Activities

Summer Camp Programs

Traditional Camp
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Our traditional camp offers boys and girls ages 8-16 the opportunity to experience a wide variety of camping activities. Both Boys’ Camp and Girls’ Camp are divided into villages by age: 8-10, 11-12 and 13-16. This allows for programs of interests for all campers and a more enjoyable experience. At all levels, Camp Fitch’s counselors encourage campers to explore new interests, to improve their individual skills and to increase their self-confidence in a fun and supportive manner. Sessions are week long but campers can sign up for multiple sessions. Campers can even come for all 7 sessions! For current dates and rates for Traditional Camp, click here.

First Camp
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This introduction to resident camping has been specifically designed for boys and girls 6-7 years old. Campers enjoy activities as a cabent group, which allows camp programming to be age appropriate. Campers sleep in cabents, which house four campers and one counselor during this program. For current dates and rates for First Camp, click here.

End of Summer Sampler
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This four day experience for 8-12 year olds takes place in late summer before the start of school. This is a great way to introduce your son or daughter to camp. The daily schedule is very similar to regular camp. Campers stay in Cabents with children of similar age and a seasoned counselor. Learn Camp Fitch traditions, enjoy sunsets on Lake Erie, campfire programs and many of the tried and true summer camp activities including: swimming, canoeing, fishing, crafts, horseback riding, archery, riflery, climbing and much more. For current dates and rates for End of Summer Sampler, click here.

Teen Trips
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Come bring your friends and join us this summer for the adventure of a lifetime. The trips program is just the way to get out and experience activities that we just can't offer with our traditional camp program. On each trip we sleep in tents, enjoy great activities specific to each region, and cook our own foor for most of the meals! Our trips are designed specifically for teens ages 13 - 17. Teens can even sign up for one week of traditional camp and a Trip for a multi week Camp Fitch experience.

Multi-Sport Trip Adventure
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Do you like fast paced adventure? Then this trip is for you. Over the course of the week we are rafting on the mighty "Yough" (Youghiogheny River), rock climbing, backpacking, and caving in the best caves in Pennsylvania! Trippers must have their own backpacking pack for this trip.

Lake Erie Island Hopper Trip NEW for 2010!
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This brand new trip sends campers to the western shores of Lake Erie for another fast paced adventure. Over the course of the week we will go kayaking, biking, sailing, and even spend a day at Cedar Point!

White Water/Washington DC Adventure
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This exciting 14-day journey will have an international flare with campers from Spain joining us on the trip! Our trip will begin at camp for orientation prior to leaving for our white water adventure. Campers will also enjoy a full tour of Washington DC and its many sites. We will also visit Gettysburg on this cultural and historical journey.

For more information contact Rob Anderson robanderson@campfitchymca.org at 814-922-3219 ext 117. For current dates and rates for Teen Trips, click here.

Leadership Camps
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New for 2010, Camp Fitch will be offering 2 different leadership camps for teens!

LIT
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Leader-In-Training is a new program for Camp Fitch. This program is a one week camp for 15 year old campers. It focuses on general leadership skills including problem solving, communication, and personal development. The program can be enhanced with the LIT TRIP. The LIT Trip is a one week adventure trip for 15 year olds that builds on the LIT program. This trip is only available to LIT graduates from the same summer.

LIT Trip
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Enhance your LIT experience by adding this trip to your stay! On this trip LIT's will continue to build upon the fundamentals of leadership and teamwork as we will spend a day at a challenge course, go natural rock climbing and enjoy other great activities near the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. This trip is exclusively reserved for LIT graduates from the current summer.

CIT
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Counselor-In-Training is a two week camp for 16 year old campers who are interested in becoming camp staff.

For current dates and rates for Leadership Camps, click here.

Sports Camps
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Sports camps are a great way to enjoy a specific area of athletic focus and also take advantage of other traditional camp activities. Each Sport camp is directed by qualified coaches who understand the needs of youth in their respective areas.

