Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Camp
- What is the difference between the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center and Flat Rock River YMCA Camp?
- Are you part of any other YMCA?
- Where is the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center?
- How do I contact the camp?
- Do you have an Open House?
- How old are your campers?
- Are you an ACA accredited camp?
- What facilities are available?
- When is Check-In?
- When is Check-Out?
- How does check-in and check-out work for Mini Camp?
- What should I pack?
- What is the staff to camper ratio?
- How do you screen the staff before hiring them?
- Will my camper be guaranteed his/her bunkmate request?
- What are the sleeping and toilet arrangements?
- Can my child come for less than one week?
- What can I do to help ensure my child has a great camp experience?
- Can my child call home or can I call my child?
- I would like to send snacks. Is that okay?
- How are birthdays handled while at camp?
- Can my camper keep their medication in the cabin?
- Do religious services happen at camp?
- How is discipline handled?
- When do swim tests happen?
- How are the activities set up at camp?
- How is the food?
- How do I register my child for camp?
- When is the balance of the fees due?
What is the difference between the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center and Flat Rock River YMCA Camp?
Our Facility and the year round programs we operate (specialty weekends, group rentals, and environmental education) are known as the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center. It is our official name. Our summer camp, which has been running since 1946, is known as the Flat Rock River YMCA Camp.Are you a part of any other YMCA?
Yes, we are the camp branch of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. If your child is a member of the YMCA, he or she would qualify for the YMCA rate for summer camp.Where is the Ruth Lilly YMCA Outdoor Center?
We are located about 45 minutes southeast of Indianapolis, between Shelbyville and Greensburg, on I-74. Our site contains 240 acres of rolling fields and birch-maple forest along the Flat Rock River just outside of St. Paul. Please visit our Map to Camp for more detailed information.How do I contact the camp?
Our mailing address is: 6981 W. County Road 650 North St. Paul, IN 47272Phone: (765) 525-6730 Toll Free: (888) 828-9622 Fax: (765) 525-2265 E-Mail: rlyoc@indymca.org
Do you have an Open House?
We have two this year! Come visit us on Sunday, April 1 or April 29 from 1:00-3:00pm. Take a tour of the facilities, participate in fun activities and meet our staff.How old are your campers?
Mini Camp is a three day session for ages 7-9. Main Camp is for 8 to 15 year olds. Ranch Campers are 11 through 15. Participants in Ranch Hand or the Leadership Development Program must 15 or entering their Sophomore year of High School. WITs and CITs must be 16 or entering their Junior year of High School. Campers are put into cabin groups by age and gender.Are you an ACA accredited camp?
Yes. Every three years we voluntarily go through a visit from the staff of the American Camp Association to ensure we meet the current national standards for health and safety in camping. We are very proud of this accreditation!What facilities are available?
The camp has a ranch with 28 horses, three barns, bridal trails, riding arenas, a low ropes challenge course, 50 Alpine Tower II, basketball court, sports field, archery, BB and .22 riflery ranges, infirmary, dining hall, camp store, arts and crafts area, swimming pool, pond, river access, campsites, amphitheater, two campfire rings, a Chapel, cabins, and yurts.When is Check-In?
Sundays at 2:00pm. Families who send in all of their forms and payments prior to arrival will be able to bypass standing in any lines and use our Speedy Check system.When is Check-Out?
Parents are invited to attend our Closing Chapel at 9:00am on the last Saturday of each session. This will run until about 9:20am. Parents not wishing to attend Chapel may pick up their campers at the cabin/yurt at 9:15am. All campers must be checked out by 10:00am.How does check-in and check-out work for Mini Camp?
Mini Camp A campers will check in on Sunday at 2:00pm. Check out for Mini Camp A campers will be on Wednesday. Parents are welcome to attend Chapel at 8:45am and pick up their campers at 9:25am. Campers attending Mini Camp B will check in on Wednesday at 2:00pm. Chapel on Saturday begins at 8:45am and parents may check their campers out at 9:25am.What should I pack?
After your registration is processed, our office staff will send you a Camper Handbook. This will contain additional information about Flat Rock and a suggested packing list. This check list is available as a PDF file if you would like to print it off right now.What is the staff to camper ratio?
Our staff to camper ratio is 1:4. Cabin groups are made up of eight to ten campers. Two Counselors live with every cabin group.How do you screen the staff before hiring them?
We hire many counselors from other countries as well as counselors from all over the United States. Our Area Directors must be 21 and Senior Counselors must be 18 years old. Along with required application and three references, each employee is interviewed and required to have a completed Criminal Background check before working with children. We look for staff who model the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.Will my camper be guaranteed his/her bunkmate request?
We cannot guarantee bunk requests but we do try to keep requested bunkmates together as long as they are the same age and gender.What are the sleeping and toilet arrangements?
