Online applications for the upcoming summer season open in mid-September. Because high-demand sessions and specialty add-on programs (such as Horseback Riding and Waterskiing) fill quickly, early registration is strongly encouraged. To reserve your camper’s spot, you must complete the initial online registration forms, indicate your cabin preference and submit a 10% deposit.

During enrollment, families can select a convenient payment schedule through their online Parent Account. Any selected payment plans and remaining session balances are automatically processed using your default payment method on file. All camp fee balances must be paid according to your chosen schedule prior to arrival. 
 

All session changes and cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to campgorham@rochesterymca.org. Session changes are subject to availability through May 15. Cancellations received before May 15 will receive a full refund; cancellations made more than two weeks prior to your session start date will receive a refund minus the deposit; and cancellations made within two weeks of your session are non-refundable. If a camper must cancel prior to camp due to medical reasons, a full refund will be provided with a doctor’s note, while medical withdrawals during a session are pro-rated. All refunds are issued to the original form of payment, and no refunds are granted for voluntary withdrawals or behavior-based dismissals. 

Yes. Through the support of generous donors and community partners, YMCA Camp Gorham provides Camper Experience Scholarships to ensure financial limitations do not prevent any child from attending camp. Scholarships are income- and circumstance-based and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The scholarship application becomes available directly within your online Parent Account once your camper is registered. Should an offered scholarship award not meet your family's financial needs, all initial payments remain 100% refundable.

If your child is currently at camp and wishes to extend their adventure for an additional week (and space is available in their village), our leadership team will contact you directly to confirm permission. Once approved by a parent or guardian, our office will update the enrollment and process the additional balance to your payment method on file. 
 

All campers must have a completed, three-page Camp Gorham Health History Form uploaded to their online Parent Account prior to arrival. Under New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regulations, this is the only form accepted; standard school or sports physical forms cannot be substituted. The form requires a parent signature on page one, a licensed healthcare provider's signature and physical exam date within 24 months on page two, and a completed Physician Self-Administration authorization on page three for campers participating in overnight wilderness trips. Immunization records must be up to date; if a camper is unimmunized, NYS requires parents to list which vaccines are omitted along with a stated reason. 

All medications—including prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, vitamins, and supplements (such as melatonin)—must be brought by an adult in their original packaging and handed directly to our nursing staff during Sunday check-in. Every medication/item checked into the health center must be listed on the Health History Form with authorized dosage instructions signed by a healthcare provider. Medications are stored securely in the Health Center and are administered routinely after meals and before bedtime, with the exception of emergency inhalers or EpiPens kept with designated staff or self-administered as authorized. 

The Camp Gorham Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day while campers are on site. During overnight sessions, our medical team includes 1–2 dedicated registered nurses and a student nurse intern to provide continuous health supervision, routine medication distribution, and first-aid support. 

If a child becomes sick with a fever, communicable illness, or symptoms requiring extended rest, parents will be asked to pick up their camper as soon as possible to ensure their comfort and prevent the spread of illness across the community. Campers are welcome to return to their session once they have been completely fever-free and symptom-free for at least 24 hours. 

Homesickness is a natural part of growing independence, especially during the first few days of sleepaway camp. Our staff are extensively trained in proactive strategies to help campers navigate transitions, build confidence, make friends, and stay engaged in structured daily activities. If homesickness persists or impacts a camper's well-being, our leadership team will partner directly with parents to build a supportive plan. 

Meals are served family-style in our Dining Hall on a two-week rotational menu designed to be nutritionally balanced and camper-friendly. Breakfast is served at 8:00 am, lunch at 1:00 pm, and dinner at 5:30 pm. Breakfasts feature hot entrees such as scrambled eggs, french toast sticks or breakfast sandwiches alongside yogurt, cereal and fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner feature kid-friendly staples—such as burgers, pasta and meatballs or chicken tenders with mac and cheese—paired with a complete salad bar of fresh vegetables. A sun butter and jelly sandwich station and fresh fruit are always accessible at every meal. 

Our kitchen team accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs, providing dedicated alternative options at every single meal. Parents should detail all dietary restrictions and allergies on the online Camper Health Care Form prior to summer so our kitchen can prepare. While we can safely manage nearly any medical dietary restriction, please note that we are unable to maintain a kosher kitchen.

Yes. Camp Gorham is strictly a nut-free camp. We do not serve peanut or tree nut products, and our kitchen provides sun butter as a safe alternative. We also require that any personal snacks sent in camper packages or brought on check-in day be completely nut-free. 

Our staff are very accustomed to working with picky eaters. Counselors gently encourage campers to try new foods, but counselors and dining staff always ensure every child finds nourishing options they enjoy. In addition to the main hot entree, there is always access to a full salad bar, fresh fruit, cereal and sun butter and jelly sandwiches at every meal. 

Yes. Fresh fruit is set out and accessible throughout the camp day. Camp also provides snack in the morning between specialty blocks.  Campers may also keep non-perishable, nut-free snacks stored in sealed containers inside their cabin. 

Campers are placed into distinct villages based on their gender identity and grade level entering in the fall. The progression begins with Loons (co-ed, grades 2–4). Middle campers transition to Big Moose (boys+, grades 5–7) or Adirondack (girls+, grades 5–7). Older campers enter Lumberjack (boys+, grades 8–10) or Frontier (girls+, grades 8–10). Teens can also enroll in specialized programs like Adirondack Wilderness Explorers (AWE) (co-ed, grades 5–10) or our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program (co-ed, grade 11). Cabins are organized within these village communities to ensure peer groups share age-appropriate activities and schedules. Co-ed villages that do programming together but are housed based on gender identity.  

