Day Camp

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin has over 100 years of camping experience and is located on beautiful Barlow Lake in Middleville, Michigan. Our beautiful, natural setting provides an excellent opportunity for all who visit.  We are committed to providing a camp experience rich in tradition centered on our core values, with a Christian emphasis, and allowing all who participate to gain 21st century skills, independence and life long memories.

Day Camp - $325

Ages: Completed K-6th Grades • Co-Ed

At our Traditional Day Camp, your camper will build friendships, learn valuable life lessons, and make memories through a variety of fun and engaging activities. Day Camp is the perfect stepping stone for campers who want to prepare for the Overnight Camp experience.

Week
Dates
Theme
1
June 10 – 14
Superheroes and Villains
2
June 17 – 21
Pirates and Mermaids
3
June 24 – 28
Minecraft and Mario
4
July 1 – 3 (Camp Corral)
Party in the USA
5
July 8-12
Harry Potter
6
July 15-19
Star Wars
7
July 22 – 26
Disney
8
July 29 – August 2
Camp Olympics
9
August 5 – 9
Camp Cretaceous: Dinosaur Adventures
10
August 12-16
Out of this World

Kinder Day Camp - $325

Ages: 4-5 Years • Co-Ed

Kinder Campers participate in Traditional Day Camp activities adapted to be age appropriate for our youngest campers. This program is designed to be an introduction to day camp programming for preschool-aged campers.

Week
Dates
Theme
1
June 10 – 14
Superheroes and Villains
2
June 17 – 21
Pirates and Mermaids
3
June 24 – 28
Minecraft and Mario
4
July 1 – 3 (Camp Corral)
Party in the USA
5
July 8-12
Harry Potter
6
July 15-19
Star Wars
7
July 22 – 26
Disney
8
July 29 – August 2
Camp Olympics
9
August 5 – 9
Camp Cretaceous: Dinosaur Adventures
10
August 12-16
Out of this World

Day Camp for Individuals with Special Needs - $325

Ages: Completed 2nd-12th grades • Co-Ed

An Accredited Recreational Program by the National Inclusion Project (one of the first eight), this camp is designed to welcome campers with differing abilities and needs. Campers participate in Traditional Day Camp activities through an adapted schedule to ensure they have a meaningful camp experience. All Special Needs Day Campers must apply for this program by emailing camp@grymca.org or calling 888.909.2267.

Week
Dates
Theme
1
June 10 – 14
Superheroes and Villains
2
June 17 – 21
Pirates and Mermaids
3
June 24 – 28
Minecraft and Mario
4
July 1 – 3 (Camp Corral)
Party in the USA
5
July 8-12
Harry Potter
6
July 15-19
Star Wars
7
July 22 – 26
Disney
8
July 29 – August 2
Camp Olympics
9
August 5 – 9
Camp Cretaceous: Dinosaur Adventures
10
August 12-16
Out of this World

Day Camp Add-Ons

Bus Transportation - $40

Daily bus transportation to and from YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin is available from multiple locations around the Grand Rapids area. 

AM Pickup Location PM Dropoff
7:15AM David D. Hunting YMCA - Downtown 5:45PM
7:20AM Meijer Knapp's Corner 5:50PM
7:40AM SpartanNash YMCA - Byron Center 5:20PM
7:40AM Breton Downs Elementary - East Grand Rapids 5:30PM
8:00AM Mary Free Bed YMCA - Cascade 5:05PM
8:00AM Meijer Gaines Twp 5:00PM

Day Camp Horse Experience - $100

This add-on experience is an option for Day Campers in 2nd-6th grade (8+ years). Campers will get the opportunity to spend designated time with our horses in addition to their regular day camp programs. 

Packing List

Campers should bring a backpack to camp every single day.

  • Swimsuit and towel (one piece or trunks recommended)
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Hat and/or sunglasses
  • Rain gear and boots (if needed)
  • Sunscreen (spray preferred)
  • Bug spray (optional)
  • A book for reading time
  • One item to tie-dye (white t-shirt, bandana, etc.)
  •  

Day Camp Activities

SWIMMING
CANOEING
KAYAKING
ARTS AND CRAFTS
ARCHERY
ROCK CLIMBING
Previous slide
Next slide

Theme Weeks

Spend the first week of camp as a superhero, ready to fight the villains. Wear your cape, bring your “Spidey Sense” and be prepared to save the day at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin!

Ahoy matey! Campers will experience a week of pirates and mermaids. We will meet you under (and above) the sea and create an ocean of memories.

It’s-a-me…YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin! Come visit for a week of your favorite Minecraft and Mario characters. Bring your best costume and have the best week.

Let’s wish America a very Happy Birthday! Bring your best red, white and blue attire and gear up to celebrate Independence Day at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin.

Your acceptance letter has arrived! Hop on Platform 9 3/4 to YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin. No matter which house you belong in, every wizard will have an enchanting time making wands, learning spells and discovering the secrets of an amazing camp experience.

A long time ago in a camp NOT so far away … It’s time to blast off into the galaxy – don’t forget your droids and light sabers! It’s the return of Star Wars week at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin. Fly your Millennium Falcon to camp and prepare to have an amazing time. The force will be strong with your camper during this entertaining week.

Once upon a time there lived a group of campers who experienced “A Whole New World”, because “When You Wish Upon a Star” you’ll be back at camp “For the First Time in Forever”! Bring your best costume and “Be Our Guest” as we celebrate your favorite fairytale characters.

Welcome to the 2024 YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin Olympics! Do you have what it takes to win a gold, silver or bronze medal? We think so! Come to camp for an exciting week of Olympic games.

Spend a week exploring the time of dinosaurs. Be ready to share your favorite dino and learn more about what the world was like when these giant reptiles walked the Earth.

Astronauts, rockets, and aliens. Set your course to warp speed and blast off to camp. You will be over the moon!

Sample Schedule

Time
Activity
8:30am
Bus Arrival
8:45am
Flag Raising and Announcements
9:00am
Chapel
9:30am
Activity #1
10:30am
Activity #2
11:30am
Lunch
12:15pm
Activity #3
1:15pm
Activity #4
2:15pm
Activity #5
3:30pm
Snack
3:40pm
Big Group Game
4:20pm
Flag Lowering
4:30pm
Bus Depart
IMG 8942