best camp experience possible.
Here is an example of how we keep our campers and staff safe. One of the first things that we do during a session of camp is gather all of the campers and staff together for an orientation on camp rules and expectations. During this orientation we discuss importance of safety at camp and explain how our camp rules and expectations are in place to keep us all safe. All campers are taught that they should never wonder around camp alone and that they must always travel in a TRUDDIE (aka a group of three). Here we also talk about how it is each camper’s responsibility to look out for the emotional and physical safety of one another.
YMCA Camp Benson is also proud to partner with Praesidium to ensure that camp is safe environment for all children. To learn more about the partnership between YMCAs in the state of Illinois and Praesidium click here.
HEALTH & MEDICAL NEEDS
YMCA Camp Benson has a well-equipped Wellness Center that is staffed by our Camp Nurse 24 hours a day. We also have a Registered Nurse on-site daily who directs and oversees all the actions of our Camp Nurse. Our Camp Nurse takes care of all camper medical needs, including medication management. All camper medication must be checked in with our medical staff during Check-In. The camper Health History Form must be completed two weeks prior to the start of your camper’s session.
AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION ACCREDITATION
YMCA Camp Benson is proud to be an American Camp Association
(ACA) accredited camp. The ACA nationally recognizes overnight
summer camps that meet the highest standards, focusing on health, safety, and program quality. The accreditation process has over 300 safety and quality standards to which we must adhere.
We do not have to be an ACA Accredited Camp, but we have chosen to be because the safety and well-being of our campers is our top priority. To learn more about the American Camp Association and the value of Accreditation click here.