Nature Camp at Echo Hill Park | Get ready for a summer of adventure at Echo Hill Park, a nature-based YMCA camp for children in grades K–7 with a Counselor in Training option for ages 12–14. Designed for curious minds and active days, campers enjoy hands on exploration, guided outdoor activities, specialty nature camps and weekly pizza lunch while building confidence, friendships and a love for the environment. Echo Hill is a unique partnership between the YMCA and the County Parks and Recreation Division, blending environmental education with high energy youth leadership, with financial assistance available to help make camp accessible for all families. Financial assistance available
Echo Hills YMCA Summer Camp
At a Glance
Camp Season & Ages
June 14–August 26, 2027
Ages: Grades K-9
Camp Hours
Full day: 9 AM–4 PM
Half day: 9 AM–12 PM or 12:30–4:00 PM
Extended care: 8–9 AM and 4–5 PM
Flexible Schedules
Choose three or five days per week, with full- or half-day options. Curbside drop-off and pickup for added convenience.
AM Drop-off: 8:00-9;00 PM
PM Pickup: 4:00-5:00 PM
Financial Assistance
ELRC Accepted.
YMCA Financial assistance is available to help make camp accessible to more families.
New & Returning at Echo Hill This Year!
New ways to support campers and families this summer.
✓ NEW! Extended early and late care options
Need early drop-off or late pickup? We got you!
✓ NEW! Canoe & Kayak Camp
Offered on select weeks for 3rd-7th graders
✓ Half-Day Nature Camp Returns
Countless nature areas to explore and learn
Our Commitment to Child Safety
A Safe Place to Learn, Grow & Belong
Your child's safety is our priority. Our Summer Camp programs provide a supportive, engaging environment where children can learn, build friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
River Crossing YMCA is proud to be Praesidium Accredited, demonstrating our commitment to comprehensive abuse prevention practices and creating safe environments for the children in our care.
- Comprehensive abuse prevention practices
- Strong policies and procedures designed to protect children
- Ongoing commitment to maintaining safety standards
Learn about Praesidium Accreditation
What Makes Summer Camp at Echo Hill Park So Special?
Full Day Nature & Adventure Camp
Full day campers enjoy AM Nature Camp + PM Adventure Camp Weekly Themes
Pizza Friday
Included weekly!
Curbside Drop Off and Pickup Procedures
Added convenience and safety for parents and kids!
Summer Membership Savings
Purchase a Y SUMMER MEMBERSHIP and receive member pricing for camp and programs at ALL of our locations! Membership runs Jun 1-Aug 31.
Youth $124
Teen $188
Family 1 $407
Family 2 $467
Preschool Camp for Kids Ages 3-5
Growing Up Wild is a summer camp for ages 3 to 5, offering a season of exploration and discovery through our Preschool Summer Enrichment Program with active, hands-on learning and play.
Offered at Child Learning Center, Annandale and Milford Preschool
Parent Information Sessions
Convenient Zoom meeting dates for camp families to meet staff and ask questions:
2026 Parent Information Sessions have ended. 2027 dates will be published here in late December 2026.
Camp Family App
Families stay connected and informed with our complimentary camp app, offering push alerts, news, events, photos and important updates all in one convenient place. Download links:
Echo Hill Camp Details + Registration Links
Get ready for the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure and YMCA fun. Mornings are spent exploring nature with the Hunterdon County Environmental Team through hands-on discovery and wildlife exploration, followed by high-energy games, crafts and classic camp fun with the River Crossing YMCA Adventure Camp team in the afternoon.
Families can choose a seamless full day option from 9 AM to 4 PM, combining two exciting programs into one unforgettable summer experience.
| Camp | Weekly Pricing |
|---|---|
| AM Nature Camp only | 9AM-12PM | Member: $228 Non-member $318 |
| Full Day with Nature Camp | 9AM-4PM | Member: $451 Non-member $563 |
| CIT (entered grade 8 & 9 | 9AM-4PM | Member: $350 Non-member: $492 |
| Late Care-5 days | 4-5PM | Member: $28 Non-member: $34 |
Nature Camp Weekly Themes
JUNE 29-JULY 3 Wilderness Warriors | Embark on a wilderness adventure! Join us for a wilderness adventure packed with outdoor activities, survival skills, team-work and personal development. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the wild, where every moment is an opportunity for exploration, growth and building lasting connections with nature and fellow adventurers.
