Camping has long been a cornerstone of YMCA’s approach to youth development, offering more than just outdoor adventures.
It serves as a transformative educational tool that fosters leadership, resilience, and community building. For decades, camping has played an essential role in Europe’s YMCA movement, with hundreds of camps providing impactful experiences for young people across the continent. This rich tradition is documented in the YMCA Camping Database, which serves as a valuable resource for information, inspiration, and collaboration for YMCA camps throughout Europe.
2025 Mid-America Camping Conference (MACC)
The 2025 Mid-America Camping Conference (MACC) once again exemplifies this commitment by bringing together camp coordinators and leaders from across Europe and the world to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and promote innovative approaches to camping.
Taking place from January 14 to 17, 2025, at the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center in Michigan, the MACC is more than an annual event—it is a platform for professional growth and collaboration.
Each year, YMCA of the USA in partnership with generous support from the Mid America YMCA Camp, Inc (MAYCI), makes it possible to bring an international delegation to MACC. This collaboration provides international camp leaders opportunities to learn from one another and return to their local communities with enriched ideas and skills. This year’s delegation includes camp leaders from several European countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Spain, who will bring their diverse perspectives and experiences to the discussions.
The event’s packed agenda includes keynote sessions, peer learning opportunities, and interest discussions on topics such as mental health, staff training, and community partnerships. Through its dynamic program, the MACC emphasizes that camping is not just about spending time outdoors—it is a tool for nurturing leadership, fostering inclusion, and building lifelong connections.
A highlight of the conference is the opportunity for European delegates to visit iconic YMCA camps, such as YMCA Camp Miller, YMCA Camp Minikani and Camp Tecumseh, as part of pre- and post-conference tours. These visits provide a deeper understanding of camp operations and allow delegates to see firsthand how American camps integrate education, recreation, and social impact.
The continued support from YMCA USA demonstrates its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and strengthening the global YMCA movement. By investing in training and knowledge-sharing, YMCA camps across Europe can continue to grow as places where young people learn, lead, and thrive.
The MACC 2025 will undoubtedly reinforce the role of camping as a key driver for youth development, thanks to the invaluable partnerships that make these experiences possible.
YMCA Europe and the YMCA of the USA’s collaborative relationship continues to thrive through camping initiatives. The Campacity programme is a vivid example of this ongoing partnership. First launched in 2024 in Spain, the second edition of Campacity will take place in 2025 in Berlin, bringing together delegations from across Europe and the USA to further strengthen bonds, share expertise, and empower youth through the transformative power of camping.
