YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel - Hamden, Connecticut

YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel: A Nature-Focused Children's Camp

Nestled in the heart of Hamden, Connecticut, YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel offers a unique and enriching experience for children, focusing on their physical, emotional, and social development in a serene, nature-filled environment. Located at 2705 Downs Rd, Hamden, CT 06518, United States, this non-profit organization is dedicated to providing a safe and engaging space for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Facilities and Amenities

Spanning over 250 acres, YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel boasts an impressive array of facilities designed to cater to various activities and needs. Some of the key features include:

• Swimming Pool: A popular attraction among visitors, the swimming pool offers a refreshing escape during the summer months, with swimming lessons and free swim sessions available.
• Basketball Courts: The camp's sports facilities encourage physical activity and teamwork, with basketball courts available for use.
• Hiking Trails: With its extensive grounds, YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel offers beautiful hiking trails that allow visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors.
• Accommodation: The camp provides comfortable and secure accommodation options, ensuring a pleasant stay for campers and visitors alike.

Specialties and Programs

The camp specializes in children's programs, offering a variety of activities and experiences tailored to different age groups and interests. Some of the key specialties and programs include:

• Summer Camp: A popular choice among families, the summer camp program offers a fun and engaging environment for children to learn, grow, and make lasting memories. With daily swim time, including lessons and free swim, children can develop their swimming skills while enjoying the water.
• Nature-Based Activities: YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel takes full advantage of its picturesque location, offering a range of nature-based activities that help children connect with the natural world and learn about the environment.
• Sports and Games: The camp's sports facilities allow children to participate in various games and activities, fostering physical development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Opinions and Testimonials

YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel has received positive feedback from visitors, with an average rating of 4.4/5 from 26 reviews on Google My Business. The camp is praised for its beautiful property, well-maintained facilities, and dedicated staff. Some of the highlights from the reviews include:

• The camp's picturesque location, with beautiful hiking trails and stunning fall foliage providing an idyllic backdrop for seasonal walks and outdoor activities.
• The swimming pool, which is highly regarded for its cleanliness and suitability for swimming lessons and recreational swimming.
• The camp's staff, who are commended for their professionalism, dedication, and ability to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for children.

One parent shared, 'My daughter (8 years old) has been attending summer camp at Mt. Laurel for three years. She loves it, especially the daily swim time (lessons and free swim). Great counselor and staff. Couldn't be happier.' This testimonial highlights the camp's commitment to providing a positive and enriching experience for children, with a focus on safety, fun, and skill development.

Contact Information

To learn more about YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel and its programs, visitors can call 2035352569 or visit the cccymca.org website. The camp welcomes inquiries and is eager to help families find the perfect program for their children.

👍 Reviews of YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel

Andres A.

5/5

What a beautiful piece of property. Perfect for an autumn walk to see the fall foliage. The facility has a swimming pool, basketball courts and more. As you walk through various paths you are at one with nature. Nice job YMCA!

magdalena V.

5/5

Very nice place! I take my swimming lessons here.

Nicole V.

5/5

My daughter (8 years old) has been attending summer camp at Mt.Laurel for three years. She loves it, especially the daily swim time (lessons and free swim. Great counselor and staff. Couldn't be happier.

Lisa D.

1/5

We had a truly terrible experience with this camp -- low counselor to student ratios, a wide mix of youth counselors, including some who didn't seem to really enjoy being around kids, unrefrigerated lunches (despite them saying to NOT pack ice packs because they would refrigerate them and despite a follow up reminder to them on subsequent days), and a pool rescue which required EMT and the kids who were around watched the entire thing. My daughter is still scarred from the experience. I spoke up to the staff and got nowhere, which made me wonder if they actually saw it as a problem... since then, I've talked with several parents who said "yeah, it doesn't have a great reputation". I wish I had known that before sending my kiddos.

J. A.

2/5

Okayest camp ever. The kids are outside 100 percent of the day, even in the rain. They get sunburn on sunny days and spend the whole day under the pavilion on rainy days. The kids didn't like the grunts, growling, and sighs of the counselors. One of the counselors was heard complaining about "the stupid kids". They're not evil or dangerous, just not great.
My kids really enjoyed the Hamden Green Dragons camp and the Meriden Boys and Girls Club camp, but came home complaining about "hating" YMCA Camp Mountain Laurel.

Olivia

4/5

This is a really awesome camp, with constant activities. The have a swimming pool, a climbing wall, a zip line and ropes corse, trails and hiking, a field, a pavilion for lunch, and awesome staff. You do have to pack a lunch, though. There is post care, too, if needed.

Anthony S.

5/5

When I was a little boy I went to this YMCA I have nothing but fantastic memories it was a wonderful time camping out staying over swimming in the indoor pool arts and crafts I wish those days would come back again this YMCA is a fantastic place send your children when not in school

Be H.

5/5

The hike I took is in the Naugatuck State Forest, Mt Sanford block. The trail from Downs Rd to Naugatuck SF is on the east side of Camp Laurel. (Note: stay on the trail and outside of Camp Laurel, which is private property). Hiking in Naugatuck SF is always enjoyable. There are many miles of trails, most of which are not on the official map. The forest joins up to other hiking areas including the Brooksvalle open space, the Quinnipiac trail, etc.