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Group Day Trips

Gathering of campers

Nature has a way of bringing teams together

When your time is limited but your goals are big, a day trip to Camp Bernie is the perfect solution. Whether you’re looking to build teamwork, spark curiosity in nature, or strengthen leadership skills, our Outdoor Education Center delivers powerful, hands-on experiences in just one day.

Set in the scenic Schooley’s Mountain Range of northern New Jersey, Camp Bernie offers engaging, educator-led programs like high ropes, archery, environmental science, and team-building challenges—all tailored to your group’s needs and goals.

Ideal for schools, scouts, and youth groups, a day at Camp Bernie is more than just a trip—it’s a launchpad for growth, connection, and unforgettable learning. Let us help you turn one day into a lasting impact!

Inspire your group with Outdoor Education

Nature + Ecology Education

Through stream and forest ecology, guided nature hikes, critter shows, and wilderness survival skills, participants get to explore the outdoors in meaningful and memorable ways.

Action Socialization Experiences

Interactive, adventure-based approach that brings groups together through play, problem-solving, and shared challenges helping participants build stronger connections.

Challenge Courses + Adventure

Our ropes elements, archery range, and classic camp adventures foster resilience, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment —all while creating unforgettable moments.

Action Socialization Experience (ASE)

The cornerstone of our team building and bonding experience is our ASE classes. These combine portable activities and stationary ones within the woods— both of which are facilitated and debriefed by our trained and experienced instructors. Our staff provide personal experiences tailored to your group’s skill, ability, dynamics, and overall goals. In an average class, an instructor will gauge where your group’s ability to work together lies with a handful of warm up games in order to get everyone acclimated to not only each other, but to Camp Bernie as well! After these warm up games, you’ll head into the woods, where exciting challenges await your team— each element is part of a larger story that your team must progress through— how will you escape off of a deserted island? How will you get through a looming spider’s snaring web? The answer is together, of course!

Campers singing

Summer Bookings

YMCA Camp Bernie serves outside day groups by contract through the year and even during the summer. Our variety of program offerings are designed to fit the needs and goals of your group. Our staff work with you to plan and execute a memorable summer excursion.

Activities we offer for day groups in the summer are more limited than our Spring and Fall options but we still have plenty to offer your group including New Games, Action Socialization Experience (ASE) Teambuilding, Low Ropes, Climbing Tower, Red Trail Hike/Forest Ecology, Point Mountain Hike, Stream Ecology, Sensory, Vertical Playpen, Wilderness Survival, Firebuilding, Sensory Awareness, and Apple Cidering.

*Summer Day Groups can serve up to 60 participants.  These are split into as many as 4 groups of around 15 participants.

Sample Schedule

PARTIAL DAY

TimeActivity
10:15am-10:45amArrival + Orientation
10:45am-12:15pmActivity Block 1
12:15pm-12:30pmWaiters to Dining Hall
12:30pm-1:30pmLunch
1:45pm-3:15pmActivity Block 2
3:30Departure

FULL DAY

TimeActivity
8:30am-9:00amArrival + Orientation
9:00am-10:30amActivity Block 1
10:45am-12:15pmActivity Block 2
12:15pm-12:30pmWaiters to Dining Hall
12:30pm-1:30pmLunch
1:30pm-3:15pmActivity Block 3
3:30pm-5:00pmActivity Block 4
5:00pm-5:30pmFree Time/Camp Store Open
5:30pmDeparture