Camp Watchaug
Thank you for your interest in YMCA Camp Watchaug! YMCA Camp Watchaug is a 30 acre premier Day Camp on Watchaug Pond. Camp is more than making new friends and trying new activities. At Camp Watchaug we also focus on intentionally offering opportunities for campers to develop 21st Century skills. Campers are having so much fun, they don’t realize they are learning important life skills along with swimming, boating, archery, climbing and much more!
Camp Watchaug is a place where your child will play, learn and thrive!
Join us and make summer memories for a lifetime.
2023 Session Dates & Rates
| Session | Dates | Member Rate | Non Member Rate | Payment Due Date |
| Session A | June 19-23 (1 Week) | $270 | $315 | June 5 |
| Session B | June 26 – July 7 (2 Weeks) No Camp on July 4 | $400 | $475 | June 12 |
| Session C | July 10 – July 21 (2 Weeks) | $445 | $525 | June 26 |
| Session D | July 24 – August 4 (2 Weeks) | $445 | $525 | July 10 |
| Session E | August 7 – August 18 (2 Weeks) | $445 | $525 | July 24 |
| Session F | August 21 – August 25 (1 Week) | $270 | $315 | August 7 |
HISTORY
In the 1940’s YMCA Camp Watchaug was founded by the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA. The summer day camp was originally operated on the Burlingame State Park for several years. Graciously, a 30 acre waterfront property on Watchaug Pond was donated to the YMCA allowing the camp to run on its own grounds in 1948. This premier camp has gone from just 40 campers a day to serving over 300 per day. Since its inception, Camp Watchaug has served thousands of children, families and its surrounding community. We look forward to offering this valuable outdoor experience to the next generation of campers this summer. Become a part of the Watchaug Legacy today by learning more about our programs, enrolling your camper or joining our staff.
FACILITIES
In addition to 30 acres of woods, Camp Watchaug is home to:
Welcome Center
Newly built in 2021. Camp Office and visitor check in. Bathrooms for upper camp and indoor space for rainy days.
Main Lodge
Completely remodeled in 2011. Includes the Director’s Office, spacious meeting and rainy day indoor space, fire-place, bathrooms and changing rooms. Dedicated space for our youngest campers, the Hummingbirds. Not to mention an outdoor deck overlooking Watchaug Pond.
Arts & Crafts Center
Creativity abounds in this indoor area where campers travel at least once a week to see what amazing project the Arts & Crafts Director has planned for them.
Nature & Science Building
Most of our nature activities take place in the great outdoors. However, we also use this space for STEM activities and for rainy days.
Upper Boat House
Rainy Day space available for our Chickadee campers.
Waterfront
Located right on Watchaug Pond, our H swimming dock, boating dock, water trampoline & playscape, sandy beach, sand volleyball court and boathouse all contribute to providing a FUN, safe waterfront experience for all!
Amphitheater
Where we gather at the beginning of each day to sing songs, see skits and hear important announcements.
Archery, Low Ropes Course, High Ropes Course, Climbing Wall, Giant Swing and Zip Line
These all are part of “upper camp” where campers learn new skills and develop confidence through our “challenge by choice” programs in which counselors encourage campers to try new activities and step out of their comfort zones.
