Blog content by Zach Eigenbrodt, Executive Director, YMCA Camp Gorham
When families ask questions about choosing the right camp, I always appreciate it — because these questions come from a place of love, protection and hope. Over the years, I’ve learned that parents aren’t just looking for activities or amenities; they’re looking for assurance. They want to know that their child will grow, belong and be cared for. Below are
1. Will my child be safe?
Safety is the foundation of everything we do — and not just because it’s required; it’s who we are. Camp Gorham is an ACA-accredited camp, meaning we meet rigorous national standards in areas ranging from health care to program safety.
We’re also a New York State–regulated children’s camp, which means we operate under a permit issued by our local health department and must comply with strict statewide requirements around staffing qualifications, health procedures, background checks, emergency planning, aquatic supervision and more.
All staff also go through intentional training, ensuring they have the tools to not only keep your camper physically safe, but emotionally as well. We cover all things from emergency procedures, how to identify risk, how to manage conflict and challenging behaviors, homesickness and more!
These standards reflect exactly what we promise families: a safe, structured environment where campers challenge themselves, grow resilient and build confidence surrounded by trained, caring adults.
2. Who will be taking care of my child?
Our staff team is the heart of Gorham — and their preparation reflects that. Every staff member goes through a rigorous onboarding process that includes:
- A formal interview
- Reference checks
- Background checks, consistent with New York’s requirements to screen staff against state and national sex‑offender registries
- Completion of all required local and state clearances
- Intensive pre-season training tailored to working with youth in a residential environment
Visitors consistently remark on the strength and intentionality of our staff culture — how present, caring and engaged our counselors are with campers. One outside observer even noted the powerful impact of Gorham’s staff traditions and how meaningfully counselors support their groups.
3. What will my child eat?
Meals are an important part of camp life — not just for nutrition, but for community.
Camp Gorham provides hearty, balanced meals in our dining hall, where food is served with attention to dietary needs, allergies and camper preferences. Campers can expect traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner meals with the options of a fruit (breakfast) or salad bar (lunch and dinner), cereal or soy nut butter and jelly sandwich station. We are a nut-free facility and can accommodate any food allergies or dietary needs. Make sure to note in your camper application.
Mealtimes are also a moment of connection — campers eat with their cabins, share stories from their day and build relationships that become central to their Gorham experience. Meals are family style helping to serve each other and themselves.
4. What happens if my child gets sick or injured?
Your child’s well-being — physical and emotional — is always our priority.
As a New York State–regulated children’s camp, we are required to have qualified health personnel onsite, which may include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, EMTs or similarly credentialed staff.
We also maintain medical plans, keeping confidential medical records for all campers, including medication needs, allergies, immunizations and restrictions. Our health team conducts wellness checks, responds to injuries and illnesses, manages medication distribution and maintains communication with families when needed.
5. How will I communicate with my camper?
Connection matters, even from afar.
We help families establish communication expectations before camp begins. We have an app called Bunk1 where we post photos from every day for families to see. There is also a one-way emailing system that you can opt for. We will print those emails and ensure campers get them by lunch. Parents can send letters, and we encourage campers to write home as well. We also provide guidance during check‑in, so families know how to reach our office if concerns arise, and our team will always call home if a camper needs extra support or if any health issues arise.
Part of the beauty of camp is helping children gain independence — but that never means families are left out of the loop.
6. What will my child actually do each day?
Camp Gorham is set on 1,500 acres of Adirondack wilderness with a private lake, which means every day is filled with opportunities for growth and adventure.
The Gorham experience is intentionally grounded in five pillars: Independence, Belonging, Achievement, Friendship and Wonder, which shape everything from daily schedules to cabin traditions.
Activities include:
- Sailing, canoeing, kayaking
- Horseback riding
- High and low ropes courses
- Climbing tower
- Arts & crafts
- Outdoor education, nature study, hiking
- Sports and group games
You can see all programs and activity offerings on our website!
7. Will my child make friends and feel like they belong?
This is one of the questions I answer with the greatest confidence.
Camp Gorham’s community is intentionally designed so that every child feels seen and valued. Our cabin structure helps campers immediately build a small community, and our traditions — from opening campfire to shared adventures to closing ceremonies — create meaningful bonds. Many campers form lifelong friendships, a hallmark of our program.
8. What if my child gets homesick?
Homesickness is natural — and we train our staff to respond with empathy, structure and reassurance.
Our counselor team helps campers ease into routines, build connections and discover activities they enjoy. We work closely with each child, staying attentive to emotional needs and helping them develop resilience, confidence and a sense of belonging. We also understand that camp might not be right for every camper at that exact moment, and we will work with the family to develop a plan to meet campers' needs.
Should other questions come up as you're registering your child(ren), our team is happy to ask. Feel free to reach out anytime!