Keep The Fires Burning
Bynden Wood Day Camp
At Bynden Wood Day Camp, we aim to inspire campers going into grades 1-9 to explore a world of wonder through new outdoor experiences. Our wide range of activities, including climbing, swimming, crafts, sports, and nature exploration, is designed to ignite our campers’ curiosity and foster a love of adventure. From June through August, we organize themed weeks to keep the experience fresh and exciting for campers.
Our highly trained staff from around the world serve as passionate mentors to our campers, creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. We heavily invest in their training and development to provide the best possible experience for our campers.
Established in 1954, our summer camp may have been one of the first day camps in Berks County and was among the first to operate on an existing resident camp site.
Getting Started
Our day camp’s hours are from 7:45 AM until 5:15 PM, Monday-Friday. Drop off is between 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM, and pick up is between 4:15-5:15 PM. Families and campers are greeted each morning in front of the Bynden Wood Lodge. Those interested in extended care hours or the bus options from Reading and Wyomissing should scroll down for more information.
Campers going into grades 1-9 are grouped by age, with a 1:7 counselor-to-camper ratio and adult counselors who are 18 or older. Each day at camp is packed with a wide variety of activities. Over the course of the week, campers will have the chance to explore nature, try archery, scale our rock wall, swim in our pool, and much more.
Day Camp Daily Schedule Sample
Activities may vary by day and age group.
7:45 AM – Camper Check-In
8:40 AM – Opening Ceremony & Flag Raising
9:00 AM – Morning Activities
11:50 AM – Lunch
12:55 PM – Afternoon Activities
3:45 PM – Snack, Flag Lowering & Closing Ceremony
4:00 PM – Camper Pick-Up
Teen Day Camp Program
The Teen Day Program is designed for campers entering grades 7–9 as part of our traditional day camp experience. After registering through Traditional Bynden Wood Day Camp, teens are grouped together within their designated grade range to create a more engaging and age-appropriate experience. Every week, participants take part in classic camp activities while also enjoying added opportunities for choice, skill development, leadership growth, and special teen-focused programming, including a Friday on-site adventure. This program is designed for our teens to build confidence, independence, and strong friendships within a supportive camp community.
Looking for what’s next? Campers can take the next step as Young Adult Leaders (YALs) at Overnight Camp Conrad Weiser bringing even more leadership, challenge and fun! See the next steps in our Leadership Progression HERE
Bynden Wood Day Camp Dates and Rates Summer 2027
Every week at Byndenwood is designed to give campers the full summer camp experience with classic camp activities, new adventures, meaningful friendships, and opportunities to choose their own path. Because camp isn’t camp without the friends we make, the passions we discover, and the memories we create along the way.
One weekly price covers the camp experience. Early Care, After Care, Extended Wednesdays, lunch, two daily snacks, and all scheduled camp activities are included, so families can focus on what matters most: giving their camper an incredible summer and a community to be part of.
**Registration Deadline: Online registration closes at 12:00 PM (noon) on the Wednesday before the start of each session. If you miss the online registration deadline, you may still register by calling our office until 12:00 PM (noon) on the Friday before the session begins. We will do our best to accommodate late registrations based on availability.**
*Please Note – there is a $50 transferable, non refundable deposit due (per child & per session) at the
time of registration. Our Equestrian Day Camp is for grades 3 – 9 and requires a deposit of $250.*
Financial Aid Application
Please click link above to download form and send completed form to ycamps@smymca.org.
Please allow 3-5 business days for processing your application.
See our Parent Resources page for our refund and cancellation policy.
Day Camp Sessions 2027
Session 1
June 14 – June 18
$319
Theme – Under The Big Top
Session 2
June 21 – June 25
$319
Theme – STEM Summer!
Session 3
June 28 – July 2
$319
Theme – Wild West Gold Rush
Session 4
July 5 – July 9
$319
Theme – Around the World Adventure
Session 5
July 12 – July 16
$319
Theme – Pirtates of Bynden Wood
Session 6
July 19 – July 23
$319
Theme – Ultimate Camp Survivor
Session 7
July 26 – July 30
$319
Theme – Outer Space Adventures
Session 8
August 2 – August 6
$319
Theme – Fantasy and Fairytale
Session 9
August 9 – August 13
$319
Theme – Color Wars
Session 10
August 16 – August 20
$319
Theme – H20 Week
Horses
Equestrian Day Camp Session 1
June 14 – June 18
Grades 3 – 9
$540
Learn more
Equestrian Day Camp Session 4
July 5 – July 9
Grades 3 – 9
$540
Learn more
Equestrian Day Camp Session 7
July 26 – July 30
Grades 3 – 9
$540
Learn more
Equestrian Day Camp Session 9
August 9 – August 13
Grades 3 – 9
$540
Learn more
Equestrian Day Camp Session 10
August 16 – August 20
Grades 3 – 9
$540
Learn more
Riding Lessons
Sessions 1-10
M -F, 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM. Grades 1-9
$175/ Week – Add On
Learn more
Extended Care
All extended care is included in the cost of camp. Campers must be registered for extended care in advanced for accountability purposes.
- Before Care (7am to 8am)
- After Care (5pm to 6pm)
- Before/After Care (7am to 6pm)
- Extended Wednesdays – campers stay late for dinner and evening program. Pickup is a 8:00 PM
Bus Transportation
- Additional $85/ Week
- AM & PM transportation available. Please continue scrolling to learn more about our bussing schedule and pickup locations.
Themes at Camp
At Bynden Wood Day Camp, we use weekly themes to add variety and energy to the summer—especially for campers who join us for multiple weeks or return year after year. These themes help keep our program fresh and fun without taking away from the core camp experience.
