YMCA Camp Thunderbird

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Lake George with beach

Overview

Voted one of the “Best Day Camps in Richmond”, YMCA. Established in 1966, YMCA Camp Thunderbird boasts breathtaking natural beauty while providing a structured camp environment full of all the amenities a camper could ever want. One hundred acres of pristine woods encompass six-acre Lake George and many camp attractions including swimming pools, rustic cabins, adventure courses, trails and more! Over the years, camp has grown to include extreme and adventure activities geared towards school-aged campers and their families.
Location

Located off of Courthouse Road in Chesterfield County and backs right up to Pocahontas State Park.

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Check Out Our ACTIVITIES

Camp Thunderbird is a place where campers have fun and parents find an environment that will help their children grow in spirit, mind, and body. Our activities are designed to provide campers with an exciting, safe, and enriching summer experience that is appropriate to their age, interests and abilities. DISCOVER YOUR BEST SELF this summer at Camp Thunderbird Day Camp!

Camp Arts: creative arts, camp songs & skits, music, drama and dance
Outdoor Education: outdoor education, hiking, fort building, fishing
Sports: court sports, volleyball, field sports, swimming
Character Development: character bead necklaces, reading, devotions, opening/closing council, leadership development
Adventure: canoeing, alpine tower, giant swing, dual zip lines, aqua zip line, biking, marksmanship, archery, STEM, low ropes
Open Activities: gaga ball, backyard games, themed unit activities, 9 Square, Jewel Pit

Camp Thunderbird is only open to program participants and groups that are pre-approved on campus. We do not currently offer use with a YMCA membership.

Camp walking back across bridge from zip line at YMCA Camp Thunderbird

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HELP STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY

By becoming a monthly Impact Maker donor, you will help ensure the Y remains a place where everyone in our community can belong and thrive today, tomorrow and into the future.

With a recommended minimum monthly donation of $10, you can help provide a child with life-saving swimming lessons, connect a senior to health-promoting social and physical activities and offer families safe, engaging after-school childcare.

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Our Story

Established in 1966, YMCA Camp Thunderbird boasts breathtaking natural beauty while providing a structured camp environment full of all the amenities a camper could ever want. It is located off of Courthouse Road in Chesterfield County and backs right up to Pocahontas State Park. One hundred acres of pristine woods encompass six-acre Lake George and many camp attractions including swimming pools, rustic cabins, adventure courses, trails and more! Over the years, camp has grown to include extreme and adventure activities geared towards school-aged campers and their families.

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tour The facility

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Alpine Climbing Tower

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Alpine Climbing Tower with young girl

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Aqua Zip with camper

YMCA Camp Thunderbird outdoor swimming pool

YMCA Camp Thunderbird climbing wall with camper on wall

YMCA Camp Thunderbird with counselor helping two campers put bait on hooks to fish

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Alpine Tower with climber

YMCA Camp Thunderbird outdoor swimming pool with four campers jumping into pool

Lodge and meeting space at YMCA Camp Thunderbird

YMCA Camp Thunderbird Zip Line with child

YMCA Camp Thunderbird with three campers fishing at lake

YMCA Camp Thunderbird opening ceremony with counselor and campers on stage

YMCA Camp Thunderbird markmanship with two campers

YMCA Camp Thunderbird with campers boating in canoes

YMCA Camp Thunderbird camp bus with campers lining up to load bus home

YMCA Camp Thunderbird opening council with counselor raising hand

YMCA Camp Thunderbird with four young boys fishing at lake

YMCA Camp Thunderbird zip line with camper on the line

YMCA Camp Thunderbird opening council with campers yelling in group

EXPLORE OUR
CAMP PROGRAMS

EXPLORERS

For Rising Kindergarten – Rising 5th graders

Our Day Camp program offers a traditional outdoor summer camp day experience! Our trained and certified staff will work with each child in a small group setting. They will build relationships, foster a sense of belonging and create opportunities for each of our campers to achieve and learn. We offer a wide range of outdoor specialty activities and focus on character development. Every week has a fun and exciting theme with an educational focus and exciting twist.

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EDGE

For rising 6th – 10th graders

The Camp Edge program takes the traditional day camp experience and magnifies the opportunities even more! This year, our teen campers will be participating in all camp activities, as well as having specific leadership curriculum time throughout each week. Our specialists design activities that are geared for teens! Counselors build a sense of belonging, achievement and relationships in small groups to help campers feel like part of the camp family!

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LEADERS IN TRAINING (LITs)

For rising 9th – 10 graders

The Leaders in Leadership Training (LIT) program is a one-week experience at Camp Thunderbird that is designed to teach and inspire rising 9th and 10th graders. The Leaders-In-Training program gives campers an opportunity to grow into their leadership and learn what it takes to become a camp counselor! Campers will shadow summer camp staff, participate in small groups and engage in all the activities that Thunderbird has to offer. Curriculum includes hands-on training experiences and professional development workshops. Participants will learn basic safety, group facilitation, games, camp best practices and engage in activities that provide valuable employment skills, healthy relationships and opportunities to lead. Transportation is offered from our off-site locations.

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EVERYBUDDY CAMP

For 8-15 years old

EveryBuddy Unit offers children with diverse abilities a traditional day camp experience while in a breathtaking natural setting. Campers are included within traditional day camp groups and offered a lower staff to child ratio (1:3). The goal is to help campers interact with their peers, learn new skills and to even prepare them to continue in our traditional day camp program. For all inquiries for this program, please contact the Thunderbird office. Online registration is not available for EveryBuddy.

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TRANSPORTATION

YMCA Camp Thunderbird is truly a unique experience and we want to serve as many kids as possible. We provide bus stops throughout the Greater Richmond Community.

Atlee Branch Library Bus Stop Info	Bon Air Baptist Church Bus Stop Info	Clark Springs Elementary (Formerly Downtown YMCA) Bus Stop Info	Woodlake Methodist United (Formerly Swift Creek YMCA) Bus Stop Info
Millworks Bus Stop Info	Shady Grove Family YMCA Bus Stop Info	Maybuery Elementary (Formerly Tuckahoe YMCA) Bus Stop Info

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