Camp Jewell YMCA’s overnight camps are a time filled with moments of pride, fun, friendship, and self-confidence.  Parents tell us their kids gain independence; campers tell us they have a blast! At Camp Jewell YMCA we know that both of these are true—and along the way, we create amazing memories that will last your child a lifetime! These frequently asked questions are designed to answer the questions we most commonly receive from parents. We also encourage you to check out our Summer Camp Parent Handbook for additional information and we are always available via email or phone to answer any questions you might have. Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 888-412-2267  if you would like to talk with one of our staff or would like to arrange for a tour.

Can we visit camp before signing up?

Yes, we have four Open Houses each year.   All tours are led by summer and leadership staff.   If these days are not convenient for you, please feel free to call our office and set up a private tour with one of our camp staff any day of the week. For more information please click HERE.

Where is Camp Jewell YMCA located?

We are located in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut just outside of Winsted in the foothills of the Berkshires. With easy access to Route 44 and 8 we are less than an hour from Hartford and under 2 1/2 hours from both New York City and Boston. 

How do I contact camp in the summer?

You can reach us by phone 24/7 during summer camp at 888.412.2267 or by email at camp.jewell@ghymca.org

How do I stay in touch with my child while they are at camp?

We encourage letters from you as the best way of communicating with your camper. Positive, supportive letters let your camper hear from you in a constructive way. You may want to send a letter a few days prior to the session to ensure that it is received while your camper is at camp. Additionally, you can purchase email credits and write emails to your camper by clicking here Please note that due to the large number of campers, (we get over 400 emails each day), we ask that you limit your emails so that we can deliver them in a timely fashion. Emails are downloaded during the evening for printing the following morning and are distributed after lunch! Due to our policy of no electronic devices at camp Campers do not have access to email. 

Can I send a care package?

Although all campers enjoy receiving packages from home, we discourage care packages containing food items as some campers have allergies to certain ingredients and food can attract unwanted insects and animals to the cabins. Any food in packages will be taken away and returned on the closing day of that session. You can also purchase items from the camp store online and we will deliver them to your child’s cabin with a personalized note.

Can I see photos of my child while they are at camp?

Our photos hosting is provided by Waldo Photos. Each day we take several hundred photos of camp in action, we then upload those photos each night to Waldo. There is no charge to view these photos, however if you would like to download photos or participate in Waldo’s facial recognition software, a fee is applied.  However, half of this fee is put toward Camp Jewell’s Annual Campaign which helps send kids to camp! Families registered for camp will be sent an email to create an account and access photos. Please note that we take several hundred photos at camp each day and while we try to take a variety of shots not every camper will necessarily be in a photo each day.

How does my child stay in touch with me?

Campers are encouraged to reply by writing letters. We suggest that campers bring paper and pre‐ addressed stamped envelopes. With this understanding, we ask that parents work with us in ensuring that campers do not bring cell phones to camp. Your assistance is greatly appreciated in helping us enforce this policy. Possession of a cell phone will lead to automatic dismissal from camp!

Can I visit my child while they are at camp?

Parents are welcome to visit and tour on opening and closing days of each session or trip. Parents can visit if their child is staying for more than one session during holdover, however we ask that you notify our office and make arrangements prior to the day you are visiting. For security reasons, all parents must be accompanied by a camp staff member if walking around camp outside of the check in and check out times.

What is security like at camp?

Security is extremely important at camp. Our staff are in constant cont