Camp Wapsie

YMCA Camp Wapsie

Founded in 1918, YMCA Camp Wapsie is the Camp of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas. Wapsie’s coed summer camp programs serve boys and girls ages 6-18 in our summer resident and day camp program. We serve campers of all ages through our year-round retreats and group programming, youth and family programs.

Camp Wapsie is the place to help young people build the character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. With our deep tradition in camping, we strive to instill these underlying principles into each camper during their time at camp. Here at YMCA Camp Wapsie, we are: For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, and For Social Development.

It was wonderful to be able to have campers return to summer camp in 2021 to learn and grow and enjoy time outside with friends! Wapsie is currently running winter programming and preparing for summer camp. Summer 2022 registration is now open.

Camp understands that we still need to take some additional precautions, and will continue to monitor updates from health and camp leaders to do what we can to mitigate risks of COVID at camp. If additional modification to procedure’s or the schedule are necessary we will update the website.

Wapsie is currently available for retreats. Please contact camp for more information.
Financial assistance applications are available here.

Registration is now open for Halloween and Winter camp

Halloween Camp is October 22-23 for 1st-10th graders who want to come to camp and have a Monster good time. There is a costume parade to show off your costume and a “Monster Mash” Dance to show off your costume.

Winter Camp is December 28-30 for 1st-10th graders who love to come out and play in the winter months at camp. Chef William loves to bring out the hot chocolate and s’mores and Summer Camp Staff returns to make Winter camp a Winter Wonderland.

Parent-Child Campout

Camp Wapsie will be offering another Parent-Child Weekend October 7-9.

Parents and guardians have the opportunity to reconnect and make memories with their children. Participants will stay in heated cabins with attached bathrooms. Wapsie will provide a late dinner Friday evening, all three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. We will offer programs like canoeing, archery, climbing tower, and a campfire!

Donate to Camp

Each year, the YMCA raises money for its Annual Support Campaign. This campaign is dedicated to providing scholarships of all kinds to members and program participants. You can designate your online contribution to go directly towards providing scholarships for Camp Wapsie campers.

Donate

You can now create your own fundraising team page and recruit people for your team! Share your team’s fundraising page online using social media, email and more! Join an existing team, or create your own to raise money for camper scholarships.

Summer COVID Precautions

319.435.2577
camp@crmetroymca.org

Upcoming Camp Calendar

Date	Event
Sept 3-5	Labor Day Family Camp
Oct 7-9	Parent- Child Camp-Out
Oct 22-23	Halloween Camp
Dec 28-30	Winter Camp

YMCA Camp Wapsie is an Accredited camp of the ACA, (American Camp Association). ACA camps participate in a voluntary and rigorous review of 300 unique national standards, designed to ensure a well-supervised, positive environment with controlled boundaries and organized programs. So kids can safely grow and thrive. Learn more by visiting the ACA website.

Camp grows stronger with people who care!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Share a talent like marketing, plumbing, carpentry, organizing, statistics, etc.
Share your time, help with leaf raking, painting, landscaping, and more.
Help raise funds for scholarships and special projects.
Serve on our Advisory Committee or a project committee.
Serve as a Camp Nurse.
Help out with special events (Open house, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.)

Alumni

Collecting history, connecting with Alumni

Part of Wapsie’s rich history was lost in an office fire at camp in the 1980’s. We are reaching out to our community to see who might have contacts for camp alumni. We are also looking for pictures or artifacts that we can copy or include on our history display. If you have items or names to share please reach out to camp at camp@crmetroymca.org or call 319.435.2577.

Wapsie Inclusion Statement

Camp Wapsie is an inclusive community. We work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, cultural background, faith, gender identity, income, origin, race, or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential with dignity. Our diverse camper community reflects our larger community’s demographics. Campers and staff can look forward to interacting and living within this diverse and supportive environment.

Situated on 172 acres of scenic woodlands and wetlands with an oxbow lake off the Wapsipinicon River in northern Linn County, Iowa, YMCA Camp Wapsie is owned and operated by the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area. The warm and relaxed atmosphere of Camp Wapsie with its natural beauty provides an ideal setting to experience the outdoors and enhance the self-esteem of all people.

2174 Wapsie Y Rd – Coggon, IA 52218
319.435.2577
camp@crmetroymca.org

Send Us a Message

Vision

Utilize the natural camp environment to provide fun, safe, unique camping and retreat experiences that promote the YMCA core values of: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

Goals

Enhance participants’ self-esteem.
Provide positive influences and role models.
Provide trained leadership, a variety of educational and recreational activities, and specialized programs to give participants the tools for success.
Expose participants to the natural world.