CAMP WOOD YMCA is a precious gem of the Kansas Flint Hills. Where else can you experience the many treasures offered by the Tallgrass Prairie. Situated on 630 acres of native grassland, Camp Wood is bordered on the north by the Cottonwood River, with our 19 acre lake providing many of our recreational and educational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. We are within ten miles of the Z-Bar Ranch/Tallgrass Prairie Preserve of the National Parks system and historic Cottonwood Falls.
We are a year round facility open to any groups to utilize our property. Groups are welcome to stay just for the day or come for several days. We have many different housing options from rustic cabins, a log cabin, lodge rooms, and two Stone Family Cabins. We also offer different activities including teambuilding, swimming, archery, canoeing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, hiking, fishing, basketball, volleyball, baseball, frisbee golf, and many more. Our newest addition to activities is our Alpine Tower, a 50 foot climbing tower.
We have hosted many different groups including local colleges Residence Assistant's teambuilding retreats, board meetings, girl night out campouts, weddings, Girl Scout Mother/Daughter weekends, Boy Scout campouts, church retreats, High School Student Council Teambuilding retreat, and a fraternity new member orientation.
FACILITIES
JONES LODGE is the heart of Camp Wood YMCA, housing the office, dining hall, kitchen and lodging for up to 23 people. The dining hall is spacious enough to serve you and 150 other friends. A large native limestone fireplace, cozy alcove, and piano, add warmth and atmosphere to the dining area. The alcove is a perfect spot for a small group discussion or family activity such as a movie marathon. (TV-VCR unit is available upon request.) This facility is heated, air conditioned, and has it's own restroom and shower facilities.
Our roomy kitchen is fully equipped with industrial appliances, cookware, and utensils. It can be rented on a per day basis, which allows you the opportunity to cook for your own group, or Camp Wood can provide menu choices and well balanced meals as quoted on the price list.
THE BUNKHOUSE: What would a trip to the Flinthills be like without staying in your very own log cabin. The bunkhouse is a duplex made out of Ponderosa Pine logs which give an essence of nature while providing a state of the art facility. The Camp Wood bunkhouse has many of the amenities of home with heating/air conditioning, independent shower and bathroom facilities, along with natural wood-framed bunk beds that can sleep up to sixteen of your friends on either side. Previous residents find that the community orientated arrangement within the bunk house provides a perfect atmosphere for reflection over the days activities, with the occasional late night chat between friends. (Total occupancy, 32)
Our RUSTIC CABINS are a mainstay of the Camp Wood experience and are popular among families and youth alike. These quaint sleeping cabins provide comfortable lodging for up to nine family members, friends, or co-workers. With screened doors and large windows open, air free flows through the cabins, allowing you to almost hear the voices of seasons past. The cabins are serviced by communal shower and restroom facilities and are not heated or air conditioned. But are the perfect spot for the adventurous soul.
HUTCH HALL CHAPEL is ideally located on top of the hill next to Jones Lodge. With native limestone walls graced with many paned windows and a cathedral ceiling, the rugged nature of the building is ideal for groups large or small. With seating for up to 200 guests, groups may find the multi-purpose stage area useful for presentations, theater productions, weddings, or lectures. This facility is not winterized.
The STONE is a quaint family cabin made of native limestone and is now available for use. It's the perfect place to get away and read a book, or gather with family or friends and relax, while escaping your busy schedules. This cabin, which can sleep up to six, is heated and air conditioned and includes a fully furnished efficiency kitchen-living space combination and one bedroom with shower and restroom facilities. It is graced with a large screened in front porch, complete with porch swings, a wonderful spot to watch the sunrise.
Stone II is a quaint family cabin faced with native limestone. It is a newly constructed, heated and air-conditioned facility to match the older stone cabin. This cabin comes with two bedrooms with queen beds, a combination living room / kitchen, bathroom, shower and of course a front porch. As with the Stone all that is needed is your food and clothes.
The HEALTH CENTER houses our nursing staff during summer residence camp. The rest of the year this comfortable bungalow provides the perfect space for a family get-away or a small group retreat. Up to six people can enjoy this living space with an efficiency kitchen and full bath.
RV and tent camping space is also available.
In addition to the variety of housing choices at Camp Wood YMCA there are many other features available for visitors.
These include: * Three fire rings THE QUAD, a large open area within the perimeter of the rustic cabins and Jones Lodge, is enhanced with a fire ring and benches for those late night campfires and ghost stories.
HI-Y, the highest point on camp, provides a campfire and amphitheater seating perfect for sing alongs and skits.
THE OUTDOOR CHAPEL, is nestled on a side hill with a limestone staging area and fire ring. The terraced hillside is furnished with wood bench seating and the entire chapel area is graced by a canopy of large shade trees.
* Two scenic overlooks THE OVERLOOK OF FAR HORIZONS possesses a panoramic view of the Cottonwood River Valley as well as a quiet place to watch those magnificent Kansas sunsets.
THE RISING SUN OVERLOOK is the perfect place to welcome a new day as the sun comes peaking over the hills of the Tallgrass Prairie to the east.
* LAKE HALL not only provides swimming, boating, and fishing to Camp Wood visitors but has a maintained senior accessible nature trail which leads to a wildlife viewing hut with a 180 degree view of the lake and surrounding country side.