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The “Magic” of Camp Wapsie Summer Overnight programs has the power to turn the most timid child into the bravest hero. It turns a perfect stranger into the best friend you won’t want to leave at the end of the week.
Campers build lifelong skills through outdoor activities like canoeing, archery, nature hikes, and campfires. Living together and working together helps them learn social and emotional values, which are part of our core values-Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
At Camp Wapsie, our staff members are well-trained in many areas, such as homesickness, CPR, and first aid. Most of the staff are lifeguard certified. Staff take pride in guiding your children through a fun and safe week of challenging, exciting child-centered activities.
Some of the Activities Offered:
- Swimming
- Zip Line
- Guitars
- Fishing
- Burma Bridge
- Canoeing
- Archery
- Outdoor Camp Skills
- Arts & Crafts
- Team Sports
- Climbing
- Zipline(12+)
- Hiking
- Nature Study
- BB guns or .22 Riflery
- Drama
Camp Wapsie has a store on site where we sell things like pop, candy, chips, popsicles, ice cream and souvenirs. Campers get the chance to go to the store at least 2 times a day. Parents can put money in their child’s store account during registration. To add money after registration, please call the camp office. For overnight programs, we suggest up to $25 -$35. Campers will not have the option of carrying cash throughout their week of camp.
For your Wapsie Wear, we have an online store that is open 24/7-365 days. We have lots of different products to choose from. This is a great place to get your camp shirts and sweatshirts. Click here to access the online store!
Each camper who is registered for a summer program will need the following forms on file by May 1st. This includes the following:
- Health History
- Letter to My Child’s Counselor
Once filled out, please return to [email protected]
Host Your Own Can Drive for Camp
Campers can organize their own neighborhood, church, or community can drive and earn money to use toward their camp fees. It is a great way to build responsibility, practice communication skills, and take ownership of their camp experience, all while helping the environment.
We have made it simple. Families can download a printable PDF that includes:
• Step by step instructions
• Helpful tips for organizing a drive
• Ready to use scripts for asking for donations
Access all the materials and get started with these links:
Candy Sale (over for 2026)
2027 Candy Sale information will be available in the late fall. Below is what sales looked like for 2026.
2026 Camp Wapsie Candy Sale began on January 31st and ended on February 21st.
YMCA Camp Wapsie’s Annual Candy Sale is a fun learning opportunity that helps campers build lifelong skills while earning money toward their summer camp fees. Through participating, youth gain confidence, responsibility, communication skills, and money management experience, all while working toward their own camp goals.
The candy sale is open to anyone interested in attending Camp Wapsie programs. Participants in 2026 earned 45 percent credit for every case sold, which is applied directly to their camp account. Candy is checked out at designated host locations during scheduled times, with a parent or guardian completing a permission form at pickup.
We typically have candy pick up sites at Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA branches as well as one in Iowa City.
Questions can be directed to camp at 319.435.2577 or [email protected].
YMCA Camp Wapsie and the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area are committed to providing quality programs to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Financial Assistance is subsidized by the YMCA Annual Support Campaign. Click Here for the Application.
Please take time to read the family handbook for detailed information regarding coming to summer camp.
At Camp Wapsie, we believe great food is a big part of the camp experience! Our food service team focuses on Quality, Quantity, and Variety to keep campers fueled and happy throughout their stay.
Meals are typically served family-style, giving campers a chance to share, connect, and enjoy plenty to eat while learning table manners and cooperation. Throughout the week, we also mix things up with a few outdoor buffet-style meals and cookouts over the campfire, adding a fun twist to the dining experience.
Our experienced camp cooks prepare balanced, kid-friendly meals with options that fit a variety of tastes and dietary needs. We encourage campers to try the foods served at each meal—there are always several options on the table, so everyone can find something they like. Because of this variety, we don’t offer a second main option, but if a camper is unable to eat any of the foods provided, limited alternatives such as bread with sun butter or simple snacks like granola bars and fruit are available. We’ll always make sure every camper has something to eat.
Campers also take part in helping set and clear tables, learning teamwork and responsibility while we, and the leadership campers, take care of the cooking and dishes.
Campers with Food Allergies
To better accommodate campers with food allergies, we recommend that families consider registering their child(ren) for sessions held during the first few weeks of camp. During this early period, fewer allergens are typically present in the kitchen, which may help reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Please note: This is a suggestion only, not a requirement. Campers with allergies are welcome at any point in the summer, and our staff, will continue to follow strict safety protocols throughout all sessions.
At camp, we call Thursdays Special Day which is Wapsie’s way of saying theme day! Each Thursday has special activities related to the theme of the week. Wapsie transforms into another world with special events, characters and activities to help campers express their creative side. Costumes are welcome but not necessary. Weekly themes for the upcoming year are outlined through the registration process.
Summer 2027 Wapsie Adventure Trips:
We have three tiers of adventuring: Beginner (B), Intermediate (I), and Advanced (A). Beginner trips will introduce foundational principles of being in the outdoors. Intermediate trips will test the skills of the participants by experiencing the outdoors at a more involved pace. Advanced trips will challenge everything that the participants have learned in other trips, culminating in the experience of a lifetime.
Entering 8-11th Grades
Join us on a great adventure into Wisconsin’s Nicolet National Forest to white-water raft on some thrilling class II-IV rapids. With experienced guides from Wildman Adventure Resort, you will spend two days rafting on two rivers: the Menominee and the Peshtigo. After our rafting days, we will travel to Devils Lake for a day of climbing the beautiful natural rock faces left behind by glaciation millions of years ago. If you’re an intermediate adventurer looking for a high-octane experience paired with the spectacular beauty of the Northwoods, this trip is for you!
