Camp Jones Gulch

Push yourself to new levels of adventure and challenge!

Age 12-16

Choose between residential and trip programs.

• Camp sessions start on Sundays, check-in is between 2-3 p.m., and end on Fridays, check-out is between 4-5 p.m. 
• After registration, you will receive a Parent Packet including details like suggested packing list, sample itineraries, and frequently given answers.

Information on Summer 2012 will be available in January!

Explore Jade Cove Beach, tide pools, and marine ecosystems one day, and mountain trails the next. Campers will hike along the river up to Pfeiffer Falls, discover unique swimming holes, and explore the beautiful gorge deep in the Big Sur backwoods. The trip will allow for some sightseeing through Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove.

Big Sur Adventure

Day 1: Check In at CJG, Teambuilding Activities, Opening Campfire

Day 2: Travel to Monterey, Discover Marine Sanctuary, Setup Camp in Big Sur, Skit Night

Day 3: Hike to Waterfall, Afternoon at the Gorge, Evening Campfire

Day 4: Beach Day, Tide Pooling, Rock Climbing, Cave Exploration

Day 5: Surprise Tour in Monterey (Aquarium or Sports Center shhhh…) Closing Campfire

Day 6: Travel Back to CJG, Check Out

Dates and Availability

Working in partnership with our YMCA affiliates in Hawaii, we have a traditional camp adventure on the North Shore of Oahu. With activities like rock climbing, horseback riding, tide pool exploration, archery, and surfing, its no mystery why kids can’t wait to go to the islands! (Roundtrip airfare is included.)

Dates and Availability

Outdoor Adventure camp rocks out back

Nothing wrong with a little adventure! Learn not only how to survive, but to live and have an incredible time in the wildness of Northern California. Sleep at the beautiful Lower Outpost campsite and learn how to set up your campsite, as well as prepare and cook your own food. Learn survival skills as you explore the far reaches of the Jones Gulch Property and become a skilled fire starter and an expert on the local pant and wildlife. Discover the top of the redwood forrest with a full day at the ropes course. See the night sky with in a whole new light by learning the costellations and how to use them to find your way. Spend a day at the beach surfing, building shelters and rafts so you know how to handle desert island. Have an all day mountain bike ride to places at camp that most people have only heard about. On the final day, put your survival knowledge to the test with an all day adventure and a night at an altternative location. Never has roughing it in the woods been this exciting, fun and educational.

Dates and availability

Giddy Up!

Campers will learn western style riding and fundamental horsemanship skills, as well as participate in traditional summer camp activities like swimming pool, campfire, canoes, zip-line, climbing tower, and more!

Campers will be assigned a horse for the week and participate in lessons - both on the ground and mounted on horseback - designed to help them learn how to properly care for the horse. By the end of the week campers will have developed a basic knowledge of equine behavior and be able to feed, groom, saddle, and ride their horse.

Beginners are welcome.
Intermediate Skills session offered Session 4 to build on basic skills.

Dates and Availability

More information:

The 2011 Horse Camp schedule resembles the previous Horse Specialty program, but offers a more thorough, progressive approach to horsemanship and Western riding instruction. 

• The first full day of horse camp will consist mainly of ground lessons designed to teach or supplement campers’ knowledge of horse care and beginner riding technique. 
• On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Horse Camp participants will participate in themed lessons and activities designed to test their skills. Riding instructors will control the pace of lessons to ensure that riders are presented with challenges appropriate for their skill level.  Potential challenges can include but are not limited to Western games (trotting patterns, pole bending), drill team exercises, bareback riding, and pre-jumping exercises*.  Free Ride periods in the afternoons will allow riders to re-visit and develop any skills they learned in that morning’s or in the prior days’ lessons.
• All exercises will be conducted in a controlled setting, but will culminate in a 5-hour trail ride into Jack Brook Horse Camp on Thursday morning.
• Evening activities will be shared with other resident camp participants according to their age groups. Upon completing Horse Camp, each rider will receive mementos or awards commemorating their experience and achievements.

*Horses will never be asked to jump any obstacle higher than their knees.

Hanging Ten

Surf campers will live in a surf village at Camp Jones Gulch and travel daily to local beaches.

Experienced staff will teach your camper techniques to improve their beginner and intermediate skills.  YMCA lifeguards and spotters will supervise campers at the beach. 

Also while at beaches, campers will enjoy activities like beach volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, bocce ball, and lifesaving drills/carnival events.

Proficiency in swimming skills required.

Dates and Availability

Surfing Camp

Day 1: Check In at CJG, Teambuilding Games, Opening Campfire

Day 2: Test Equipment, Basic Skills, Beach Safety, Camp Activities,

Day 3: Travel to Half Moon Bay to Surf, Campfire & Skit night

Day 4: Travel to Santa Cruz to surf

Day 5: Travel to Half Moon Bay to Surf, Honor Campfire

Day 6: Camp Activities, Check Out

Skyline to the Sea Camp

Day 1: Check In at CJG, Gear Orientation, Setup, Opening Campfire

Day 2: Outdoor cooking and Survival training, Ropes Course, Swimming, Prepare Packs, Campfire

Day 3: Begin the Trail, Outdoor Cooking, Skit Night

Day 4: Continue trail, stop at the waterfall, setup camp

Day 5: Arrive at the beach, transport back to CJG, Honor Campfire

Day 6: Camp Activities, Check Out

Dates and Availability

An Outdoor Experience

Enjoy a multi-element course at Lake Tahoe. Activities may include kayaking, sailing, biking, and hiking. 

Learn low impact camping skills, water safety, specialized activity techniques, lake ecology, and natural history.

Here are some details:

Lake Tahoe

Day 1: Check In at Stonestown YMCA, Travel to Tahoe, Setup Camp

Day 2: Tour day of Tahoe, Afternoon Swimming, Opening Campfire

Day 3: Morning Sailing, Afternoon Hiking/Games

Day 4: Beach Activities, Kayaking, Swimming

Day 5: Morning Mt Biking, Afternoon Swim, Closing Camp Fire

Day 6: Travel back to Stonestown, Check Out

Proficient swimming skills required. 

Dates and Availability