Imaginative & Immersive Summer Adventures
Campers spend their days immersed in characters, adventures, and challenges inspired by beloved books and movies—all while building confidence, connection, and leadership skills in a safe, welcoming environment.
How to Train Your Dragon (Ages 8-13)
Day Camp: Monday-Friday
Soar into adventure as campers unleash their imagination, build confidence, and explore nature in our How to Train Your Dragon–themed summer camp.
Kern F.C. (Ages 9-11 + Ages 11-13)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
Lace up your cleats, get on the pitch, and go for the goal in this soccer-focused traditional camp that promotes skill, speed, and expert sportsmanship.
Star Wars (Ages 9-12)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday (Traditional & STEM Camps Available)
A fully immersive week of Jedi training—lightsaber skills, Force mastery, and galactic role-play as campers help defend Camp Kern from the First Order.
Star Wars Teen (Ages 13-16)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday (Traditional & STEM Camps Available)
A teen-focused, immersive Star Wars experience with leadership challenges, epic quests, and deeper adventures among Jedi and Sith alike.
Harry Potter (Ages 9–12)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
Step into Hogwarts for a week of spell-casting, potion-making, Quidditch, and wizarding fun in the magical world of camp life.
Harry Potter Prefects/Teens (Ages 13–16)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
For older campers ready to lead at Hogwarts with Prefect-level responsibility, advanced magical challenges, and wizarding leadership opportunities.
Dungeons & Dragons (Ages 9–12)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Monday-Friday
A medieval fantasy quest where campers create characters, embark on heroic adventures, and help save Camp Kern from mysterious threats.
Dungeons & Dragons Teens (Ages 13–16)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
A more strategic, teen-level campaign with deeper storytelling, complex quests, and leadership roles in a fully immersive D&D world.
Percy Jackson (Ages 9–12)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
A Greek-mythology–inspired adventure training at Camp Half-Blood with quests, monster encounters, and hero-level challenges for demigods in training.
Percy Jackson Teens (Ages 13–16)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
Level up your half-blood hero journey with next-level quests, puzzles, and monster battles in an epic week of advanced Greek mythology adventure.
Ranger’s Apprentice (Ages 10–14)
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday-Friday
Train like a true Ranger—horseback riding, archery, tracking, survival skills, and stealth missions—in a week of official Ranger’s Apprentice challenges.
Your Camper’s Week at a Glance: What to Expect at Camp Kern
Discover what your child can expect at YMCA Camp Kern’s Specialty & Theme Camps! From cabins to campfires, explore the daily routine, activities, and supportive environment that make our overnight camp unforgettable.
7:30 AM – Wake-Up & Cabin Clean-Up
7:45 AM – Flag Raising & Morning Assembly
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Flag Raising & Morning Assembly
9:30 AM – Choice Activity (Archery, Canoeing, Arts & Crafts, etc.)
10:45 AM – Cabin Act (Cabin Choice Activity & Age-Appropriate High Adventure Activity)
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Rest Hour
2:15 PM – Clubs (Canoes, Climbing, Arts & Crafts, etc.)
3:30 PM – Swimming
5:00 PM – Dinner
6:00 PM – Kern Zone
7:00 PM – Evening Program (Village Games Cookout, Big Game, etc.)
8:30 PM – Cabin Time & Reflections
9:00 PM – Lights Out (younger campers)
10:00 PM – Lights Out (older campers)
Outdoor Adventure & Nature
Nature Hikes
Wilderness Skills (fire building, shelter making)
Creek Exploration
Environmental Education
Animal Encounters (camp farm animals)
Bug Hunts
Star Gazing & Astronomy
Water Fun
Canoeing
Kayaking
Swimming in the Pool
Lake Play (stand-up paddleboards, splash games)
Water Olympics
Challenge & Ropes
Climbing Wall
High Ropes Course
Zip Line
Team-Building Low Ropes
Trust Falls & Group Challenges
Creative Arts
Arts & Crafts
Tie-Dye
Nature Art
Face Painting
Friendship Bracelets
Camp Journaling
Sports & Games
Archery
Gaga Ball
Basketball
Soccer
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Camp-Wide Capture the Flag
Counselor Hunt
Scavenger Hunts
Drama & Performance
Skit Night
Improv Games
Talent Shows
Lip Sync Battles
Campfire Songs & Storytelling
Evening & All-Camp Programs
Opening & Closing Campfires
Cabin Challenge Nights
Themed Dance Parties
All-Camp Games
Glow Night
Night Hikes
S’mores & Reflections
Sunday – Welcome Campfire
Kick off the week with songs, s’mores, and getting to know your cabin.
Monday – Village Games
Start your week off with friendly competition amongst the other campers in your village.
Tuesday – Camp Out/Cook Out Night
Sleep under the stars after a night of fire-cooked food, stories, and classic camp fun with your cabin.
Wednesday – Big Game
Team up with your cabin mates solve the mystery and save Camp Kern from the villain of the week!
Thursday – Closing Campfire & Vespers
End the week with songs, stories, recognition, reflection ,and meaningful goodbyes.
Friday – Underseige, Camp Dance & Talent Show
Finish your week with an epic tag game, dancing, and memories to last forever.
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs
Pancakes with syrup
Turkey sausage
Fresh fruit
Cereal & milk
Water & 100% juice
Lunch
Grilled cheese or deli sandwich
Tomato soup
Veggie sticks with ranch
Apple slices
Cookie
Water or lemonade
Dinner
BBQ chicken
Mac & cheese
Steamed broccoli
Dinner roll
Salad bar
Water or fruit punch
Snack
Trail mix
Granola bar
Frozen fruit pops
Goldfish crackers
Water jugs available all day