Overnight Summer Camps
Kids, Teens YMCA Camp Jones Gulch
Explore New HORIZONS AT YMCA CAMP JONES GULCH
The YMCA of Greater San Francisco is committed to providing quality youth programming and exceptional summer camp experiences to our Bay Area families. At camp, kids can develop skills, self-confidence, new friendships, and a sense of belonging – all while having tons of fun.
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
The Best Summer Ever!
Outrageous fun and tremendous growth—that’s what awaits you at Y Camp. At the Y, we believe children discover themselves through interactions with others and the freedom to explore. Y Camp immerses children in a community where making friends is natural, exploring new interests is encouraged, and discovering inner strength is guaranteed. Camp provides a space where children begin to gain independence and test their wings in a safe, nurturing environment.
General Camp Information
Campers are organized into age-appropriate groups while at Camp Jones Gulch.
Each camp session is led by our team of well-trained and CPR & First-Aid certified Youth Development Leaders. Our daily activities are developed with your camper’s age and skills in mind, tailored to keep your camper engaged and having fun.
This summer, your camper can expect their week to be full of swimming, hiking, archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, camp songs and camp fires, building friendships, and so much more!
Dates
June 14, 2026 through August 7, 2026
Camp session options can range from 3 days up to 2 weeks depending on age group and session.
Available sessions and dates vary by age group.
Age Range
Ages 6 through 16
Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- E-mail: Sara Sedgwig
- Phone: (650) 747-1200
- Address: 11000 Pescadero Road, La Honda CA 94020
A deposit is due each week you register your child(ren). ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Deposits are taken at registration and are non-refundable. Download the billing schedule here.
| Session | Last Day for Refund (Less Deposit) | Payment Draft Due Date | No Refund | Drop Date for Non-Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 – 6/8/26-6/12/26 | 5/22/2026 | 5/25/2026 | 5/25/2026 | 5/29/2026 |
| Session 2 – 6/15/26-6/18/26 | 5/29/2026 | 6/1/2026 | 6/1/2026 | 6/5/2026 |
| Session 3 – 6/22/26-6/26/26 | 6/5/2026 | 6/8/2026 | 6/8/2026 | 6/12/2026 |
| Session 4 – 6/29/26-7/2/26 | 6/12/2026 | 6/15/2026 | 6/15/2026 | 6/19/2026 |
| Session 5 – 7/6/26-7/10/26 | 6/19/2026 | 6/22/2026 | 6/22/2026 | 6/26/2026 |
| Session 6 – 7/13/26-7/17/26 | 6/26/2026 | 6/29/2026 | 6/29/2026 | 7/3/2026 |
| Session 7 – 7/20/26-7/24/26 | 7/3/2026 | 7/6/2026 | 7/6/2026 | 7/10/2026 |
| Session 8 – 7/27/26-7/31/26 | 7/10/2026 | 7/13/2026 | 7/13/2026 | 7/18/2026 |
| Session 9 – 8/3/26-8/7/26 | 7/17/2026 | 7/20/2026 | 7/20/2026 | 7/25/2026 |
| Session 10 – 8/10/26-8/14/26 | 7/24/2026 | 7/27/2026 | 7/27/2026 | 8/1/2026 |
Contact Member Services at [email protected] or call our support hotline at (415) 772-5500.
Ages 8-14
TRADITIONAL CAMPS information
Divided into 3 age groups, our Traditional Camp is the classic Camp Jones Gulch Experience. Campers will travel within their cabin groups to different activities throughout the day. Each age group has slightly different programming.
Every group does at least one high ropes element, archery, arts & crafts, canoeing, two swim sessions, outdoor cooking, and an exploration of the redwood forest!
All traditional camps are 6 days and 5 nights, with drop off on Sunday afternoon and pickup on Friday morning. Specific drop-off and pick-up windows are dependent on age group:
- Kestrels: 1:00-1:45 PM
- Ospreys: 1:30-2:30 PM
- Condors: LITs, and CITS, 2:15-3:00 PM
KESTRELS
AGES: 8-9 YEARS OLD
Kestrels are our youngest week-long campers! They will try their hands at the climbing tower, make friends and learn about teamwork, and have their own skits & s’mores night.
An all-gender cabin option for Kestrel campers will be available Session 3.
OSPREYS
AGES: 10-11 YEARS OLD
Ospreys are our youngest who will go on our Canopy Ropes Course and sleep under the stars!
An all-gender cabin option for Osprey campers will be available Session 5.
CONDORS
AGES: 12-14 YEARS OLD
Condors are our oldest traditional campers. As young leaders, they will spend time at our new Challenge Course and go on a tide-pooling field trip to a local beach, in addition to our classic camp activities. Condor campers will further develop teamwork and communication skills, deepening their friendships and trying new things.
An all-gender cabin option for Condor campers will be available Session 7.
TRADITIONAL CAMPS SESSIONS
All Traditional Camp sessions are 6 days and 5 nights in duration. Campers who are registered for both Sessions 3 and 4, or Sessions 5 and 6, have the opportunity to stay at camp for the weekend between sessions for no additional fee.
Important Cabin Information
Families can request up to three cabinmates at registration, provided the total age difference between them is no more than two years. All campers in the group must request each other during the registration process and be registered for the same age group and cabin gender. Cabinmates who request to fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program. We do our best to meet all cabinmate requests that come through.
Registration & Cost
Each session requires a $150 deposit at the time of registration. Financial Assistance is available. Please see the bottom of this page for application information. All deposits are non-refundable.
To view pricing and register, please click below.
Ages 6-8
MINI CAMPS Sessions
Our 3-day Mini Camp is available for campers aged 6–8 who would like to try an overnight experience but may not yet be ready to commit to a whole week of camp. Our mini campers will make new friends, explore the outdoors, and try their hands at a selection of camp activities in an action-packed 3 days! They will have arts & crafts, visit the garden, go to the pool, go to an all-camp campfire, and more.
