Camp Blazing Trails
At Camp Blazing Trails, campers spend the days outside exploring nature, hiking, making crafts and making friends. Campers learn about the environment through hands-on activities and guest speakers.
Camp Blazing Trails Sessions
There will be eight weeks of Camp Blazing Trails at Lake Crabtree Park this summer. July 3 is a holiday, and camp will be closed.
Campers dig into the world beneath their feet as they explore rocks, minerals, erosion, and landforms found right in the park. Through hands-on exploration, scavenger hunts, and nature investigations, campers discover how the earth is shaped and come home with dusty hands and muddy knees.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Campers spend the week fully immersed in the forest, hiking trails, identifying trees and plants, tracking wildlife signs and learning how to make maps and read a compass. Expect long days outdoors, curious discoveries, and campers who come home tired from real exploration.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Wild adventures, zero footprints! Campers will hike, play, and explore while learning how to care for the outdoors through the Leave No Trace Principles. From respecting wildlife to protecting trails and campsites, kids will discover how their choices matter, becoming confident explorers and responsible stewards of nature. Expect big learning, meaningful play, and proud campers who know how to adventure the right way.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Campers discover how animals use camouflage, mimicry and adaptation to survive. Through games, exploration, and creative challenges, campers learn to spot what’s often hidden, and how blending in can be a powerful survival tool.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Campers head to wet and wild spaces to explore reptiles and amphibians and their habitats. Expect creek walks, muddy shoes, and lots of excitement as campers learn about snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, and life near the water’s edge.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Campers use natural materials to design and build shelters, forts, and creative outdoor structures. This week emphasizes teamwork, imagination and hands-on construction. No instructions needed, just creativity and collaboration.
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Campers learn foundational outdoor skills such as shelter building, map reading, knot-tying, fire safety, and teamwork challenges. This week emphasizes problem-solving, resilience, and confidence as campers work together to navigate outdoor scenarios.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Campers will learn the basics of hiking and backpacking as they practice packing smart, navigating trails, and exploring the outdoors on foot. Along the way, they’ll build endurance, teamwork, and independence through nature challenges, group hikes, and outdoor problem-solving. This week is all about self-reliance, exploration, and the joy of carrying everything you need for a day of adventure.
Add to the fun of half-day camps with an extended-day option.
Registration
All YMCA Day Camps require a $20 deposit per session. If you do not have a YMCA account, you can create one at the time of registration.
YMCA Day Camp Experience
From preparation to programming, these are the essentials that shape each camp day.
Counselors & Staff
YMCA Day Camp operates with a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio. We hire high schoolers, college students and teachers to lead activities, drive buses and facilitate summer camp. Each staff member undergoes extensive training - from CPR and First Aid to leading assemblies. Many staff are former campers and return summer after summer.
Swimming at Day Camp
Almost all YMCA Day Camps offer free swim times or water play (for younger campers). Each camper is assessed for their swim ability on the first swim day of the session. Campers are issued swim bands that identify their swim levels. Swim bands also help lifeguards and counselors identify which areas of the pool are appropriate for each camper.
Weather Management
From outdoor games to water play, day camp is designed to keep kids moving, learning and connecting. But when the heat index rises, so does our responsibility to make smart, timely adjustments that protect campers and staff.
Huddles
Huddles are small groups of campers of similar age and grade who are grouped together at day camp. Typically, huddles move together throughout the day to difference activities. Each huddle is accompanied by two or more counselors.
Character Traits
Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Honesty, and Faith are the character traits the YMCA uses to reinforce positive behavior. Campers can earn beads by demonstrating these traits. Each camper (ages 5 and older) receives a necklace on the first day camp for their beads.
Camp Blazing Trails FAQs
Follow the signs directing you to our camp Rides In area near the Dogwood Shelter marked with a red dot on the map below off of Lake Crabtree Park Drive off of Aviation Parkway.
A counselor will welcome your child.
Campers are asked to bring a change of clothes, a swimsuit, a towel, lunch, two snacks, and a refillable water bottle. Most campers pack everything in a backpack.
Fishing
Campers will have the opportunity to go fishing most days. Gear will be provided, however, campers are more than welcome to bring their own gear. Staff may not be able to assist with maintenance of personal gear. We use artificial bait as well as hot dogs to generally catch bluegill, sunfish and catfish. Lake Crabtree is catch and release only.
Archery
Campers will have the opportunity to participate in archery most days. We will provide all equipment.
Canoeing
Campers will be able to canoe on Tuesday and Thursday. Swimming in the lake is not permitted, but please pack an extra pair of clothes, just in case.
Adventurer Training
Campers will have the opportunity to experience Outdoor Adventure through learning outdoor skills and conservation projects.
Mountain Biking
Due to the closure of trails at Lake Crabtree County Park, we have suspended biking temporarily, but hope to offer it again later in the summer. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Campers who are rising fourth graders or older will have the opportunity to go mountain biking on Wednesday. Campers will need to come prepared with their own bike and helmet. Helmets are required and campers without helmets will not be allowed to participate. We highly encourage a mountain bike as other types of bikes may not be adequate for trail rides.
