Camp Big Bear
Located on lakefront property at Boulder Bay in Big Bear Lake, CA, Camp Big Bear offers Summer camps for youth and Winter Camp for families. Campgrounds include a renovated lodge and kitchen, dorms, cabins, swimming pool, dock, craft shed, and other traditional camp activities.
For families looking for an excuse to bond with loved ones and enjoy the outdoors, Family Camp on Labor Day Weekend promises lakefront fun while enjoying swimming, boating, fishing, crafts, games, nightly events, campfires, and more!
Big Bear Summer Camp
Plan a Summer getaway for your kids! Perfect for children in grades 2-11, Summer Camp at Big Bear will provide your young ones with a lifetime of memories and lifelong friends! Your child(ren) will learn independent living skills while under the supervision of trained counselors.
Days will consist of co-ed camp activities to build a sense of belonging and community, nutritious meals with full breakfast lunch and dinners included, evening programs such as traditional campfires, skit nights and themed events, bedtime routines and a closing ceremony!
Family Camp
Unplug and reconnect with nature and each other at Family Camp! Family Camp at Big Bear offers the perfect getaway for families seeking fun and meaningful bonding time. Whether you’re getting creative in arts & crafts, kayaking on the lake, challenging your crew to a ropes course, or simply soaking in the fresh mountain air, there’s something for every age and interest.
Family Camp includes living accommodations in either a Private Room (up to four people) or a Communal Space (shared with other families), all meals and organized activities.
Family Camp is available for Labor Day Weekend (August-September) and Winter Break (December).
Upcoming Camps:
Labor Day 2025: Saturday, August 30 – Monday, September 1
Volunteer at Camp Big Bear!
Volunteers play a crucial role in creating a fun, safe, and enriching experience for our families. As a camp volunteer, you’ll help facilitate activities, support logistics, and ensure everyone has a fantastic time in the great outdoors. Whether you assist with arts and crafts, lead nature hikes, or help lead campfire songs, your efforts will make a lasting impact on our YMCA community.
Volunteering at camp is a rewarding way to give back, build connections, and enjoy a weekend in nature. Plus, you’ll gain valuable leadership skills and be part of a dedicated team that brings families together.
Application window for 2025 Summer is closed. Thank you for your interest!
Leasing Information
At an elevation of 6800 feet on the shore of Big Bear Lake’s Boulder Bay, YMCA Camp Big Bear offers year round access for all seasons of mountain activity. Your organized group can relax and enjoy the cool mountain air, and in the winter our snow sliding hill and short drive to downhill skiing and snowboarding provides hours of outdoor fun for all ages. It is an ideal setting for organized youth, adult and family groups to grow in spirit, mind and body, and create memories that last a lifetime.
For Information and Reservations Contact Santa Monica Family YMCA
Camp Big Bear
P.O. Box 2882
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-2882
(909) 866-3977
campbigbear@ymcasm.org
Accommodations
Our camp facility has several options for you whether it’s a group of 30 or up to 200. Our recently remodeled and winterized bunkhouse provides year-round bunk style sleeping for up to 96 people, including multiple interior bathrooms and showers. The second winterized bunkroom sleeps up to 26 people with a single gender, multiple-person bathroom and shower facility. We also have 9 (Summer only) cabins which each sleep up to 12 people. These cabins include a separated centralized bathroom and shower facility.
Facility Activities
Swimming Pool, Archery Range, Sand Volleyball, Basketball, Disc Golf Course, Horsehoe Pits, Gaga Ball, Ping Pong, Tetherball, Campfire Bowl, Team Ropes Course and Crafts Shed are where campers have the opportunity to enhance their spontaneous creativity while having relaxed social interaction with their peers. Lakefront activities include Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing, Row Boating, Pedal Boats, Stand-Up Paddle Boards, Tubing Behind a Boat, or just sunbathing in the beautiful sunshine. Your group will have a great time! Overlooking Boulder Bay, our open air amphitheater makes an evening at the campfire an event to remember where spirits soar!
Hiking
Nearby trails offer hikes to the ridge tops surrounding Big Bear Lake. The Castle Rock Trail is accessible by foot from Camp Big Bear and access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is just a short drive the the North Shore. You may also enjoy a walk of the camp grounds with multiple locations of awe inspiring vistas over Big Bear Lake. It offers the perfect opportunity for personal reflection, counsel with a close friend, or small group discussion.
Food Service
The ridgetop location of our spacious Dining Hall offers a relaxing panoramic view overlooking Big Bear Lake. We serve all meals buffet style assuring freshness with balance nutrition. A salad bar accompanies each lunch and dinner, with fruit and cereal bar at breakfast. Meatless entree alternatives are available to assure all persons attending camp will have a satisfying meal.
Indoor Meeting Lodge
An indoor meeting space with fireplace, large enough for 30-40 people is available and convenient for staff meetings, conferences, and for youth to hang-out and play board games.
