Why Camp Becket?
At Camp Becket we focus on building relationships within the cabin group, consisting of eight boys and two counselors who eat, work, and play together for four weeks. The boys participate in cabin activities in the mornings and evenings, planned sometimes by staff and sometimes by the campers themselves. These might include a game of kickball against a neighboring cabin or an evening in the woodshop working on the cabin sign. Afternoons allow campers a choice of activities based on their individual preferences; our program staff and counselors 'teach' these multi-age groups everything from soccer to graphic arts. This schedule allows the cabin group to work on relationships, problem solving and cooperation and experience a 'family away from home' while making lasting friendships.

Why Summer Camp?
Fewer than 10% of our nation's children attend residential summer camp. Many families are simply unfamiliar with the positive impact a quality summer camping experience can have on a child. In the early 20th century, Charles William Eliot, then-President of Harvard University, called summer camp, “...America's most important contribution to the field of education.” In the same treatise, he wrote, “I have a conviction that a few weeks spent in a well-organized summer camp may be of more value educationally than a whole year of formal school work.” Eliot observed the many benefits of camping - heightened self-esteem, increased self-confidence, skill development, opportunity for socialization and enhanced physical fitness, to name a few - that continue to attract families to resident camping today.

History & Tradition
Men and boys have come to Becket seeking fun, challenge, and camaraderie for more than 100 years. Traditions from as far back as 1903 continue to this day: singing in the dining hall, cabin chat, campfires, Candlelight, and Final Banquet are all important parts of every boy's experience at Becket.

A Boy's World
Camp Becket offers an opportunity for boys to make friends, try new things, and learn to care for others and themselves. Our programs are specifically focused on the developmental needs and interests of boys between the ages of 8 and 15 years, making ample use of our exceptional facilities and well-trained staff to meet the potential that every boy carries within himself.

Family Involvement
There are many camps that host a visiting day, but Becket is unique in offering Dads' Weekend. Since 1922 dads and sons have shared a weekend at camp, with boys taking their dads - or other relatives, friends, or mentors - through two full days of their camp experience. Dads' Weekend offers the chance to enter your boy's world, free of the distractions of day-to-day life. Moms, siblings, and other relatives join the community on Sunday for an outdoor buffet and raffle, and many other opportunities for family experiences are offered at the BCCYMCA throught the year. Current and past parents of Becket campers - many of them former campers and staff themselves - provide volunteer leadership by participating as members of the Dads' Association, Alumni Committee, and the Board of Trustees.

Child-Centered
All of our programs, and indeed the cabin group itself, are deeply intentional structures. Your child's camp experience will be developmentally appropriate, embody current best practices in the fields of education and recreation, and facilitated by professional, well-trained staff.

Character Counts
The Becket Mottos represent our core values and are referenced in all aspects of camp, from cabin activities to Candlelight and cabin chat. Caring, respect, responsibility, honesty and service are at the center of all that we do.