Christopher Casas, owner of The Italian Coffee Bar, is a friend of the McGaw YMCA and Camp Echo. At the morning bus departures, his employees set up a table on location at the McGaw YMCA and sell juice and coffee at special YMCA/Camp Echo prices. Enjoy! The Italian Coffee Bar, with two locations in Evanston (1549 Sherman Avenue and 940 Church Street) and two in Downtown Chicago (680 N Lake Shore Drive and 311 S Wacker), is your local source for authentic Italian espresso, authentic Italian gelato, and more. The Italian Coffee Bar is a delightful alternative to the larger coffee chain outlets.

Campers turn in their bus pass when they board the bus. Every camper should board the bus with his or her bag lunch in hand. Luggage need not be on the same bus as the camper. Once campers board the bus, they may not get off. Parents who wish to view the bus interior may do so between 8:00 and 8:30 am. Parents may not board the bus once campers begin boarding at 8:30 am.

Buses depart at 9:00 am sharp. Buses are air-conditioned and restroom-equipped. Camp Echo staff members serve as monitors on each bus. Campers who miss the bus must provide their own transportation to Camp Echo.

Bus Return from Camp and Adventure Trips Returning Directly to the Chicago Area

The buses leave camp promptly at 11:00 am (Eastern). The long distance and potential for unusual traffic conditions on the Skyway and I-94 make it impossible for us to guarantee an exact arrival time. Shortly after 12 noon (Central), parents can access a web log detailing the progress of the buses, as well as Adventure trip vans, trains, and planes, by clicking on the Bus To/From Updates link on the Camp Echo home page. The log is updated every 30 minutes or so, and more frequently once the buses reach the Chicago Skyway. The McGaw YMCA will have the same information as the web log; please refrain from calling the McGaw YMCA unless you don't have web access. Please pick up all campers on time! Any delay makes extra work for the Y staff and has the potential to turn a good camp experience bad.

Campers Not Using the Bus, and Special Family Events During Camp

There are several forms in the registration packet that are used if a camper will not using the traditional bus transportation. Use the Release Form, "To and From" Form, and Layover Form to alert us if you will be dropping your child off at, or picking your child up from, Camp Echo. If your plans change while your child is at camp, this form can be faxed to the Camp Director. Recommended drop off time at camp is 2:30 pm (Michigan time - Eastern time zone); you are welcome to arrive earlier and tour the camp but we are not prepared to supervise campers until 2:00 pm. Recommended pick up time is 11:00 am (Michigan time).

Transportation on Adventure Trips

We rent brand new, Ford E-Series 15-passenger vans with an AdvanceTrac computerized stability enhancement system; to learn more, click here. Trip Guides, 21 years old or older with clean driving records, have specific training on van safety, obey speed limits, and limit the number of continuous driving hours. The Teen/Trip packet you recieve after registration will provide specific departure and arrival details - some trips end at the train station or airport instead of the Y.