YMCA Camp Kirkwood
Retreats
YMCA Camp Kirkwood offers a variety of lodging and meeting accommodations to serve your group’s needs. On 195 acres with 8 cabins (112 twin-sized beds), indoor and outdoor group meeting spaces, and plenty of amazing activities, our facilities will easily accommodate your group. Rental Groups are invited to use camp between September and April.
YMCA Camp Kirkwood is happy to work with any church, civic, corporate, educational, or non-profit group whose event falls within the bounds of the YMCA mission of "helping people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body."
YMCA Camp Kirkwood is not available for individuals who want to camp or have day use. We are also unable to host family reunions or weddings.
Get Started
Click below to complete our retreat questionnaire, the first step in getting your retreat booked! Then, download and complete our Participant Liability Waiver and submit it to [email protected].
Facilities and Services
- Overnight Accommodations for Small or Large Groups
- Private Meeting Spaces
- Swimming Pool
- Tables and Chairs at No Extra Cost
- Low and High Ropes Teambuilding Course
- Food Service Options
Activities
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Archery
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BB’s
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Slingshots
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Hatchets (10yrs+)
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V-Swing
- Tree Climbing
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Power Pole
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Zipline
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High Ropes Course (10yrs+)
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Boating
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Pool (seasonal)
Teambuilding Workshops
YMCA Camp Kirkwood can offer your group a variety of team building activities that encourage growth in communication, cooperation, leadership and trust in a challenge-by-choice environment. We offer half-day, full-day, or overnight retreat trainings.
What We offer:
- Low and High Ropes Challenge Course
- Low Impact Group Games
- Fort Building
- Mountain Bikes
Rates & Frequently Asked Questions
What are overnight retreat rates?
Lodging Rates
Additional Cabin Request – $100/cabin
PLEASE NOTE: All group rentals are subject to additional cleaning fee if the cabin check-out procedure is not properly followed.
Food Service Rates
S’mores: $2
Activity Rates
Meeting Spaces
Open Activities
What are day retreat rates?
Food Service Rates
S’mores: $2
Activity Rates
Meeting Spaces
Open Activities
What do I need to consider as I plan my retreat?
Event Dates: Work with your group to determine several date options for your event. Please provide a few alternatives, in case your first choice is already booked.
Participants: Calculate how many people will attend your event.
Meals: Which meals will you want served to your group during your stay? Scheduled mealtimes are breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Facilitated Activities: Interested in facilitated programming? High ropes, archery, team building, and canoeing are examples of activities we can provide.
How do I make it official and receive a contract?
Once you have decided on your desired event dates, number of participants, meals, and facilitated activities, complete the Retreat Questionnaire Form.
One of our team members will contact you within 3 to 5 business days and work with you to design your retreat.
We will send you a contract to review, sign, and return to us. Your contract is valid for 15 days from the day it was sent to you. Return the signed contract along with your initial deposit (20% of estimated total) by due date (as noted on contract). Our receipt of your contract and deposit enters us into a legally binding agreement.
Please note: We are not able to "pencil-in" your group.
How will we be charged?
We have a 14 person minimum for retreats. You will be charged for the number of participants noted on your signed contract. Additionally, as your event nears, if your numbers increase, it is your responsibility to contact our office to ensure we can provide adequate food, sleeping accommodations, and staff for your event. If numbers increase, we will bill you for actual participants.
How do I finalize my retreat?
- How do you want your meeting space set up?
- Do you have specific audio-visual equipment needs?
- Make sure we confirm scheduled activities/programs that require YMCA Camp Kirkwood staff.
- Confirm any outdoor areas you have specific time requests for. Often multiple groups are on camp property – we will need to coordinate use of spaces!
- Send us your group info sheet for teambuilding/high ropes activities so staff can plan the day.
What are key tips for having a successful retreat?
Get the word out to your group as far in advance as possible in multiple ways. Emails, newsletters, special postcards, and phone calls are great ways to inform potential participants. Keep up the reminders. Encourage early registration.
Begin retreat planning early. Include a combination of activities, quiet and free time.
Create a lodging plan based on reservations. Remember at least one adult (preferably two) must be in each cabin/sleeping location housing teens/kids.
Combine your event registration form with a participant health form so that you have basic information in case of an emergency.
Identify a First Aid Contact for your group. YMCA Camp Kirkwood strongly recommends each group designate a group member who will be responsible for first aid and dispensing medicine for group members under 18 years old. We do not provide emergency or routine health care services for conference/retreat groups.
Remember the Waiver. If your group is utilizing any YMCA Camp Kirkwood activities, remember to provide participants with a Challenge Course Waiver, which must be signed by parent/guardian for all members younger than 18 years old.
Share information about YMCA Camp Kirkwood, including the web address, packing list and directions.
Stay in touch! Contact us with any questions or concerns you have before your event; we’ll do our best to help!
Check in with us 2 weeks before your event date to make sure everything is in order. Confirm your group’s arrival and departure times (let us know if you are coming earlier than the group).
Confirm participant numbers. Keep in mind the numbers you provide two weeks before your visit will be the minimum number of attendees for which you will be billed on your final invoice. If your count increases after you provide us with a final number, contact the office as soon as possible. We will make every effort to accommodate your group’s need for extra meals/lodging.
Make note of dietary needs. Does anyone in your group have food allergies or other special dietary requests? Our food service staff needs adequate notice to meet participant needs.
What are your retreat and conference policies?
Click here to view our Retreat and Conference Policies.
What is your cancellation policy?
Event cancellation less than 90 days away from your event will result in forfeiture of deposit. Event cancellation less than 30 days from your event will result in a charge of 50% of your estimated total. Event cancellation less than two weeks from the start of your event will result in a charge of 100% of your estimated total.
What is your inclement weather policy?
YMCA Camp Kirkwood does not cancel programming due to inclement weather unless there is a travel risk for staff and/or participants (or lightning and/or high winds for ropes and water activities). However, we do reserve the right to adjust activities due to poor weather.
