Group Camping and Retreats

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is nestled southwest of Great Barrington in the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, surrounded by 1,000 acres of woodland and situated on 90-acre Plantain Pond. With an ideal location and superb year-round facilities, Hi-Rock has everything it takes to make group getaways productive, fun, and memorable...

Choose Your Own Adventure!

Follow these easy steps to organize your Hi-Rock Experience:

Step 1: When would you like to visit?

We are open year-round to serve groups. From mid-April to mid-October we can accommodate groups of up to 500 people. During the winter months we have 115 beds available in our cozy lodges and heated cabins. Contact the Group Camping Director (413) 528-1227 x13 or retreats@camphirock.org to check on availability.

Step 2: Where would you like to stay? Will you join us for dinner?

We offer a range of accommodation: from camping sites to log cabins to our spacious lodges. Descriptions of lodging options and rates are available here. Meal service is included and we offer well-balanced, family-friendly meals. Vegetarian meals are available and we can accommodate specific dietary requests with advanced notice. We can also provide custom menus, though some may incur an additional cost.

Step 3: What would you like to do? What are your group’s goals?

We will work with you to choose the activities that best suit your group’s goals and interests.

Team Building and Leadership-Specific Activities

10-Element Low Ropes Team Challenge Course
40' High Ropes Circuit, Giant Ladder, and Trapeze
35' Climbing Wall
Team-building Initiatives
Experiential Leadership Training
Orienteering
Challenge Hikes
Raft Building

Activities on Our Beautiful 90-Acre Lake

Canoeing
Kayaking
Swimming
Sailing
Row Boating
Waterskiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
Raft Building
Fishing
Lake Orienteering

Land Activities

Archery
BBs
Arts and Crafts
Badge/Award Programs for Scouts
Specialty Crafts: Candle-making, Jewelry, Banners, Tie-dye...
Hiking: We have beautiful vistas on our property and access to the Appalachian Trail. Scenic, guided hikes available for all ability levels.
Campfires, Bonfires, Skits, and Sing-Alongs
Moonlit Hikes
Field Games: Soccer, Softball, Kickball
Beach Games: Volleyball, 4-Square
Indoor Games, Puzzles, Problem-Solving, Ping Pong, Initiatives, and More
Blacktop Games: Hockey, Basketball, Tennis

Winter-Specific Activities

X-Country Skiing (equipment available)
Tubing and Sledding
Ice Skating (bring your own)
Snowshoeing (equipment available)

Activity rates vary with group size and activity. Most activities are $10 per person, per session. However, activity packages can be put together than reduce the per activity rate. Please call the Group Camping Director for more details.

Step 4: Is there anything else we can do for you?

Here at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, we take pride in our love of camp and our appreciation of the outdoors. We will work with you to make your retreat both successful and memorable. Every group is different and we will work creatively with group leaders and participants to tailor a retreat that will fit your budget and achieve your goals. You can always call the Group Camping Director Ben Havens at 413 528 1227 x13 or email him at retreats@camphirock.org for sample schedules and expert advice to help you choose the right program for your group.

Leadership and Team Building Programs

Why participate in a Hi-Rock leadership and team building program?

Learning to be a leader is a lifelong process. The foundations of a great leader can be built early, but practice and experience allow individuals to adapt and thrive in any situation. In order to work effectively, teams must communicate efficiently and maintain an environment of mutual trust and respect. Hi-Rock Leadership and Team-Building Programs provide your group with unique opportunities to achieve your goals and learn more about each other in a fun and productive environment.

What benefits will my organization have from participating in a YMCA Camp Hi-Rock leadership and team building program?

Increased understanding and appreciation of individuals
Better communication
Greater trust between group members
Stronger leadership skills
A more positive work environment

Rates and Dates

Hi-Rock Group Camping Programs are open year-round, except for overnight groups during the 8 weeks of summer camp. Camp Hi-Rock's co-ed, residential summer camp runs from June 27 through August 21, 2010. Camp is not available for overnight retreats during that time. Family camp is open to individuals and families for a few nights or a full week from August 23-29, 2010. We also host volunteer weekends and special programs throughout the year. We can organize a full schedule, or let you put together your own programming. We offer excellent, family style meal service and meals are included in the rates below.

RATES

2 Nights including 5 Meals

The following rates are per person for two nights accommodation and include five meals.

Camp Cabins-simple wooden cabins organized into units of 4-6 cabins with separate shared bath facilities, most accommodate 12 people - $68 per person
Bunk Cabins– heated building with indoor bathrooms- $99 per person
Lodge Rate– Bear Rock Lodge or New Horizons Lodge- $104 per person.
- Each lodge has a living room with fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD player, a dining room or kitchen and several bunk rooms. See descriptions below for further details. Photos available upon request.
- (20 person group minimum for each lodge)

1 Night including 3 Meals

The following rates are per person for one night accommodation and include three meals.

Camp Cabins- $40 per person
Woodlands- $62 per person
Bear Rock or New Horizons Lodge- $68 per person

Activities are not included in the above rates. Most activities are $10 per person, per activity, but activity packages can be put together than will reduce the per activity cost.

Lodge Descriptions

New Horizons Lodge

Situated in the heart of Hi-Rock, New Horizons Lodge can accommodate 39 people. The spacious living/meeting room overlooks the lake and the large back porch is a great gathering place. New Horizons lodge is located close to all of the seasonal cabins and summer camp facilities. Almost all rooms have private bathrooms. There are board games and a TV/DVD/VCR available for use.

Bear Rock Lodge

Bear Rock Lodge sits at the Southern end of Plantain Pond. The dining room looks out onto the water and is spacious enough to seat 100 people. The large living room features a stunning stone fireplace with ample seating and a TV/DVD/VCR. The adjoining games room has a ping pong table and board games available for use. Upstairs, nine bedrooms feature lake and wilderness views. There are large, separate male and females bathrooms as well as two additional facilities downstairs. Sleeps 35 people.

Who Comes to Camp Hi-Rock?

We are committed to serving all types of groups. Throughout the year we host schools, colleges, church groups, businesses, non-profits, outreach programs, adult organizations, and family reunions. Some recent groups include:

Rumsey Hall Boarding School
King and Lowe Heywood Thomas School
Berkshire Co-op
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (students and alumni)
University of Hartford
Waldorf School of Massachusetts Bay
Sword Family Reunion
YMCA Adventure Guides
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America
World Challenge Expeditions
Wilbraham United Church
Camp America (staff retreat)
Quinnipiac University
and many more