A d v e n t u r e   E v e r y   D a y
G R O U P   R E N T A L S   &   R E T R E A T S
In This Section:
Groups and Retreats
While Camp Y-Owasco is primarily a summer camp for children, we are pleased to offer our facilities and services for groups to rent during certain weekends during the summer and when available in the fall spring.  Y-Owasco is on the east shore of Owasco Lake, about 9 miles from Auburn, New York.  Camp has 35 acres of woods, fields, hills, and gullies with 1,000 feet of shoreline on Owasco Lake.  The property includes 13 cabins, an A-frame lodge, and a central bathhouse.  Any time a group visits our camp, all fees include the attention of an on-site caretaker for as long as the group is on property. 

For availability or any other questions, please contact the Camp Director.

To learn more about our facilities, please click here.

For directions, please click here. 


Group Rental Rates:  2011
For availability, please contact the Camp Director. 

Full Site Exclusive Day Rental $205/day; $105 / ½ day
(This guarantees that your group will be the only group on property, includes dining hall, fields, trails, Amphitheatre & Fire Ring. Does not include cabins, staff, programming, and kitchen.  Group will pay for only the cabins they use.)

Cabins   $25/cabin/night
Lifeguards    $15/hour/guard
Owasco Lodge Dining Hall         $25/day
Owasco Lodge Kitchen       $30/day
Athletic Field reservation:          $5/day
Amphitheatre and Fire Ring:      $7/hour
(The Athletic Field is typically open on a first-come, first-serve basis.  This fee should be paid only if you want to guarantee that only your group will be using the field.)


Waterfront Area and Equipment:
Waterfront use can include a number of activities on 1,000 feet of shoreline.  A generous swim section includes a non-swimmer shallow area and deeper swim areas.  All swim sections are divided by buoy lines and rafts.  Waterfront-trained YMCA Lifeguards are available to lifeguard swimming, canoeing, kayaking and sailing.  The fee is based on the number of lifeguards needed and the length of request. (Concurrent activities require multiple lifeguards.)

Swim Only:
$15/lifeguard/hour (There must be 1 lifeguard for every 25 people swimming.) 

Boating Equipment Fee – canoes, kayaks: (lifeguard charges still apply)
Auburn YMCA-WEIU Members no fee
General Public  $20


Conferences and Retreats:
Should your group require set up for meetings or seminars in Owasco Lodge, including tables, chairs, and A/V equipment, the following rates will apply in addition to the Dining Hall Usage Fee above if that space is used.  If the set-up is desired outside, requested space must be reserved with the camp director for a fee between $5 and $25, depending on the space.  (Reservation fee does not apply if full site is rented.)  

Up to 50 people:  $25
Up to 100 people:  $55
Up to 125 people:  $70

If A/V equipment is desired, please call the Camp Director to see what is available before making your reservation.   


Great Race Canoe Rental:
Canoes are available for rent by individuals participating in The Great Race in August.  Each rented canoe has a number and is inspected before leaving property and upon return.  A valid, major credit card is required for the rental of a canoe.  The Camp Director will retain the number, expiration day, and all relavant billing information until the canoe is returned.  In the event that major damage is done to the vessel while being rented to an individual, the credit card will be charged for the cost of repairs or, if necessary, replacement. 

Rates: $30/canoe - members
  $40/canoe - general public

Paddles and lifejackets available for renters upon request at no extra charge. 


Facilities (not equipment) can be reserved with a deposit of 25% of the total estimated amount prior to a group’s visit. 


Programming "a la Carte":

Archery:  $10/hour (includes use of equipment and trained staff to run the activity – up to 12 participants)

Teambuilding & Challenge Course:  $10/hour (includes equipment and trained staff – up to 13 participants

Ice-Breakers and Games:   $5/half-hour

Large-Group Initiative Activities:  $10 per activity

Activities offered: Blind Man and the Elephant
  Yard Sale
  Dwellings
  Bridges
  Shapetionary
  Lord of the Dance

Guided Hike:  $7  (up to 13 participants)

Hikes Offered:  Survival Hike (fire and shelter building)
Environmental Hike (forest ecology)

Programming Package:  $65
Includes:  4 hours of teambuilding, 30 minutes of ice breakers, 2 large-group activities, 1 hike, and 1 hour of archery FOR 10 PEOPLE.  (To add more people, just add $65 onto the amount for every 10 people you wish to add.  To add 5 people, add $32.) 

A custom package can be designed for your group by request!  Just contact the Camp Director!