Our beautiful site is located on over 300 acres in Sandwich MA and is available in the summer months for residential camp and at all other times for schools and other groups. Whether it's environmental education, adventure based programs, leadership training, team building, or a simple retreat, we are committed to offering an enriching learning experience in a relaxed atmosphere.
The YMCA; where we build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities
As soon as you arrive at camp you feel the "spirit". A feeling of excitement and challenge in a world of adventure. A spirit that develops through being on your own and learning responsibility for yourself and your cabin mates. A spirit that grows into lifelong friendships and memories that last a lifetime!!
At Burgess and Hayward, we offer each camper a safe, fun and memorable experience. Our camper-centered community fosters a spirit of self-worth, a respect for others, and a sense of belonging. Our beautiful natural setting instills an appreciation for, and understanding of our environment. 
Members of our camper and staff family come from all over the world, and from many different backgrounds, races, and religions.
Our brother-sister camp structure allows boys to be boys and girls to be girls, while also offering safe and positive opportunities for "co-ed" social interaction... the best of both worlds!!
Each year over fifteen hundred campers join us to take part in the Burgess/Hayward experience. Our commitment to excellence continues this upcoming summer with enriching, challenging, and fun activities. "Come feel the Spirit"
Dear Parents and Campers
Since 1928 the South Shore YMCA has provided children with a unique summer experience, rich in discovery. Camp Burgess and Hayward open the doors not only to physical skills such as swimming and sailing, but also to personal skills such as leadership and communication.
Our Programs are camper-centered. Our group living experience offers an atmosphere of cooperation while stressing the worth of an individual. Our qualified staff give campers aged 7 - 15 the opportunity to participate in planning the things they wish to do, assessing their needs and goals, and scheduling a safe, well structured program.
Selecting the right camp for your child is an important decision. If you still have questions after reading this information, please give us a call. Knowing that a child's first experience away from home can be a time of apprehension and excitement for both parents and campers, we encourage you to come to one of our Open Houses and see our beautiful camps first hand.
Bruce Netherwood
Executive Director
Our Mission
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Rooted in Christian tradition and values, the YMCA seeks to serve all people, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or economic circumstances Our programs and services strive to strengthen the family, guide the youth of today, and meet the ever changing needs of our community.
If economic circumstances prevent you from participating in our programs, please contact the Camp Office for a Campership Application form.
Site and facilities
Camp Burgess for boys, and Camp Hayward for girls, are situated in Sandwich, Massachusetts on beautiful Cape Cod, just an hour south of Boston. The camps are nestled in over 300 acres of woodland, with three sparkling freshwater ponds. Burgess and Hayward have distinctly separate sites on opposite shores of Spectacle Pond.
The camper experience
At Camps Burgess and Hayward, you'll learn new things, challenge yourself at unique activities, make new friends, and develop lifelong interests. You'll have the opportunity to grow by participating in a well-rounded Camp experience consisting of a broad program of athletics, waterfront activities ,programs in the creative arts, share resources such as high and low ropes courses, a climbing wall, tennis courts, and horseback riding.
Facilities
Each camp has its own cabins, health center, waterfront, athletic fields, arts and crafts, dining hall, lodge, and bathroom facilities with hot water and flush toilets. These camps also share resources for coed activities such as high and low ropes courses, climbing wall, tennis courts, and horseback riding.
Sleeping accommodations include comfortable cabins as well as platform tents for the oldest boys. Each cabin houses eight campers and two counselors.
The Food
Our Director of food services and staff take special pride in developing a varied menu that's both nutritious and delicious, yet reminiscent of good ol' home cooking. Here's sampling of the foods that we offer at each meal.
All descriptions are samples - ALL meals have vegetarian options and any allergies or specific requests can be accommodated.
Breakfast comes with a cereal bar, a fresh fruit bar, and milk. Hot breakfast meals vary from day to day and may include pancakes, waffles, or thick cut french toast with sausage, toasted bagels, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches with fruit, or even eggs with sausage, homefries and muffins.
Lunch comes with soup and salad bar, milk, fruit punch, ice water, and dessert. Hot lunch meals vary from day to day and may include a grilled cheese sandwich served with potato chips, BLT's with a salad, a chicken fillet sandwich with onion rings, or even pizza, hamburgers and french fries, or tacos!
Dinner also comes with soup and salad bar, milk, fruit punch, ice water and a dessert. Hot dinner meals also vary from day to day and may include lasagna (vegetarian or meat style) served with garlic bread, a roast turkey dinner complete with bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, a chicken, beef, or vegetable stir fry, macaroni and cheese served with hot dogs and vegetables, baked BBQ'd chicken with baked beans and corn bread. On Saturdays, experience our grand cook-out, complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, vegetables, sausages, linguine, corn on the cob and more!!
A typical day
Many opportunities exist for campers to participate in a wide range of activities. We have swimming, canoeing, sailing, arts & crafts, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, drama, nature, low and high ropes courses, archery, and much more!
Mornings are spent in "interest groups," for which each camper signs up on the first day of Camp. Interest group "classes" are divided by age and skill level, and focus on learning and developing new interests including water sports, horseback riding, team sports, creative arts, and outdoor pursuits.
