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.

2021 Summer Camp

It has been a difficult year for camp and our community. We are looking optimistically to summer 2021 and towards the campfires illuminating summer evenings as we serve campers with meaningful interactions and learning opportunities.

While we understand the Coronavirus will still be present at some level this summer, we believe that we can continue to enjoy the activities we love while taking appropriate precautions. Vaccines are becoming available and as the weather warms up, Wapsie will again be offering programs. Camp understands that we will still need to take some additional precautions, and continue to monitor updates from health and camping leaders. Camp participants should expect precautionary changes including: wearing face coverings when inside or when distancing is not practical, increased smaller group interaction activities, additional health monitoring and increased sanitization schedules. As summer approaches and new guidelines and recommendations are offered, we will share more updates with our camp families.

Our plans for camp moving forward:

Wapsie is currently available for retreats and cabin rentals where appropriate distancing and mitigation strategies can be practiced. Please contact camp at 319-435-2577 or camp@crmetroymca.org for more information.
Financial assistance applications are available for all campers which can be found here.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2021! We look forward to seeing campers, families and retreat guests returning to camp very soon. Please reach out to camp if you have additional questions.

Donate to Camp

COVID-19 Relief Annual Support Become a Fundraiser

YMCA Camp Wapsie was unable to safely run its regular overnight camp programming during summer of 2020 due to the dangers of COVID-19. This has resulted in a monumental loss of over $1,000,000 to camp revenue. You can help offset the negative financial impacts by donating full or partial camp fees, or an online donation. You will help ensure camp is able to continue to operate and help Wapsie to return to summer camp in 2021!

Donate

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.

319.435.2577
camp@crmetroymca.org

PURCHASE YOUR WAPSIE WEAR ONLINE!

Upcoming Camp Calendar

Date	Event

May 2	Camp Open House 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
May 14 – 16	Mother Daughter Camp
May 29 – 31	Memorial Day Family Camp
June 13	Summer Camp Begins
Sept 4 – 6	Labor Day Family 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 Candy Sale host or 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

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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.