YMWCA OF NEWARK AND VICINITY
600 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973.624.8900
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YMCA Camp Linwood MacDonald
It's always a great day at Camp Linwood MacDonald Camp and Conference Center!
Ready for a New Generation of Campers from Endless Echo on Vimeo.
At YMCA Camp Linwood MacDonald we are committed to providing a high quality camp environment for each and every group. Whether a weekend group for 15 or a two week summer program for 150, we ensure the best quality experience through well-qualified, friendly staff and a wide range of recreational and education activities.
Your group will enjoy our comfortable lodges and delicious, homemade meals. YMCA Camp Linwood MacDonald provides experiences that nurture the skills and knowledge necessary to improve quality of life. Our programs center on recreational and educational activities that help develop a clearer understanding of social skills through a group living situation, while reconnecting with nature. We present opportunities to develop positive personal relationships based upon the YMCA's national character development program. We teach caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in everything we do to promote a better world full of these qualities. Our objectives are:
- To provide opportunities for individual and community growth.
- To provide opportunities for youth and family development.
- To contribute to the overall enhancement of life in our community through programs which include health, environmental education, recreation and social direction.
- To cultivate healthy lifestyles through recreational and educational outdoor activities, encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors.
- Offer family- friendly programming that leads to opportunity for family unity.
- To strengthen group dynamics through a community group living arrangement not only within each individual group but also in sharing the facilities with other groups.
For more information on Camp Linwood MacDonald, contact rsmith@newarkymca.org
Click here for directions to Camp
Click here for a brief history of Camp
Click here for the Camp Program Planning Guide
Click here for sleeping layout
The Linwood MacDonald YMCA Conference Center offers a whole host of environmental and recreational activities for groups.
Here's an overview:
Environmental Education
Beaver Ecology: Students will discover the life history of the beaver by listening to a Native American story, touching beaver specimens and searching for evidence of beaver in the forest. Students will make comparisons between humans and beaver as keystone species.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:3.4;5.1;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:3.4;5.1;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
Fish Ecology: Students will participate in a discussion about the anatomy and physiology of fish, as well as their ecological importance. Students will develop an appreciation for fish through catching and handling them, weighing and measuring them, creating a fish print, and listening to a Native American Story.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 3.4; 4.2; 5.5; 5.10
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 3.4; 4.2; 5.5; 5.10
Forest Ecology: Students role-play tree anatomy, look for signs of wildlife in the forest, discover forest values by making metaphors, and compete in the energy flow relay to understand how forest plants and animals interact. A focus on the Northern Red Oak, New Jersey’s state tree, is included.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 3.3;3.4;5.5;5.7;5.10;6.8
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 3.3;3.4;5.5;5.7;5.10;6.8
Habitat Hunt: This fun offering lets students explore natural habitats throughout camp. The search will include learning on bears, beaver, deer, squirrels and other native creators.
Nature Crafts: A great break in a busy day to make a craft in our "Art Barn". Our Program Director will plan with you an activity that fits into your program.
Orienteering: Students learn basic orienteering skills then follow a set course throughout our camp. A great camping/life skill to learn.
Pond and Stream Study: Students get down and dirty with our nets exploring one of our three ponds. Students will learn basic pond ecology and answer the age-old question "Is it a pond or is it a lake?"
Sensory Awareness: Students will play a series of games that will require them to use their five senses in the forest. Connections will be made between how animals and humans use their senses.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 1.1;3.3;3.4;5.5;5.10
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards: 1.1;3.3;3.4;5.5;5.10
Survival: Students will prioritize and meet their basic needs in a simulated emergency. Activities include a debate on the creative use of available resources as well as building shelters in the forest.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:2.5;3.3;3.4;5.1;5.5;9.3
Water Ecology: Students will use dip-nets to search for invertebrates in the pond, then sort the invertebrates according to distinguishing physical features, or adaptations. Older students will then identify their organisms and evaluate the health of the water ecosystem according to what is found.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:3.3;3.4;3.5;5.1;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:3.3;3.4;3.5;5.1;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
Wildlife Ecology: Through animal tracking and two stimulation games, students will become familiar with local wildlife and their relationship with humans.
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:5.1;5.3;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
New Jersey State Curriculum Content Standards:5.1;5.3;5.5;5.10;6.8;6.9;9.3
Team-Building:
Low Ropes Course: Our staff will challenge and amaze as they lead your group through a series of exercises designed to test group dynamics and strengthen communication. Appropriate for almost any age.
