Camp Echo

McGaw YMCA

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Camp Echo Home / Aquatics

Aquatics

Camp Echo lies on the shore of Ryerson Long Lake and owns about 40% of the shoreline. Camp Echo offers a variety of aquatic activities including swimming, sailing, boating and canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing, and tubing. Aquatic safety is paramount at camp. All aquatic activities are lifeguarded at a ratio of 10:1, based on ACA standards and all campers complete a swim evaluation. Please read more information below about the swim evaluation, program-specific requirements and swim lessons.

Swim Evaluation
Campers have a swim evaluation as part of their orientation and tour of camp on the first days of each session. Blue (exceptional) swimmers must swim six lengths of the swim area (about 240 yards), jump into deep water, tread water for one minute, and then tread and/or float for nine additional minutes. White (intermediate) swimmers must complete the same evaluation as Blue swimmers, except that they swim four lengths (about 160 yards instead of six lengths). Red is our beginner swimmer classification. We urge timid swimmers and those who may need stroke improvement to take lessons prior to camp at their local YMCA.

Swim colors will be posted on your Camp-In-Touch account under the ‘News’ section. If you have questions please email Anna at annav@mcgawymca.org

Swim Ability Requirements
At times, participants in Leadership, Wilderness, and Adventure Trip programs swim in lakes and rivers away from camp. Any teen unable to achieve the White level during evaluation must understand that their swimming activities will be restricted in those locations. Additionally, all participants wear a lifejacket while boating or swimming in any body of water with an undesignated swimming area.

We expect all participants on water-based Adventure Trips to qualify as Blue swimmers. Please email Charlie at charless@mcgwaymca.org if you anticipate a problem.

Swim Lessons
Campers spend most of their time on Camp Echo’s peninsula, surrounded by water, and many activities are water-based. As a YMCA camp located on a lake, we have long advocated for water safety. Participants not able to achieve the Blue swimmer level are required to take swim lessons as one of their Camptivities. There are opportunities to repeat the evaluation throughout the session and campers are switched into new Camptivities if appropriate. Note: Campers must be Blue or White swimmers to participate in Water Skiing, Sailing, Boating & Canoeing & Paddle Boarding.

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    Evanston (Oct-May):
    1000 Grove St,
    Evanston, IL 60201
    (P) 231-924-7076
    (F) 847-475-1764
     
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    3782 S Triangle Tr,
    Fremont, MI 49412
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    (F) 847-475-1764

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