YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
A Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Camp with Character, Programs with Purpose since 1948

Camp Hi-Rock is nestled southwest of Great Barrington in the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, surrounded by 1,000 acres of woodland and situated on 90-acre Plantain Pond. With an ideal location and superb year-round facilities, Hi-Rock has everything it takes to make group getaways for up to 300 people productive, fun and memorable...

Click to see Group Camping and Family Camp Photos on SmugMug

Annual Events

• Volunteer Work Weekends April 30 - May 2
• Women's Wellness Weekend May 21-23
• Family Camp August 23-29
• Fall Family Fun Weekend October 22-24
• Volunteer Work Weekends Early November
• Winter Camp (February 2011)
• Ice Tee Open (February 2011)

Group Camping and Retreats:
Organize Your Own
We offer programs custom tailored to the needs of your unique group.

Choose Your Own Adventure!
Step 1: When would you like to visit?
We are open year-round to serve groups. From mid-April to mid-October we have over 500 beds. During the winter months we have 110 beds available in our cozy lodges and heated cabins. Contact the Group Camping Director (413) 528-1227 x13 or retreats@camphirock.org to check on availability.

Step 2: Where would you like to stay? Will you join us for dinner?
We offer a range of accommodation; from camping sites to log cabins to our spacious lodges. Descriptions of lodging option are available here. Meal service is included and we offer well-balanced, family friendly meals. Vegetarian meals are available and we can accommodate specific dietary requests. We can also provide custom menus, though some may incur an additional cost.

Step 3 What would you like to do? What are your group’s goals?
We will work with you to choose the activities that best suit your group’s goals and interests.

Team Building and Leadership-Specific Activities

• 10-Element Low Ropes Team Challenge Course
• 40' High Ropes Circuit, Giant Ladder, and Trapeze
• 35' Climbing Wall
• Team-Building Initiatives
• Experiential Leadership Training
• Orienteering
• Challenge Hikes
• Raft Building

Activities on Our Beautiful 90-Acre Lake

• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Sailing
• Row Boating
• Waterskiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
• Raft Building
• Fishing
• Lake Orienteering

Land Activities

• Archery
• BBs
• Arts and Crafts
• Badge/Award Programs for Scouts
• Specialty Crafts: Candle-making, Jewelry, Banners, Tie-dye...
• Hiking: We have beautiful vistas on our property and access to the Appalachian Trail. Scenic, guided hikes available for all ability levels.
• Campfires, Bonfires, Skits, and Sing-Alongs
• Moonlit Hikes
• Field Games: Soccer, Softball, Kickball
• Beach Games: Volleyball, 4-Square
• Indoor Games, Puzzles, Problem-Solving, Ping Pong, Initiatives, and More
• Blacktop Games: Hockey, Basketball, Tennis

Winter-Specific Activities

• X-Country Skiing (equipment available)
• Tubing and Sledding
• Ice Skating (bring your own)
• Snowshoeing (equipment available)

Step 4: Is there anything else we can do for you?
Here at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, we take pride in our love of camp and our appreciation of the outdoors. We will work with you to make your retreat both successful and memorable. Every group is different and we will work creatively with group leaders and participants to tailor a retreat that will fit your budget and achieve your goals. You can always call the Group Camping Director for sample schedules and expert advice to help you choose the right program for your group.

Leadership and Team Building Programs

Why Participate in a Hi-Rock Leadership and Team Building Program?
Learning to be a leader is a lifelong process. The foundations of a great leader can be built early, but practice and experience allow individuals to adapt and thrive in any situation. In order to work effectively, teams must communicate efficiently and maintain an environment of mutual trust and respect. Hi-Rock provides your group with unique opportunities to achieve your goals and learn more about each other in a fun and productive environment.

What Benefits will my organization have from participating in a YMCA Camp Hi-Rock leadership and team building program?

• Increased understanding and appreciation of individuals
• Better communication
• Greater trust between group members
• Stronger leadership skills
• A more positive work environment

Group Camping and Retreats:
News and Special Events

Group Camping and Retreats:
Programs/Family Camp
Group Camping Event Calendar - Scroll down for information on great events!

Family Camp: August 23-29
Why let kids have all the fun? Family Camp is for everyone!

Family Camp at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is rated one of the nation's top 50 Family Camps in Arthur Frommer’s Guide! We offer activities for every age and ability level. Flexible schedules mean that you and your family choose what you want to do! Families have private cabins or rooms. Sand beach and private, 90-acre lake with boating and swimming are available, as are an enthusiastic staff and an unforgettable location! Please call if you have questions. Family Camps are a fun and affordable way to vacation as a family. A family of four can stay the whole week, meals and activities included for around $1000! Shorter stays are available as well. Please call if you have questions. Registration forms are available.

Boarding Student Resident Program
See flyer for more information; download registration form here.

Fall Family Fun Weekend: October 22-24

Come experience an awesome autumn weekend of family fun at Camp Hi-Rock. Crafts, low ropes, boating, climbing wall, high ropes, and other activities will be available throughout the weekend. Saturday night we will have a camp "trick or treat," games, and a costume contest. Don't miss cozy campfires, hot cider, scenic hikes, and everything great about fall in the Berkshires. The Fall Family Fun weekend will include 5 meals, from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast. Have a busy weekend? Saturday-Sunday reservations are available as well. Lunch on Sunday is available for an additional fee. Everyone is welcome - families, individuals, kids, and adults - come one, come all! Registration forms are available here.

