About Our Camps

Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps | Blairstown, Warren County, New Jersey

Experience the magic of Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps, where campers enjoy an unforgettable summer on the breathtaking Blair Academy campus in Blairstown, NJ. We offer a traditional day camp and a unique 5-day sleepaway camp, where campers head home on weekends. Our beautiful lakeside setting, top-notch facilities, and exceptional staff create the perfect environment for kids to explore, grow, and thrive. With exciting specialty activities, outdoor adventures, and team-building experiences, campers build confidence, make lifelong friends, and create lasting memories .

We can't wait to welcome your child to camp this summer!

Day Camp Brochure

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Sleepaway Camp Brochure

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Open Houses

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Contact Us

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Our YMCA Mission

At Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps, we strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Rooted in the values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility, our programs empower individuals of all ages to grow, connect, and thrive in the great outdoors.

Our Core Values

These four guiding principles shape every experience at camp:

Honesty

Honesty is about being truthful, trustworthy, and transparent in our words and actions. It means owning our mistakes, speaking with integrity, and choosing what’s right—even when it’s hard.

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." — C.S. Lewis

Caring

We strive to show compassion, empathy, and kindness to others and ourselves. At camp, caring means helping someone who’s homesick, cheering on a friend, or pitching in before you’re asked.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word... all of which have the potential to turn a life around."— Leo Buscaglia

Respect

Respect means treating every person, place, and idea with dignity and consideration. At camp, we honor differences, listen to one another, and take care of the people and environment around us.

"We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another." — Unknown

Responsibility

Being responsible means following through on your commitments and being accountable for your actions. It’s about doing your part, helping the group, and making choices that reflect your best self.

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." — Abraham Lincoln

Our Location & Facilities

Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps is a program of Fairview Lake YMCA Camps run on the campus of Blair Academy in Blairstown, Warren County, NJ. Both Day Camp and Sleepaway Camp have full use of the facilities, which include:

Archery Range Basketball Courts
Ceramics Studio Covered & Outdoor Tennis Courts
Computer Lab* Executive Golf Course
Fitness Studio Indoor Pool
Private Lake and Waterfront Squash Courts
Theater Turf Fields

 

*Computer lab use is reserved for our B.E.A.R. Camp participants.

 

Meet Our Staff

Leadership Staff
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Lia Pila
Summer Camp Director

Email Lia

Chris H
Chris Helmlinger
Assistant Camp Director

Counselors

At Lake in the Woods YMCA Camps we hire both local and international staff to supervise your child and give them the best summer ever at camp! All staff must complete a background check and reference check prior to being hired. Staff participate in a full week of specialized training, including child abuse prevention, conflict resolution and, of course, promoting fun! Counselors also participate in trainings during camp, like safety drills. For more information on our hiring practices and training, please contact camp!.

Many of our counselors are also certified American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguards. They lifeguard both the pool and boating activities at the lake.

Camp Nurses & Camper Care

Your child’s health and safety are our top priority. We have a licensed nurse on site 24 hours a day to care for campers, whether it’s a scraped knee, a headache, or simply a reassuring smile. Many of our staff are certified in CPR and First Aid, so campers are always surrounded by trained, caring adults who know how to respond in an emergency. You can feel confident knowing your camper is safe and well-cared for every step of the way.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. We work closely to ensure our facilities, programs, and practices meet the highest standards, so campers can focus on what really matters — having fun, making friends, and discovering new adventures.

Accreditation

American Camp Association

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ACA Accreditation means that we care enough to undergo a thorough a voluntary (up to 300 standards) review of our operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management.

American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at Lake in the Woods reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.

>>Learn more about ACA Accreditation

 
Praesidium

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Praesidium Accreditation is a standardized, consistent, and objective process that allows organizations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to abuse prevention. 

The Praesidium Accreditation Standards for Consumer Serving Organizations© are informed by thousands of root cause analyses, continuous scientific research and over three decades of field experience with more than 4,000 organizations that serve children, youths, and vulnerable persons.  Anchored by the Safety Equation, these Standards provide a framework to help organizations focus their efforts where we know it makes the greatest impact. 

>> Learn More About Keeping Kids Safe At Camp

Keeping Kids Safe

Learn more about our commitment to keeping kids safe from abuse. 
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Y For All Financial Assistance

The YMCA provides financial assistance to those who may require help covering the costs of camp. Our Y for All Fund plays a crucial role in keeping the Y accessible for children, adults, and families who need support. By offering financial assistance, the Y ensures that all individuals and families can participate in Y programs and services, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Do I Qualify?