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Brief History
Caring ... Honesty ... Respect ... Responsibility
The Camp Echo Tradition ...
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Summer camping for our YMCA began in 1899 when boys from Evanston joined boys from Milwaukee for a ten-day encampment at Camp Hope in Phantom Lake, Wisconsin.
The Camp Echo flag was first planted at Black Lake, Michigan a few years later.
Moving to White Lake, Bear Lake and later Portage Lake (all in Michigan) Camp Echo found its permanent home on a 47-acre
peninsula on Ryerson Long Lake near Fremont, Michigan in 1923. Tents became cabins, a social lodge and dining hall were added, and the program flourished.
After adding sessions for girls in 1947 and for families in 1950, Camp Echo acquired 385 acres of property from the Lindner family in 1961.
We now have a total of 492 acres of woodlands and wetlands dotted with overnight campsites and threaded with nature trails.
Tradition runs deep as annually nearly 65% of our campers return and over 80% of our staff have a previous affiliation with Camp Echo.
Once a Camp Echo camper, you join the greater Camp Echo family of alumni with life-long memories of camp activities, friends, and positive role models.
Camp Echo has always reflected the ideals of the communities we serve.
The Y-USA Diversity Initiative and Y-USA Character Development Mission Strategy are our pledge that persons of all
faiths and backgrounds are welcome at Camp Echo, and that the values we teach cross all boundaries.
Over the years we have helped more than 25,000 boys, girls, and families grow in spirit, mind, and body.
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... and Ongoing Innovation
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Building on the roots of the main camp tradition, Camp Echo added wilderness living experiences on platform tents in the 60s, leadership training programs (CIT, LIT) in the 70s, and adventure trips in the 80s.
The 90s saw a vast and varied expansion of our trip program, and the last six years have seen refinements in program progression through the addition of Pathfinders, Voyagers, Explorers, Rangers, Ranchers, and Teen xTreme.
Each year a camper returns to Camp Echo there are new challenges and opportunities that lead to additional experiences, learnings, and adventures.
Every year, parent and camper feedback guides us as we make important improvements to our program, facilities, printed materials, and staff training.
Veteran staff members keep the best of our camp traditions alive, while new faces every summer bring us fresh ideas, new songs and games, and clever programs.
Camp Echo leaders visit other camps, attend workshops and conferences, and read numerous industry publications so we are aware of the latest camping trends.
Join us for an experience that will last a lifetime.
Back to ...
Summer Camp & Teen Trips ...
Family Camp
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