Focus on an area of interest during overnight camp
Campers can opt to add a specialty to their traditional overnight camp week and spend mornings immersed in the activity, developing skills and confidence. See a sample schedule for how specialty additions work with traditional camp.
You cannot register for specialty additions alone—instead, you can select a specialty during registration for traditional overnight camp. Discounts are not available for specialty additions.
Learn about transportation options to and from YMCA Camp Erdman.
- Adventure Camp. Experience the sights and thrills of the beautiful North Shore—including summiting a pillbox hike, snorkeling at Pupukea Beach paddle boarding up the Haleiwa River, bouldering at Waimea Bay Beach Park, and potentially more!
- Climbing Camp. Visit and climb at a local gym, learn the basics of knot tying and belaying, and experience the Alpine Tower and high ropes course.
- Cooking with Aloha Camp. Spend time with our food service staff to learn more about Hawaiian culture in cooking and practice your cooking skills with fellow campers. Investigate around campus to learn about the differences between our plants. Are they native, invasive, or brought by canoe, and what do these terms mean? Learn to prepare dishes, picked by campers. These include musubi, lau lau, poke, and more! End the week by creating your own meal.
- Horse Camp. Visit a local ranch to learn how to groom, tack, and ride in this introductory equestrian program—it isn’t recommended for experienced riders. The session ends with a rodeo on Thursday morning that’s sure to impress! Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. A protective helmet will be provided.
- Ike Hawaii Camp. Learn more about the history and cultural significance of Hawaii, plus gain wilderness survival skills to thrive outdoors, including building shelters and fishing pono. Throughout the week, campers visit Waimea Valley and hike Ka‘ena Point.
- Resilience Camp. Learn tools and skills to boost their mental wellness both at camp and at home. Campers will spend each morning participating in social and emotional learning activities designed to teach and develop these skills.
- Sampler Camp. Enjoy the best of everything with one morning of Surf Camp, Horse Camp, Climbing Camp and Ike Hawaii Camp. Whether you want to experience them all or are unsure which to join, this option gives you a taste of all!
- Surf Camp. Under guidance from experienced teachers at North Shore Surf Girls, participants of all skill levels learn to surf or continue to practice surfing on the waves of Chun’s Reef. Campers also learn about beach cleanups and riptides. Participants are allowed to bring their own board, but YMCA Camp Erdman holds no liability for damage to personal equipment.