Camp Silver Creek History

History

Built in 1938, as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, Camp Silver Creek was part of 46 Recreation Demonstration Areas created across the country. Since it’s founding, it has been operating as an overnight camp run by the YMCA. In 2002, Camp Silver Creek became one of 10 camps in the country to be on the national historic registry. Of those 10 camps, only five remain operational as summer camps, and Camp Silver Creek is both the only co-ed and only YMCA camp to be on the National Historic Registry.

Since 1939, boys had several weeks at camp alone and girls had one or two weeks depending on enrollment. Sometimes girls camp was at Silver Creek and sometimes at Smith Creek, the current site of the Silver Falls conference center.

In 1973, Mike Smith introduced co-ed camp, a dramatic departure from our traditional Boys camp and Girls camp. This caused quite a “stir”. The camp committee deliberated for several weeks about the advisability and the implications of a co-ed camp and finally agreed to a one-week trial session. It was a resounding success with 120 campers enrolled. Several years later, the camp committee agreed to have coed units, with boys and girls in separate cabins as we presently have.

Today, Camp Silver Creek thrives in the same beautiful location as it started in 1938. Campers still come to Camp Silver Creek to make friends, try new things, and spend time outdoors without the pressures of school or social media. We believe that camp is a place to celebrate every child for who they are: when they drive up that road, they’re part of a community for life.

Camp Silver Creek has been a magical place for children and teens since 1938. Campers love the dramatic setting, the fun, well-organized activities, and the friendships they form. Parents love the safety, healthy break from screen time, fresh air and exercise, and the maturity their kids gain during their weeks at camp.

The emphasis on respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring invites campers to explore their own moral foundations. Campers return more confident and independent, with an identity in a special world. Most members of camp staff are former campers.

Camp Silver Creek is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. Part of how we protect campers is by limiting family visits and cell phones to drop off and pick up.

Four residential units divided by age: Bear Creek, Hillside, Trickle Falls, and Hemlock
Six open-air camper cabins in each unit, along with leader cabins, restrooms, and a unit lodge
Lake for boating and fishing
Dining hall with huge stone fireplaces
Arts and crafts building
Archery range
Recreation hall
Infirmary
Miles of hiking trails and woods
Open fields for games

Summer 2025 Dates TBA (use grade the camper is entering)

Sunday 2:30 PM through Saturday 9:30 AM except as noted

Session 1:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 2: short session (no teen camp)

Family Camp 1:

Session 3:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 4:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 5:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 6: short session: (no teen camp)

Family Camp 2:

Session 7:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 8:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Session 9:
1st-7th Grade | 8th-10th Grade

Traditional Overnight Camp (Entering Grades 1-7)

Sunday 2:30 PM through Saturday 9:30 AM except as noted

Each day is a new adventure at Camp Silver Creek. From morning flag to nightly campfire, campers have a blast making new friends and learning new skills in an environment of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Activities include:

Archery
Swimming
Skill Groups
Arts and Crafts
Hiking
Boating
Fishing
Field Games
Creek Walks
Polar Bears
Twilight Games
Campfires
Weekly Overnight Campouts

2025 Cost: Member TBA | Community Members TBA

Overnight Teen Camp (Grades 8-10)

Sunday 2:30 PM through Saturday, 9:30 AM Sessions 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

Teen Camp brings the Camp Silver Creek program to the next level. Teen campers reside in their own unit and enjoy all the traditional activities with more choices and responsibilities.

2025 Cost: Member TBA | Community Members TBA

Family Camp

Family Camp 1:

Family Camp 2:

Family Camp at Camp Silver Creek invites every generation to share the incomparable natural setting and escape the routines and screens of everyday life. Our rustic, screened-window cabins sleep 8 and are perfect for a family experience like no other. All meals are provided in the dining hall and accommodate most special diets.

Learn to paddle a canoe, hike in the serene outdoors, or rent multiple cabins for a family reunion. Camp staffers manage activities for all ages, including swimming, hiking, boating, archery, fishing, arts and crafts, campfire, twilight games, and three hearty meals a day that you don't have to cook.

Families can participate in some or all of the scheduled events, or spend time on their own. We can even arrange family hikes within Silver Falls State Park.

The entire camp is a national historic landmark built by hand in the 1930s. Most cabins are without electricity and are not wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms, unit lodges, and showers are divided by gender and have electricity. If a member of your family has mobility or medical needs, please contact us before registering. We will do our best to accommodate you.

2025 Cost: TBA per adult (member) | TBA per adult (community member) | Additional child ages 5+ TBA

Leader in Training (LIT) (Grades 10-12)

LIT OPTION A - Session 3/4 - Participants should be picked up on Saturday the 13th and will return on Sunday the 14th.

LIT OPTION B - Session 3/5

Camp Silver Creek's Leaders in Training (LIT) program builds leadership skills and prepares participants for future life experiences. During the first week, participants learn about child development, problem-solving, and communication. They complete safety training, plan activities, and set work on personal goals around the core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. During the second week of the program, participants shadow a Camp Silver Creek counselor to gain practical experience and mentorship from senior staff. The program is both challenging and highly rewarding.

All prospective LITs will complete an interview with the director to ensure a good fit and answer any questions.

2025 Cost: Members TBA | Community Members TBA