Cooperative Games: Your whole group will be challenged by these games designed to fortify group strength and ability. Whether your team works like a well-oiled machine or there are a few cogs in the spokes we can develop a program to fit your needs. Can be done with any size group.
Activities:
Archery: Our certified instructors will let you try your hand at a bull’s eye after instruction on proper arrow and bow usage. A safety lesson is included in this fun offering.
Arts and Crafts: Our "Art Barn" is sure to please with crafts planned by our Program Director for your group. Candle making, tye dye or bracelet making are just some of our creative offerings.
Wiffleball/kickball/basketball/soccer/volleyball: We'll supply the equipment you supply the players of these great games. Perfect for a family reunion or large group event as everyone can get in on the action or provide cheering squads for the adventurers.
Bike Trails: Bring your own mountain bike and we will supply the map to this fun adventure. For safety practices participants are asked to check in and out of the Center office and observe good safety practices wearing protective helmets/gear. This is a great way to enjoy our beautiful terrain.
Canoeing: After a lesson on paddles, strokes and canoe safety our certified instructors will set you off on 20-acre Rooke Lake to enjoy the wildlife and each other. With up to three to a canoe the sport is a great teambuilding activity as well as great way to spend some time together. All participants are required to wear a PFD while in canoes.
Fishing: Bring your own pole to fish off the bountiful shores of the Rooke Lake. Our healthy pond has perch, pickerel, and bass for our catch and release program.
Football: No outing is complete without a touch football game. So make use of our fields with good old fashion fun. We supply the equipment, you supply the fun.
Hiking: Enjoy a walk around the Lake or explore the ridges of the property. Stokes State Forest is nearby with additional trails for your enjoyment. Hiking maps are available or our staff can lead the way.
Climbing Wall: Camp Staff supervise the use of the 25 foot climbing wall. It is available for your use as scheduled with the program director.
Olympics: Let our staff create a fun filled event for your group. With classics like an egg toss, three legged race and tug of war, everyone will get into the spirit.
Playground: Our playground is available throughout your stay for everyone’s enjoyment. Located next to our dining hall it makes for the perfect break. An adult must accompany participants at all times.
Swimming: June through August swimming is available to groups in Rooke Lake. Our certified lifeguards will swim check each member of your group.
Volleyball: Pick your team and head on out to our grass volleyball court. Tons of fun for everyone while getting a great workout.
Evening Activities
Our evening activities typically start at 7:00 PM and conclude by 9:00 PM. Our staff can cap off a terrific day of fun and fellowship.
Campfire Program: Come along and sing a song at our campfire program. Great for any age our staff will entertain and delight as the sky grows dim. Of course this includes S'mores.
Night Hikes: Groups will go out into our night to discover night animals, sensory awareness and star gaze. This offering teaches appreciation of the dark night around us all.
Special Guest Presenters: For an additional fee our Center staff would be happy to invite a guest presenter to your program. Listed are some ideas but please feel free to give us suggestions or additions.
- Jerry Zelenka - "Touch of Nature" The Zelenka family brings over 100 animals with their program to amaze all those who watch. A fabulous night of entertainment for any age.
- Square Dancing - A change of pace from your everyday dance, the square dance caller will teach typical square dances to your group. This night promises to be filled with smiles and fun.
- D.J. with dancing - Enjoy an evening of fine dancing or boogying down, your group will decide as the tunes played.
- Special Camp Fire Program - Karen Matthews provide sons, programs, stories, and even teaches about the constellations.
- Mad Science - Ed Blevens, a local High School Science Teacher, explains the lie cycles of flora and fauna at the level of chemical reactions.
WE HOST:
- Weddings
- Anniversary celebrations
- Church retreats
- Adult birthday parties
- Children birthday parties
- Company picnics
- Corporate retreats
- Family reunions
- First Communion, Baptism
- Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah
- Outdoor school
- Resident camps
- Day camps
FACILITIES INCLUDE:
- Dining hall with customized menus
- Meeting rooms
- Pavilion
- Archery
- 20 acre lake, ponds,
- Streams
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Lodging
- Amphitheater
- Boating
- Hiking
- Environmental education
- Bird banding museum
- Low ropes course
- Playing fields
- Climbing wall
Directions
Click here for the Directions using Yahoo Maps
Contact Us:
YMCA Camp Linwood MacDonald
1 Flatbrook Road
Sandyston, NJ 07826
973-948-7090
Richard Smith
Camp Director
Christine Marino
Camp Registrar
Shaun Griffen
Director-Food Services
Joyce McCurry
Program Director
Michael Robin
Director of Maintenance and Grounds
