YMCA Camp Chingagcook Review

I went there for nine summers as a camper, spent one summer as a CIT, and two as a counselor. This place is full of fond memories for me, from cheers in the mess hall to singing songs by the lake. The counselors really do try extremely hard with all the kids, after all, they were all kids at camp once too. I think you do a disservice to your children if you don't at least suggest the idea of this camp to them. The people are open and kind and it shows. Now, to comment on the negative reviews: there's no internet because you're meant to unplug enjoy nature, the dishes and utensils are washed as many times as needed for them to be clean, the campers do clean their own tables and messes, kids are always accompanied by a counselor or CIT, the night is dark and not full of critters, all mattresses are washed after every session, the bathrooms can be a little gross, there's plenty of hot water depending on when you shower, there is plenty of diversity in the flags of the mess hall, the food is good, I've never had the iced tea because I prefer water, though I wouldn't think tasty iced tea would be a deal-breaker anyways. I have been to Camp Chingachgook for eleven years and I was there for the bed bugs incident, I haven't even heard of that happening any other time, though that does suck and it's a fair complaint, they do let you use toilet paper and deodorant, if you shower when everyone else has to shower then shorter showers are appreciated, though they're closer to five minute showers then, there is insulation in the junior girls' cabins as they're meant for winter camp events, the other cabins didn't need insulation because they're only used during the summer, though it can get chilly so bring a nice sleeping bag and warm sweater, there is little personal space in the cabins, but I never found it to be a problem when I was a camper. I have never heard of any CITs making anyone run across a bridge yelling I PEED MY PANTS but I have seen staff members get let go, the higher ups have a zero tolerance policy for anything of that nature. Anyways, this place will always hold a special place in my heart and I attribute who I am as a man today because of it. Send your kids to camp!

dont. go. it s. that. simple. the scary old CITS made me run across the bridge to the senior camp yelling I PEED MY PANTS worst childhood memory ever. dont even get me started.

My daughters Kellee and Lily had the best time of their lives and to this day love hiking and the great outdoors. Also my niece and nephew Nina and Trevor loved it. As campers it prepared them for life and then went on to be CIT and then counselars. Thank you for taking good care of them and letting them soar. Great adventure and makes them appreciate USA and beyond. Their french exchange student Arielle has a blast and a taste of the great American life.

Have visited this camp for 3 years now in March for a conference, the staff are very friendly and the food is great. The facility is actually pretty awesome and makes me wish I went hear as a kid.

My girls love this camp and talk about it all year long. I love the candid pictures the camp adds to the (secured parent area) online. This will be year three for us, but I'm sure the girls will continue well into their adulthood.

This camp....wow. I quickly moved to the Wilderness Unit and spent most of my time out of camp on adventures. The camp was the foundation for moving on to bigger and better things. I was learned to be strong, disciplined.

To start off, there were bed bugs, and they didn't even let me use deodorant or toilet paper when I had to use the bathroom. Shower time was only one - two minutes long. No insulation in the cabins. NO personal space at all.

This camp is absolutely amazing! The food is very good, and well seasoned and all the dishes are cleaned by hand and then washed again in the dishwasher. The walks to the cabins are very short and there is always a counselor or CIT accompning the campers. The cabins are kept bug free and animal free. There is a beautiful and respectful flag cerimony every morning and evening. If anything is needed at night, a CIT goes with the camper and has a very bright flashlight so they are safe. An all around great experience, I will be going back in the coming years!

I attended New England grand slam , Adirondack extreme and Maine multi-sport years ago and absolutely loved it. It s well worth the money and they have scholarships available. I cannot speak on behalf of the camp facilities since these were all adventure trips and consisted of a small group of kids and two councilors for a week-two weeks traveling and having a blast.

I went here more than a decade in my youth and loved every summer of it. Highly recommended to any kid who can handle two weeks away from home!

YMCA camp Chingachgook is trashhhhhh!!!! , theres dead roaches on the window seal in the dining hall. Lost all my appetite after that.The spoons,forks,knives were all dirty + the dishes. They clean the dishes only by putting it through a dish washer. The cheese was bad & looked blue. Made us clean up the dining tables with dirty water.The cabins are far and they didn t walk us back to them. No locks on cabin doors and mice tracking on the bed. The bathrooms are nasty. Hot water last 5 seconds. No lights outside it s pitch black. There s critchers!!! Low service. No diversity in flags. No seasoning in food. Ice tea was basically water. Just a bad experience. Don t go.

I go to camp every year and this coming year will be my 6th and final year as a camper. I love this place and it is my home away from home

This summer will be both of my daughters 7th year attending Camp Chingachgook.
My Eldest is a CIT now and my 14 yr old old is aspiring to be.... Camp Chingachgooks longest female camper.
I miss both of them beyond words while they are camping and I ve bothered Carol A LOT throughout the years.
But, I have to say that this WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE for them and THE BEST CAMP that I could ve ever chose for them.