Lums Pond Youth Camp

For parents, educators, and youth organization leaders across Delaware, providing engaging and educational outdoor experiences for young people is a top priority. When seeking a dedicated space that combines natural beauty with structured outdoor activities, the options can sometimes feel limited. However, nestled within one of Delaware's most beloved state parks is a remarkable resource: Lums Pond Youth Camp. This facility, part of the larger Lums Pond State Park, is specifically designed to cater to youth groups, offering a unique opportunity for young Delawareans to connect with nature, build teamwork skills, and create lasting memories in a safe and supportive environment.

Lums Pond Youth Camp is not a typical family campground open to individual bookings; rather, it is a specialized group camping area. This distinction is crucial, as it means the camp is tailored to the needs of organized youth groups, such as scout troops, school outdoor clubs, church youth groups, and similar organizations. This focus allows for programs and facilities that are specifically geared towards the development and enjoyment of young people in an outdoor setting. The emphasis is on fostering camaraderie, teaching outdoor skills, and instilling an appreciation for nature through immersive experiences.

Being part of Lums Pond State Park, the youth camp benefits from all the extensive resources and natural beauty of the wider park. Lums Pond itself is the largest freshwater pond in Delaware, offering a picturesque backdrop for numerous water-based and land-based activities. The state park is renowned for its diverse recreational opportunities, making it an ideal setting for educational and adventurous youth programming. For local Delaware groups looking to plan an impactful outdoor experience for their members, Lums Pond Youth Camp provides a structured and well-equipped environment to achieve their goals. This article will explore the camp's unique offerings, its prime location, and why it is an excellent choice for youth outdoor adventures in the First State.

Lums Pond Youth Camp is located within the expansive Lums Pond State Park, with its address generally associated with the park's main entrance, which is 1068 Howell School Rd, Bear, DE 19701, USA. While the specific youth camp area is nestled within the park, this general address places it conveniently in Bear, New Castle County, Delaware.

This location offers excellent accessibility for groups coming from various parts of Delaware and even neighboring states. Bear is a well-developed suburban area with direct access to major roadways, including Route 1 and Route 40, and close proximity to I-95. This network of highways makes travel to Lums Pond from Wilmington, Newark, Dover, and other Delaware towns straightforward. It also allows for relatively easy trips from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, making it a prime destination for regional youth organizations.

Beyond the excellent road access, the park's setting provides a sense of immersion in nature while still being relatively close to essential services. While campers will feel removed from urban bustle, the proximity to Bear means that emergency services, supplies, and other necessary amenities are never far away. The strategic location within a popular state park also means that the youth camp benefits from the park's existing infrastructure and safety protocols, offering peace of mind for organizers.

Lums Pond Youth Camp, as a dedicated group camping facility, offers services tailored to the needs of youth organizations for an immersive outdoor experience.

• Primitive Group Campsites: The camp primarily offers primitive group campsites, designed to accommodate larger numbers of young people in a more rustic setting.
• Basic Amenities per Site: Each group campsite is equipped with essential features, typically including a fire ring for campfires and a picnic table for group meals and activities.
• Non-Potable Water Access: The sites are generally provided with access to non-potable water, suitable for cleaning and other general uses, though groups would need to plan for potable water.
• Portable Toilets: For convenience, portable toilets are available at the group campsites, offering basic sanitation facilities.
• Access to Lums Pond State Park Facilities: As part of the wider Lums Pond State Park, youth camp participants gain access to a multitude of park amenities, which include modern restrooms with hot showers at the main campground area, a dump station for RVs (if applicable for support vehicles), and a camp store for supplies.
• Reservation System: Reservations for group sites are typically handled through the Delaware State Parks system, sometimes via a lottery system for popular periods, ensuring organized booking for groups.

