Only 45 minutes south of Indy! Flat Rock is a place where kids are Included and Engaged, becoming Confident and Inspired. Climbing Challenge Courses, Zip Line, River activities, Creative Arts, Woodworking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Target sports, Fishing, Water Slide, Swimming Pool and more. Relationships and life skills are formed with cabin mates and mentors. Personal choice on morning activities.
Only 45 minutes south of Indy! Flat Rock is a place where kids are Included and Engaged, becoming Confident and Inspired. Climbing Challenge Courses, Zip Line, River activities, Creative Arts, Woodworking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Target sports, Fishing, Water Slide, Swimming Pool and more. Relationships and life skills are formed with cabin mates and mentors. Personal choice on morning activities.Basic Info:
Address: 6981 W County Rd 650 N
Phone: (765) 525-6730
Website: FlatRockYMCA.org
Email: [email protected]
Gender of Campers: Co-ed
Dates: June 5 – July 29
Ages: 7-16
Q & A with Flat Rock River YMCA Camp
What makes Flat Rock unique?
Flat Rock is a place of laughter and nonstop energy blended with the calm and peace of 260 acres of nature; truly an experience that will not only benefit your child for a lifetime but also create fun, treasured memories they will never forget.
At a time when so many children feel lost or isolated, Flat Rock has a reputation of being a second home and family. Our intentional program design is focused on making sure ALL campers truly feel included and engaged. With positive encouragement and support from campers and our counselors, it’s amazing to see the growth in a child’s confidence in just one week! Flat Rock is committed to creating an environment where the Y core value of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are championed and kids are inspired to make the world a better place when they go home.
Flat Rock offers a diverse range of activities to foster these character traits and many other life skills such as collaboration and decision making. The Camp activities access numerous forest trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and exploring as well as water activities at our swimming pool, small lake and the Flat Rock River.
Campers select their own morning activities so they not only have access to their current interests but also the opportunity to explore new things. During afternoons, Cabin Life activities are centered on building friendships and the enjoyment of doing activities together as a small group. The Evening Programs expand to engage a whole Unit or the whole Camp!
EVERYTHING we do is planned with a purpose so EVERY camper goes home knowing they are valued. That they have more confidence because of the activities they did and the relationships they formed. That they go home empowered to take on the challenges they encounter throughout the year. That they go home empowered with the knowledge that they can do their part to make a positive difference in the world. Sure these are some lofty goals but it’s what we’re about!
What activities are offered at Flat Rock?
Water Based Activities: Swimming Pool, Lake Activities (Kayaking, Canoeing, Fishing, Water Slide, Paddle Boarding), River Activities (kayaking, tubing, hiking, nature studies).
Land Based Activities: Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Nature, Survival, Astronomy, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, 9 Square, GaGa, Target sports (Archery, Riflery, Sling Shot), High Challenge Course (Alpine Tower, High Ropes, Climbing Wall, Zip Line), Low Challenge Course, Creative Arts (Pottery, Music, Drama, Wood Burning, Woodworking), Crafts (Friendship Bracelets, Tie-Dye, Painting).
Teen Programs: Off-Site one 10 day White Water Rafting Trip (Ages 13-16), Leadership Development Program (completed 9th grade), Counselor in Training (completed 10th grade).
What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
1:5
How much time do the campers spend outside?
Apart from meals in the Dining Hall and rest hour and overnight in the Cabin, campers will be outside. While still outdoors, several activities are under cover which offers protection from the sun and allows us to carry on during rainy days. There are only one or two activities that could be considered an actual indoor activity.
Does the Flat Rock provide lunch/snacks or do parents need to provide them?
As an overnight camp where children spend the week, all meals are provided beginning with Sunday dinner through Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Monday through Friday. Campers have access to the Trading Post once per day for snacks which are purchased on a debit system from money parents deposit to their camper’s Trading Post Account. Campers also have access to fresh fruit and milk from the Dining Hall at any time of the day.
What is the typical daily schedule for campers?
Breakfast
Chapel
Cabin Clean Up
3 Morning Activities – Personal Choice
Lunch
Rest Hour
Afternoon Cabin Group Activities
Dinner
Free Hour
Evening Program – Unit or All Camp
Showers and Cabin Group Devotions/Chats
Lights Out – varies by age
How old are the counselors and how are they trained?
Counselors are typically between the ages of 18-23. All staff must have completed High School.
We personally interview, screen and vet all the staff we hire striving to place the most engaging, positive, camp counselors. They are incredible role models, who love kids and are passionate about helping campers grow.
Our summer staff team is trained first and foremost in ensuring the emotional and physical wellbeing and overall safety of the children in our care as well as their responsibility as a role model and mentor. All counselors attend a minimum of 7 days of intensive on-site training prior to campers’ arrival.
In addition, we have pre-summer online trainings, opportunities to attend certification trainings in many activities such as life guarding and a specific training week for our Summer Leadership Team. Throughout the summer months, there are in-service trainings to help maintain the attention to vigilance for the duration of season. Staff receive instruction on the technical skills required to lead their assigned activity for the summer. A significant amount of time is spent focusing on the relational tools necessary for cabin management, communication, leadership, small group discussions and various other skills to encourage the growth and development of campers.
All staff are certified in CPR/AED, First Aid and Child Abuse Prevention.
All staff must pass a national background check and drug screening.
What accommodations are made for campers with special needs?
Please contact us at 765-525-6730 to discuss your child’s special needs in relation to our program design and facility layout.
Is this an overnight camp?
Yes
What does the camper’s living situation look like?
All of our cabins and yurts are temperature controlled with AC and heat. The cabins have showers and restrooms in the building whereas our yurt village accesses the Pool Bathhouse.
Depending on size, Cabins house 6-10 campers and yurts house up to 8 campers. All living quarters have bunk beds.
Click here for facility photos https://www.flatrockymca.org/facilities.
How do parents and campers communicate?
Campers can send letters home and parents can send one-way emails daily. Camp also posts several photos each day so parents can peek in and see what’s going on.
For more information, please go to the Camper Communication – Mail – One-Way Email – Care Packages section on our Parent Information Page.
How does your camp handle homesickness?
Please see the “Preparing your Child for Camp and Missing Home while at Camp” section on our Parent Information Page.
What are the meals like at camp?
Meals are designed to be kid friendly. Fresh fruit and milk are available at all times throughout the day. An additional option for lunch and dinner includes a full salad bar.
Additional information, including special diet options, is available in the “Meals, Dining Hall, Special Diets & Food Allergies” section on our Parent Information Page.
Can parents visit the camp?
Yes please! Our 2023 Open House will be held Sunday, April 30 from 1-4 pm. Typically, over 300 people attend the Open House so please RSVP HERE to reserve a tour time.
The Open House is designed specifically for families who are new to Flat Rock. A staged one-hour tour will walk families through the various accommodations and program areas. Tour guides will share information about a typical camp day, meals, water safety, health care at Camp and more. There is lots of time along the way for parents and campers to ask questions.
If May 1st or April 30th does not work with the family schedule, parents are encouraged to contact the camp office at (765)-525-6730 so that another time for a tour can be arranged.
What percentage of campers return every year?
50-60%
Is the schedule highly structured, or do kids have a lot of free choices?
We like to say mornings are “me” time, afternoon is “we” time (Cabin Group) and evenings are “everybody” time (Unit or All Camp evening programs). Campers will select a designated number of morning activities for the first part of the week. For the latter portion of the week, campers will have an opportunity to sign up for additional activities whether it be to continue at their favorite activities OR to try a new activity they may not have been aware of previously.
