YMCA Camp Clearwater
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
YMCA Camp Clearwater is a highly-rated, long-standing summer day camp known for offering a wide array of traditional outdoor activities and fostering a fun-filled experience for children of many ages. It boasts a beautiful natural setting with a pond and walking trails, an indoor sheltered area for inclement weather, and a dedicated, amazing staff. However, prospective visitors must be acutely aware of significant traffic safety concerns around the camp entrance and on the adjacent public road, as well as the presence of snakes in wooded areas.
Key Highlights
- ✓Fun-filled summer day camp experience with diverse activities including games, singing, archery, boating, team building, canoing, shooting BB guns, gaga ball, arts & crafts, swimming, and field games.
- ✓Great and amazing staff/counselors who ensure kids have a blast.
- ✓Indoor sheltered area available for days with bad weather.
- ✓Features a nice pond with walking trails, bathroom facilities, a simple playground, and a pavilion/amphitheater.
- ✓Strong legacy and positive reputation, with multi-generational attendance (parents who went as children now send their own kids).
Standout Features
- ⭐Wide variety of engaging activities: archery, boating, team building, canoing, shooting BB guns, gaga ball, arts & crafts, swimming, and field games.
- ⭐Indoor sheltered area provides a weather-proof option for activities.
- ⭐Natural environment featuring a pond and walking trails for outdoor exploration.
- ⭐Simple playground available for younger children.
- ⭐Pavilion and amphitheater for potential gatherings or performances.
- ⭐Highly praised and dedicated staff/counselors who ensure a positive experience for children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Pack a lunch and bring a water bottle, as this is expected for the day camp.
- →ALWAYS remember to look both ways when pulling out of or turning into the camp entrance, as drivers frequently do not, and traffic on the neighborhood hill can be unexpected.
- →Exercise extreme caution if walking along Clearwater Lake Road due to the absence of sidewalks and speeding parent traffic, particularly during camp season.
- →Be aware of your surroundings for snakes when in wooded areas.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Significant traffic safety issues at the camp entrance/exit: drivers (specifically parents of campers) are reported to rarely look both ways when pulling in or out, posing a hazard in a neighborhood with frequent, unexpected vehicle traffic.
- ⚠No sidewalks on Clearwater Lake Road, making walking dangerous, especially during camp season due to parents of campers frequently exceeding safe speed limits.
- ⚠Plenty of snakes in the woods, requiring visitors to always be aware of their surroundings.
Price & Value
Pricing information is not available from the reviews. The value proposition appears to be strong based on the diverse activities, quality of staff, and the overall positive experience reported by multiple generations of campers.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Bathroom facilities are mentioned. No other specific accessibility accommodations are detailed in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is allowed and expected; parents are advised to 'Pack a lunch and bring a water bottle.'
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details on parking availability, but the significant traffic concerns at the entrance/exit imply on-site parking or a drop-off area that leads to a dangerous traffic situation on the public road.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd numbers mentioned, but during 'camp season,' the adjacent Clearwater Lake Road experiences high vehicle traffic from parents, suggesting high activity during operational hours.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The camp has a locked gate and is surrounded by a barbed wire fence.
- •Staff/counselors are consistently praised as 'great' and 'amazing,' implying good supervision.
- •However, external safety concerns regarding traffic at the entrance/exit and on Clearwater Lake Road, as well as the presence of snakes, are highlighted.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents or pedestrians who are not prepared to be extremely vigilant about traffic safety around the camp's entrance and on the adjacent public road.
- • Families highly sensitive to wildlife such as snakes in natural environments, particularly in wooded areas.
- • Those who prefer a highly urban or completely indoor entertainment venue, as this camp is focused on outdoors.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Superheroes
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Get ready to unleash your powers during Superhero Week at Camp Clearwater, where campers soar through action-packed adventures, epic challenges, and heroic fun! Each day brings a new mission as we discover the hero within through creative games, crafts, and teamwork.
Includes:
- •Action-packed adventures
- •Epic challenges
- •Heroic fun
- •Creative games
- •Crafts
- •Teamwork
Wizarding World
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Step into the magic of Wizarding World Week at Camp Clearwater, where campers craft wands, brew potions, and even experience a game of Quidditch. From spellcasting to magical creatures, the week is filled with wonder, creativity, and a touch of wizardly mischief.
Includes:
- •Crafting wands
- •Brewing potions
- •Quidditch game
- •Spellcasting
- •Magical creatures activities
- •Creative activities
Party in the USA
Member: $196, Program Participant: $246Duration: 4 days (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
Celebrate stars, stripes, and splash-tastic fun during Party in the USA Week at Camp Clearwater! With games, water activities, and lots of spirit, campers dive into a week of high-energy fun and festive flair.
Includes:
- •Games
- •Water activities
- •High-energy fun
Holiday Hoopla
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Get ready for a festive celebration during Holiday Hoopla Week at Camp Clearwater, where campers dress up and dive into the fun of their favorite holidays! From spooky Halloween games to jolly winter cheer, it's a whirlwind of seasonal joy and creative celebration.