Each week’s theme is posted below: Bynden Wood Theme Weeks. While our themes inspire new games, crafts, and activities each week, they aren’t woven into every part of the day. We’re still a traditional camp at heart—just with a creative twist.
Fridays Are Theme Days
Campers are welcome (but not required) to dress up on Fridays to match the weekly theme. Think simple and fun—nothing that will get in the way of running, climbing, swimming, or playing. Please avoid fake weapons, oversized props, or costumes that could limit movement. If we do need campers to bring anything specific, we’ll send an email at the start of the week.
What to Expect
Activities: Campers can expect special themed activities during the week—sometimes including guest performers or outside vendors.
Decorations: Camp spaces may be decorated to match the theme, helping to set the scene without requiring anything extra from home.
Optional Participation: Dressing up is entirely optional. No camper will feel left out if they choose not to. Our goal is to make theme weeks feel special, not stressful. If you have questions or your camper is unsure how to join in, reach out—we’re happy to help.
2027 Themes
Week 1: June 14–18 — Under the Big Top ($319)
Step right up and kick off summer at Byndenwood! Campers will celebrate with our big camp carnival, circus-inspired games, creative activities, and plenty of camp fun. It’s the perfect way to start the summer!
Week 2: June 21–25 — STEM Summer! ($319)
Build, create, experiment, and explore! Campers will take on hands-on STEM challenges, discover how things work, and put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test.
Week 3: June 28–July 2 — Wild West Gold Rush ($319)
Saddle up for a week of Wild West adventure! Campers will step into the boots of pioneers, cowboys, and gold seekers as they take on frontier-inspired games, challenges, and activities.
Week 4: July 5–9 — Around the World ($319)
Pack your bags and get ready to explore! Campers will travel around the world through games, activities, traditions, and adventures inspired by different places and cultures.
Week 5: July 12–16 — Pirates of Byndenwood ($319)
Ahoy, mateys! Adventure awaits on the seas of Byndenwood. Campers will join the crew to search for treasure, tackle challenges, and embrace their inner pirate.
Week 6: July 19–23 — Ultimate Camp Survivor ($319)
Could you survive in the wild? Campers will channel their inner Survivor through wilderness challenges, outdoor skills, teamwork, and problem-solving. It’s all about adapting, persevering, and thriving in the outdoors!
Week 7: July 26–30 — Outer Space Adventures ($319)
Three… two… one… blast off! Campers will journey beyond the stars through exploration, imagination, games, and discovery. Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure!
Week 8: August 2–6 — Fantasy & Fairytale ($319)
Once upon a time, there was a magical week at Byndenwood! Campers will enter a world of heroes, mythical creatures, enchanted adventures, and fairytale fun. Bring your imagination and make some camp magic!
Week 9: August 9–13 — Color Wars ($319)
Bring your camp spirit because Color Wars is back! Campers will join their teams for games, challenges, teamwork, friendly competition, and plenty of color powder. Green Team took the win in 2026 — who will claim the title in 2027? Cheer loud, work together, and show us what your team can do!
Week 10: August 16–20 — H₂O Week ($319)
Our EXTRA week of camp! Cool off with a week dedicated to all things water, featuring water games, activities, challenges, and plenty of summer fun. One more chance to make memories before summer ends!
Equestrian Camp ($540)
June 14–18 | July 5–9 | July 26–30 | August 9–13 | August 16–20
Spend the week immersed in the world of horses! Campers of all experience levels will build riding skills, learn horse care, and enjoy hands-on equine activities. Weather permitting, campers will participate in five mounted lessons and finish the week with a Friday horse show. Swim time at Byndenwood is also included.
Parent/Guardian Handbook
Surrounded by nature, Bynden Wood Day Camp’s outdoor mountaintop facility provides campers with a unique summer camp experience. Bynden Wood’s programming is based on the four core values of the YMCA (Caring, Respect, Honesty, Responsibility and Inclusion). At Bynden Wood, our staff truly believe that “Children Come First”.
Bynden Wood Day Camp Bus Schedule
Kindly remember these are estimated times dependent on daily traffic, we will do our best to arrive within a timely window of the times posted for the morning pickup and evening drop off. Times Listed have been calculated to account for estimated travel time and a 5 minute window at each stop.
Bynden Wood Day Camp
Bus Route Pick Up & Drop Off
(Limit of 42 campers per week)
Muhlenberg Middle School
801 East Bellevue Ave, Reading, PA, 19605
Morning drop off window 7:25am to 7:30am
Evening pick up window 5:06pm to 5:11pm
Central Middle School
215 North 12th Street, Reading, PA, 19604
Morning drop off window 7:56am to 8:01am
Evening pick up window 4:35pm to 4:40pm
Berkshire Mall (Boscov’s Parking Lot)
1665 State Hill Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610
Morning drop off window 8:11am to 8:16am
Evening pick up window 4:20pm to 4:25pm
If for any reason the bus is running behind (because of a late departure from camp or heavy traffic), we will do our best to notify families by email.
Lunch at Bynden Wood Day Camp
For Summer 2025
*Example Display Below*
Tours of Camp
Several of our year-round staff call South Mountain YMCA Camps home. They reside at camp and are available to provide tours of our facilities. Please contact Camp to schedule a visit to camp!
Financial Assistance
South Mountain YMCA Camps strives to serve all people regardless of their ability to pay. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to experience camp. For information about our financial assistance program and/or payment plans, please contact our camp office, or visit our Parent Resources Page.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us! 610-670-2267 or ycamps@smymca.org.
Address
South Mountain YMCA Camps
Camp & Mailing Address
201 Cushion Peak Road
Reinholds, PA 17569
GPS Coordinates
40.302203, -76.084387
N40⁰ 18.1322’, W076⁰ 5.0632’
- 610-670-5010
Follow Us on Social
