About Camp Carter

A Camp Experience Rooted in Tradition and Centered on Our Core Values

At YMCA Camp Carter, our goal is simple and powerful: to help every child, family, and group grow in spirit, mind, and body through experiences that are meaningful, fun, and deeply connected to our YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Since 1948, Camp Carter has been a place where campers discover independence, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships. Whether stepping outside their comfort zone for the first time, reconnecting with nature, or finding a sense of belonging within a caring community, every guest at Camp Carter becomes part of our story.

From summer camps and outdoor education to retreats, family programming, and group gatherings, Camp Carter is more than a destination—it’s a place where memories are made and character is shaped long after the campfire fades.

Building Character. Creating Belonging.

The lessons learned at camp extend far beyond a single visit. Through hands-on activities, shared experiences, and intentional programming, Camp Carter helps participants grow as leaders, teammates, and individuals.

As a YMCA camp, Camp Carter is grounded in the belief that camp is for all. Since our founding, we have remained committed to accessibility by providing scholarships and financial assistance to families, schools, and community groups whenever possible. Every child deserves the opportunity to experience camp and every camper should feel safe, valued, and welcome from the moment they arrive. At Camp Carter, guests don’t just attend camp, we make them feel like we’ve been waiting just for them.

Our History: A Legacy That Began With One Camper

The story of YMCA Camp Carter began with a single, powerful experience, one that would ultimately shape generations.

As a 10‑year‑old boy, Amon G. Carter Jr. attended YMCA Camp Holland near Weatherford, Texas. Like so many camp stories before and since, that summer changed him. He returned home inspired, confident, and full of joy, so much so that his father, Amon G. Carter Sr., a civic leader and philanthropist, began to imagine something bigger: a permanent YMCA camp where the youth of Fort Worth could experience the same sense of belonging, growth, and adventure.

That vision became reality in 1948, when YMCA Camp Carter officially opened, welcoming campers from Fort Worth and the surrounding region.

In its earliest decades, Camp Carter focused on traditional YMCA camping for boys – simple cabins, outdoor skills, swimming, group activities, and shared meals that brought diverse communities together. The camp quickly became a trusted summer destination for Fort Worth families.

Like many YMCA camps of the era, Camp Carter also served as a hub for:

  • Youth development programs
  • Church and civic group retreats
  • Leadership and character education

These early years established Camp Carter as a place where values were learned not through lectures, but through lived experiences outdoors.

As Fort Worth and surrounding communities grew, so did Camp Carter’s role. Through the latter half of the 20th century, the camp expanded both its physical facilities and its programmatic reach, evolving to serve more than just summer campers. Notably, Camp Carter opened it’s doors to female campers in the early 1970’s bringing young girls outdoor experiences along with their male counterparts.

During this period, Camp Carter increasingly became:

  • A destination for school outdoor education programs
  • A host site for family camps and multi‑generational experiences
  • A trusted retreat center for nonprofits, faith communities, and businesses

These decades reflected a broader YMCA shift from seasonal programming to year‑round impact with Camp Carter adapting to meet the educational, recreational, and relational needs of a rapidly changing population.

In the modern era, Camp Carter continues to evolve while honoring the traditions that define it. Facilities have been updated for comfort and safety, programs have responded to educational standards and family needs, and staff leadership has remained focused on delivering high‑quality experiences rooted in YMCA values.

More than 75 years after opening its gates, Camp Carter is still doing what it was designed to do, changing lives, one experience at a time.

From its founding, Camp Carter has remained committed to the YMCA principle that camp is for all. Scholarships and financial assistance have ensured that cost is not a barrier to participation allowing youth from all backgrounds to experience camp.

While annual attendance has varied over the decades depending on programming and season, Camp Carter today serves thousands of guests each year through:

  • Summer camp
  • Outdoor education programs
  • Group retreats and conferences
  • Day visits and special events

Estimated Lifetime Impact

Based on conservative averages across YMCA overnight and resident camps of similar size and longevity, it is estimated that over 1,000,000 have visited YMCA Camp Carter including campers, students, retreat guests, and other participants across 75+ years.

A Place for Learning, Gathering, and Getting Away

YMCA Camp Carter is a place where experiences meet purpose. Our diverse programs and facilities make Camp Carter an ideal destination for:

  • Summer day and overnight camps
  • Outdoor education field trips and school programs
  • Family camps and special events
  • Community and corporate retreats, rentals, conferences, and team-building facilitation
  • Church groups, nonprofits, and community organizations
  • Weekend getaways, reunions, and weddings

Whether you’re here for a day, a week, or a long-awaited reunion, Camp Carter offers space to unplug from daily routines and reconnect with nature, with others, and with what matters most.

Children playing with red balls in a sandy play area at YMCA Camp Carter, engaging in outdoor activities that promote fun and social interaction
Girl wearing snorkeling mask and sticking out her tongue, surrounded by colorful backpacks and camp supplies
Children participating in archery activity at YMCA Camp Carter, surrounded by wooden barriers in a natural outdoor setting

Our Staff

Eddie Norgard

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
enorgard@ymcafw.org

Devin Barry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
dbarry@ymcafw.org

Dalton Smith

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dalton.Smith@ymcafw.org

Amber Loose

GROUPS & RETREATS COORDINATOR
aloose@ymcafw.org

Brendon Henderson

MAINTENANCE & AQUATICS MANAGER
bhenderson@ymcafw.org

Steph Pottichen

EQUESTRIAN CENTER MANAGER
spottichen@ymcafw.org

Laura King

HEAD WRANGLER
lking@ymcafw.org

Tomesia Morgan

BUSINESS MANAGER
tmorgan@ymcafw.org

Placeholder image for upcoming YMCA photo

VACANT

SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Placeholder image for upcoming YMCA photo

VACANT

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER

Placeholder image for upcoming YMCA photo

VACANT

MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR

Our Facilities: Designed for Comfort, Connection, and Discovery

Nestled in a natural setting that invites exploration and reflection, YMCA Camp Carter’s facilities are designed to support both adventure and comfort, creating the perfect environment for growth at every age.

