YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln

The Week That Changes Everything

Where kids step away from screens, make real friends, and discover they’re more capable than they ever imagined.

  • First-time campers welcome
  • Trusted YMCA experience
  • Confidence-building overnight programs

Explore Overnight Camp

Learn about this year’s camp offerings! Browse through our Camp Guide below:

Who We Are

At Camp Abe Lincoln, we’re in the business of building kids up. With over 100 years of camping experience, we help children grow in confidence, independence, and belonging – one week at a time. We intentionally teach and model honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring in everything we do – from group activities to everyday interactions.

A Place Where Every Child Belongs

Camp Abe Lincoln is a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child can feel comfortable being themselves and making meaningful connections.

Unplugged. Outside. Fully Engaged.

Time in nature helps build confidence, creativity, and resilience. At camp, they get dirty, try new things, and connect with the world around them.

Professional Role Models

Trusted, Trained Staff: Our counselors are carefully selected, background-checked, and trained in youth development, safety, and camper support.

They are certified in CPR and First Aid and are experienced in helping campers navigate homesickness, build friendships, and feel confident.

Overnight Camp: Where Kids Grow

Overnight Camp is more than just a fun week: it’s where kids discover confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships.

First Time Away from Home? That’s Okay.

Most campers feel nervous before their first overnight experience, and that’s completely normal. Our staff is trained to support first-time campers with structure, encouragement, and care every step of the way. By the end of the week, most campers don’t want to leave!

Campers enjoy classic experiences like:

  • Campfires and songs
  • Night hikes and games
  • Swimming and outdoor activities
  • Team-building activities like Capture the Flag
    • But what they gain goes far beyond activities
    • Kids come to camp for fun, but they leave with confidence, independence, and friendships, that last long after summer ends.

Day Camp

Looking for a first step before Overnight Camp? Day Camp is a great introduction to the camp experience.

Day campers get a great taste of traditional outdoor camp during their days with us. Campers arrive about 8:45am and start with a snack and morning circle to set the tone for the day. Campers participate in camp activities with a group of similarly-aged peers and their counselor. Bus transportation is provided from the Bittner and the Bettendorf Ys. Campers can be dropped off between 7:30 – 7:50 am and picked up between 4:30 – 5:30 pm.

Don’t Miss the Best Weeks of Summer

Overnight camp spots are limited and fill quickly, especially for popular sessions.

Reserve your camper’s spot today!

CAMP ABE LINCOLN STORE

Show off your love of Camp Abe Lincoln with NEW merchandise options! Click Here to browse our store!

********Store is open until May 19th at 12 PM!********

DAY CAMP REGISTRATIONS

Registrations for Day Camp only close the Thursday before the new week begins

2026 Summer Camp Changes and Cancellation Process

  • Changes and cancellations to camps weeks 1-5 (6/1-7/3/2026) must be requested via Camp change form (per camper) by May 15, 2026 to avoid fees. After May 15, 2026, no refunds or credits will be made to weeks 1-5, and you will be charged in full for your registered camp(s). 
  • Changes and cancellations to camps weeks 6-11 (7/5-8/14/2026) must be requested via Camp change form (per camper) by June 15, 2026 to avoid fees. After June 15, 2026, no refunds or credits will be made to weeks 6-11, and you will be charged in full for your registered camp(s). 
  • No changes will be made by phone or email and exceptions to this timeframe are not allowed. No credit is given for absences within the program, including illness and injury after these dates.
  • Accounts will not be adjusted, and credits/refunds will not be given for non-attendance, including illness. When you enroll in our programs you are reserving space, time, and staffing whether your child attends or not.
  • The YMCA reserves the right to dismiss a child from the program upon notifying the parent. Refunds or credits will not be issued for dismissal from the program due to behavior (within that current week registered; any additional registered weeks will be charged the 10% fee).
  • Third party campers will be charged the absence fee for cancellations after the deadline.