At daily chapel, campers are exposed to the fundamentals of the YMCA--Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. They are encouraged to think of how they can incorporate these values into their daily lives.
Camp Oakes also offers nightly devotionals to help campers develop a sense of spirituality and reflection. During these sessions, campers are able to take part in activities that promote the YMCA’s core values, such as team building and leadership. They are also encouraged to think about how the YMCA’s core values can be applied in their daily lives. With this in mind, campers can develop a sense of character and will have a better understanding of what it means to “be a good person.”
The YMCA's mission is to promote strong moral values, and Camp Oakes is proud to uphold this goal. Campers are able to take part in activities that embody the YMCA's core values, while also being exposed to the spiritual uplift that comes with spending time in the mountains. Through daily chapel, nightly devotions, and a range of activities designed to promote friendship and teamwork, campers are able to learn important lessons that they can take home and apply to their lives.
Every summer, YMCA Camp Oakes provides the experience of a lifetime for nearly 6,600 campers. Organizations such as scouts, churches, schools, and those with special needs participate in a variety of activities at our year-round camp and conference center. But such services and programs don't just happen. They depend heavily on support and contributions from the community. Without that assistance, there simply is no Camp Oakes.