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.
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.
Our Staff
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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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