Lums Pond Youth Camp and its setting within Lums Pond State Park offer numerous features and highlights that make it an exceptional choice for youth outdoor programs in Delaware:

• Largest Freshwater Pond in Delaware: The central feature, Lums Pond, spans 200 acres and provides a beautiful setting for a variety of water activities, including fishing (with proper license), boating, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating (rentals often available May through September). Note that swimming is generally not permitted in the pond.
• Extensive Trail System: The park boasts over 10 miles of trails, including the 6.4-mile Swamp Forest Trail that circles the pond and the 8.1-mile Little Jersey Trail. These flat, easy trails are ideal for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding, offering diverse opportunities for outdoor exploration and exercise.
• Go Ape! Zipline & Treetop Adventure Course: A major highlight is the Go Ape! course, offering a thrilling aerial adventure with ziplines, rope ladders, and obstacles suitable for ages 10 and up. This provides a unique and exciting team-building or recreational activity.
• Nature Center: The Whale Wallow Nature Center, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, offers engaging environmental education. It features local wildlife exhibits, including a 500-gallon fish tank, reptiles, and amphibians, providing an educational component to the outdoor experience.
• Equestrian Center: Sunset Stables Equestrian Center offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides, providing another unique outdoor activity option for youth groups.
• Athletic Fields and Courts: The park is equipped with multiple all-purpose athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a volleyball court, allowing for various sports and group games. There's also an 18-hole disc golf course.
• Dedicated Youth Camping Focus: Unlike general campgrounds, Lums Pond Youth Camp is specifically designed for groups, fostering an environment conducive to youth development, outdoor skill-building, and group cohesion.
• Natural Beauty and Wildlife: The park's diverse habitats, from hardwood forests to wetlands, are home to a variety of flora and fauna, including turtles, frogs, herons, osprey, and various wildflowers, offering excellent opportunities for nature observation and study.

As Lums Pond Youth Camp operates as a designated group camping facility within a state park system, specific "promotions" in the traditional commercial sense are not typically offered. Instead, the value lies in the structured pricing for group sites and access to the extensive amenities of Lums Pond State Park.

The rates for group sites are standardized (e.g., $60 per site per night for a maximum of 30 people at certain group sites, with potentially different rates for other group sites within the park). Reservations are often handled through a lottery system for popular dates, followed by first-come, first-served for remaining availability.

For the most current information on group rates, availability, and the reservation process, it is essential for youth group leaders to directly contact Delaware State Parks or the Lums Pond State Park office. Inquiring well in advance, especially for peak seasons, is crucial to secure a spot for your group. While there may not be "specials," the established pricing ensures a predictable cost for a high-value outdoor experience.

To inquire about Lums Pond Youth Camp, make reservations for group sites, or obtain more information about Lums Pond State Park, please use the following contact details:

Address: Lums Pond State Park, 1068 Howell School Rd, Bear, DE 19701, USA (While the youth camp itself is within the park, this is the primary park address.)

Phone: (302) 368-6989 (Lums Pond State Park Office)

Toll Free: (877) 987-2757 (Delaware State Parks Reservation Call Center)

Youth group leaders are highly encouraged to contact the Lums Pond State Park office or the Delaware State Parks reservation line well in advance of their desired camping dates. This will allow them to discuss group site availability, specific requirements for youth camps, reservation procedures (including any lottery systems), and to confirm current rates and regulations.

Lums Pond Youth Camp, situated within the dynamic Lums Pond State Park, is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for local Delaware residents, particularly for youth organizations seeking impactful outdoor experiences. For parents, scout leaders, and educators in Delaware, finding a safe, engaging, and well-equipped environment for young people to connect with nature and develop essential life skills is paramount. This dedicated youth camp fulfills that need perfectly.

The primary advantage of Lums Pond Youth Camp is its specific focus on group camping for young people. Unlike general campgrounds, its facilities and policies are tailored to the dynamics of youth organizations, providing a structured yet adventurous setting for learning and growth. The primitive campsites offer a genuine outdoor experience, while access to the broader Lums Pond State Park ensures a wealth of activities. From exploring the largest freshwater pond in Delaware through boating and fishing, to navigating the thrilling Go Ape! Treetop Adventure Course, or hiking the extensive network of trails, there are endless opportunities for physical activity, environmental education, and team building. The Nature Center further enhances the educational aspect, offering insights into local wildlife and ecosystems.

Furthermore, the camp's accessible location in Bear, with easy links to major highways, means that youth groups from all corners of Delaware can conveniently reach this outdoor haven. This strategic positioning minimizes travel time, allowing more time for actual outdoor programming and reducing logistical burdens for group leaders. The presence within a well-managed state park also provides a level of security and oversight that is highly valued for youth activities. Lums Pond Youth Camp is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a foundation for building character, fostering teamwork, and creating indelible childhood memories in the heart of Delaware's beautiful natural landscape. It truly is a premier destination for local youth outdoor adventure.