YMCA Camp Hanes

King, NC

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About YMCA Camp Hanes

Activities — breadth and progression across years

Our activities encourage campers to challenge themselves, enhance skills, and learn positive values from our staff and each other. Imagine climbing 30 feet off the ground, riding horseback on majestic Sauratown mountain, enjoying a canoe ride on our private lake, or creating an artistic masterpiece during arts & crafts. Sessions are designed to be fun and progressive, so each year campers will learn new skills and talents even if they participate in the same activities year after year.

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1225 Camp Hanes Road, King, NC 27021Approximate map location; confirm arrival directions with the camp.Open map ↗© OpenStreetMap contributors

At a glance

Address: 1225 Camp Hanes Road, King, NC 27021
Camp type: Day & overnight
Setting: 566-acre property in the Sauratown Mountains near King, North Carolina, featuring two lakes, an outdoor pool, equestrian center, cabins, conference centers, and extensive program areas.
Accreditations stated by camp: American Camp Association

Activities

Waterfront

Swimming
Canoeing
Kayaking
Fishing

Land Sports

Archery

Outdoor Adventure

Hiking

More activities

5-stand shooting clays / shotgun range
alpine tower
arts and crafts
caving
climbing wall
horseback riding
nature study
outdoor cooking
paddle boards
riflery
teams course
water zip line
whitewater rafting
zip lines
zipline canopy tour

Clues to fit

Alumni — nearly a century of community and belonging

Whether you spent one summer, one weekend, one day at YMCA Camp Hanes, or returned year after year; you are an important part of our story. For nearly a century, generations of campers, staff, volunteers, guests, and supporters have found friendship, adventure, faith, and belonging after traveling between the lakes. Those memories continue to shape our community today.

Explore on the camp’s websiteAlumni — nearly a century of community and belonging

Camper testimonials — homesickness and belonging

"Awesome counselors, great activities, a lot of fun" — Camper. "Camp Hanes makes kids not miss home" — Parent. "It is my favorite time of summer!" — Camper. "Family tradition! Christian couldn't wait to come back all year!" — Parent.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCamper testimonials — homesickness and belonging

Overnight Camp — cabin life and staff ratio

Children depending on their age bracket, will have 10-16 campers in their cabin with at least two well-trained, responsible staff leaders. Our goal is for campers to leave with a deeper understanding of their own potential and a new collection of life-long memories and friends.

Explore on the camp’s websiteOvernight Camp — cabin life and staff ratio

Overnight Camp — Christian setting and goals

They learn to live, eat, work and play together in a positive Christian setting. Two well-qualified staff members live with the children and provide them with adult role models throughout their stay. Our goal is for the kids to leave camp having had fun, but more importantly, to leave feeling good about themselves, their accomplishments, and the friends they made during the week.

Explore on the camp’s websiteOvernight Camp — Christian setting and goals

Traditions & shared moments

Camp Hanes — history and scale

Since the summer of 1927, when Harry Long welcomed the first campers to the newly established John W. Hanes Memorial YMCA Camp, generations have discovered the life-changing impact of camp. Today, nearly a century later, more than 12,000 participants each year experience the adventure, friendships, and traditions that have made Camp Hanes the "566-Acre Memory Maker." As we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2027, we remain committed to honoring our rich history while investing boldly in the future so that generations to come can experience the same sense of belonging and transformation.

Explore on the camp’s websiteCamp Hanes — history and scale

Independence, growth & leadership

Vision — belonging and growth for every person

Our vision is simple: to create a place where every person belongs and grows in confidence, character, and community. Every program, activity, and relationship is intentionally designed to help people discover who they are, build meaningful connections, and experience the joy of being part of something bigger than themselves. Guided by our YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith, we strive to create experiences that challenge, encourage, and inspire people of all ages.

Explore on the camp’s websiteVision — belonging and growth for every person

Programs & camp life

Daily faith practices — Chapel, Taps Talk, Ragger Program

Each day begins with a short gathering of age groups. Chapel's structure is to open with prayer, share a devotion based on our summer theme or core values, sing a song, and close with prayer and our traditional benediction song Go Now in Peace. Each evening at the conclusion of our age group programming, our leadership staff lead our campers in a thought of the day followed by prayer and our traditional ending songs of Taps and Follow the Gleam. Starting at age 12, campers may choose to set personal goals through the YMCA's Ragger Program — a self-paced track for digging deeper into faith, personal growth, and leadership.

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Facilities — cabins, lakes, alpine tower, equestrian center and more

Camp Hanes current facilities include 22 cabins, a large dining facility, indoor gym, airnasium, two conference centers, retreat center, an infirmary, office, camp store, and six houses for seasonal and year-round staff. Camp Hanes also offers an alpine tower, two zip lines, teams course area, climbing wall, outdoor pool, equestrian center, 5-stand shooting clays range, and many more traditional camp activities such as archery, riflery, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, arts and crafts, athletics, and much more.

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For parents & families

ACA Accreditation — safety and quality standard

YMCA Camp Hanes is proud to be American Camp Association (ACA) Accredited, demonstrating our dedication to providing a safe, high-quality camp experience. ACA accreditation is the camping industry's nationally recognized standard and reflects our ongoing commitment to health and safety, staff training, risk management, and program quality. Families, schools, and retreat groups can have confidence knowing that Camp Hanes meets and exceeds hundreds of nationally established standards designed to ensure every participant has an exceptional experience.

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Food — family style dining and menu options

Our meals are served in our camp dining hall, and our menu includes many kid friendly and healthy options. We do serve our meals family style with 10 people at a table. For breakfast we have a self-serve fruit and yogurt bar, cereal bar, and toast station which is turned into a salad bar and sandwich station during lunch and dinner.

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Food service — 120,000 meals per year, dietary needs accommodated

Our food service staff produces more than 120,000 meals per year — fueling campers through Outdoor Education Programs and the busy summer season. Camp Hanes is a peanut and tree nut free facility, and we are able to serve individuals with dietary restrictions. Please let us know any restrictions two weeks prior to your trip.

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Food Service Director — 120,000 meals per year

Robert Money spent nearly two decades in the corporate world before discovering an unexpected calling in 2013 as Food Service Director at YMCA Camp Hanes. Inspired by childhood memories of watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen, he channeled that lifelong love of cooking into a role that now produces more than 120,000 meals per year — fueling campers through Outdoor Education Programs and the busy summer season.

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