Who wouldn't want to start a summer morning with a view of a lake?

It’s that kind of vista that welcomes students from across Western New York and beyond to some of the 20 summer camps offered by YMCA Buffalo Niagara.

Camps start at the end of June and run through August.

  • YMCA Buffalo Niagara has 20 different camp options 
  • Financial assistance is available so no child misses out on summer fun 
  • Day, week-long camps options available

"Summer camp helps kids gain new skills and confidence, make new friends and achieve things they cannot achieve anywhere else," said Jennifer Peter, the program director for Camp Tahigwa. "What's unique about this camp is that it is all outdoors. There are a lot of incredible activities like the rock wall, canoeing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking."

For the thrill seekers, there’s even a zip line that races across the field at 22 miles per hour. Kids can come for a day, or the entire summer. The littlest campers are those going into first grade; the oldest are getting ready for their senior year.

What else is unique to this camp is all students are bused in. Pick up locations include: Maryvale School, Independent Health YMCA, Alden Primary School, Clarence High School and Lancaster's William Street School.

For children who have an interest in archery, look no further than Camp Weona. At the overnight camp, they'll do the same outdoor activities, minus one thing.

"You get a digital detox for the kids," said Scott Weigley, the camp’s executive director.

Weigley said no phones means a chance to really build relationships with kids they may have never met.

"We have a lot of kids from across Western New York, and New York," Weigley said. "This year we have kids coming from other countries. There are kids coming from Spain and possibly China."

Weigley said there is an ultimate goal for any camp besides having fun.

"To make them better people than what we get them as," Weigley said.

Ages 7 to 17 are welcome at Camp Weona. These are just two of 20 camps the YMCA Buffalo Niagara offers. The Y also wants to make sure no child misses out on telling ghost stories around the fire, so it offers financial assistance.