Camp Merri-Mac
YMCA Camp Ernst
- Coed
- Ages 6-15
- Traditional
Overview
Helping people grow in spirit, mind, body, and friendship since 1928. YMCA Camp Ernst is the most popular summer camp in the Greater Cincinnati area. Steeped in tradition and built on the YMCA values of honesty, caring, responsibility and respect, Camp Ernst hosts campers who enjoy top-notch counselors and make friends, doing a wide variety of activities including our ropes course, 100 ft waterslide, archery, horseback riding, and much more!
Read More Show LessUnique Features
- A welcoming, inclusive community guided by our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
- Camp Ernst lake is a 26-acre, spring-fed, lake with hours of fun docked and waiting for you! The lake includes tons of water activities including a 100-foot waterslide!
- Specialty horsemanship camp with two riding arenas, a 30+ horse herd, and miles of trails! For ages 9-15 who love horseback riding.
- Leadership program for our oldest campers and shorter sessions for our youngest kids not quite ready for a full week.
- Amazing meals that can accommodate most dietary needs.
Activities
Dates & Rates
2026 Season:
- Camp Season June 07 - August 08
- Session Lengths 1 week or less
- Cost $895 - $925 /week
Financial Offers:
- Tiered/sliding scale tutition: No
- Financial assistance: Yes
- Special discounts: Available
Accommodations
Bunks
- Type: Cabins, Yurts
- Open air
- Electricity/lights
- No air conditioning
- Separate bathhouse
- Showers not attached
- Toilets not attached
Health
- Staff certified in First Aid / CPR
- No doctor onsite
- Nurse onsite
- 24/7 medical staff
- Health Center
Dietary Needs
- Food Allergies
- Gluten Free
- No kosher
- Not peanut free
- Not tree nut-free
- Vegan friendly
- Vegetarian friendly
International Campers
- Does not enroll non-US campers
Welcome Message
Elizabeth “Eli” Cochran, Director
Eli is passionate about helping young people find achievement, belonging, and relationships at camp. She loves talking to camp families about the benefits of camp, raising money, coming up with crazy innovations, continuous improvement towards the Y’s Christian principles: a mission FOR ALL, and riding her bike around to visit program areas. Eli and her extremely supportive husband Cameron met as camp counselors in the 90s and have made Camp Ernst their family’s home since 2003.
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