QUESTORS*, Ages 12 to 13

Campers have the opportunity to choose from a variety of specialties; horses, surfing, sports, art and photography, dance, drama, mountain biking, rock climbing or outdoor adventure. New this year, campers who've never attended Jones Gulch or who prefer a little more variety can choose the all-camp specialty where they will have a smorgasboard of activities to choose from. 

RANGERS*,   Ages 14 to 15

Rangers will choose from a variety of specialties; horses, surfing, sports, art and photography, dance, drama, mountain biking, rock climbing or outdoor adventure. New this year, campers who've never attended Jones Gulch or who prefer a little more variety can choose the all-camp specialty where they will have a smorgasboard of activities to choose from. Rangers are the only unit to participate in our Ropes Course program.

*Questor and Ranger Specialty Descriptions

Questor and Ranger campers will pick one of ten specialty choices during their stay at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch.  For two hours each morning, campers will partake in the activity that they have chosen.  They will learn skill surrounding this activity that they can take home with them after camp.

Art: Campers will learn the fundamentals of several art mediums, including drawing, painting and photography.  The campers’ artwork will be displayed in a gallery to be viewed by the other campers at the end of the week.

CampSpecialty: This is for the camper who doesn’t want to have to choose! This specialty will do all the regular activities: canoes, archery, hikes and pool just to name a few.

Dance: Campers will learn the fundamentals of different styles of dance. They will perform a couple of choreographed pieces on the last day of camp for the rest of the campers.

Drama: This group will work together to create a small dramatic production of their choice (with the guidance of the instructors), which will be performed for the rest of the campers on the last day of camp.

Horses: Campers will learn the basics of horse care (grooming and saddling) and Western-style horseback riding. They will take shorter trail rides on the first few days of camp and have a longer full-day ride on the last day of the specialty. No riding experience required.

Mountain Biking: Campers will explore the trill of biking through our many trails at camp, with shorter rides on the first three days and a longer full-day ride on the last.  Campers will also learn the basics of bicycle maintenance and repair.

Outdoor Adventure: This Specialty focuses on outdoor skills. Campers will spend time hiking, orienteering (with limited use of GPS navigational devices) and cooking outdoors.

Rock Climbing: This specialty activity teaches the basics of climbing, knot-tying and belaying. Campers will spend the first three days at camp, using our 42ft climbing wall.  On the last day, campers will have the chance to use their skills to natural rock climb at a local state park.

Sports: Campers will receive an overview of several sports such as basketball, soccer, softball or baseball. One day will be spent at the beach learning sports such as beach volleyball or ultimate frisbee.  

Surfing: This option is for anyone who wants to ride the waves.  The first day is spent in the camp pool to learning how to stand on the boards.  For the next three days campers will head to beaches in either Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay.  Ability to swim is required.  No prior surfing experience necessary.