Volunteer Work Weekend: Early November (dates TBA)

Work Weekend is a chance for friends of Hi-Rock to gather together and lend a helping hand. Come join alumni, campers, community members and friends to lend Camp Hi-Rock a helping hand. This event is also a great way for students or scouts to fulfill community service requirements.
There are projects for all skill and ability levels. You are welcome to bring your own hand tools, but we will provide materials as well.
The weekend kicks off with dinner Friday night at 6:30pm and concludes Sunday afternoon. Children under 17 who wish to stay over must do so with a parent or guardian.
Many people volunteer for the day, or even a few hours -every little bit helps!
Please dress warmly, as most of the work will take place outside. Meals and accommodation will be in our warm and cozy lodges.
For more information, or to RSVP, please contact our Group Camping Director via email or by calling (413) 528-1227 x 13.

Winter Camp: February 2011

All the spirit, energy, and goodness of summer camp, set in a winter wonderland. Winter camp is open to kids 11 and up! Campers and counselors stay in cozy lodges. Activities include: sledding, ice hockey, campfires, arts and crafts, snow-shoeing, snow sculpture contests, ice-skating, and more! The structure is similar to summer camp and campers get to choose coaching periods. Campers will be supervised by Hi-Rock staff. Registration forms are available.

Ice Tee Open: February 2011
Charity Golf Tournament and Family Weekend

See the snowier side of Hi-Rock and enjoy a game of golf on the frozen lake! Relax in the cozy lodge or head out for a hike. We have activities available for the whole family and all meals are included. On Saturday evening there will be a silent auction to raise money for the Strong Kids Campaign. Proceeds for the golf tournament will also go towards that campaign. Registration forms are available.

Women's Wellness Weekend: May 21-23, 2010

Women's Wellness Weekend is a program just for women and girls age 11 and older. The atmosphere is that of fun and friendship and we offer activities for everybody. Activities, food and lodging are all included in the program cost. Registration forms are available here. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact our Group Camping Director via email or by calling (413) 528-1227 x 13.

Activities for the body, mind, and spirit will include:

• Yoga/Fitness Classes
• Knitting, Jewelry, and Craft Making
• Low Ropes, High Ropes, and Climbing Wall
• Canoeing, Kayaking, and Row-Boating
• Dessert Making
• 5-K Run/Walk
• Hiking and Trail Walks
• Professional Organization Advice
• *Massage from a licensed therapist will be available for an additional cost.
• Accommodations will be dormitory style, and we will try to honor roommate requests.

Group Camping and Retreats:
Rates/Information

Click to see Group Camping and Family Camp Photos on SmugMug

Rates and Dates

The Hi-Rock Retreats Center is open year-round, except for overnight groups during the 8 weeks of summer camp. Camp Hi-Rock's co-ed, residential summer camp runs from June 28 through August 22, 2009. Camp is not available for overnight retreats during that time. Family camp is open to individuals and families for a few nights or a full week from August 24-30, 2009. We host volunteer weekends and family events throughout the year. Otherwise, the lodges and facilities are available for interested groups. We can organize a full schedule, or let you put together your own programming. We offer excellent, family style meal service and meals are included in the rates below.

2 Nights and 5 Meals

Camp Cabins-simple wooden cabins with separate shared bath facilities, most accommodate 12 people- $65 per person
Bunk Cabins– heated building with indoor bathrooms- $95 per person
Lodge Rate– Bear Rock Lodge or New Horizons Lodge- $100 per person.
Each lodge has a living room with fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD player, a dining room or kitchen and several bunk rooms. See descriptions and photos below for further details.
(20 person minimum for each lodge)

1 Night and 3 Meals

Camp Cabins- $38 per person
Woodlands- $60 per person
Bear Rock or New Horizons Lodge- $65 per person

New Horizons Lodge

Situated in the heart of Hi-Rock, New Horizons Lodge can accommodate 35 people. The spacious living/meeting room overlooks the lake and the large back porch is a great gathering place. New Horizons lodge is located close to all of the seasonal cabins and summer camp facilities. Almost all rooms have private bathrooms. There are board games and a TV/DVD/VCR available for use.

Bear Rock Lodge

Bear Rock Lodge sits at the Southern end of Plantain Pond. The dining room looks out onto the water and is spacious enough to seat 100 people. The large living room features a stunning stone fireplace with ample seating and a TV/DVD/VCR. The adjoining games room has a ping pong table and board games available for use. Upstairs, nine bedrooms feature lake and wilderness views. There are large, separate male and females bathrooms as well as two additional facilities downstairs. Sleeps 35 people

Who Comes to Camp Hi-Rock?

We are committed to serving all types of groups. Throughout the year we host schools, colleges, church groups, corporate groups, non-profits, outreach programs, adult organizations and family reunions. Some recent groups include:

• Rumsey Hall Boarding School
• King and Lowe Heywood Thomas School
• Berkshire Co-op
• Arts and Entertainment Channel (A+E)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• University of Hartford
• Waldorf School of Massachusetts Bay
• Sword Family Reunion
• Fairfield YMCA Adventure Guides
• World Challenge Expeditions
• Wilbraham United Church
• Camp America (corporate staff)
• Quinnipiac University
• and many more

Click to see Group Camping and Family Camp Photos on SmugMug

Visit the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA,
an Activate America YMCA

Welcome! We hope you will spend some time exploring our website. Camper forms and staff forms are available for downloading. We welcome any comments or questions you may have.
Emails can be sent to info@camphirock.org
We add new materials often, so please bookmark us and check back soon!

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.