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Looking for ways to energize your students? Are you looking for unique, engaging activities that compliment the classroom? Do you want to reward them for a job well done? A field trip to YMCA Camp Hanes is the answer! Let our staff lead lessons for students of all ages and abilities. We offer hands-on classes that tie in directly with classroom lessons, develop teamwork skills, build self-esteem, and they’re fun.

Program Mission

  • Provide a hands-on, safe, and fun educational experience in a unique environment.
  • Strengthen the relationship between students and between teachers and students.
  • Teach lessons that enhance the North Carolina curriculum.
  • Promote a greater sense of independence and respect.
  • Enable and encourage students to understand and experience the relationships between themselves and the natural environment.

Questions? Contact Riley Crisp at r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org

Planning A Trip

Check out our sweet brochure to answer some basic questions about planning a trip: Spring and Fall Programs Brochure

Trip Planning FAQ's

The rate of our trips depends on the length of time you wish to spend at camp and if you plan on having meals in our dining hall or bringing your own food. All overnight trips include all the meals from Lunch on day of arrival through breakfast on day of departure, and evening activities.

Outdoor Education Packages 2024

Students

Chaperones

Three days and two nights

$126

$63

Two days and one night

$86

$43

Day trip with lunch

$38

$19

Day trip without lunch

$26

$13

 

Teachers and school staff attend at no cost and financial scholarships are available.

Our meals are served in our camp dining hall, and our menu includes many kid friendly and healthy options. We do serve our meals family style with 10 people at a table.

An example meal might be pancakes and bacon for breakfast, pizza and tatter tots for lunch, and spaghetti with garlic bread and green beans for dinner. If your student doesn't want any of that we also have other options! For breakfast we have a self-serve fruit and yogurt bar, cereal bar, and toast station which is turned into a salad bar and sandwich station during lunch and dinner.

Camp Hanes is a peanut and tree nut free facility, and we are able to serve individuals with dietary restrictions. Please let us know any restrictions two weeks prior to your trip.

"There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing."

We ask that you check the weather (King, NC is our closest town) as your trip gets closer and please have participants come prepared. We do not cancel or move trips unless the weather is too dangerous to continue, or travel is deemed unsafe by the school.

Yes! A school is able to select their own classes and activities to fit their trip requirements. Check out our Trip Leader Packet at the bottom of this page for a full list of classes and more information.

Some things to keep in mind:

  • Water activities are only available during May, June, August, and September, and dates are limited
  • Zipline and other high ropes elements are only available to overnight trips
  • We do not book day trips on Thursday or Friday 

If you are interested in booking a trip, please fill out our Outdoor Education Interest Form, or contact Riley Crisp at r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org 

Why should your school utilize YMCA Camp Hanes?

We offer your students hands-on classes that complement your curriculum based on the North Carolina State Standard Course of Study for Education. Our program balances academics and recreation so your students can learn and enjoy outdoor activities. The time at YMCA Camp Hanes allows students to see each other in a different setting that promotes and encourages cooperation, teamwork, and understanding of one's own abilities and potential. Teachers have the opportunity to evaluate students’ strengths and areas where improvements can be made in a non-graded, learning experience. Whether your group is 20 students or 120, for one day or a whole week, bring your lunch or have hot meals prepared for you. At YMCA Camp Hanes, the possibilities are endless!
 
“Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in everyone’s self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depend upon it.” -Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Typical Schedule

Typical Schedules
Day One   Day Two  
10:00am Arrive/Move in 7:45am Pack up cabins
10:30am Orientation 8:00am Breakfast
11:00am Large group games/
chaperone meeting
9:00am 5th class
12:00pm Lunch 10:15am 6th class
1:00pm 1st class 11:30am Rec Time
2:15pm 2nd class 12:00pm Lunch
3:30pm 3rd class 1:00pm Depart
4:45pm 4th class    
6:00pm Dinner    
7:10pm Evening activity/ Campfire    
9:30pm Head to cabins    


 
 

Two night schedule allows for more time at the zip line and teambuilding, as well as the ability to participate in Matrix, Alpine Tower, Climbing Wall and our Mountain Hike.

