About Camp Cory
Learn a little history and what goes into ensuring Camp Cory is safe and fun for your campers.
Camp Cory gives your children the opportunity to meet new kinds of people in a safe environment, free of the judgments and expectations of the outside world. In a community free of electronics like cell phones, campers are focused on interacting with one another in a natural setting. Our staff of committed counselors are dedicated to making sure that your child has the time of their lives, focusing on the areas of achievement, independence, friendship and belonging.
For over 127 years, the YMCA of Greater Rochester has been building friendships that last a lifetime through overnight camping. For more than 100 of those overnight camping seasons, YMCA Camp Cory has been building foundations in youth development on the shores of Keuka Lake.
“I didn’t know a place like this still exists!”
Situated right on the shores of Keuka Lake, Camp Cory offers families a variety of different activities and experiences that they can’t get anywhere else. Camp Cory gives your children the opportunity to meet new kinds of people in a safe environment, free of the judgments and expectations of the outside world. In a community free of electronics like cell phones, campers are focused on interacting with one another in a natural setting. Our staff of committed counselors are dedicated to making sure that your child has the time of their lives, focusing on the areas of achievement, independence, friendship and belonging.
Our Commitment to Safety
We are dedicated to make sure that your child is safe and happy during their time at Camp Cory. We ensure that your child is safe through our team of highly qualified nurses and dedicated counselors. Their commitment towards your child’s well being will ensure that they have the time of their lives in a safe, secure setting.
Camp Cory is proud to have a number of nurses with multiple years of experience at our camp. Each nurse has extensive training, strong backgrounds in nursing and certifications are kept up-to-date. A Camp Cory nurse is present whenever sessions are in progress. In case of emergency, Camp is located 2.5 miles from Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Penn Yan. If you have questions or concerns regarding your camper’s health or Camp Cory medical procedures in general, please call our office.
All medical information is housed on the Parent Dashboard. Parents can easily input all of their child’s information before coming to camp. A complete physical exam is required for all campers within 12 months of the camp session they attend.
Dispensing medications is routine at Camp Cory. Parents meet with our nurse on check-in day to convey all of their child’s medical needs. During the week, nurses track and log medication dispensation and ensure that your child is in good health. All medications must be checked in with our nurse upon arrival and are returned to parents on check-out days. If you have questions or concerns regarding our medication dispensing schedule, please call our office.
All Camp Cory staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid and basic first aid kits are found at most major activity areas and in each Village Head’s cabin. Approximately half of our camp staff are also certified Lifeguards and all activity area leaders are well trained and/or hold certification in their respective area.
First Time Overnight Camper Information
We've got all the resources you need to prepare for your kiddos first summer away!
Whether it’s overnight or just for the day, making the choice to send your child to camp is a very important decision for a family. Being away from home can be a very enriching experience for a child, helping them become more independent.
In a world that is increasingly more dependent on making connections through electronics and the internet, camp can be a great way to help a child make stronger social connections with other kids their age. Families see Camp Cory as a very safe community that allows their children to connect with each other on a deeper level.
Our experience with first-time campers has given us the knowledge to successfully help new campers have the time of their lives. We’re committed to the happiness and safety of our campers and we are ready to deliver the quality experience that first-time campers require. Family satisfaction is our top priority, and we back up the quality of our program. At Camp Cory, we are so confident in our staff & program, we guarantee your child will have an amazing experience.
While we start taking campers at age 3 for Day Camp and age 7 for overnight camp, there is no specific age that is ideal for starting your child at camp. It is a decision that your family needs to be comfortable with based on what you are looking for out of a camp experience. We suggest calling and asking our team specific questions at 585-325-2889. We would love to help.
Homesickness is a very natural part of the camp experience, so it is normal for campers to miss home. Our counselors focus on making sure that they are there for your child throughout the day and help them with whatever they need. We try to make sure that campers are busy in their activities so that they can fully enjoy the camp experience.
Campers live with 8-10 other children with two counselors sleeping right in the cabin.
Because of the interruption to the camp experience, we discourage calls to campers during the week. We find that in most cases, it actually makes campers homesick. However, parents are always able to speak to their children if they wish.
Campers are placed in cabins by gender, age and grade level. While roommate requests are accommodated, we limit the group of friends to three and guarantee one mutual request.
Our staff of mature young professionals take the supervision of campers very seriously. All staff are put through a rigorous background screening and interview process. Nearly 80% of our staff were campers themselves. Please visit our staff page for more information about our great counselors!
Camp Cory Facility Areas
Explore the Camp Cory facilities and all it has to offer from the new farmstead area to the alumni cabins and lodges!
Enrollment Extras
Each week between sessions, Camp Cory offers a way to soak up even more of the summer fun. Campers may stay at camp between weekly sessions to get a more complete camp experience. They’ll get a chance to relax and rejuvenate before the next session begins, as well as participate in some of camp’s most exciting activities, like the zipline, paddle boarding, and archery. Campers may also have the opportunity to take trips off of camp property, relax and enjoy a movie, and get to know new friends.
