Day Camp - Registration Open!

The Camp Store is stocked with snacks, drinks, clothing items and souvenirs. We also carry a supply of toiletry items that campers may have forgotten. Campers have the opportunity to visit the camp store on a daily basis. As our camp store is cashless, money can be added to your camper's online account throughout the session.

At the end of the summer camp season, families will have three options for any unspent Camp Store money:

1. Credit for the future - the money will be kept as a credit in your Camp Store account for your next session or event at camp.

2. Donate Unused Funds - send an email to info@campbernieymca.org and let us know you'd like to donate your unused Camp Store money to our scholarship fund to allow children to have a once-in-a-lifetime camp experience who otherwise would not have been able to.

3. Request a Refund - send an email to info@campbernieymca.org and let us know you'd like your money refunded and we will process your request to your original payment method.

From the moment your camper checks in, staff will play games and getting-to-know-you activities that are designed to help your child feel more comfortable at camp and build ccamp culture. Once check-in has concluded, campers will be provided with a camp orientation and tour. Additionally, if needed camp staff will work together on a game plan for how we can best help struggling campers with guardians.

Campers are grouped by grade. Groupings are generally as follows: Kindergarten are Lions, 1st grade are Tigers,  2nd-3rd grade are Foxes, 4th-5th grade are Bears, 6th-8th grade are Wolf Pack and 9th-11th grade are O.W.L.s. Based on ratios and registrations, campers closest to the date of birth of another group may be moved up or down in a unit group.

We accept two requests per camper and children must request each other. With an age gap, we prefer to avoid mixing ages in groups, but when exceptions are made, the older child will be placed in the younger group.

For the 2025 season, campers will receive an orientation on for program offerings and will sign up for the 1 program activity they are interested in as a free choice activity block. (We will do our best to accomodate campers first few choices based on interest and demand). These activities are your more traditional camp activities which include but are not limited to: canoeing, archery, swim, arts and crafts and more. The other activity blocks will be on a scheduled per-selected rotation

Ocassionally campers will get the ability to have a free choice special activity AKA "Smorgasbord". These activities are more fluid, niche and "silly" in nature and could range from things like: L.A.R.P, Tye-dye, Capture the Flag, Cloud-Watching, nature hike, ultimate frisbee and more.

Day Camp is in session rain or shine. If weather is mild to moderate, camp activities will proceed as scheduled. It is recommended that campers pack rain gear. For heavy rain, we run special, pre-planned indoor activities. During a thunderstorm, all campers and staff will immediately be brought indoors to shelter-in-place for "Thunder Call". The immediate surrounding 10 miles must be clear of thunder and lightening for a total of 10 minutes to conclude "Thunder Call". If at any point during a "Thunder Call", lightening or thunder is detected within the immediate area, the clock will reset.

For Day Camp, if your child is experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you keep them home.

Our camp contracts through AMN Healthcare (American Mobile Nurses) for a vetted licensed RN or LPN for the entirety of the summer. If the Camp Nurse is ever off property, there is an assigned health officer on property. Medication is stored and administered by the Nurse. If there is an emergency that requires medical transport, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center is 20 minutes from Camp. All staff are trained in emergency procedures. Many staff are also certified in Basic First Aid and AED/CPR. If a child sustains an injury or is feeling unwell, the camp staff will assess the injury and transport the child to the wellness cabin for further observation and care if necessary. Upon initial care and observation, if extensive care or isolation is needed, the Camp Nurse or Health Office will contact the guardian for a continued care plan.

We firmly believe that camp is for ALL. We also recognize that each child is unique and some may require additional physical or behavioral support. While we will make every effort to accommodate our campers and families, we also recognize that sometimes due to the environment or staffing structure that your child may need support that is beyond our scope. When registering your child, please ensure that you complete the "Camper Profile Sheet", "Health History" and if applicable "Medication" information in full. Additionally to find out if YMCA Camp Bernie is the right fit for your family, you are always welcome to call us and speak with our Administrative team to collaborate on a plan for your child's success during their time here.

Eighty percent of counselors are 18 and up; mostly college students. Counselors have at least two interviews, have a minimum of three references checked and must clear a criminal background screening both through Praesidium (which includes the national sex offender public system) and the CARI state background check system.  Staff are also fingerprinted by the state of NJ. Prior to camp, staff attend 2 weeks of in-person training, as well as online training courses through the Redwoods Group and the state of NJ. Head Counselors, Unit Leaders and specialists attend additional trainings.

Specialists have trainings and certifications relevant to their program areas as well as American Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED certifications. Lifeguards are certified by the American Red Cross. Staff Trainings include topics required by the American Camping Association as well as the state of new Jersey that range from emergency procedures, handling homesickness, engaging programming, child abuse prevention, inclusion, youth development, and much more.