Group Camping and Retreats

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is nestled southwest of Great Barrington in the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, surrounded by 1,000 acres of woodland and situated on 90-acre Plantain Pond. With an ideal location and superb year-round facilities, Hi-Rock has everything it takes to make group getaways productive, fun, and memorable…

Choose Your Own Adventure!

Follow these easy steps to organize your Hi-Rock experience:

Step 1: When would you like to visit?

We are open year-round to serve groups. From mid-April to mid-October, we can accommodate groups of up to 500 people. During the winter months we have 115 beds available in our cozy lodges and heated cabins. Contact  David Bjorklund at (413) 528-1227 x13 or email retreats@camphirock.org to check on availability.

Step 2: Where would you like to stay? Will you join us for dinner?

We offer a range of accommodations, from camping sites to log cabins to our spacious lodges. Meal service is included and we offer well-balanced, family-friendly meals. Vegetarian meals are available and we can accommodate specific dietary requests with advance notice. We can also provide custom menus, though some may incur an additional cost.

Step 3: What would you like to do? What are your group’s goals?

We will work with you to choose the activities that best suit your group’s goals and interests.

Team Building and Leadership-Specific Activities

  • 10-Element Low Ropes Team Challenge Course
  • 40′ High Ropes Circuit, Giant Ladder, and Trapeze
  • 35′ Climbing Wall
  • Team-building Initiatives
  • Experiential Leadership Training
  • Orienteering
  • Challenge Hikes
  • Raft Building

Activities on Our Beautiful 90-Acre Lake

  • Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Swimming
  • Sailing
  • Row Boating
  • Waterskiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
  • Raft Building
  • Fishing
  • Lake Orienteering

Land Activities

  • Archery
  • BBs
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Badge/Award Programs for Scouts
  • Specialty Crafts: Candle-making, Jewelry, Banners, Tie-dye…
  • Hiking: We have beautiful vistas on our property and access to the Appalachian Trail. Scenic, guided hikes available for all ability levels.
  • Campfires, Bonfires, Skits, and Sing-Alongs
  • Moonlit Hikes
  • Field Games: Soccer, Softball, Kickball
  • Beach Games: Volleyball, 4-Square
  • Indoor Games, Puzzles, Problem-Solving, Ping Pong, Initiatives, and More
  • Blacktop Games: Hockey, Basketball, Tennis

Winter-Specific Activities

  • Cross-Country Skiing (equipment available)
  • Sledding
  • Ice Skating (bring your own)
  • Snowshoeing (equipment available)

Activity rates vary with group size and activity. Most activities are $10 per person, per session. However, activity packages can be put together that reduce the per-activity rate. Please call or email David Bjorklund at 413-528-1227 x13 or retreats@camphirock.org for more details.

Step 4: Is there anything else we can do for you?

Here at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock, we take pride in our love of camp and our appreciation of the outdoors. We will work with you to make your retreat both successful and memorable. Every group is different and we will work creatively with group leaders and participants to tailor a retreat that will fit your budget and achieve your goals. You can always call our camp director, David Bjorklund,  at 413-528-1227 x13 or email him at retreats@camphirock.org for sample schedules and expert advice to help you design the right program for your group.

Leadership and Team Building Programs

Why participate in a Hi-Rock leadership and team building program?

Learning to be a leader is a lifelong process. The foundations of a great leader can be built early, but practice and experience allow individuals to adapt and thrive in any situation. In order to work effectively, teams must communicate efficiently and maintain an environment of mutual trust and respect. Hi-Rock Leadership and Team-Building Programs provide your group with unique opportunities to achieve your goals and learn more about each other in a fun and productive environment.

What benefits will my organization have from participating in a YMCA Camp Hi-Rock leadership and team building program?

  • Increased understanding and appreciation of individuals
  • Better communication
  • Greater trust between group members
  • Stronger leadership skills
  • A more positive work environment

Rates and Dates

Hi-Rock Group and Family Camping Programs are open year-round.   We also host volunteer weekends and special programs throughout the year. We can organize a full schedule, or let you put together your own programming. We offer excellent, family style meal service and meals are included in the rates below.

Rates

2 Nights including 5 Meals

The following rates are per person for two nights accommodation and include five meals.

  • Camp Cabins-simple wooden cabins organized into units of 4-6 cabins with separate shared bath facilities, most accommodate 12 people – $68 per person
  • Bunk Cabins– heated building with indoor bathrooms- $99 per person
  • Lodge Rate– Bear Rock Lodge or New Horizons Lodge- $104 per person.
    • Each lodge has a living room with fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD player, a dining room or kitchen and several bunk rooms. See descriptions below for further details. Photos available upon request.
    • (20 person group minimum for each lodge)

1 Night including 3 Meals

The following rates are per person for one night accommodation and include three meals.

  • Camp Cabins- $40 per person
  • Woodlands- $62 per person
  • Bear Rock or New Horizons Lodge- $68 per person

Activities are not included in the above rates. Most activities are $10 per person, per activity, but activity packages can be put together that will reduce the per-activity cost.

Lodge Descriptions

New Horizons Lodge

Situated in the heart of Hi-Rock, New Horizons Lodge can accommodate 39 people. The spacious living/meeting room overlooks the lake and the large back porch is a great gathering place. New Horizons Lodge is located close to all of the seasonal cabins and summer camp facilities. Almost all rooms have private bathrooms.  The meeting room has a ping pong table and board games available for use

Bear Rock Lodge

Bear Rock Lodge sits at the southern end of Plantain Pond and can sleep 35 people. The dining room looks out onto the water and is spacious enough to seat 100 people. The large living room features a stunning stone fireplace with ample seating. The adjoining games room has a ping pong table and board games available for use. Upstairs, nine bedrooms feature lake and wilderness views. There are large, separate male and female bathrooms as well as two additional facilities downstairs. Bear Rock Lodge is available during the summer camp season. It is located at the opposite end of the lake to our day and sleep-over camp operations with its own waterfront, fire circles, volleyball court, fields, and ranges for archery and air riflery (BBs).

Gallery

Who Comes to Camp Hi-Rock?

We are committed to serving all types of groups. Throughout the year we host schools, colleges, church groups, businesses, non-profits, outreach programs, adult organizations, and family reunions. Some recent groups include:

  • Rumsey Hall Boarding School
  • King and Lowe Heywood Thomas School
  • Berkshire Co-op
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (students and alumni)
  • University of Hartford
  • Waldorf School of Massachusetts Bay
  • Sword Family Reunion
  • YMCA Adventure Guides
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Girl Scouts of America
  • World Challenge Expeditions
  • Wilbraham United Church
  • Camp America (staff retreat)
  • Quinnipiac University

…and many more!