# YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps

YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps is an arm of the State YMCA of Michigan which administers a pair of camps in northwestern Michigan. Started in 1904 with the founding of YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys, the organization provides year round outdoor activities. The primary focus of both camps is the summer program, which offers two to four-week, single gender camp experiences for children in 3rd through 11th grades. Other functions include outdoor education and challenge course retreats for local schools and cross-country skiing.
The arches on the veranda of the Boathouse, a building near the center of camping activity that houses waterfront activities, the camp store, a common area. The Boathouse, constructed in 1907, is the oldest standing building at the Hayo-Went-Ha and is a recognizable symbol of the camp.

## YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys

Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys lies in Central Lake Township in Antrim County, Michigan along the northeastern shore of Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan), occupying 640 acres (2.6 km$^2$) on a cape called Hayo-Went-Ha point. Founded in 1904 by the State YMCA of Michigan, the camp has operated continuously as a summer camp for boys between 4th and 11th grades. Buildings on the boys camp have been named for generous donors and past campers including Bonbright Lodge given by a Flint Industrialist, the Dow Building and the Stanley S. Kresge Lodge.

### Summer programs

The camp offers overnight programs for different age groups ranging from finished 3rd grade to 11th grade and 2 or 4 week programs. These programs will go on various trips ranging from an overnight stay in the meadow on camp property for the youngest or 3 weeks of exploring the Alaskan wilderness for the oldest boys. Each group is categorized with a unique name under 3 divisions:

#### Pioneer Division

* Adventurer (Finished 3rd Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Trailblazer (Finished 4th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Pathfinder (Finished 5th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Pioneer (Finished 5th Grade, 4 Weeks)

#### Voyageur Division

* Voyageur (Finished 6th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Bushwhacker (Finished 6th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Trekker (Finished 7th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Viking Sailor (Finished 7th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Viking (Finished 7th/ Grade, 4 Weeks)

#### Bush Division

* Islander (Finished 8th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Kayaker (Finished 8th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Isle Royale (Finished 8th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Rover (Finished 9th Grade, 2 Weeks)
* Bush Ranger (Finished 9th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Navigator (Finished 9th/10th Grade, 4 Weeks)
* Alaska (Finished 10th Grade, 4 Weeks)

#### Leadership Corps

This program is for completed 11th grade campers that help prepare themselves to become future Hayo-Went-Ha staff.

## YMCA Camp Arbutus/Hayo-Went-Ha for Girls

During the 1980s, attempts were made by the state YMCA to include girls in camping activities. In the early 1990s, a girls' camp was formed at nearby Bows Lake. This facility, however, proved to be insufficient for long term use. The state YMCA then acquired Camp Arbutus (44°40′00″N 85°30′50″W﻿ / ﻿44.666728°N 85.513808°W﻿ / 44.666728; -85.513808), a camp south of Traverse City, Michigan on Arbutus Lake, which became the new site of YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha for Girls.