Welcome to McGaw YMCA Camp Echo
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About Camp Echo

Camp Echo is a coed, residential YMCA camp on Long Ryerson Lake near Fremont, Michigan, amidst 492 acres of woodlands and wetlands. In the spring and fall we host schools and adult groups, many from the local communities and surrounding counties. Each summer we enroll about 1,000 different campers age 8 to 17 for one- and two-week sessions, and about 100 different families at our four Family Camps.

Most our campers come from Evanston, Illinois, the north side neighborhoods of Chicago, and the nearby suburbs north of Chicago ... including Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Northfield, Northbrook, Glenview, and Glencoe. A small but growing number of campers come from Michigan communities within a few hours of Fremont.

Camp Echo offers a quality overnight camping experience where the risks are managed by carefully-chosen and well-trained role models. Our campers learn leadership skills as they have fun, returning year after year to participate in swimming, sports, and active outdoor activities. Camp Echo has a significant impact on the individuals who attend, which in turn helps to strengthen the foundations of the communities we serve. The core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility are our guide as we foster the potential of each and every camper. We are determined in our mission, genuine in our purpose, welcoming in our approach, nurturing in our techniques, and helpful in our methods.

Although a significant portion of our program fulfills the McGaw YMCA's commitment to youth development, Camp Echo also reflects the McGaw YMCA's commitments to healthy living (through sports and recreation, group interests, fitness, and family time) and social responsibility (through social services, global connections, volunteerism & giving, and advocacy).

We know that parents have many choices when it comes to placing their children in summer activities, and that two weeks at summer camp requires a significant investment. We hope you will take a close look at Camp Echo's programs as you consider all the options for your family.

We Welcome Everyone!

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. Every day we remind ourselves that we must strive to be caring, accept responsibility, show respect to all others, and be honest in all we do.

At Camp Echo, our objective is to create and maintain an environment where everyone is respected and included. One of the YMCA's four core values is respect. Respect means we treat others as we would like to be treated, and as they in fact want to be treated. Respect means we value ourselves, and others, including those who are different. We value diversity because diversity is inclusive, not exclusive.

Camp Echo welcomes children and families with special needs, whenever those needs can be met. Contact the Camp Director or Program Manager to discuss your situation prior to enrolling at Camp Echo.

Camp Echo's success is linked to the unique contribution of the many individuals that make up the camp community, representing the various dimensions of diversity. A diverse community fosters cooperation and innovation, creating a better experience; that's what keeps campers coming back to camp, filling camp year after year ... everyone wins!

Is Another Language Spoken at Home?

The primary language for written communication before camp, and the primary language used at camp, is English. For website visitors whose primary langugage is not English, we provide the following helpful links to a translated version of our website:

                                   

Other YMCA Camps

Looking for a YMCA camp near you? Looking for a different setting? Different activities? The YMCA of the USA offers an easy-to-use search tool to find a YMCA camp near you.

Click here to search for a YMCA camp by state.

Camp Echo is very proud of our friendship with other YMCA camps in Michigan which include Al-Gon-Quian, Copneconic, Eberhart, Hayo-Went-Ha/Arbutus, Manitu-Lin, Mystic Lake, Nissokone/Ohiyesa, Pendalouan, Pinewood, Sherman Lake, Timbers, and Storer.

Click The Logo To Learn More About Other YMCA Camps In Michigan