CAMP BEAR

CAMP BEAR RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

• SLEEPING BAG BLANKET & PILLOW SHORTS (5) SHIRTS (8) PANTS (3) SOCKS (A LOT) CLOSED TOE TENNIS SHOES FLIP FLOPS OR WATER SHOES HAT SWEATSHIRT OR JACKET THEMED OUTFITS REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

  SWIMSUIT (2) FLASHLIGHT BEACH & SHOWER TOWEL SUNGLASSES SUNSCREEN TOOTHBRUSH TOOTHPASTE CHAPSTICK SOAP & SHAMPOO COMB/BRUSH $40 FOR SNACK SHACK! BEACH CHAIR (OPTIONAL)

The below schedule is just an example and not the exact schedule for the week.

Camp Bear is located in Big Bear, California. The camp is owned and operated by the Santa Monica YMCA

Many activities await, such as:

• Lakefront recreation (kayaking, tubing, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, row boating, pedal boating)
• Swimming pool
• Archery
• Hiking
• High and low rope courses
• Quad games and sports (including volleyball, basketball, gaga ball, frisbee golf, horseshoes, ping pong, and tetherball)
• Crafts
• Lakefront campfire with skits and songs
• Plus, extra daily fun activities and lifelong learning experiences for all age levels

Campers will stay in cabins. Cabin groups are made up of 10-12 campers of roughly the same age group and 1-2 camp staff.

• Female campers will stay in a dorm style cabin with restrooms.
• Male campers will be assigned a singular cabin with their counselors.

Yes! Absolutely. We would ideally like to keep all friend groups together as long as they are within 1 year or 1 grade apart. We actually encourage campers to come with their friends! Camp is a magical experience where they will make wonderful new lifelong friends. But fostering already-existing friendships will also happen at camp!

We have trained health care personnel on the camp site at all times. The Health Center provides a good space for short-term care, but we prefer not to house ill children for more than a day. We call parents when a child is ill and is required to stay in the health center. Experience has shown that many times, rest and fluids are all they need to feel better. If, however, an illness lasts more than a day, we will ask you to pick them up.

The answer to this question is "it depends." Our groups are created from cabin groups by age, and campers rotate to day-time activities with their cabin. Camp Bear is a small facility, so all the girls cabins are located in one large bunk house, and the boys cabins are individual but right next to each other. Campers have opportunities to mingle with other cabins during evening activities, free time, and meals.

No, we do not permit cell phones at camp. YMCA Camp is a safe place to let your children have a bit of freedom and independence. We want them to make new friends and face challenges, not to spend precious camp time calling or texting their friends back home. Parents can choose to drop off pre-written notes to the camp director before camp begins, which we will then pass out to campers at lunch time. Experience has shown that a call to Mom, Dad or guardian can often make an adjustment problem worse, not better. Lastly, the technology of cameras on cell phones also creates the potential problem of taking pictures in sensitive areas. Camper bathrooms and changing areas are not appropriate places for cameras. If your child needs to have a cell phone with them because of travel or other reasons, simply have them submit it to camp staff upon arrival. We will return it to them when they leave.

Missing home can be a challenge for some campers. We have several steps to take with it. In most cases, we will simply encourage the camper to stay busy and think positively. Most of the time, this works quite well. The camper starts to enjoy themselves and make new friends. In some cases, it may take a bit more help. At those times, our practice is to call parents and talk to them about what steps we’re taking and what might work best with their camper. We want to make overcoming homesickness a success story for your child and may ask for your help in doing so.

First, make sure you have listed all your health concerns on our Health History form. Then, at check-in, you can personally discuss your campers specific health issues with camp health care personnel. They will ensure the information is communicated to the other departments at camp, including your child’s counselor.

There is a small snack store brought to you by the camp staff. They will have snacks, drinks, and a few souvenirs. The store is cash only, and campers can get a quick snack during their siesta time. 

I would tell a first-time camper that sleepaway camp is truly magical. There is nothing like waking up in the cabin of your new best friends to the sun rising over a beautiful lake. Camp provides the best challenge-by-choice experiences and also gives campers the opportunity to try new things. During camp, campers will have activities where they get to bond with their cabin mates and counselor. Overnight camp is really the best place to be yourself, where none of the city stuff matters! Counselors have been waiting all year to return to camp, ready and excited to bring magic to your experience. We will have fun and engaging activities, warm and wonderful campfires, and thrills to last a lifetime. Get ready for the best week of summer! I can't wait to see you there!