UU Summer Camps

The UUA has a vibrant network of retreat centers, camps, and conferences that offer experiences of growth, connection, spirituality, and community. Each of these independent camps and centers identify with Unitarian Universalist (UU) values and traditions.

Most UU Summer camps are virtual this year. See below for more details on some highlighted camps or visit the websites of those listed below.

CERSI Summer In Situ (Institute) 2020
Grab a bit of virtual SI magic with a package of experiences and activities that will bring community and connection, creativity and reflection right to your home. For the week of SI, July 12-17, registrants will receive a daily email containing spiritual, creative, and thoughtful activities; videos to ponder and discuss, and virtual inter-generational Community Events in the evenings where we can chat, entertain, share and enjoy our SI community. Separate programming with be offered for youth and children during the day. Participate as your schedule permits. Registration is open until June 30 at www.cersiuu.org with a sliding fee scale. Questions: registrar@cersiuu.org.

UUMAC 2020
Come to UUMAC this summer! We’re UUs in the Mid-Atlantic region gathering as an intentional beloved Community. We will be holding a Virtual gathering, or VUUMAC, and you’re invited! Even better: it’s FREE!
Our theme this year is ‘Self Love as Power for Social Justice’. We’ll be ‘zooming’ with a minister and theme speaker, having discussions and virtual activities for kids, tweens, teens and adults of all ages. Attend some or all of our programs starting July 11. For more information and registration go to UUMAC.org.

Join the CER Youth Ministry Treehouse!
Your Central East staff, high school youth leaders and volunteer adults are working on a private social media space where CER youth can connect with each other this summer. There will be break out spaces like spaces for BIPOC and LGBTQ youth, chances to plan drop in programs like worship, game nights, social events, writing, art, and music sharing and more—whatever the community needs and can create together!
Open to youth who have just graduated 9th-12th grades.
Registration takes two steps including a parent permission form. Directions here: https://www.uua.org/central-east/youth/online-youth-programs/certreehouse
Youth will be added to the server on July 6th -- look for an email from "Mighty Networks" and watch your junk/spam folder.
First scheduled event is July 6, 7:30pm - social meet and greet on zoom - meet other youth around the Central East Region who have joined the Treehouse!

Faith Lab is an engaging online summer program for high school aged Unitarian Universalists who’ve completed grads 9-12 (or homeschool equivalent) that happens July 10th through 31st.
Faith Lab is a chance to explore spiritual leadership, learn alongside UU spiritual teachers, and experiment with mystery, faith and wonder.
In Faith Lab, you will discern your unique gifts, explore spiritual practices and build community together
Inspired by the work of the UUA New England Region, Faith Lab is brought to you with love by Rev. Aisha, Cora, Jennica, Rev. Kimberly and Steven.
Cost is a sliding scale: $0, $75, $150, $255 to $300 + donation
More info here: https://www.uua.org/youth/events/uu-faith-la

You might wonder, what’s the difference between this and the CER Treehouse? The CER Treehouse will be more drop in events, some planned by youth, some planned by adults. It’s a great place for lots of youth from youth who don’t know how much of a commitment they want to make to youth who want to practice leadership by making things happen. AND youth can do both the CER Treehouse and the UU Faith Lab!
With the UU Faith Lab, we thought we’d focus on connection between youth and building the skill sets we all need to have more virtual youth events instead of leading a regional specific youth leadership school.

Save the Date! The Central East Region is in the process of creating a Middle School (for youth who graduated from 6, 7 or 8th grades this spring and are entering 7, 8 or 9th grades this fall) Virtual Summer Camp Experience August 3-7

We’re working with a team of adult and High School guides to create a week packed full of social connections and opportunities to stretch and grow. Our plans are still in the works but things we’re thinking about. . .

Fun and Funny challenges to build confidence, learn new things and share skills within their own comfort level
“Cabin” Meetings with the same small group all week, lead by Camp Guides
Daily interactive themes to get us thinking about the world and our UU values
Social stuff like games, open mics, virtual campfire, etc

But mostly we just want to create a chance for middle schoolers to be with other young people - laughing, playing and getting all the love and affirmation they deserve this summer!

During the week we’ll meet several times each day over Zoom as well as have suggestions for “do on your own” activities to get the full “camp” experience.

In order to compensate our camp staff, actual cost of the camp is $130 and registration fees will be accepted on a sliding scale with scholarships available. This camp is open to any UU Middle Schoolers regardless of location, however it should be noted the schedule may make most sense in the Eastern and Central time zones.

More information and a registration form will be ready soon on our CER website. In the mean time questions can be sent to Shannon Harper at sharper@uua.org.

Unirondack (Lowville, NY)

A welcoming and unique community located in the forever-wild Adirondacks, Unirondack provides summer camp experiences for young people within a community where UU values are lived and every aspect of the program is filled with opportunities for self-expression, creativity and belonging. Visit Unirondack.

Uumac (center valley, PA)

UUMAC gathers together for one week each year to build community and deepen our Unitarian Universalist faith through fun, friendship, music, dancing, learning and worship. Visit UUMAC.

Murray Grove (Lanoka Harbor, NJ)

This historic site is where John Murray preached his first Universalist sermon in America in 1770. Located on twenty peaceful acres in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Murray Grove offers year round lodging for up to sixty-six people, meeting spaces, commercial kitchen and a (seasonal) salt water pool. Visit Murray Grove.

sophia fahs (burlingham, ny)

Our mission is to create an inter-generational UU community that provides enjoyable, practical and spiritual experiences in a safe, beautiful and natural environment that will inspire children, youth and adults to explore their identities: personal, communal and Unitarian Universalist. Visit Sophia Fahs.

suusi (Cullowhee, NC)

SUUSI is the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute, an intentional community of UUs and kindred spirits. For over 65 years we have come together for a week in July to explore our interconnectedness, delight in the outdoors, enjoy music and learn new ways of seeing our world and each other. Visit SUUSI.