YMCA Camp Duncan is a coed summer resident camp. Located near Fox Lake, Illinois, on 278 acres of land, Camp Duncan is a special place for campers and staff. Our theme is, "One Step at a Time," and Camp Duncan is the place for everyone to realize that big steps in life are taken one step at a time!!

YMCA Camp Duncan is an EXCITING camp serving a diverse socioeconomic mix of 5-18 year old campers. Day Camp is offered to the local community. Specialty camps for teens are offered in CIT and LIT camps.  Sessions for burn survivors, tourette youth, asthmatic youth, youth with kidney disease, and diabetic youth are also held. Traditional activities are offered in a non-competitive atmosphere. With strong leadership and innovative programming, YMCA Camp Duncan inspires campers to become exemplary citizens and leaders, develop independence, appreciate others, and have fun!  Close interaction between staff and campers occurs with all three programs representing approximately 80-100 staff and 350-400 campers. International staff add a special cultural dimension to the staff team and camping program.

Camp Facilities
Camp Duncan is situated on semi-private Fish Lake. Rolling prairie, large mowed sports field, dense woods for camp outs, and marshlands for Nature study, blend to form an ideal camp setting.  Spacious cabins, well maintained all purpose buildings, and a beautiful dining lodge complete with hardwood floors, beamed ceiling, and stone fireplaces are just a part of our well-planned facilities.  An indoor Olympic sized swimming pool allows swimming in all types of summer weather.  Four open air pavilions at our day camp site offer our day camp program shelter from the sun and rain. New to day camp this summer are four brand-new open air pavilions. A seven station high ropes course, a 16 station low ropes course, and a 48-foot climbing tower provides adventure programming that youth need!  A well equipped health center is available "just in case" a camper is ill.

Cabin Groups
Our program offers a unique blend of small group activities and skill development.  Campers are grouped according to age and live in cabins with 10-14 other campers and one or more counselors.   Always under the supervision of our staff, campers choose and attend activities according to their interests.

 

Dedicated, Caring Camp Leadership
Camp Duncan's strongest asset continues to be the high quality of its staff team. Our year-round professional staff have a full-time responsibility and commitment to camping. Mature and professional leadership is necessary for selecting, training, and supervising staff to provide safe, quality experiences for your children.  Executive Director & Vice President of Camping, Kim Kiser, has 18 years experience as a camp administrator and 29 years in YMCA program work.  She is well-known throughout the Midwest for her training and leadership abilities.  Rona Roffey is the Camp Director.  Rona is in her 15th year of directing a successful resident camp program.  Rona graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in Physical Education.  Group Services Director Addie Smits is in her 4th year running a successful group services department.  Addie received her elementary education degree from Whitewater College and has had 3 years of classroom teaching experience. Tammy Welninski is in her 2nd year as day camp director. She graduated from Monmouth College in elementary education. 

These experienced professionals select camp staff who are college age or older, and who exhibit maturity, good judgment, camp skills, and ability to relate to children.  They receive an extensive on site training which includes certifications in first aid, CPR, and basic water safety.  We even have international counselors who enhance opportunities for cross-cultural understanding. The relationship between a camper and their counselor is at the heart of Camp Duncan's success. In Resident Camp, a health officer is on duty 24 hours a day.  The camp doctor is located just four miles from camp and emergency hospital facilities are only 15-20 miles from camp.  Camp Duncan's staff will make all the difference in your child's camping experience.

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