Teen & Leadership Camps
YMCA Camp Kern prides itself on programming which helps develop our teens and campers into the future leaders of tomorrow. These programs focus on character building, leadership development, teamwork, and challenging oneself physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether your camper is looking to grow into one of the future leaders of Camp Kern or become a leader in the community, YMCA Camp Kern's leadership camps has a program for them. Each of the programs listed below offers something a little above and beyond a traditional week at camp, but they all share a focus on giving experiences and memories that will help teens and campers succeed in the future.
We also offer Fully-Immersive Teen Camps based on popular book, movie, TV, and games series for campers ages 13-16! To learn more, visit our Fully-Immersive Camps page.
If you have questions on our Teen & Leadership camps, please contact MacKallie Householder, Teen & Family Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (513)932-3756 ext. 1530.
2024 Summer Camp registration coming soon!
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday
This newly redesigned program is designed for the camper who has a spirit for adventure and is ready to take on new challenges. Test your sense of adventure while tackling challenges like our high ropes course, 9-mile canoe trip, and other numerous high adventure activities!
Availability
- Session 1
- Session 3
- Session 5
- Session 7
- Session 9
$775
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday
Challenge yourself to a week of living in the outdoors while competing with and against friends. Living quarters will be rustic, challenges will be difficult and the opportunities to build character and meet new friends will be endless! At the end of each session, we’ll name Kern’s Ultimate Character Survivor, who will receive a free week of camp the next summer. Camper's will stay in our rustic (no A/C) Survivor Village.
Availability
- Session 6
- Session 8
$775
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday
This is the ultimate program to test yourself, make lifelong friends, and experience Camp Kern in a way you have never imagined! Challenges will be greater and Survivor will have a brand-new home! What challenges await you? Who will be this year’s Ultimate Teen Survivor?! The prize is still the same: a new and improved self-image, along with a free week of camp for the week’s winner. Campers will stay in our rustic (no A/C) Survivor Village.
Availability
- Session 2
- Session 4
$775
Learn to be a Leader!
Residential/Overnight Camp: Sunday - Friday
The LIT program develops group dynamics, problem-solving, and the camping skills we look for in future staff members. While living in the rustic Brisben village (No A/C) campers will grow in character and appreciation for camp by participating in this program. LIT’s will participate in team building and character development activities that help them to learn more about themselves and different leadership styles. Ultimately, LIT’s will leave their mark on camp by being having a hand in leading activities and participating in a group-designed service project for camp. This training is a steppingstone for teens who are interested in transitioning into future leaders, but still enjoy the magic of being a camper.
Availability
- Session 4
- Session 6
- Session 8
$750
New for 2024!
Two-Week Residential/Overnight Camp:
New for 2024! Ready to make a difference? This camp is still in development and more details will be coming soon. The name may change, but the goal is the same: growing your leadership skills through acts of service. Check back soon for additional details, and maybe a new program name!
Campers will participate in a mix of behind-the-scenes service projects at camp, structured leadership skill-building sessions, and assorted fun camp activities.
This will be a two-week program running Sessions1-2 (June 2-14) and campers will stay the weekend between the two sessions.
Availability
- Session 1
$1300 for two weeks
Weeks of Growth!
This program is an opportunity to enhance and develop self-confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, tolerance for adversity, and personal leadership style. New to this summer, with successful completion of their first two weeks, participants stay for a third week of camp. Your training as a CIT will begin with a full week focused on team building, leadership skill development, and learning behavior management skills with your peer CIT’s. This program offers endless possibilities to be a positive role model and to make new friends. We ask you to push yourself to experience the real magic of camp! To take part in the CIT program, campers will require two references and take part in an interview process.
2024 CIT Sessions:
CIT-A: Sessions 1-3
CIT-B: Sessions 3-5
CIT-C: Sessions 5-7
CIT-D: Sessions 7-9
Please note that a weekend stayover is not automatically built-in to the CIT schedule to allow participants time away from camp to rest and recharge. If you would like your CIT to stay in between their sessions, please make sure to select a Weekend Stayover on your Camper Application.
Availability
- Session 1
- Session 3
- Session 5
- Session 7
$996 for three weeks
Fun All Weekend Long!
Want to experience the magic of camp for two weeks or more in a row? Stay the weekend in between at Kern! The weeks must be consecutive weeks at camp. All campers laundry is cleaned in between weeks. Campers will participate in various activities at camp over the weekend before they are signed in for their next week of camp!
Weekend stays are only available to campers attending weeklong residential camp programs. Weekend Stayovers are not available for campers attending Sunrise Day Camp, Lil' Farmes Day Camp, First Camp, Taste of Kern, Boots & Bits Day Camp, or Frontier Village programs.
Space is limited! Make sure to select the Free Weekend Stayover Add-on on your Camper Application.
The following Free Weekend Stayovers are planned for summer 2024:
Sessions 3-4
Sessions 4-5
Sessions 5-6
Sessions 7-8
We are also offering "Super Stayovers" on other weekends that include a trip to Kings Island. These Super Stayovers will have a fee to cover park admission and food. Click the "Add On: Super Weekend Stayovers" tab to learn more.
Availability
Free
Stay for the weeeeeeeeeeee-kend
Want to experience the magic of camp for two weeks or more in a row, stay at camp over the weekend AND take a day trip to Kings Island? Stay on for a Super Weekend Stayover at Kern! Participating campers must be enrolled for consecutive weeks at camp.
All campers laundry is cleaned in between weeks. Campers will participate in various activities at camp over the weekend and take a day trip to nearby Kings Island amusement park. The fee for the Super Stayover includes park admission, food and transportation.
Weekend stays are only available to campers attending weeklong residential camp programs. Weekend Stayovers are not available for campers attending Sunrise Day Camp, Lil' Farmes Day Camp, First Camp, Taste of Kern, Boots & Bits Day Camp, or Frontier Village programs.
Space is limited! Make sure to select the Super Weekend Stayover Add-on on your Camper Application.
The following Super Weekend Stayovers are planned for summer 2024:
Sessions 2-3
Sessions 6-7
We are also offering Free Stayovers on other weekends that do not include a Kings Island excursion. Click the "Add On: Free Weekend Stayovers" tab to learn more.
Availability
$110
2024 Summer Camp Sessions
Session 1: June 2-7
Session 2: June 9-14
Session 3: June 16-21
Session 4: June 23-28
Session 5: June 30-July 5
Session 6: July 7-12
Session 7: July 14-19
Session 8: July 21-26
Session 9: July 28-August 2