The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit’s Ohiyesa and Nissokone Named Best Summer Camps of 2025

Looking for overnight adventures? The Y’s Camp Nissokone (Oscoda) and Camp Ohiyesa (Holly) offer over night camp for kids ages 7 to 14 and Newsweek just listed them among the BEST Summer Camps in America!

For over 100 years, kids have had a chance to develop confidence and experience independence of sleepaway camp with their friends thanks to the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

• Register for YMCA Camp Ohiyesa
• Register for YMCA Camp Nissokone

Camp Ohiyesa

Camp Ohiyesa offers both Overnight & Day Camp. Day Camp runs from 7:30am to 5:30pm and there are 4 bus pick up options in metro Detroit that bring kids to the campsite each day.

Ohiyesa Overnight campers (ages 8 to 13) gain independence, build friend-making skills, challenge their limits, explore the natural world, and create lifelong habits of healthy living. Each overnight camper chooses two skill areas that he or she will learn and attends those clinics every day, providing an opportunity for substantial skill progression. Campers also choose daily cabin challenge activities with their bunk mates, enjoy laid back siestas, take part in all camp evening programs like campfires and capture the flag, as well as ride the slide or take on the lake during swim time.

Each week has a theme like Wizarding World and Pokemon and costs from $549 to $789 for a week. Get details

Camp Nissokone

YMCA Camp Nissokone is located near Lake Huron in Oscoda, Michigan. For 110 years, kids entering grades 3-9 have enjoyed a wide variety of age-appropriate activities, taking full advantage of the lake and thousand acres of national forest surrounding camp.

Nissokone features three large, historic lodge-style buildings with seating for up to 200 people: the Dining Hall, the Crow’s Nest, and the Theatre, each with a spectacular lakefront view on our mile of shoreline. The Crow’s Nest and Theatre serve as multi-functional group space for plays, dancing, banquets, rainy day indoor space, and to show slideshows or skits. Perhaps most impressive is the natural beauty of the outdoor lakeside Chapel with its views of Loud Island. Two of the most iconic Nissokone buildings are the historic Horse Barn and Crow’s Nest. The impressive Horse Barn features carefully crafted solid wood carpentry, high peaked rafters, and an airy hay loft. The Crow’s Nest is a lodge-style banquet room that overlooks the boating area, called the Fleet Dock, a hub of activity throughout the summer. Learn more here