In the afternoon and evenings, campers get together with their cabin groups for "Cabin Activity Periods," The emphasis is on fun and building group spirit. Led by the cabin's counselors, the group may decide to spend the afternoon having a game of frisbee golf, then swimming with foam noodles, followed by a game of of basketball after supper with the cabin next door. Every few days, there is a large "All Unit" or "All Camp" activity such as "mission impossible" or celebrity scramble. A Co-Ed day, and overnight camping trip (weather permitting), and a dance also happen during each two-week session.
For the younger campers
At Burgess and Hayward, we are committed to ensuring the quality of all our campers' experiences. This is particularly important for all our younger first time campers.
Our specially trained counselors are sensitive to campers' needs to have fun, excitement, challenges, and support. We understand campers' apprehensions about their first time away from home.
With the help of their counselors, they will be gently encouraged become more independent, be responsible
for their belongings, help make group decisions, and of
course, be themselves and have fun.
An experienced and dedicated staff
Leadership is the key to our success and the reason that so many campers return year after year. The administration at Camp Burgess and Hayward is composed of full time professional YMCA staff who are dedicated to the organization's philosophy and share a strong commitment to today's youth. Summer staff includes adult college students, experienced peer leaders, and specialists. All staff participate in an extensive week-long training program that includes: safety and emergency procedures, policies, traditions, games, and songs. Parents can rest assured, knowing that their children are being cared for by caring, mature staff.
Programs...
A typical day at Camp has many opportunities for campers to participate in a wide range of activities. We have Swimming, Canoeing, Sailing, Arts & Crafts, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Drama, Nature, Low-Ropes and High Ropes Courses, Archery, Music, Nature, and much more! Mornings are spent in "Interest Groups", which each camper signs up for on the first day of Camp. Interest Group "classes" are divided by age and skill level, and focus on learning. In the afternoons and evenings campers get together with their cabin groups for "Cabin Activity Periods". The emphasis is on fun and building group spirit. Led by the cabin counselors, the group may decide to spend the afternoon having a game of Frisbee golf then go swimming with foam noodles, followed by a game of basketball after supper with the cabin next door. Every few days there is a large All Unit or All Camp activity. As well, a Co-Ed Day, an overnight camping trip (weather permitting), and a dance also happen during each two-week session.
WATER SPORTS 
This area centers on our 90 acre sparkling fresh water pond. Individualized lessons are provided for all levels of swimmers allowing each camper to feel comfortable and secure in the water. Intermediate swimmers can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including tubing, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. A real highlight is a "cruise" in our pontoon boat. We provide beginning and advanced instructions in all skill areas.
HORSEBACK RIDING 
English riding and horse care -- including grooming, feeding and stable management are the important elements of this program. Riders are grouped according to ability and the riding takes place in both the Camp Hayward ring and on our 2 miles of scenic trails. The program consists of 5 - 2 hour-long lessons by our specialized staff.
LAND SPORTS
For the young athlete, instruction is given in a variety of activities which include: softball, basketball, tennis, wellness, soccer, volleyball, and archery. While intense competition is downplayed, we do encourage fair play, good sportsmanship, personal achievement and fun.
CREATIVE ARTS
The Arts and Crafts, Drama, and Dance interest groups are great places to express yourself creatively and develop skills. Our experienced staff will help you bring out the artist in you, haring with you their knowledge and vision. Cabaret (the Camps' talent show), campfires, airbands, and theme meals are all opportunities to dress up and show your creative side, yoo.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
The adventurous spirit in each camper will come out as they try our Outdoor Pursuit activities. Whether its climbing our 30 foot rock climbing tower, learning how to cook over an open fire, or taking a hike through the natural beauty of Cape Cod, each camper will find true adventure. The highlights of our Outdoor Pursuits program include our low ropes course with such elements as the Spider's Web and the Peanut Butter Pit, as well as our High Ropes Course which includes the Zip Line and Giant's Ladder. This area will appeal not only to the true outdoors person but also to the traditional athlete wishing to try their skills in a new environment.
MUSIC 
This interest group is for the senior boys during regular Camp and as a co-ed program for senior campers during Specialty Camp. Learn how to play guitar, drums or just develop your already existing skills in our exciting new music interest group. In this ten-hour workshop you may choose to learn on or more of the following instruments; acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, or drums. At the end of the week you may show off your new skills by performing as a band for other Campers and staff. This program will also help build Campers' self-confidence.
NATURE 
Come explore all of the great outdoors at Camp with the new Nature Program, and be ready for adventure! Led by an enthusiastic and experienced Naturalist, the Nature Interest Group will enjoy and explore our spectacular wilderness.
1 hour Nature program Campers will;
- Hike some of our awesome trails on our 300+ acres.
- Make art with berries, leaves, wood, etc.
- Learn how to make paper.
- Call to owls on night hikes.
- Watch bats in the evenings.
- Learn how to build a fire and develop your survival skills.
"Come Feel The Spirit"
Don't hesitate to call 508-428-2571 if you need any information
or you can E-Mail us at camp@ssymca.org
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