JULY 6-10 Water Wonders | Prepare to get wet this week and dive into why water is so important to our world! We will meet turtles up close, catch critters of the Prescott Creek and cool off with favorite water games! This week is sure to be a splash!
JULY 13-17 Herptile Heroes | Reptiles and Amphibians unite for this week filled with leaps of knowledge and slithers of fun. Meet our live animal guests, from colorful snakes to majestic turtles, and hear their stories! Participate in hands-on workshops where you can explore habitats, observe behaviors, and understand the critical roles these animals play in our ecosystems. Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or new to the world of herps, this camp promises excitement, education, and inspiration for everyone.
JULY 20-24 Fur, Paws, & Claws | Let's journey through the fascinating world of Hunterdon’s mammals! Each day, we'll dive into hands-on activities, interactive discussions, and imaginative roleplaying as we explore the lives of bats, beavers, bears, coyotes, and more. Get ready for a week of wild fun and discovery, where learning about these amazing creatures transforms into an unforgettable adventure!
JULY 27-31 Feathered Friends | Fly into a week of bird explorations featuring our local feathered friends. From sparrows darting into the brush to hawks soaring in the air, we’ll discover the features of the birds that fascinate us. We will learn about their captivating sounds, feathered adaptations and observe them in action at the park. Join us for a week filled with bird watching, discoveries and a whole lot of feathered fun!
AUG 3-7 Fintastic Adventures | Explore the watery world of ponds, streams, and rivers while discovering the amazing adaptations that help fish survive. Through games, crafts, and hands-on activities, we’ll learn how fish breathe, eat, and move, and even try our hand at catching a few (for observation only!). Get ready to make a splash while uncovering the secrets of life below the surface!
AUG 10-14 Environmental Explorers | Investigate the natural world through hands-on activities, outdoor games, and creative experiments that reveal how ecosystems work and why it’s important to protect them. Each day will focus on a different environmental theme—from water and wildlife to recycling and renewable energy—encouraging curiosity and conservation. Get ready to explore, discover, and make a difference for our planet!
Nature meets adventure in this exciting full day camp experience at Echo Hill. Mornings are led by the Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Naturalist Team with hands on exploration, wildlife discovery and outdoor learning, followed by YMCA Adventure Camp fun each afternoon with games, crafts, team challenges and classic camp excitement. It’s the perfect all day blend of nature, creativity and nonstop summer fun.
Adventure Camp Weekly Themes
June 29–July 3 | Star-Spangled 4th
July 6–10 | Science Shenanigans
July 13–17 | Sports Mania
July 20–24 | Seasons Alive!
July 27–30 | Legendary Heroes Week
August 3–7 | Battle of the Colors
August 10–14 | Eras Exploration
Echo Hill Camp Pricing
| Camp | Weekly Pricing |
|---|---|
| AM Nature Camp only 9AM-12PM | Member: $228 Non-member $318 |
| Full Day with Nature Camp 9AM-4PM | Member: $451 Non-member $563 |
| CIT (entered grade 8 & 9 9AM-4PM | Member: $350 Non-member: $492 |
| Late Care-5 days 4-5PM | Member: $28 Non-member: $34 |
For teens entered 8th and 9th grades, the Counselor in Training (CIT) program helps teens grow as positive role models, working with staff and young campers to develop leadership and responsibility. New CITs will interview with Camp Leadership in late spring.
Weekly pricing:
$350 Member
$492 Non-member
Extended camp day care is available for all ages.
Weekly Rate: $28 Members, $34 Non-members
Echo Hill Summer Camp FAQ
Yes, the YMCA offers summer camp in Echo Hill Park this year!
The YMCA Echo Hill Park camp is located in the park on a beautifully wooded campus offering the best environment for learning about nature. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for shelter from rain and extreme temperatures!
YMCA Echo Hill summer camp is a unique camp program and a powerhouse partnership between the YMCA and the County Parks & Recreation Division, bringing together two incredible teams to create the best nature-based camp experience in the area. It truly is the best of both worlds:
- County environmental experts sharing their deep knowledge of nature, wildlife, and ecosystems
- YMCA’s high-energy youth leaders delivering fun, teamwork, confidence-building, and unforgettable camp moments