Blue Dolphin Swim Camp Ages 8 - 16
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The Blue Dolphin Swim Camp has been designed as an ELITE STROKE CAMP for boys and girls to develop proper starts, turns, and stroke mechanics in the four competitive strokes. This translates into maximum efficiency and better swimming performances. QUALIFICATIONS: A swimmer must have swimming experience in one of the following swimming programs: NAIA Country Club, YMCA or YWCA competition, High School or US.

COACHES: Paul Riesmeyer headed up the 2009 Swim Camp. He is very excited to be working with today’s young swimmers and helping to guide them to faster strokes and have more fun in swimming. He is entering his ninth year of coaching and has been in charge of all levels of swimmers; from learn to swim to the most competitive high school and college level swimmers. He swam competitively at Grove City College where he set records in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle. He is currently a level 1 ASCA coach. Mark Riesmeyer returned for his second season with the 2009 swim camp. Mark swam for Westminster College and has been a PIAA High School Swimming Official for the past 30 years, and NCAA College Swimming official in Div I, II, and III colleges, and also officiated at numerous swimming championships. He has also coached at Peters Twp Swim Club and currently at the Mon Valley West YST Swim team. Mark will bring a fresh and different perspective to Camp by using his talents as a respected Official and Coach.

Distance Running Camp Ages 12 - 17
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This program follows the American pattern of training: marathon, interval repetition and speed training. Running and training is done on roads, as well as on trails throughout the campsite. Camp Fitch is very happy to have a coach the caliber of Rick Wilson heading up the Camp Fitch Distance Running Camp. Throughout his running career, Rick Wilson, from Canfield, Ohio, has achieved numerous accomplishments as both a competitive runner and a coach. Rick ran both cross country and track for Malone College after earning All-Ohio Honors in high school. In his collegiate career, Rick also excelled in the distance events achieving several All-conference and All-District accolades in addition to his highly esteemed All-American honors in both the 10,000 meters and cross country. After graduation, Rick began coaching and continued to experience success, producing accomplished athletes at both the high school and collegiate level. His athletes include several All-American and state champions, and Rick has earned several 'Coach of The Year' honors. In the collegiate scene, Rick led his teams to three conference championship titles and one national championship berth, and produced athletes who amassed nine All-American honors. Most recently, he coached both the boys and girls cross country teams from Salem High School , in Salem, Ohio to two back-to-back stated championships, with both teams taking the top honors in 2005. In track, Rick produced seven All-State athletes, including champions in both the 800 and 1600 meters. As a runner himself, Rick continues to run and has, as recently as 2006, finished sixth in the country, master division, at the Cross Country Club Nationals and was named the top master runner in Ohio. Rick has a passion for developing an ever-increasing understanding of running training methodology and is a true coach in every sense of the word. He derives great pleasure from sharing both his knowledge and passion for the sport and is an exceptional teacher and motivator.

Soccer Camp Ages 8 - 16
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Major League Soccer and Camp Fitch have teamed up to offer an outstanding Soccer Camp experience. Skill clinics are designed for the beginner, advanced and goalkeeper. Our USSF/UEFA certified coaches will ensure a quality experience for campers on and off the field.

House of Speed Camp Ages 8 - 14
**NEW for 2010**
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Would you like your camper to experience the intensity of athletic training that is required in the off season to get prepared for the regular season? Are you interested in showing your child the type of high level training that is necessary to drive his or her team into post season play? If so, The House of Speed can show you the way. Our training program focuses on the one quality athletes’ need most regardless of sport, and that is - SPEED! House of Speed's philosophy is based on the principles used by Don Beebe during his nine year, record setting career in the NFL. Morals, values, work ethic and a never-say-die attitude helped Don compete and succeed in the NFL. House of Speed wants to instill the same passion into a new generation of athletes by motivating and building character.

