Over 100 Years of service 

Happenings:

• The Mary E. Gardner  North Lodge and the Mary E. Gardner South Lodge are now open. Previously Dorm 1 and Dorm 3. Increasing year-round capacity to 277

• YMCA Camp Algonquin Map, created by Nathaniel Szkil

• Pictures from the Jeffers Family- 1960-1961

• See Camp Algonquin featured in the: YMCA of McHenry County Video.

Year-round beds over 277

• Updated building layouts

• Astronomy Lab (Dorm 2) Layout

Program Class Descriptions

OFFERING RETREAT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Retreat Services

Year round, we offer our services for organized groups of all ages. One of the Fox River Valley's hidden treasures. 116 rolling acres bordering the Fox River in Algonquin, 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

Educational Services

YMCA Camp Algonquin offers environmental education classes to elementary and junior high school students.  Our outdoor setting is ideal for addressing science and environmental issues while developing students’ observation and analytical skills.  Residential and day programs are both available. All environmental education programs are tailor made to fit the needs of each individual school.

In honor of the generosity of the Mary Gardner Foundation we have renamed our education program.

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Mary E. Gardner was raised in McHenry County and although she never raised children of her own, Mary chose to look at the community as her family and promote  the advancement of  children, whether it be through the schools ,church ,scouts or surrounding neighborhoods. Her legacy of giving is continued through the Mary Gardner Foundation which is dedicated to improving the future of our youths.

The following areas have been renovated or built through the generosity of the Mary E. Gardner Education Charitable Foundation:

Mary E. Gardner  Outdoor Amphitheatre- Constructed Summer 2008 with the assistance of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

• Mary E. Gardner Nature Center- Opened 2006

• Mary E. Gardner Art Discovery Center - Opened 2007

• Mary E. Gardner Pioneer Center- Opened 2007

• Mary E. Gardner Technology Center- Opened 2007

• Mary E. Gardner Birding Observatory- Opened 2007

• Mary E. Gardner Butterfly Garden- Opened 2007

• Mary E. Gardner Environmental Awareness Center- Opened 2008

• Mary E. Gardner Astronomy Lab- Opened 2009

• Hillcrest -Accommodates 60 overnight guests.  Renovated  2009

• Mary E. Gardner North Lodge- Opened February 2010

• Mary E. Gardner South Lodge- Opened July 2010

YMCA CAMP ALGONQUIN property is owned by the McHenry County Conservation District and is operated by the YMCA of McHenry County.