Cabin mate requests can be submitted through the online Camper Information Form at least two weeks prior to your camper's session. Each camper may request up to two mutual friends. To be placed together, requests must be reciprocal, for campers registered in the same village, and attending the exact same session length. Requests must be resubmitted each summer. While our team works hard to honor requests, camp is also a wonderful place to build new friendships. 

No. Due to differences in session schedules, village pacing, and the mid-session weekend overnight trip for two-week campers, one-week and two-week campers cannot be housed in the same cabin. 

To foster an inclusive cabin dynamic and prevent pre-existing cliques from dominating a space, we accommodate groups of up to three campers in a single cabin. If more than three friends attend together, they will be split between adjacent cabins, ensuring every child is placed with at least one requested friend while remaining welcoming to others. 

Many campers arrive on Sunday without knowing a single person. Our counselors are skilled at facilitating introductions, icebreakers, and shared cabin goals from the moment campers arrive on the porch. The intentional structure of village life, family-style dining, and team games creates natural opportunities for bonds to form quickly. 

Camp Gorham is committed to creating an affirming, safe environment for all youth. Living spaces are gender-specific and inclusive, organized into Girls+ (inclusive of girls, transgender, and non-binary campers) and Boys+ (inclusive of boys, transgender, and non-binary campers). Programs and lodging are structured to ensure every child can participate fully, safely, and with dignity. 

Camp Gorham cabins are classic rustic Adirondack buildings equipped with screened windows, electricity and sturdy twin wooden bunks. Bunks are selected fairly on arrival day once all cabin mates have arrived on the porch. Under-bed clearance is approximately 9 inches, which fits standard flat duffles or low plastic organizer drawers. Central shower houses and restroom facilities are located nearby within each village area.

We recommend packing gear in a large, durable duffle bag paired with a low, stackable plastic storage drawer or bin. Duffle bags collapse easily once unpacked, and plastic bins keep small essentials, toiletries, and snacks organized and sealed. Space under the cabin bunks is limited to 9 inches of clearance, so hard-shell trunks or oversized plastic totes that exceed this height will not fit under the beds 

All campers need a fitted twin sheet, a flat sheet, a warm blanket or comforter, and a pillow with a pillowcase for their cabin bunk. Because Adirondack nights can be cool, a warm blanket is strongly recommended. Campers attending a two-week session also need a dedicated sleeping bag and sleeping pad for their mid-session overnight camping trip. Even for two-week campers, regular cabin sheets and blankets are still required so their main bunk remains clean, dry, and made while sleeping bags are in use on the trail. 

Laundry service is provided exclusively for campers staying three consecutive weeks or longer. Campers enrolled for one- or two-week sessions should pack enough clothing to cover their entire stay using the quantities outlined on the camp packing checklist. 

Campers may not bring cell phones, smartwatches, internet-connected tablets/gaming devices, cash, pets, gum, or snacks containing peanuts or tree nuts. We also recommend leaving high-value clothing, fine jewelry, and expensive personal items at home, as camp is an active, outdoor setting and Camp Gorham is not responsible for lost or damaged belongings. 

Camp Gorham maintains a strict zero-tolerance safety policy. The possession of cell phones, weapons of any kind (real or fake), fireworks, alcohol, tobacco/vape products, illegal drugs, or undocumented medications warrants immediate dismissal from camp without a refund. 

Found items are gathered throughout the day and presented to the entire camp community daily at flagpole, with remaining items stored in a central location for campers to review. On Saturday pick-up, all unclaimed belongings are laid out at the Rec Hall for families to check before heading home. Lost & Found items are held on site for 1–2 weeks following a session before being donated to local charities; camp cannot ship misplaced items. We strongly urge families to label every article of clothing, shoe, water bottle, and towel with your child’s first and last name prior to arrival. 

Camp Gorham is intentional about being a screen-free, unplugged community. Cell phones, smartwatches, and internet-connected devices are strictly prohibited and must be left at home. Experience shows that unplugging allows campers to settle into routines faster, develop resilience, solve problems independently, and build authentic friendships without digital distractions. Any cell phones or unauthorized electronics brought to camp will be confiscated, and possession of a cell phone may warrant dismissal from camp. 

Bunk Notes is a digital service provided through Bunk1.com that allows families to send one-way emails directly to their child. Messages are printed every morning at 6:00 am and delivered alongside regular postal mail after lunch. If you provide a digital reply barcode sheet through Bunk1, your camper can handwrite a message that our staff scans and delivers directly back to your inbox. Complete access instructions for Bunk1 are provided during Sunday check-in. 

Photos are uploaded daily to Bunk1.com. Our dedicated media specialist moves across camp throughout the day with a goal of capturing every camper at least once during the week, sharing the highlights of daily activities, waterfront fun, and evening events. 

Campers will only be released to adults specifically designated as parents, emergency contacts, or authorized pick-up individuals in your camper’s online profile. A government-issued photo ID is required from every individual at check-out—no exceptions. You can add, edit, or remove authorized pick-up contacts at any time prior to departure by logging into your online Parent Account, selecting "View Detail" and updating your household information.  

If your schedule requires an early departure or late arrival, notify the camp office in advance at CampGorham@RochesterYMCA.org or call 315-357-6401 to make specific arrangements. On the day of travel, please call the office when you are en route so our team can have your camper and their gear packed and waiting for you. If a camper needs to leave camp early due to illness, we ask that you pick them up promptly to ensure their recovery and protect the camp community.  

No. For the safety and comfort of all campers, visitors and camp livestock, pets are strictly prohibited on camp property during check-in, check-out and throughout the camp season. Please leave all pets at home.