YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado

For the past four years our family has traveled to Estes Park, Colorado and stayed at the ultimate family vacation destination- YMCA of the Rockies. With reasonable lodging from hotel type rooms, 2 to 3 bedroom cabins, 3 to 4 bedroom vacation homes and retreat lodges that sleep up to 88 people, there is something for everyone at the YMCA.

Our family particularly enjoys the Day Camp. For $26 per child ($14 for half day for 3 to 4 year olds), per day, children ages 3 through entering 8th grade, attend camp from 8:15 to 3:15 Monday through Friday. This fee includes snacks and various activities. Sack lunch, horseback riding, and cook out are an additional fee. Children are grouped according to their uprising grade and activities range by age and can include horseback riding, arts and crafts, all day hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park, overnight camping, ropes course, rock wall, swimming, cook outs and endless games and camp style songs lead by college aged counselors. Personally, I think this is the best deal around. At pick up my children are dirty, exhausted and excited to tell me about their daily adventure.
The Y also has camp for teens (entering grades 9-12), but rates vary daily by activity.

Note: The YMCA Day Camp is affiliated with Christianity. Citing the YMCA Day Camp Parent Handbook: Their mission is to "strengthen the character of campers and staff through our activities, actions, and words by living Christian values in an enriching and fun environment." The camp promotes honesty, respect, caring, responsibility and faith. Children of all faith and backgrounds are welcome.

The Day Camp allows my husband and I to spend time together, exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, horseback riding with Jackson Stables, mountain biking, trail running, shopping in downtown Estes Park, walking around the historicalStanley Hotel, and indulging in a massage at Riverspointe Spa.

Of course there are so many other things to do at the YMCA that your kids do not need to attend camp. Hourly activities in Sweet Memorial, swimming pool and slide, arts and crafts building, endless trails, guided hikes, spin and fly fishing, tennis courts, mini golf, mountain bikes, Frisbee golf, zip lining, wild life spotting (at anytime during the day you can see deer, elk, chipmunks and ground squirrels) and through Jackson Stables- horseback and pony rides and evening hay rides. These are only a few of the countless activities available at The YMCA.

As far as lodging, we rent a 2 bedroom cabin. Sometimes we get the higher end cabin with a fireplace and other times we get a basic cabin which includes a kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator and stove, local telephone and linens including towels. Some cabins have a coffee maker, toaster and disposal. The vacation homes have dishwashers, TVs and some have Internet. That is something else of note- the YMCA has wi-fi that is weak in most areas except the Administration Building. If you do not want to be "unplugged", this family vacation may not be for you. During your reservation request, you can specify sleeping arrangements (bunk beds, twin bed, king bed, etc.). Requests are not guaranteed, but every year I have had friendly reservation agents that help as much as possible. Cabins are located throughout the YMCA with plenty of parking, open spaces, decks with picnic tables. Some cabins are near gathering areas (small playgrounds with boulders to climb, tether ball and horseshoes)and have great views of the mountain ranges.

Reservation Process: For the summer months, the YMCA of the Rockies cabins are in demand, therefore the reservation process can be tricky. There are 3 ways you can make a reservation - Cabin Donors, Members and Non-Members. Cabin Donors receive top priority for reservations. Member ($200 annual donation or $500 for a 3 year donation), requests are accepted beginning January 1st. Reservations are placed in piles based on year of continuous membership, with the oldest standing membership having top priority. Beginning March 1st, reservation staff take the first pile's reservations (oldest membership) and begin fulfilling requests. Once the entire pile is confirmed, the reservation staff moves on to the next year's pile and so on until the newest members pile's is filled. Once all cabin donors and member reservations have been attended to, the Non-Members submit their reservations, which is April 1st.

Note: There was one year that part of my family who was a member did not get a confirmed cabin and had to make other arrangements. My advice is to be flexible with your dates and provide 3 different options with cabins and dates.

Overall, this is one of my favorite family vacation destinations. I think this will be a tradition we will continue for many years to come. It is an easy drive for us, the YMCA is a warm and welcoming environment, families at the Y have always been very friendly, and we make lasting memories as a family. What more could you ask for?