The excitement is building—Camp Echo’s 2025 registration season is about to kick off, and there’s a new twist this year: Youth Camp and Family Camp registration are now combined! With one streamlined process, you’ll be able to apply for all programs on the same dates. The Early Registration Lottery opens December 3 and runs until noon on December 10, followed by Open Enrollment starting January 7. Here’s everything you need to know to sign up!

Early Registration Lottery (December 3-10 at noon):

The Early Registration Lottery kicks off on Tuesday, December 3, and runs until noon on December 10. This 8-day window allows campers to apply for all Youth and Family Camp programs without the stress of first-come, first-served. Both returning and new campers can submit applications anytime during this period.

Lottery Tips for all applicants: 

• Youth Camp: Rank up to six programs in order of preference. Indicate whether the camper should be enrolled in one or two programs. Staff will prioritize enrolling all applicants in one program before processing requests for the second program.
• Family Camp: Rank up to 3 sessions, 3 cabin sizes.
• Popular Sessions: Youth Camp sessions 4 and 5 as well as Family Camp Holiday Weekend Sessions 1 and 6 tend to fill quickly. Be sure to list these first if these are your top choices.
• Maximize Options: The more program options and session preferences you provide, the more chances you’ll have to secure an ideal spot.
• Additional Considerations: Use the “other considerations” field on the application to share requests such as sibling session alignment.

For Teen Program + Adventure Trip applicants: 

• Session Priority: If session timing is most important, list different programs within that session (e.g., for a rising 11th grader in Session 4: Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking, Counselor In Training, Voyagers @ Birches).
• Program Priority: If a program is most important, list it in multiple sessions (e.g., Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking in Sessions 1, 3, and 4).
• Multiple Programs: Rank options by priority, e.g., Georgian Bay Sea Kayaking as the top priority, followed by Counselor In Training in different sessions.

Note: Campers cannot be enrolled in two trips or two Leader/Counselor In Training sessions during early registration, but they may enroll in one trip and one leadership program. 

How the Lottery Works: 

Once the lottery window closes, Camp Echo staff will organize applications into three buckets to ensure a fair process:

• Returning 2024 campers and their younger siblings get first priority.
• Current McGaw YMCA members are next.
• Everyone else follows.

From there, staff will randomly order each group and assign first-choice programs where possible. As programs fill, staff will move down a camper’s list of preferences, enrolling them in the first available program and automatically adding them to the waitlist for the higher preferences.

To prepare for registration, visit the Register for Camp webpage.

Open Enrollment (Begins January 7):

If you miss the Early Registration Lottery, don’t worry! Open Enrollment begins on January 7, and this is a first-come, first-served registration opportunity. After January 7, the application will remain open throughout the youth and family camp season.

Get ready for an unforgettable 2025 at Camp Echo!  

For more information on session dates and rates for both Youth and Family Camp programs, visit the Dates & Rates webpage. 

To view Youth Camp programs by grade level, session number, or program name, visit Programs at a Glance.