YMCA Camp Hi-Rock — Local services in Mount Washington

Disappointed and Heartbroken — Please Read if Your Child Has Food Allergies or Autoimmune Conditions

My son attended Camp YMCA Hi-Rock for the first time this past summer (2025). He has celiac disease, and I took every precaution before drop-off: I emailed, called, and spoke with staff in person at check-in. I was reassured multiple times that they had experience managing celiac and could handle his dietary needs safely.

However, less than 24 hours after dropping him off, I received a call from the camp nurse informing me that my son was vomiting. For those unfamiliar with celiac disease, ingesting gluten can cause him to vomit for hours. Shockingly, the nurse assumed it was a stomach bug and told me he had given my son a cracker and some Pepto-Bismol. I had to explain—again—that he has celiac disease. The nurse’s response: “I’m not sure if this was flagged.” Needless to say, I was furious and devastated.

My 11-year-old son spent the entire day in the nurse's office, missing out on camp activities. Even worse, some staff members tried to blame him for grabbing a regular pancake—an 11-year-old, navigating a food allergy, in a new environment, with no guidance.

After this incident, the staff met and developed a plan for the rest of his stay. Thankfully, he didn’t get sick again. But this should never have happened in the first place. If the camp wasn’t prepared to handle celiac safely, they should have told me. I never would have enrolled him. I was told repeatedly he would be fine.

Could you imagine if this were a nut allergy?

A simple conversation at the start of camp—a staff member showing him exactly where to get safe gluten-free food—could have prevented this. Instead, he spent the rest of the week homesick and saying he couldn't wait to come home.

We will not be returning.

I share this for parents of children with allergies or autoimmune diseases: even if you email, call, speak to staff in person, and list everything on registration forms—please be cautious.

Camp YMCA Hi-Rock, please take accountability...

"Can I stay longer next year?”

My son just finished his third summer here as a camper, after six wonderful summers at family camp, and the experience continues to exceed all expectations. The level of care, intentionality, and dedication that goes into creating magical, life-changing moments for campers is truly remarkable.

A few highlights:

The Staff: Warm, engaging, energetic, and fun—this is an extraordinary team. They come from around the corner and across the globe, bringing with them a passion for making every camper feel seen, welcomed, and valued.

The Atmosphere: From the moment you drive up the camp road, it feels like entering another world. Towering trees, breathtaking mountains, and a sparkling lake set the stage for endless summer adventures.

The Activities: The balance is perfect—time with the cabin and unit, along with the freedom to choose coaching periods and activities during free time. My son especially loved waterskiing, swimming, and paddleboarding!

At the end of camp, he summed it up best: “Thanks for sending me to camp, Dad! I had the best time! Can I stay longer next year?”

I couldn’t be more grateful to the amazing people who make this experience possible. This camp is a true gift—for campers and...

Once Upon A Time...there was this secret clearing in the forest beside an enchanting pond that would lure boys and girls from all walks of life to then cast a spell upon them that they would never want to leave but stay to play and learn and remain forever young.

Well, the place is not a secret anymore but still available to be experienced and enjoyed very much in the same way as the fable above has described it. This place is Camp Hi-Rock nestled in a unique little mountain town called Mt. Washington in Massachusetts.

I have seen this place touch people's lives like no other. It is here where a kid, or even an adult will come to not only learn skills but also to make a certain connection with the surrounding environment. It is here where someone will make friends for life and find out later that their visit had very much to do with what they have become in a positive way.

I was a boy there my first summer in 1969 - never left really..... back to visit every summer since and still feeling young. Anybody thinking of attending or sending your child there....do it and see...