Clear lake water, pristine forests and a cozy cabin are waiting for you and your family.  From Friday until Monday your only job will be to enjoy your time together.  Relax on the beach, take a stroll in the woods or try out some of the amazing activities that we have planned for our guests.  Meals and activities are all included in the price.

This is the camp experience that most kids dream about!  Campers spend one or two weeks living in a cabin with other campers within a year of their own age.  During their stay they participate in class activities that they choose according to their own interests Activities. Each evening campers rejoin their cabin mates to participate as a group in a cabin activity that they decide upon.  At the end of the day the entire camp gathers for an all camp evening activity such as Capture the Flag or a large bonfire.  Traditional Camp is a great way to make new friends, and to become proficient at a number of outdoor activities. 

Highlights:

• Experience 4 days of lessons in up to 4 different activities per week
• Spend a night at one of our “outpost” campsites
• Compete as a cabin group in challenges against other cabins
• Spend a day at Lake Michigan in Muskegon State Park
• Download our Daily Schedule (PDF)

The Au Sable River is known as Michigan’s premier river for both trout fishing and canoeing.  It is home to the world famous Au Sable Marathon, a canoe race from the headwaters north of Grayling to its mouth in Lake Huron.  It is also the setting of Camp Pinewood’s one week canoe trip.  This trip begins with a full day of canoe lessons on Camp Pinewood’s Lake Echo.  On Tuesday the group will depart by bus to our drop off point near Grayling.  For three days our campers will enjoy one of the most beautiful rivers in North America as they pass through the Au Sable State Forest on their way to their destination at Mio Dam Pond where they will again be picked up by bus.  This trip will focus not only on canoeing skills, but also ‘leave no trace’ camping and cooking skills. 

Download our Au Sable River Canoe Schedule (PDF)

The Manistee River area is a paradise for both hikers and paddlers, and Camp Pinewood takes advantage of all it has to offer with this combination backpacking and canoeing trip.  Campers spend Sunday through Tuesday preparing for their excursion that sets out on Wednesday.  A beautiful hike along streams and waterfalls ends at a campsite with a birds-eye view of the winding Manistee River.  On Thursday campers finish the Manistee River Trail hike, and jump in their canoes for a half day paddle down the Manistee to Tippy Dam Pond.  This two day adventure teaches trail and river techniques, as well as campsite cooking and etiquette.  Perfect for beginners or those campers just looking for a peaceful getaway!

Download our Manistee River Trail Hike and Canoe Schedule (PDF)

The Pioneer Unit is a two-week camp designed for our older and more experienced campers. Its programming is designed to give each camper more responsibility and control over their experience, while adding new options and adventures not available to other Pinewood campers. It is also a great step for campers who have attended traditional camp for a few years and hope to move on to Pinewood’s Leader-in-Training program.

Highlights:

• All PU campers begin their session with a progressive team building program
• Pioneer Unit Campers camp separately, in a more rustic setting, away from main camp
• This year PU Campers will tackle the Three Rivers Challenge, canoeing the White, Pine, and Manistee Rivers!

If you’d like to become a leader, it’s never too early to start! YMCA Camp Pinewood offers a two-year program for campers who want to become counselors at camp or leaders in their community.

The Leader in Training (LIT) program’s goal is to teach participants about leadership qualities and help to foster those qualities in them. By using team cooperatives and examining different styles of leadership participants in this program typically come away with lessons that aid them wherever they go in life.

Highlights:

• The LIT program spends its first week at Camp Pinewood, and the second week on a canoe excursion down the beautiful Pere Marquette River one hour north of camp.
• Download our LIT Camp Daily Schedule (PDF)

Complete the LIT course in order to move on to the Counselor in Training (CIT) program the following year. The CIT program takes an in-depth look at what it takes to be a great camp counselor.  Through staff shadowing, child development courses, and skill evaluations our CITs not only learn how to care for other campers, but also how to help them have a wonderful camping experience. The CIT program is by invitation only.  

Highlights:

• The CIT program spends its first week at Camp Pinewood, and the second week on a trip to visit other camp programs throughout Michigan

Mini Camp is a 4 day and 3 night experience designed for our younger and first-time campers. It is the perfect way to introduce your child to the outdoors and to find out what it is like to go away to summer camp. Your camper will experience a small dose of each of the traditional activities we have at camp including rock climbing, swimming, boating, fishing, archery, arts and crafts, adventure hikes, sports, and more! The counselors for Mini Camp are well equipped to work with our younger campers, and our activities and lodging are designed to make their trip to camp a wonderful experience!

Highlights:

• Every mini camper gets to participate in at least 8 age appropriate classic camp activities
• Mini campers stay in cabins with indoor restrooms and showers
• Mini Camp provides a higher staff to camper ratio, ensuring even more personal attention
• Download our Mini Camp Daily Schedule (PDF)