Day One   Day Two   Day Three  
10:00am Arrive/Move In 8:00am Breakfast 7:45am Pack up cabin
10:30am Orientation 9:00am 5th class 8:00am Breakfast
11:00am Group games 10:15am 6th class 9:00am 11th class
12:00pm Lunch 11:30am Rec time 10:15am 12th class
1:00pm 1st class 12:00pm Lunch 11:30am Lunch
2:15pm 2nd class 1:00pm 7th class 1:00pm Depart
3:30pm 3rd class 2:15pm 8th class    
4:45pm 4th class 3:30pm 9th class    
6:00pm Dinner 4:45pm 10th class    
7:30pm Evening activity 6:00pm Dinner    
9:30pm Head to cabins 7:30pm Campfire    
Day Trip   
9:00 am Arrival/Orientation
9:15 am 1st Activity
10:20 am 2nd Activity
11:30 am Lunch
12:30 pm 3rd Activity
1:30 pm 4th Activity
2:45 pm Departure

A day trip does not allow for zip line, or high ropes activities and can not be booked on a Friday.

Packing List

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a handy guide to outline what to bring. By no means is this a requirement list — only suggestions to make your stay at YMCA Camp Hanes more comfortable.

Packing List
Bedding: 
Sleeping bag or twin fitted sheet and blanket Pillow and pillowcase 
 
Toiletries:
Toothpaste and toothbrush Soap and shampoo Bath towel and washcloth Brush or comb Deodorant Sunscreen and bug spray (weather dependent) 
 
Clothing: 
We suggest older, casual play clothes marked with the student’s name. 
Spring/ fall: 
One pair of pajamas 
Two pairs of shoes (one pair that can get muddy) 
Daily change of socks and underwear
Heavy and light shirts 
Warm jacket and sweater 
Raincoat and boots 
Two or three pairs of jeans/trousers 
Winter: 
Additional socks (wool preferred) 
Long underwear 
Toboggan or beanie 
Gloves or mittens 
Boots Winter coat with hood or scarf 
 
Optional: 
Water Bottle 
Binoculars 
Compass 
Pens/Pencils and notebook 
Flashlight 
Books and games 
Money (only if visiting camp store) 
 
Do Not Bring: 
Electronic Devices (phones, tablets, MP3 players, etc.) 
Food or gum 
Weapons (including pockets knives) 
 
YMCA Camp Hanes is not responsible for any damaged or lost items. 

Teacher Guide

Before visiting YMCA Camp Hanes, most teachers and chaperones have questions about procedures and other day-to-day operations of the program. We have developed a Teacher/Chaperone Responsibilities information sheet to help your visit be the best experience ever.

Contact Riley Crisp at r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org with further questions or to schedule your trip.

Click here for the Trip Leader Packet

  • Camp staff will provide an orientation of the facility and program upon your arrival at Camp. Should any questions arise, please ask one of the staff. We want the experience to be enjoyable and positive for you as well as the students.  
  • Camp Hanes is an alcohol and tobacco free facility. We ask that all visitors please refrain from using these products while on camp property.
  • We ask chaperones to be with students at all times. Students are not permitted to be in any buildings, including cabins, or out on the camp unless accompanied by a chaperone or a teacher.
  • The camp staff will be present to assist in making your activities run smoothly and successfully and will provide the foresight and resources needed. Teachers and chaperones are expected to be directly involved in the supervision and implementation of all activities since one of our objectives is to create closer teacher/student relationships. This will also ensure the safety of all students as well as preserving camp property.
  • During recreation time, we ask that the chaperones supervise the students so that our staff can set up for evening activities. We have a lower soccer field, volleyball nets, basketball courts, and gaga pit that the students may utilize.
  • At the end of each evening’s program, teachers and students will return to their cabins. Once students are back in the buildings, please keep them inside.
  • Brooms and dustpans are found in each cabin and the dorms. Students are responsible for keeping the living areas clean and tidy. Each cabin or sleeping room should be swept before a group leaves the facility.
  • Students are not permitted to make or receive phone calls unless under previous arrangement with the teacher or in the event of an emergency.
  • Coffee is always available to you in the dining hall. Please feel free to help yourself or ask the kitchen staff for assistance if necessary.
  • We would like every teacher and chaperone to evaluate our program and facilities at the end of your stay. We ask that you keep a critical eye on the activities and facilities to help us improve.

Our Mission: "Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body."