About YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps

"We believe in providing the opportunity for personal growth, building relationships, character and leadership to effect positive change."

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps exists to strengthen the spirit, mind and body of children and adults in a safe, fun and challenging environment.  Our programs develop important life skills, self-confidence and an enduring commitment to others as expressed in our motto: Each for All, All for Each.

YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for boys and YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha for girls are branches of the State YMCA of Michigan, an independent YMCA operated under the guidance of a Board of Trustees, established in 1894 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of Michigan. 

YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha, located on Torch Lake in Central Lake, Michigan, has been providing single gender, outdoor adventure camping for boys for 115 years. YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha located on Arbutus Lake in Traverse City, Michigan, celebrated it’s 100th year of single gender camping for girls in 2014.  

Programs currently offered at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps:

Summer Camp: Both of our camps offer two and four week summer sessions which are centered around age appropriate wilderness trips, from a three-day Sleeping Bear Dunes trip for fifth graders or five days backpacking Pictured Rocks for sixth graders to two weeks sailing the North Channel and Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, two weeks hiking Isle Royale, two weeks canoeing Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario Canada or three weeks hiking and sea kayaking in Alaska for older youth.

Sparks Day Camp: Our day camp runs during the summer months on the Torch Lake property providing children ages 5-10 with age appropriate outdoor programming. 

Experiential Environmental Education (E3): E3 programs are offered throughout the school year for grades K-12, specializing in middle school curriculum and programming.  Servicing over 50 schools throughout Michigan.

Conferences, Retreats and Special Events:  Both properties have sought after facilities suitable for small conferences and meeting groups, weekend retreats and special events, family reunions, weddings, anniversaries, and crafting groups.  The dates the facilities are available to book are September to May.