Community Need
In the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors. The average American child spends as few as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play each day, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen. It’s a national trend: We are raising a generation of children who are less and less likely to have natural experiences of any kind. This disconnection with nature has far-reaching health consequences for both our inactive next generation and our planet.
YMCA Camp Moody will introduce thousands of Central Texas children and their families to outdoor adventure, activity and learning on 85 pristine and wild acres only 15 miles from town. Our goal is to foster curiosity, nurture the love of the outdoors, and share its natural wonders with everyone.
Access For All
Of any comparable camp within 100 miles of Austin, YMCA Camp Moody will offer the lowest average cost per week for day and overnight use for all groups. If the cost is still prohibitive to some, we will offer discounts and financial assistance through funds raised from our annual giving campaigns.
In Central Texas, there is a shortage of nearby, affordable facilities positioned and equipped to provide environmental education and outdoor experiences for children, families and special groups. The closest comparable facility is more than twice the distance from Central Austin. YMCA Camp Moody will be a nearby alternative for families, businesses, nonprofits and other groups that may want to gather and ‘retreat’ from the city.
YMCA Camp Moody envisions serving individuals (children and adults) with special needs. There are very few camp opportunities for special need populations, and the demand is high for facilities and programming that offer a quality camp/retreat experience.
Sponsor a walkway brick on the Discovery Trail at Camp Moody for $500 (one-time or payable over 5 years). You can honor your children or grandchildren, commemorate a loved one, remember a special friend or pet, promote your business or mark a special event in your life. These bricks will help build the beautiful entry pathway through central camp, leading to the activity pavilions, fire ring and tree house village.
If you would like your gift to be recognized with the naming of an item or building at Camp Moody, please email the Development team at development@www.austinymca.org.
In the News
- Austin Business Journal: YMCA Begins Public Fundraising Push to Build $18 Million Outdoor Oasis Just Outside Austin
- Moody Foundation Grant Recipient: YMCA of Austin
- Texan By Nature Certification
- Austin 360- Pam LeBlanc’s experience “Forest Bathing” at YMCA Camp Moody
- MapQuest – 12 Days of Giving: The Gift of Forest Bathing
- Spectrum News: Group Tries “Forest Bathing” to Deal with Stress
- Austin 360: Transcendent YMCA of Austin Party benefits Camp Moody
