On the shores of Torch Lake, YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha for Boys meets campers with pine-scented air, bright water and a front gate that has welcomed generations.
“Families are immediately struck by the profound sense of history and the tight-knit community that defines Hayo-Went-Ha,” says Jack LaGoy, Camp Director of YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha. “This community is palpable from the moment you drive into camp and step into Bonbright lodge, built in 1930.”
Located in Central Lake, Michigan, YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha welcomes boys ages 7-17 with 2-to-4-week overnight sessions running June 14-August 7. Families find a traditional camp community, outdoor adventure and an inclusive summer experience.
“Beyond the stunning views of Torch Lake, they see a program that prioritizes wilderness expeditions as key challenges for campers to overcome,” LaGoy says. “They realize quickly that this isn’t just a place to stay for two to four weeks. It’s a community where boys are truly seen, valued and challenged.”
Full days at YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha
The pace of a typical camp day is built to help cabin groups connect early, then give boys a way to grow skills with real focus — and no shortage of fun.
“Mornings are cabin-centric, focusing on shared group activities to solidify those foundational bonds,” LaGoy says. “In the afternoon, campers shift to skill development, where they spend a week mastering a specific craft, such as sailing on Torch Lake, target sports, or creating in arts & crafts.”
Later, campers get time to enjoy the long summer days. LaGoy points to “a general activity period where boys choose their own adventure, whether that’s a dip in the lake or a game of cards at our historic 1920s boathouse.”
Evenings close with traditions that fill the whole property with unforgettable camp energy. “We cap the night with high-energy events like Casino Night or our legendary Rowdy Campfires that bring the whole camp together in a celebration of joy and spirit,” he says.
Deeply empowering wilderness trips
YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha’s tripping program is central to how boys learn teamwork and resilience, especially when they are doing something hard alongside the same group of peers.
“What truly distinguishes us is the intersection of our single-gender environment and our rigorous wilderness tripping program,” LaGoy says. “By providing an all-boys space, we allow campers to shed societal pressures and explore healthy, vulnerable representations of masculinity. They learn how to build strong, supportive relationships with their peers.”
“When a group navigates a difficult trail together, they learn that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined,” he says.
Pathways to growth parents see when campers return home
After camp, families talk about changes they see in their sons’ everyday lives.
“Parents repeatedly tell us of their child’s growth in confidence when they return from camp,” LaGoy says.
For him, that arc is personal. “This camp changed my life,” he says. “My journey from a camper in 2010 to the director today has been fueled by a love for this place and the belief that every boy deserves the chance to find his best self on the shores of Torch Lake.”
Camp at a glance
- Camp name: YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha
- Location: Central Lake, Michigan
- Address: 919 N. East Torch Lake Drive, Central Lake, MI 49622
- Ages: 7-17
- Camp type: Overnight camp
- Session length: 2-4 weeks
- Season dates: June 14-August 7
Families interested in the broader YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps can also find new friendships and wilderness adventure at YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha for Girls in Traverse City.
This content is sponsored by YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps. To learn more, visit the YMCA Camp Torch Hayo-Went-Ha website and discover more camps in and around metro Detroit in the Best Camps Guide.
