Raintree Ranch YMCA
YMCA of San Diego County · YMCA
Small overnight horseback-riding camp in the mountains of Julian run by the YMCA of San Diego County, the sister camp to YMCA Camp Marston a ten-minute walk away. Campers ages 9 to 16 spend about half of each day with the camp's 42 horses across ground classes on anatomy and tack, western arena lessons and hour-long trail rides over 230 acres of forest, with the rest of the day given to traditional camp activities; an optional 6:30am tack-up lets campers groom and saddle before breakfast, and the week closes with a Friday horse show. A Pegasus leadership track adds mentoring and hands-on camp experience for teens 15 to 17. The camp states a 2:10 staff-to-camper ratio, health care personnel and a health centre on site, and a nut-aware kitchen; ACCESS financial assistance is available, cabins are grouped by age and cell phones are not permitted.
Sessions & rates
| Session | Dates | Ages | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1Register → | Jun 6 – Jun 11, 2027 | 9–16 | $1500 | Open |
| Session 2Register → | Jun 13 – Jun 18, 2027 | 9–16 | $1500 | Open |
| Session 3Register → | Jun 20 – Jun 25, 2027 | 9–16 | $1500 | Open |
Camp Pricing: members $1,350, non-members $1,500; Mountain Bus $50 at either rate
Registration opens October 1, 2026; $300 non-refundable deposit per week
Availability shown as of Aug 7, 2026.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact YMCA of San Diego County directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
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★Journey GrasmickI wish I could give this camp zero stars. I went here years ago with a friend and was reminded of this camp recently and my horrible experience I wish I had written this review sooner but never got around to it. When you get there it seems all is well until the parents leave. There’s no phones allowed which I understand and no makeup allowed which I sort of understand but the issue with that is that I have trichotillomania and I feel very uncomfortable without eyebrows or eyelashes so I drew them on and was yelled at for that NOT TO MENTION all the counselors get to be on their phones and do their makeup without a problem which seems very unfair. They forced us to sit in the wet dirt in lines everyday when we were told what we would be doing that day and would yell at us and force us to sit if we were squatting and didn’t want to sit in the mud. We had 2 minutes each to shower and I maybe showered twice while there. I was yelled at and punished for not participating in childish games and songs against my will although I was a teenager at the time. We were forced to wake up at 3 or 4am a day during the week to tend to the horses and the day parents came to clean up the cabins, most of the camp and clean up after the horses in order to make everything appear perfect for the parents. We were woken up at 6am daily and I felt like I barely got any sleep the whole time I was here which is detrimental for the amount of energy we were expending for the daily activities. They instructed us to march and walk faster every time we walked up the 50-100 uneven unsafe steps to the girls cabins. I remember getting frustrated carrying all of our belongings down those steps when we were leaving at the end of the week that I ended up throwing one of my bags down and it wasn’t hindering anyone else and a counselor yelled at me and made me cry and accused me of having anger issues and asked what was wrong with me and belittled me and made me feel less than a person. She also made my friend cry I can’t recall exactly why because it’s been a while. Overall this camp had a toxic, unfair, controlling atmosphere. It almost felt like a boot camp. The only good part about this camp was being with the horses. I would advise anyone to stay away from this camp unless it’s completely changed in the last few years.
★Alex CalegariCamp Raintree ruined my son's 6th grade camp experience by cancelling the camp the Thursday before they were set to depart for camp the next Monday. The reason that they site for the cancellation was "Staffing Issue". These poor 6th graders won't get this experience again. So much hard work and fund raising, purchases in preparation for the experience, all for nothing because this YMCA program couldn't get it together. Not a program that should be trusted.
★★★★★Ali CadieuxI have been going here for 8 years now and coming to this camp is the highlight of my summer. Raintree is my home away from home, there is no discrimination or judgement and that makes Raintree my favorite place in the world. I highly recommend this camp to everyone.
★★★★★Angie Mama Lady Original G -old Gmail acct-My daughter said the experience at Raintree was something she's never going to forget! She loves the food. You can be selective and request vegetarian. They also have a great menu that makes camp meal times fun as well as memorable! **We encourage NonGMO and hope it is SUPPORTED locally soon by companies like Suja, Milton's... other amazing local Organic, local and NonGMO project companies. THE YMCA IS FOR THE KIDS!! LET'S GO WITH KEEPING THEM Supported with Sacred Space being held from all Networks!!**
★★★★★Ania KuriataI have been going to Raintree Ranch for the past 9 years for their summer camp program, and would recommend it for everybody's child, no matter if they are nine or seventeen. Raintree Ranch is a place that has created some of my most cherished moments and has influenced a lot of who I am today. The counselors are kind, patient, funny, relatable, and make sure that no child feels left behind or not having fun. The food is stellar, and the facilities are as clean as they can be at a horse camp. It is guaranteed to have your child come back home exhausted, smiling, and waiting for another year.