Registration & Cost
Each session requires a $75 deposit at the time of registration. Financial Assistance is available. Please see the bottom of this page for application information. All deposits are non-refundable.
To view pricing and register, please click below.
Ages 11-14
Wilderness Camp
New for Summer 2026, our 3-Day Wilderness Camp is an adventure for campers seeking something unique and a genuine nature experience. Campers will share tents at the Lower Outpost, our group campsite, complete with running water and an unbeatable, deep-in-the-Redwoods feel. Campers will learn and grow through wilderness skills, including building and cooking over a fire, hiking on our local trail system, and exploring the natural wonders of the area.
Registration & Cost
Enrollment requires a non-refundable $50 deposit at the time of registration. Financial Assistance is available. Please see the bottom of this page for application information. All deposits are non-refundable.
To view pricing and register, please click below.
Ages 14-15
LEADERS-IN-TRAINING (LIT) Sessions
Leaders-In-Training (LITs) is the first year of our Teen Leadership Camp. LITs participate in many of the classic camp activities, alongside their own special programming that focuses on developing leadership skills. LITs will spend time working together on our low and high ropes courses, complete a legacy project for the benefit of the camp community, and cook over the campfire on their campout experience.
Important Cabin Information
Families can request up to 4 cabinmates, with a total age difference of no more than 2 years – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmates who request to fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
Registration & Cost
Each session requires a $150 deposit at the time of registration. Financial Assistance is available. Please see the bottom of this page for application information. All deposits are non-refundable.
To view pricing and register, please click below.
Age 16
Counselors-IN-TRAINING (CIT) Sessions
Leaders-In-Training (LITs) is the first year of our Teen Leadership Camp. LITs participate in many of the classic camp activities, alongside their own special Counselors-In-Training (CITs) is our capstone teen leadership experience. CITs will stay at camp for two weeks, learning and developing as leaders, and then applying those new skills with a cabin of younger campers. Their first week of the program includes both learning opportunities and a selection of camp activities, including spending time on the Challenge Course. CITs will stay over between traditional camp sessions and experience the space for the night as the only YMCA campers. In their second week, CITs will be assigned a cabin of younger campers to shadow and serve as role models for.
Important Cabin Information
Families can request up to 4 cabinmates, with a total age difference of no more than 2 years – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmates who request to fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
Registration & Cost
Each session requires a $150 deposit at the time of registration. Financial Assistance is available. Please see the bottom of this page for application information. All deposits are non-refundable.
To view pricing and register, please click below.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is available to families who qualify.
To apply, please fill out our Financial Assistance Application and email your completed form to [email protected] along with two types of income verification. Please refer to the application form for acceptable forms of income verification.
Families who qualified for Financial Assistance during the calendar year do not need to re-apply. If you have not been awarded Financial Assistance within the calendar year, then you will need to re-apply.
Applicants can expect to hear back from an associate in approximately 15 business days with award details.
Email your completed and attached income verification forms by clicking below:
FAQs
Sending a letter is a perfect way to tell your camper that you miss and love them. We recommend sending letters a few days in advance of the session to ensure they are received. Please do not send letters by fax. All mail will be delivered at dinner. Please mail your letters to:
Camper’s Name
Session # and Age Group (KESTREL/OSPREY/CONDOR, ETC.)
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch
11000 Pescadero Creek Road
La Honda CA, 94020
You can absolutely send your child a small care package from home. Please do not order things directly from Amazon to be delivered to camp without first consulting the Camp Office. Please do not send food items – they will be confiscated and returned at check-out. Please send your care package to:
Camper’s Name
Session # and Age Group (KESTREL/OSPREY/CONDOR, ETC.)
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch
11000 Pescadero Creek Road
La Honda CA, 94020
Our dining hall serves youth all year round and is well-equipped to support common dietary needs. As long as your camper’s dietary restriction is listed on their registration, we are ready to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. We do not serve nuts while camp is in session. Our kitchen team is great about answering questions about other allergens and making them easy to avoid, and your child’s counselor will help them ask if the contents of a meal are not clear.
Some families, especially those with youth who have celiac disease, like to send additional food to support their campers, such as desserts or snacks, that can be accessed during meals by asking one of the kitchen staff.
If your camper has more complex dietary needs, please reach out to our team, and we can support you and put you in contact with the dining hall team, if needed.
We do not have a traditional camp store, but we will have t-shirts and hoodies available for purchase at check-out, as well as an option to add them during registration. All campers get a free t-shirt during check-in.
Our staff are trained on handling homesickness, and most cases can be resolved with support within the cabin. If homesickness manifests as feeling unwell, such as a stomachache, the camp medic will also assist. If it continues, the lead staff for your camper’s age group may call to let you know and ask for advice on how to soothe your camper best. We generally do not allow campers to call home, as this tends to exacerbate homesickness or spread it to other campers in the cabin.
We allow for up to 3 cabinmate requests per camper and will do our best to accommodate them. Cabinmates must be within two years of each other in age and be registered for the same course option. If campers in the group fall under different age categories, all campers must register for the younger program. If campers within the group have different gender identities, they will need to register for the All Gender cabin to be together.
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch is an inclusive, gender-affirming space. We want all campers to feel safe and comfortable during their time at camp. Campers should register for the cabin that most aligns with their gender identity, and non-binary or gender-fluid campers should register for the cabin where they will feel most comfortable. Each traditional camp age group has a week where an all-gender cabin will be available. If you have more specific questions about privacy, medication, or other issues related to gender inclusion at camp, please get in touch with Sara Sedgwick, Camp Program Director.