Through the use of certified trainers, specialized equipment and our state of the art training program, athletes will learn:
Techniques to improve running form and speed
Skills to improve hand and feet quickness
Jumping techniques to enhance explosiveness
Methods to improve balance and coordination

Join us for a fun and challenging speed camp at CAMP FITCH! Athletes ages 8 – 16 years old and from all sports are welcome. As the sports world has become more competitive, speed and agility have become very important qualities for athletes to possess. House of Speed's experienced instructors will help you identify problems in your running form that are preventing you from reaching your top potential running speed. With a focus on footwork, balance, and explosive drills, we can help an athlete become quicker and more agile. Improvements made in these areas will result in improved performance in your particular sport.

Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your speed, and learn the skills needed to become a better athlete at a great camp on a great lake! Like Camp Fitch’s other sports camps, House of Speed campers will also have opportunities throughout the day for traditional camp activities.

For more information, please call (330) 978-5216 or email us at josh.pearce@houseofspeed.com

Girls Softball Camp Ages 9 – 13
**NEW for 2010**
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Be a part of history by joining Camp Fitch’s first ever Softball Camp. Utilizing Camp Fitch’s brand new softball field, this camp will emphasize fundamentals in all aspects of the game – pitching, fielding, hitting, throwing, catching and base running.

We are happy to have the coaching staff of Northwestern High School in Erie County, Pennsylvania to lead our Softball Camp. Northwestern High School is one of the top teams in western PA and many coaches have called it one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the state. Pitching clinics, hitting clinics and coach’s clinic held every year at Northwestern High School are always very well attended.

Girls attending Softball Camp will gain skills that will help them attain the next level in the game. The other great aspect of the Softball Camp is that when not involved in softball, campers take part in the traditional camp activities that Camp Fitch is famous for! Softball games, fundamentals taught by a great coaching staff, and fun at Camp Fitch – what a great combination for an unforgettable week. Plus, it’s held after the summer travel ball season is over!

For current dates and rates for Sports Camps, click here.

Specialty Camps
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Specialty Camps are the best way to enjoy everything Camp Fitch has to offer while further enhancing a special interest. Each camp is directed by leaders in their specialty.

Computer Camp Ages 8 – 16
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Camp Fitch Computer Camp will be preparing for our 29th year of computer/technology camp in 2010. Our highly innovative co-educational program combines the intellectual challenge of computer and technology knowledge with Camp Fitch's traditional summer camp program. It is one of the very few genuine computer tech camps and one of the Nation's first and most successful camps. To help answer questions you may have, please take a moment to look at the information on the Computer Camp website. We believe you will find the camp to be an excellent value, and an incredible experience.

Computer Camp CIT Ages 16 and up
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A two week program for those interested in becoming future Computer Camp Counselors. Previous experience as a Camp Fitch Computer Camper preferred, but not required.

Music Camp Ages 8 - 17
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This string camp is intended for students that have played the violin, viola, cello or string bass for a minimum of one year. Intermediate campers will have four hours of instruction each day. Advanced students can expect more extensive instruction. The camp session will conclude with a concert performed for parents and the public that will demonstrate each camper’s improved skills. Camp Fitch is honored to welcome directors and teachers from the Boardman High School Orchestra (Ohio) as the instructors for Music Camp. The Boardman High School Orchestra has one of the most distinguished string programs in the country and has received top honors in countless national competitions. Campers can expect the same level of teaching at Music Camp as the directors give to the BHS Orchestra.

Diabetes Camp Ages 8 - 16
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Dr. Barclay's Camp for Children with Diabetes was established in 1977. It has provided children with diabetes an opportunity to have fun in a safe environment under the supervision of a team of diabetes specialists. Dr. Luis Aparicio, Board Certified Pediatric Endocrinologist from Erie, is the camp Medical Director and oversees the children with diabetes while at Camp Fitch. He is assisted by nurses, dietitians and physician assistants who remain at the camp for the one week period.

Orthopedic Camp Ages 8 - 17
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Designed for youth with physical disabilities, our staff will provide leadership in many enjoyable program areas at Camp Fitch.

For current dates and rates for Specialty Camps, click here.