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
Program Information
Campers are organized into age-appropriate groups while at Camp Jones Gulch.
Each camp session is led by trained CPR & First-Aid 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, ziplining, canoeing, arts and crafts, camp songs and camp fires, building friendships, and so much more!
Download the 2025 Parent Welcome Packet here.
Summer Dates
June 20, 2025 through August 7, 2025
Available sessions and dates vary by age group
Sessions
Camp session options can range from 3 days up to 2 weeks depending on age group and session
Age Range
6 years old through 16 years old
Deposits
A deposit is due each week you register your child(ren)
ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
TRADITIONAL CAMPS
AGES: 8-14
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!
View camp sessions below.
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.
Osprey campers thrive on adventure and will try their hands at more of what makes camp a special place. Ospreys are our youngest who will go on the zipline and sleep under the stars!
An all-gender cabin option for Osprey campers will be available Session 5.
Condors are our oldest traditional campers. As young leaders, they will spend time at our new Challenge Course and take on challenges in the redwoods, 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 CAMP SESSIONS
All Traditional Camp sessions have a $150 deposit at registration. 6-day sessions are $1,150, and 5-day sessions are $975; both prices are inclusive of deposit.
Session 2B is a two week session for campers between the ages of 12 to 15 years old.
Important Cabin Information
Families are able to request up to 4 cabinmates with no more than a total 2 year age difference – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmate requests that fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
*The deposit is due at registration.
*Deposits are non-refundable.
June 15–20: 6 Days, 5 Nights
June 22–27: 6 Days, 5 Nights
June 22–July 3: 12 Days, 11 Nights
June 29–July 3: 5 Days, 4 Nights
An all-gender cabin is available for Kestrel Campers this session.
July 6–11: 6 Days, 5 Nights
July 20–24: 5 Days, 4 Nights
An all-gender cabin is available for Osprey Campers this session.
July 27–August 1: 6 Days, 5 Nights
August 3–7: 5 Days, 4 Nights
An all-gender cabin is available for Condor Campers this session.
MINI CAMPS Sessions
AGES: 6-8
Our 3-day Mini Camp is available for campers ages 6–8 who would like to try an overnight experience, but may not yet be ready to commit to an entire 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.
Important Cabin Information
Families are able to request up to 4 cabinmates with no more than a total 2 year age difference – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmate requests that fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
*The deposit is due at registration.
*Deposits are non-refundable.
June 22–24
June 22–27
July 6–8
July 9–11
LEADERS-IN-TRAINING Sessions
AGES: 14-15
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 centered around 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.
All LIT sessions have a $150 deposit due at registration. 6-Day sessions are $1,150, and 5 days sessions are $975, both prices are inclusive of deposit.
Important Cabin Information
Families are able to request up to 4 cabinmates with no more than a total 2 year age difference – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmate requests that fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
*The deposit is due at registration.
*Deposits are non-refundable.
June 15–20: 6 Days, 5 Nights
June 29–July 3: 5 Days, 4 Nights
July 6–11: 6 Days, 5 Nights
July 20–24: 5 Days, 4 Nights
August 3–7: 5 Days, 4 Nights
COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING Sessions
AGES: 16
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 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 be role models for!
CIT sessions have a $150 deposit due at registration and cost $1,250, inclusive of deposit.
Important Cabin Information
Families are able to request up to 4 cabinmates with no more than a total 2 year age difference – all campers in the group must request each other at registration. Cabinmate requests that fit into multiple program age groups will need to register for the younger program.
*The deposit is due at registration.
*Deposits are non-refundable.
June 22–July 3: 12 Days, 11 Nights
July 27–August 7: 12 Days, 11 Nights
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.
CAMP QUESTIONS?
Contact Sara Sedgwick, Camp Director, by email at [email protected] or by calling (650) 747-1200.
Need Help with your account?
Contact Member Services at [email protected] or call our support hotline at (415) 772-5500.