YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln provides positive outdoor learning experiences for a diverse camper population. At Camp Abe Lincoln, we are in the business of building people up. We meet campers and staff where they are, when they arrive at camp. With a camping heritage that goes back 100 years, Camp Abe Lincoln can give your child the connection, the confidence, and the character they need on their journey to finding their purpose!

Open to Everybody

“Welcoming to all” is more than a motto at Camp Abe Lincoln. This principle guides how we treat one another. this helps us learn and grow in a place where we feel comfortable being ourselves. We seek to create a welcoming, affirming, and inclusive environment at camp.

A Nature-Focused Experience

Research shows that nature experiences significantly reduce children’s stress. Free play in natural areas enhances children’s cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, creativity, self-esteem, and self-discipline. Here at Camp Abe Lincoln we couldn’t agree more. We see this happen on a daily basis. We want kids leaving camp more connected to nature – dirt and all!

Character Development

Kids can be faced with countless negative influences these days. In all that we do, we practice and model our motto, “build people up”. At Camp Abe Lincoln, we are guided by our core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. We teach these values throughout every aspect of our program.

Professional Role Models

We hire staff who already demonstrate our core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility in their daily lives. Staff complete a rigorous application process, reference checks and background checks. Staff attend a week-long training experience where they learn about youth development, safety and supervision, camp programming, and how to welcome and include all campers. They also become certified in CPR and 1st Aid and learn how to help children with homesickness and peer conflicts. We live by the philosophy that if we hire kind, caring, honest and respectful young adults, we can train them to be great camp counselors.

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