Our Story
Speers History
We proudly opened in 1948 as the first ever racially integrated American YMCA summer camp. We stand true to our roots and offer amazing camping programs to children and families of all backgrounds, religions, and economic standing.
Since that first group of 75 boys from different backgrounds, Speers has welcomed 200,000 youth to the Camp’s 1,100 acres of pristine Pocono mountain woodlands, perfect for camping adventures. As a camp for all, in 1958, Speers expanded overnight camp to include girls; and in 1986 introduced day camp to better serve our community.
Today, Speers embraces 1,100 beautifully forested acres in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. At the center of Camp, 42-acre Lake Nichecronk offers a natural environment to explore and enjoy. Located just a few miles from the Delaware National Water Gap and a couple hours from downtown Philadelphia and New York City, Camp Speers continues to offer the perfect mountain get-away for campers and families.
Camp Speers’ facilities have grown from one old inn surrounded by borrowed tents to a campus of more than 60 buildings, miles of trails and roadways, and dozens of activity venues surrounding the pristine waters of Lake Nichecronk. Continuing our on our path of growth and exploration, Camp Speers integrated Camp Dragonfly Forest, a specialty overnight camp for kids with Autism, Blood disorders, Q22, and Asthma. Camp Dragonfly Forest allows kids with special abilities to enjoy the magic of overnight camp under the care of trained counselors and medical teams.
Speers Vision
The vision of Camp Speers YMCA is to serve a diverse community and to build spirit, mind, and body through a unique combination of summer camp, outdoor education, conferences, retreats, and local community programs. Our goal is that each camper and program participant leaves camp a stronger person than when they arrived. We guide campers on the path to embrace the Y’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, which permeate Speers’ programs and activities. These strong, positive character attributes are exemplified by our staff.
