Our Mission

The Mission of the South Mountain YMCA is to provide a camping experience, educational and other programs that build personal leadership, character and life skills while developing caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in young people, families and communities.

South Mountain YMCA Camps Welcomes All!

A cause-driven YMCA Camp and Conference Center is led by staff and volunteers who intentionally strive to promote an inclusive organizational culture that values diversity, strengthens inclusion, and builds a global community in the U.S. and abroad.  At the South Mountain YMCA Camps, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, gender, income, faith, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background feels welcome and has an opportunity to participate in our programs and camp community.
We believe:

• Our staff and volunteers should be welcoming, nurturing, determined, genuine, and hopeful for each and every visitor to our campus

• Every person shares the potential to grow in wisdom, to discover their unique and independent voice, to nurture others and to engage their communities

• The fun and challenging programs we offer foster communication, trust, problem-solving and deeper spiritual connections, while preparing young people to lead and be led

• Our programs, volunteer opportunities, and are “for all”

The South Mountain YMCA Camps, operating as an independent YMCA Camp and Conference Center since 1983, has been providing youth recreational and educational programs for over 60 years (previously under the direction of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County). Camp Conrad Weiser and Bynden Wood Day Camp provide the primary backdrop for all activities, however program opportunities today stretch into areas of Outdoor Education and Environmental Education Programs, Curriculum Training, Corporate Conferencing, Kindred Group Retreats, Church Retreats, Parent/Child Programs, and more.

The YMCA serves over 8,500 individuals annually with participants largely drawn from the local area and surrounding communities. Our summer campers come from Pennsylvania, our neighboring states, and more than a dozen other countries.