Cabins & Lodging

Our heated and air-conditioned cabins provide a comfortable retreat after a full day of activities. Designed to foster community while meeting modern comfort needs, cabins allow campers, families, and groups to rest, recharge, and connect. Most cabins can hold approximately 24 individuals across both sides.

Outdoor Learning & Nature

Camp Carter is uniquely suited for hands-on learning. Students step beyond the classroom to engage with science, history, and nature in ways that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Open green spaces, wooded areas, and newly constructed outdoor learning zones make Camp Carter a living classroom.

Meeting & Retreat Spaces

From small gatherings to large group retreats, YMCA Camp Carter offers flexible indoor and outdoor spaces ideal for meetings, celebrations, workshops, and team-building experiences combined with the calm and inspiration that only camp can provide.

Say What?! Stories from Camp

"Since I arrived at Camp Carter, everyone here has made me feel so welcomed and appreciated to be here. The team environment is amazing; I now have a lot of friends that will last a lifetime. The experiences Camp Carter has to offer exceeded my expectations. I know when next year’s counselors come to work here, they will have the best summer and memories they will never ever forget. I have had the best summer here and am really hoping to return!"
Massimo Orlandin-Field
Summer 2026 Staff Member
"Most of the kids in Title 1 schools do not have the opportunity to go camping or participate in outdoor activities like these. These kids will remember this field trip forever and perhaps take on a new love for the outdoors. We appreciate the opportunity and the staff for allowing them to enjoy this experience."
Aracely Galvan
Fort Worth ISD Teacher
"This was our best Teen Retreat yet! We had a great and smooth retreat. The communication, organization and execution have been fabulous. Our camp host, Amber, is THE BEST! This summer has been the best summer for our group."
Megan Clifton
Cancer Care Services
"The staff and volunteers were great directing traffic and checking in on everything. The fee was reasonable. The communication was good going into it with lots of reminders. It was great having fur babies there as well."
Liberty Flores
Chili Cook-Off Vendor
"She made friends and memories that will last her forever!! The counselors were outstanding and great leaders!! Thank y'all for teaching them to include everyone and go out of your way to create structure for future generations to come."
Christina Cantrell
Overnight Camp Parent
"We love day camp at Camp Carter! We loved that you all regularly shared photos each day. We would look through the album at the end of each day to help them jog their memories about what they did. My kids raved about the food at Day Camp. They almost always opt to take a home lunch to school. The food at Camp Carter was so good they told me they even went back for seconds!"
Kristin Sloane
Day Camp Parent
"The staff is knowledgeable and kind. My kids enjoyed the barn so much! They not only learned about riding horses, but also horsemanship and how to take good care of the horses and equipment."
Katie Fowlds
Junior Wrangler Parent
Donate

Support YMCA Camps

Each year, the YMCA receives multiple requests for scholarships and financial support to ensure youth in our community have a safe, enriching and fun summer. Our unique curriculum combines outdoor exploration, physical activity, STEM, arts, and experiential learning delivered by highly engaged staff. As our area’s leading nonprofit for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the Y uses your gift to make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Now more than ever, your donations matter. Learn how you can build our community through a meaningful gift.

Financial Assistance & Military Camperships

The Y is here for ALL. Financial assistance and income-based scholarships are available to help make camp programs possible for every family. We encourage families to apply early, as assistance is limited.

YMCA Camp Carter proudly offers Military Camperships to families currently serving as active duty, deployed, reserve, and veteran service members. Camperships are available for both Day Camp and Overnight Camp and are awarded using a tiered system based on rank and status. We are honored to serve military families and help ensure camp is accessible to those who serve our country.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Camp Carter is more than a camp facility. As part of the YMCA of Fort Worth, we focus on helping youth, families, and groups grow in spirit, mind, and body through experiences rooted in caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Since 1948, our mission has been to build character, confidence, and connections that last a lifetime.

YMCA Camp Carter has been serving North Texas since 1948. For more than 75 years, generations of campers, students, families, and community groups have experienced adventure, belonging, and personal growth at camp.

Camp Carter programs and facilities are available to YMCA members and community members alike. We welcome individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations. Everyone who shares in our core values are welcome at camp!

Camp Carter serves a wide variety of guests, including summer campers, school groups, families, nonprofit organizations, churches, community groups, and corporate teams. Whether you’re attending for a day, a weekend, or a full week, there’s a place for you at camp. Browse the rest of our website to learn more about our various programs.

Consistent with YMCA values, Camp Carter works to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation. Financial assistance and scholarship opportunities are available for qualifying families and groups due to the generosity of our donors and funders.

Camp Carter operates throughout the year, offering summer camps, outdoor education programs, retreats, team-building experiences, family events, rentals, and special programs across all four seasons.

Each year, Camp Carter serves thousands of guests through camps, outdoor education programs, retreats, and community events. Over its 75+ year history, it is estimated that more than one million people have experienced Camp Carter.

There are many ways to support Camp Carter, including registering for programs, renting facilities, volunteering, working on staff, joining our advisory board, donating, or helping expand access for future campers. Continue to browse our website to learn more about all the ways you can get involved or email us at camper@ymcafw.org for more information.