It is an astounding and breath-taking sight as you ease down the steep hill into this camping oasis. Located on 330 acres of beautifully wooded bluffs and situated right on a lazy rolling river, the camp is a remarkable juxtaposition set against the endless green cornfields of Iowa.  

A sign at the bottom the hill greets you with the proclamation that you have come to the "Closest place to heaven on earth"... and the sign doesn't even do the camp justice.

As you inch through the camp you will be further amazed as you see the 50 foot climbing and rappelling tower, the high and low ropes course, and the over 26 newly renovated cabins.

At further investigation you will meet our 14 majestic horses and 2 ponies that will quietly beg you to accompany them on a trail ride.   If you need to burn off a little energy you might join a pick-up game of kick ball at the baseball field or ultimate- frisbee on the lower athletic field. While on the other hand maybe sand volleyball is you're game?

Nurturing your artistic talents is not a problem either. Spend a little time in the Arts & Crafts lodge making something with beads, or if you're feeling adventuresome, something with leather.  

But if the boundless foliage, trees, and chirping birds has really peeked your interests you might want to visit one of our three bird blinds, take a Habitat Walk, or assist one of our on site interpretive naturalist in building a real Native American Tipi. While others prefer to simply walk the many miles of nature trails in search of Old Jim's lost cabin.

However, on a really hot day you will find the majority of the campers in beautiful blue waters of our Olympic size in-ground swimming pool. Most of the swimmers enjoy a rousing game of water-polo, but there are others who just love the speed and sharp turns of the waterslide.

The options at the Y-Camp are boundless, the fun times are endless, and the memories nurtured here... timeless. 

There is nothing comparable to the YMCA of Greater Des Moines Camp anywhere in Iowa. Each year thousands of children come to summer camp and take part in the activities that are described above. However, it is the professional, value-based programming that really changes and impacts their lives. 

The YMCA of Greater Des Moines Camp is dedicated to providing programs that as the Mission of the YMCA states, "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body." Evening programs such as Inspiration Point, and the Trail of Five Fires show campers the five values of health, honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring in practice.  

 
But the YMCA of Greater Des Moines Camp is not only a summer camp. We are open all year round and provide environmental education to a variety of groups including schools and other organizations who are interested in original outdoor educational programming. We are a conference center with beds for over 300 people, meeting and breakout rooms, and food service that is suited to every group. Through the use of our unique high and low static ropes course, we can work on leadership skills and teambuilding with groups of varying sizes, making us a great location for athletic teams, or youth and corporate groups. 

The options are endless, and we would love the chance to talk with you, or provide you with more information about the Y-Camp of Greater Des Moines. Contact us for a brochure!  Please call us at 515-432-7558, or e-mail us at ycamp@dmymca.org.

See YMCA of Greater Des Moines page on CampDepot.com

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