The Athens Y Camp for Boys was founded in 1898 by Walter T. Forbes. Mr. Forbes also founded Camp Chattooga for Girls in 1933 as a sister camp to AYC. The camps are owned by the Athens YMCA and are accredited by the American Camp Association.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

Edward Schaefer is the Executive Director of the Athens Y Camps and is an integral part of camp direction. Harmon Tison is Director of the boys camp. Stephanie Sullards is Director of the girls camp. Retreat Director Daniel Shelton assists with camp programming in the summer and coordinates the Retreat Centers. Together they work with staff supervision and program development to keep the camps running smoothly.

The mission of the Athens Y Camps is to provide a safe atmosphere for young men and women to aide them in maturing and growing as they learn and excel in various physical activities and social interaction, all based on Judeo-Christian principles.

The positions of camp leader, supervisor, assistant director and director, are never taken lightly. The opportunity to work with a child is a wonderful privilege which the staff treasures.

The majority of camp staff attended camp as campers and have come back to serve as returning staff. A week long leadership training session further prepares the staff for their summer responsibilities. Most staff members are certified by the Red Cross in First Aid and CPR, and all of our waterfront staff are certified lifeguards. A 6:1 camper to staff ratio ensures campers will get the individual attention they need.

Because of the importance experience has on job placement, camp leaders are young men and women ranging from high school juniors to college students. All camp supervisors must be a sophomore in college and have prior experience in camping. The rest of our staff is composed of college students and graduates.

Each day of camp, the staff has a meeting that ends in prayer to ask for guidance and protection as they lead their campers through the day.

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