We believe that everyone deserves opportunities to explore, learn and grow in a supportive environment.
We build enduring relationships and support one another.
We take responsibility for ourselves, one another, and the common good.
We strive to create a culture where all people are welcome and respected.
We treat one another with empathy, honesty and integrity.
Our programs are led by a dedicated team of year-round staff and a Board of Trustees who help bring the vision of our camps to life. In the off-season, our team is based out of our administration office on Hamilton Road. In the summer, you’ll find us in the camps, connecting with campers and parents, singing along to Dining Hall songs, and supporting our incredible group of seasonal staff.
The Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA currently sits on the original ancestral homeland of the Mohican people. Like many First Nation people, they were forced from their land, and the tribe, known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, moved many times before settling in Wisconsin. To learn more about the history of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation, visit www.mohican.com
The history of the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA starts with the establishment of Camp Becket for Boys in 1903 where it has remained a leader in the field of resident camping. Henry and Ina Gibson, early directors at Camp Becket, helped to establish Chimney Corners Camp for Girls in 1931. The Gibsons ran Chimney Corners Camp for the first ten years until the camp was purchased by Howard and Evelyn Smith, who operated Chimney Corners as a private camp until its acquisition by the YMCA in 1972. Since their founding, these camps have offered rustic four-week resident camp programs that teach leadership and develop strong character in young people.
In 1966, Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA established the International Camper Exchange Program (ICEP), sending teenagers to partner YMCAs all over the world. The programs promote world understanding and an appreciation for other cultures. Over time, domestic travel and service programs were added as part of the overall Travel and Service Program (TSP). Together with our Aides Program, this powerful, two-year leadership progression ensures that our staff have the best possible foundation before beginning staff roles. The scope and level of engagement of these programs distinguish us from other leadership programs.
Throughout its history, The Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA has provided program opportunities throughout the year for the local community as well as to our camp families, alumni, schools, and other organizations on a limited basis. In addition, Becket Day Camp, established in 1991 serves nearly 800 children from the local community each summer.
Since the first boys arrived at Camp Becket in 1903 and the first girls attended a summer at Chimney Corners Camp in 1931, our camps have been a place where children and young adults spend some of the best days of their lives. Together with our Travel and Service Program and our Becket Day Camp, our programs help youth discover their potential through life-changing experiences and relationships.
