Outdoor Education

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.

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 Monica McCallum at m.mccallum@ymcanwnc.org

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.

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

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. 

• 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.