Includes:
- •Dressing up for holidays
- •Spooky Halloween games
- •Jolly winter cheer
- •Seasonal joy
- •Creative celebration
Clearwater Games
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Let the Clearwater Games ignite the camp spirit! Campers rally with their teams for a week of wild competitions, silly challenges, and nonstop fun—all in pursuit of glory, bragging rights, and the legendary Clearwater Cup!
Includes:
- •Wild competitions
- •Silly challenges
- •Nonstop fun
- •Team rallies
- •Pursuit of the Clearwater Cup
The Challenge is On: Survivor
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Step into the ultimate week of adventure at Survivor Week at Camp Clearwater! Inspired by the popular show, this week is all about teamwork, strategy, and getting out of our comfort zone. Get ready for an action-packed week of exciting challenges, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable moments. Which huddle will be the ultimate Survivor?
Includes:
- •Teamwork
- •Strategy challenges
- •Action-packed challenges
- •Outdoor adventures
Clearwater's Got Talent
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Get ready to shine during Clearwater's Got Talent, where campers team up to practice and perform in our epic camp-wide talent show! Whether it's singing, dancing, or showcasing unique skills, everyone has a chance to dazzle and impress in this fun-filled showcase of creativity and talent!
Includes:
- •Practicing for talent show
- •Performing in camp-wide talent show
- •Singing
- •Dancing
- •Showcasing unique skills
Out of this World
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Blast off into an intergalactic adventure during Out of This World Week at Camp Clearwater! Campers can dress up as aliens, extraterrestrials, or cosmic creatures as they journey through a universe of fun, games, and out-of-this-world challenges.
Includes:
- •Dressing up as aliens, extraterrestrials, or cosmic creatures
- •Intergalactic games
- •Out-of-this-world challenges
MVP Week
Member: $245, Program Participant: $307Duration: 1 week (Mon - Fri)
Celebrate the best of the best during MVP Week at Camp Clearwater, where we bring back fan-favorite themes from the summer! Each day is packed with highlights from the most exciting weeks, filled with fun, laughter, and a chance to relive the magic of the summer’s top adventures!
Includes:
- •Reliving fan-favorite themes
- •Highlights from exciting weeks
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
OPEN HOUSE!
Thursday, June 5
No explicit pricing mentioned (implied free)
New campers and their families are welcome to visit and ask any questions they may have before camp begins. Returnees who just need a taste of camp fun to hold them over before the summer gets going are welcome, too!
FAMILY FUN NIGHTS!
Thursdays, June 26 & July 24
No explicit pricing mentioned (implied free, potluck dinner)
Bring the whole family to camp for a potluck dinner and fun camp activities.
🍎Food Policy
- • Campers have two snack breaks and one lunch break daily.
- • Family Fun Nights include a potluck dinner (families contribute food).
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All campers are required to wear a life vest (provided by the Y) unless they complete the Y's swim band evaluation.
- • Swim evaluations are offered at camp on Mondays and during family swim times in evenings and weekends.
- • Swim evaluation decisions are at the discretion of the lifeguard team; unready campers will wear a life jacket.
- • Person picking up a camper must have their authorized pick-up slip (provided on child’s first day) or an ID.
- • Serious concerns about YMCA programs or safety of children/adults can be reported.
📅Booking Policy
- • Bus transportation requires registration.
- • To opt out of bus transportation on a specific day, 24 hours advance notice by email or phone call is required.
- • Online account activation is needed to register for programs; contact Customer Success Center for setup.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parent/guardian transportation to/from camp is assumed in pricing.
- • Rides In (drop-off) takes place in the circle.
- • Rides Out (pick-up) is run in the same area as Rides In.
- • Bus transportation is available; morning bus leaves from Amity United Methodist Church on Estes Drive.
- • Afternoon bus arrives back at Amity United Methodist Church.
- • Late bus pick-ups result in campers being taken back to Camp Clearwater for onsite pick-up.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Mike Stevens
2 years agoGreat location for family and friends to experience the great outdoors.
Sandi LaMoy
7 years agoGreat summer day camp for kids of many ages! Kids will enjoy there experience. Fun filled days! Games,singing, archery,boating, team building and great staff. There is an indoor sheltered area for days of not so good weather. Pack a lunch and bring a water bottle and enjoy!!!
Allison Ross
4 years agoNice pond with walking trails and bathroom facilities. Also has a simple playground and archery set up, as well as pavilion and ?ampitheater. Locked gate. Surrounded by barbed wire fence. Plenty of snakes, so always be aware while you're in the woods! However, people pulling into and out of the can't RARELY LOOK both ways. This camp is located in a neighborhood with vehicles frequently coming down the hill and NOT expecting to be pulled in front of. ALWAYS remember to look both ways when pulling out or turning into the camp. People also walk along Clearwater Lake Rd, where there are no sidewalks, although during camp season it is quite dangerous as parents of campers frequently exceed a safe speed for a neighborhood.
Ella Whitfield
7 years agoSuch a fun summer camp! All of the counselors are great and the kids have a blast! Lots of cool activities to do, including canoing, archery, shooting bb guns, gaga ball, arts & crafts, swimming, and field games!
Andrea Vinson
3 years agoThe BEST camp! Amazing staff and location. My kids have been going for years and I went when I was a child. Couldn’t recommend Camp Clearwater more.
Contact Information
1720 Clearwater Lake Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
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