YMCA Camp Cherokee

YMCA Camp Cherokee is a premier residential summer camp located in Clover, South Carolina, offering a diverse range of programs designed to create unforgettable camp experiences for children ages 5-12 and rising 8th graders. The camp features nine weekly sessions running from June 1 through August 2, 2025, with a special First Timer’s Weekend (May 23-25) designed specifically for campers with little or no residential camp experience. This introductory weekend allows new campers to experience the YMCA Camp Cherokee is a premier residential summer camp located in Clover, South Carolina, offering a diverse range of programs designed to create unforgettable camp experiences for children ages 5-12 and rising 8th graders. The camp features nine weekly sessions running from June 1 through August 2, 2025, with a special First Timer’s Weekend (May 23-25) designed specifically for campers with little or no residential camp experience. This introductory weekend allows new campers to experience the full camp atmosphere—including water activities, land activities, evening programs, and authentic cabin life—without committing to a full week, making it an ideal entry point for hesitant first-timers. Beyond the introductory offerings, YMCA Camp Cherokee provides comprehensive traditional adventure programming with an impressive array of activities spanning water sports (swimming, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, diving, fishing), land-based activities (hiking, archery, riflery, rock climbing, horseback riding), creative pursuits (drama, music, arts & crafts, ceramics), and recreational games (soccer, sports, capture the flag, dodgeball, frisbee golf, roller skating). The camp also features a Counselor In Training (CIT) program running for 3-week periods, providing leadership development opportunities for older campers interested in developing mentoring and counseling skills. The camp emphasizes character development, global community building, and creating a diverse camper population drawn from across the United States. With a strong focus on residential cabin life and traditional camp values, YMCA Camp Cherokee is currently expanding its facilities with a new Recreation Hall featuring indoor flex program space, a health center, staff offices, and living quarters. Optional add-on adventures include horseback riding ($115/session), rock climbing expeditions to Crowders Mountain ($60/session), and a Session Bridge Program ($100) for extended experiences.