The YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp and Retreat Center kicked off this month, and hundreds of children will ride horses, climb rocks and explore nature there this summer without having to go too far from home.
At the facility, north of Tucson in Oracle, the YMCA offers an Explorer Camp for children 7 to 9, a Trailblazer Camp for kids 10 to 12 and a High Adventure Camp for those 13 to 15.
Camp fees range from $370 to $385 for the Explorer, Trailblazer and High Adventure camps. Additional weeks cost $360. A $15 program membership also is required.
Campers spend the night in cabins or lodges, which have living areas with fireplaces.
Camps for children who want to learn what it's like to own a horse, and a camp for teens who want to learn leadership skills also are available.
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"They are going to get a great experience and meet new friends," said Gregory Dodd, executive director of the Triangle Y. "It's going to be a safe environment for them to learn and grow."
Weeklong sessions start Sundays and end Saturdays, and 170 to 210 children attend at one time.
The Trailblazer Camp was added this year to make the camps more age-appropriate, Dodd said.
Those campers engage in rock-climbing, a high ropes course with a zip line, nature programs, a challenge course, sports, archery and swimming.
While away at camp, participants develop confidence but also will learn responsibility, Dodd said.
In addition to the fun, students also are responsible for chores, such as setting the tables for meals and keeping bunks tidy.
To find out more
YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp and Retreat Center
To learn more about the summer camps offered at the center or to register for an upcoming session, call 884-0987 or visit the Web site www.tucsonymca.org.
