Member Testimonials
My daughter absolutely loves going to camp Watia! She loves the water slide and swimming in the lake. She loves doing the plays/skits and campfire time.
Fun games abd great camaraderie but unfortunately it rained all week. It would be nice to have more indoor options for rainy weeks as my son just said that all his activities were rained out.
We love how much time the kids spent outside! There’s not a ton of opportunity for children to unplug these days, and I loved hearing about them swimming, playing games, dancing, singing, horseback riding, and rafting just to name a few activities! We are all looking forward to them returning for TWO weeks next year!
My kids were VERY unsure about their first time at camp. They came home happy, slightly grubby, and already asking about next year. The staff were amazing. I'm so glad we chose Watia!
mock rock, high ropes, cabin quality, the counselors, the food, the giant slide
Year 7, and Camp Watia continues to be one of the highlights of summer. Watching him come home happy, confident, independent, and full of stories is everything. He gets to try new things, build friendships, challenge himself, and truly be himself there. The fact that he keeps wanting to go back year after year says it all. Seven summers later, Watia is still his happy place.
EVERYTHING! Dance parties, Mock Rock, Karaoke, Creek walk, Hammockville, and Waterfront are some of the best ones because they’re so much fun.
The variety of the activities offered
Camp Watia is by far my daughters favorite part of the summer. Connecting with old friends and making new friends for five years straight has become a summer tradition. Spending time in nature and away from the "screens" is helping her develop into a well rounded young adult. Love the staff and all the people involved that make this place so special! My daughter is returning for her 6th year in 2027.....
Variety of activities that the kids loved! They had so much fun.
Well organized, inclusive, and camper-focused.
My twins enjoyed it all. They made new friends from all over, the loved all the activities. We will defiantly be back next summer.
A variety of fun activities to choose from! Alden was excited to add on a day of whitewater rafting.
how we get a lot of time at the waterfront
My daughter, Rowan loves this program! She just finished her second year and she wants to do LIT next year as a junior! We love watia! We do miss the old photographer and chef tho
My children have been coming to Watia for several years now, and love it. We feel happy and comfortable with the care they receive and feel they are in a safe places with caring adults around them.
It's about the fun. Staff make it a safe place for all the kids to stretch into some new activities.
Nothing in particular, I just like them.
My son loves this camp. He’s made friends he keeps in touch with all year. The fun they have together is a warm and safe place for kids. I have appreciated every year what a wonderful and kind group of counselors and leaders have dedicated their time to our children.
My daughter has fun and loves the water and food and the pretty much everything.
My daughter had a great time at camp. She liked the 2-week version and had fun over the weekend, it was a little more mellow which she enjoyed. She did both the horseback riding and the rafting, and had a great time. Daily schedule and cabin dynamics were great, and she really liked all her counselors. The one complaint she had was that the food was not as good as last year. I was also sorry to hear that disposable plates and utensils were the norm. From a sustainability standpoint, this seems like a step backward. But otherwise, she had a fantastic time and will be back!
My son enjoyed Watia mainly because of the great counselors but loved the ropes course and enjoys the water time. It's really just getting to hang out with old friends and meet new friends and play every day!
My son has been at Watia for four years and loves it! From the traditional camp activities to the fun themes to the bonding with cabin-mates to the digital detox, it's always a highlight of his summer. It's affordable, close and the facilities are beautiful.
My daughter had a great time at Camp Watia Session 7. She enjoyed the camp counselors and her cabinmates, as well as variety of things to do. Our daughter Grace Last name removed has an eating disorder and luckily Shannon suggested that we send along our protein shakes for lunch. We did provide a list of foods she will eat and spoke to the chef, however most of the food was not anything she would eat, so she mostly ate toast/bread. I would have appreciated a bit more accomodation than that based on the time and information I spent with Shannon and the chef. It was nice to have access to photos, but me and other parents thought there might be more communication outward to the parents, perhaps every other day to send a recap or when pics are posted. Thanks for everything you all do and making memories for our kids!
They have a very wide variety for all kids to be included!
Programs are activities are fun, creative and appropriate for all ages. Cabin Magic and all evening full camp activities have been my camper’s favorites. They love the dance parties, open mic night, jam sessions, etc!
Great facilities, appreciate the day options of rafting and horseback riding, staff is fun and supportive, my kid really loves peer campers. Also like the location and communication leading up to camp day.However, this last year in session 3 the communication was poor once my child was at camp.
I love that my kids completely unplug and spend so much time outdoors getting fresh air and exercise.
I love that my daughter loves the camp!
We love YMCA Camp Watia because it gives our kids the classic camp experience in the very best way. They spend their time outside their comfort zones, challenging themselves, learning new things, and growing in confidence and independence. They build lasting friendships and are surrounded by incredible counselors, staff, and leadership who make camp such a special place. They look forward to Watia all year.