Mini and Main Camp girls stay in our new air conditioned duplex cabins that have bunk beds, bathrooms and electricity. Mini and Main Camp Boys live in our yurt village. The yurts also have bunk beds, a ceiling fan, and electricity. They have a short walk to their bathhouse. Ranch Campers, Challengers and our Teen Leadership campers live in wooden cabins that have bunk beds, bathrooms, carpet and electricity.Can my child come for less than one week?
Yes. Our Mini Camps offer four day/three night stays at camp for 7-9 year olds nervous about being away from home. This is a great way to introduce younger kids to YMCA resident camp. "A" sessions run Sunday to Wednesday. "B" sessions run Wednesday to Saturday.What can I do to help ensure my child has a great camp experience?
Listening and trying to understand your childs concerns are probably the best things you can do to help prepare your child. Talk with your camper about what to expect. Reading the Camper Handbook will help you have a good idea of how camp will run. Having younger children spending nights away from home is very beneficial. Finally, send mail! Campers love to get mail and know they are being thought of while they are away. Sending a letter right before your child arrives ensures your camper will receive something early in the week.Can my child call home or can I call my child?
One way parents unconsciously weaken a campers ability to be away at camp is to tell their child to call home if he or she is homesick. Though parents mean well, this is not helpful for the childs growth toward independence. Nearly all children who call home go home, rather than staying and overcoming their homesickness, because it is easier. Please do not tell your child he or she can call home. We will contact you if any situations arise for which we feel you need to be notified. You are welcome to call and talk to our staff about your child.I would like to send snacks. Is that okay?
Please do not send any food with or to your camper. This causes "sharing problems" between cabin mates and encourages critters to come inside the cabin. Time to visit the Trading Post is available every day for campers to purchase snacks and drinks.How are birthdays handled while at camp?
If your child will be having a birthday at camp, please give a note to the Senior Counselor at check-in to make him or her aware of the occasion. During one of the meals on that day, we have a ceremony called the Order of the Broom where the staff will bring your camper up in front of the dining hall to be recognized and sung to by the whole camp. In addition, our kitchen staff will provide a special treat for your campers cabin group to share.Can my camper keep their medication in the cabin?
No. All prescription and non-prescription medications and vitamins must be turned into the medical staff at check-in along with directions on how to administer them. Inhalers and epipens are the only exceptions to this policy. Parents wishing their camper to have an inhaler or epipen on their person must provide a second inhaler or epipen to be kept by the medical staff in the Infirmary.Do religious services happen at camp?
Like all YMCAs, we focus on trying to instill the four Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility in all our campers and staff. We do not offer religious services. Every meal begins with a singing and a spoken grace. Every morning we have Chapel and every night ends with a Devotion. This time is used to discuss the importance of being a person of character and strive to help each camper develop his or her own spiritual beliefs.How is discipline handled?
Campers are expected to exhibit positive behavior, respect the rights of others, and treat everyone as she or he would like to be treated. Discipline is handled in a fair, consistent manner appropriate to the behavior. If a camper behaves in such as way that his/her actions are having a negative affect on others, this individual is would meet with by the Senior Counselor, Area Director, and Program Director, often in consultation with the parent.When do swim tests happen?
Swim tests are conducted after all the campers in a cabin group have checked-in. We do this in order to ensure every camper swims in an appropriate area of the pool. Packing your campers swimsuit and towel near the top will be helpful.How are the activities set up at camp?
On Monday afternoon, Main Campers select up to six clinics to participate in during the week. These activities are instructional in nature and are held in 45 or 90 minute blocks Tuesday through Friday. Ranch Campers ride horses either in the morning or afternoon and participate in clinics the other part of the day.Days consist of these electives plus flag raising/lowering, cabin clean-up, a short siesta after lunch, cabin activities, Free Choice time, and a visit to the Trading Post. Evenings offer a variety of activities with the cabin, unit or the whole camp that start after dinner. Favorite evening events include Campfire, Capture The Flag, Brother-Sister Activities, a Social, and Counselor Hunt. Dinner on Wednesday is a cookout where cabin groups cook their meals over an open fire. Please visit the Daily Schedule page to see a breakdown of the time.
How is the food?
We are proud of the variety of food served by our kitchen staff. Each meal has varieties such as vegetarian options, salad bars, and fruit available. Meals are served family style with each cabin eating together. Campers take turns setting and clearing the table and sweeping after the meal.How do I register my child for camp?
A PDF version of the registration form is available on the Forms page. If you prefer, we would be happy to mail or fax you a copy of the registration form. A $50 deposit is required to hold a place for your child. This can be paid by credit card or check. Sessions do fill up quickly so we suggest registering your child as soon as possible. Please contact our office by e-mail or at (765) 525-6730 or toll free at (888) 828-9622 with any questions.When is the balance of the fees due?
The balance of the camp fee is due 30 days prior to your childs visit. If your deposit was paid by credit card, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to your card 30 days prior to your childs visit.
Call the Camp Office to register - 888-828-9622
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