Holdover: $175
Offered weekends between each Session
Between sessions, Camp Cory also offers a laundry service. Bags provided by camp are collected Friday, washed over the weekend, and returned Monday. Counselors will help campers remember to bring their bag to a central location on Fridays. Please be sure your camper packs enough to carry them through until their second Monday at camp while their laundry is being done.
Cost: $30
Policies and Communication
Camp Cory has several policies regarding enrollment as well as those regarding your campers’ safety while at camp. Each is detailed below, but if you have any questions, call our office at 585-325-2889.
Your Parent Account is the hub of all required information for your camper’s attendance at camp including forms, account statements, and updating camper and family information.
Camp Cory offers payment plans for families to choose from! Alternative payment plans can be arranged by contacting the office.
Tuition Paid in Full – Pay in full at the time of enrollment.
Deposit Only Now – Deposit of 10% is paid upon enrollment and the remaining balance is applied to the credit card on file on May 15. Additional payments may be submitted by contacting the office at 585-325-2889.
Monthly Invoice - Deposit of 10% is paid upon enrollment. Payments are made monthly on the 15th of each month, split evenly until May 15.
Experience Scholarship - A 10% deposit paid upon enrollment, and forms and supporting documents are submitted via your Parent Account. Experience Scholarship determinations take 2-3 weeks, and final payments are scheduled once the determination has been accepted.
Families may change a session pending availability by emailing campcory@rochesterymca.org
Adding a session:
- Sessions may be added through your Parent Account Page by starting a new registration. You may also add a session by emailing your request to campcory@rochesterymca.org
Canceling a session:
- To cancel a session, please email campcory@rochesterymca.org.
All cancellations are to be made by email. Prior to May 15, all payments are refundable. After May 15 and up until 2 weeks prior to your session, a refund, less your 10% deposit will be issued. Within 2 weeks of your session starting, a refund is not available. If a camper leaves camp before the end of the session by choice, homesickness, or disciplinary actions there will be no refund.
We encourage parents to write to their campers! We encourage campers to do the same, but don’t require them to do so. Not receiving written communication from them probably means they’re having a great time!
Please note: The primary contacts on your Camp Brain account will be contacted in the event of an emergency, either serious incident or illness and minor injuries. If they cannot be contacted, we will reach out to listed emergency contacts.
Postal Mail
Camper name – Cabin #
Camp Cory
140 East Lake Road Route 54
Penn Yan, NY 14527
Email
BUNK1.com is a service that, for a fee, provides one-way OR two-way emails to your camper. You will need a username, password, and security code available through the camp office.
Telephone
Camp has limited phone lines. We ask that you call for business or emergencies only. Please contact Pat Foster with questions related to your camper’s experience. Please note that your child will not be able to call home. We have found that this exacerbates homesickness and disrupts the camp experience. We will call you if there is anything, however minor, we feel that you should know.
Camp Cory welcomes camper and staff visitors on opening and closing days of each session. Visiting camp while we are in session requires special arrangements and all visitors must stop at the office upon arrival to check in and receive a visitor badge.
Cell phones are not permitted at camp as they are disruptive to camp life and detract from the entire cabin’s camp experience. If a camper brings a cell phone with them to camp, the phone will be labeled and placed in the camp safe until the end of the session. Parents are required to be at the office with their camper when they pick up their cell phone.
Quality youth development programming isn’t just the proper ratio of teachers to youth or a clean classroom; it is a commitment to meeting the social, emotional, and developmental needs of youth. Moreover, it’s staff who are dedicated to providing high quality services for all youth.
Our goals are as follows:
- To welcome all youth and provide high-quality services regardless of socio/economic background.
- To support the growth and development of all youth, focusing on:
- Social and emotional skills. Self-awareness, confidence, and feelings of self-worth.
- Interpersonal relationships.
- Academic achievement.
- Physical skills.
- Health and nutrition.
- To deliver programs in a positive YMCA environment of enrichment, safety, and support, focusing on:
- Broadening the community, national, and world understanding of youth and parents including experiences that foster exposure to ethnic and cultural diversity.
- Conducting the program in accordance with core YMCA operating principles and philosophy.
- Implementing and delivering Character Development programs.
- Eradicating the Achievement Gap.
- Ensuring safety for all.
The single most important factor in attaining these goals is the commitment of the staff and their dedication to providing high quality programs.
Camp Cory’s Cabins are gender specific, which means:
- Girl+ Cabins are a space for girls, trans and non-binary campers
- Boy+ Cabins are a space for boys, trans and non-binary campers
For any questions regarding our cabin placement or inclusion policies, please reach out to our Camp Director, Blake, at Blake.Vanhorn@RochesterYMCA.org.