Entering 6th-8th Grades
Yellow River State Forest is a staple of the driftless region. Beautiful limestone bluffs, rolling hills, and dense deciduous forests make this area a playground for those with a desire for exploration. After a night in the front country, we will pack up and carry all of our gear and food into the wilderness to explore and experience the comforting solitude of nature. This beginner trip is the perfect introduction to backpacking and an amazing opportunity to experience teamwork, community, and rustic living.
Entering 6th-8th Grade
The natural beauty of Eastern Iowa is diverse and fascinating. With a long geological history of ancient oceans and glaciation leading to the landscape we see today, there is so much to explore. Spelunking, climbing, camping, canoeing, and tubing are all the things you can expect to get out of this beautiful tour around Eastern Iowa. Visiting Maquoketa Caves State Park as well as Backbone State Park, this trip covers a range of outdoor activities at the perfect introductory level.
Entering 8th-11th Grades
15,000 years ago, the Wisconsin Glacier deposited massive amounts of rock and earth on the ends of a deep river gorge. As the glacier melted and receded, the river gorge filled with water and created a 360-acre lake with 500-foot bluffs on 3 sides. This lake is now known as Devils Lake. As a result of its geologic history, it has the most thrilling rock climbing in the Midwest. On this trip we will adventure into this region and spend 3 days climbing some well-known routes. The intermediate rated climbs are great experiences for beginner and intermediate climbers.
Entering 8-11th Grades
NEW TRIP ALERT
These billion-year-old mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan offer some of the most astonishing views in the Midwest. Renowned for the beautiful backcountry trails and campsites, these mountains make for a perfect backpacking experience. After a day in the frontcountry, we will set out on an adventure into the Porkies for 2 nights, experiencing waterfalls, breathtaking vistas, and the joys of being surrounded by nature. So, to the intermediate adventurers with backpacking experience, let’s gear up and get out there!
Entering 9th-12th Grades
NEW TRIP ALERT
The Teton Range is one of the most well-known mountain ranges in Wyoming, offering pristine nature and lots of adventure. This two-week trip will be some of the most intense adventuring that has ever crossed the program. You will be taken to new heights in backpacking, rock scrambling, and white-water rafting.
We will road trip across the great plains to reveal the awe-inspiring Grand Teton Peak standing at 13,775 feet. After spending a few days adjusting to altitude and doing day hikes in Grand Teton National Park, we will venture into the backcountry and backpack in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, experiencing nature in its rawest form. Finally, to finish off our experience in the Tetons, we will white-water raft on the beautiful Snake River underneath the Teton Range. This trip is the pinnacle of the Wapsie Trip experience. Advanced adventurers, this one is for you.
Leadership Development Program
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN AND DUE BY NOVEMBER 15 TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF SELECTIONS
At Camp Wapsie, we believe in nurturing future leaders through our Leadership-In-Training (LIT) and Counselor-In-Training (CIT) programs. These programs are designed for campers who want to develop their leadership and counseling skills in a fun, hands-on environment. Through a combination of workshop sessions, mentoring, and opportunities to lead activities, campers gain valuable experiences that prepare them for future roles in both camp and their communities.
Program Goals
The Leadership Development Program at Camp Wapsie is designed to foster the growth of leadership and personal skills. By participating in this program, campers will:
- Increase Leadership Skills: Prepare to assume leadership roles within camp and their communities.
- Enhance Human Relations: Strengthen communication skills with campers, peers, and adults (staff).
- Develop Responsibility & Service: Cultivate a sense of responsibility and commitment to serving others.
- Boost Self-Worth: Build self-confidence and a strong sense of personal value.
- Appreciate the Natural World: Gain a deeper understanding and respect for nature.
- Improve Teaching Skills: Develop teaching abilities in areas relevant to Camp Wapsie’s programs and the YMCA’s mission.
- Foster Teamwork: Learn to live and work cooperatively within a larger community.
Specific Responsibilities
To make the most of the Leadership Development Program, participants are expected to:
- Attend Training Sessions: Participate fully in all training sessions, typically held each morning and afternoon.
- Promote Group Unity: Engage actively in group activities and support team cohesion.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Help keep all camp areas clean and organized.
- Encourage Good Conduct: Promote proper behavior during meal times.
- Assist with Program Activities: Help facilitate assigned camp activities, such as morning activities, Day Camp, and Village duties.
- Participate in Camp Activities: Join in general camp events like fire building, cooking, or leading games.
- Support Counselors and Staff: Assist counselors and other staff in assigned tasks, such as night watch or TAPS announcements.
- Help in the Lodge: Contribute to lodge duties, including doing dishes 2-4 times per week and LITs helping at tables during meals.
- Complete Assigned Projects: Take on additional projects like service work or trip planning.
- Cooperate with Camp Personnel: Work closely with camp staff to ensure the welfare of campers and camp operations.
- Lifeguard Training: CITs will participate in lifeguard training during their time at camp.
- Cabin Assistance: CITs will help manage a cabin for part of their stay.
- Follow Program Policies: Adhere to all guidelines set by the Leadership Development Program and Camp Wapsie.
LIT’s must be entering 10th or 11th grade and CIT’s must be entering 11th or 12th grade in the fall.