What is Sixth Grade Camp?  Strongsville's Sixth Grade Camp is an annual retreat for Strongsville Middle School students.  Camp is held every fall at various camps near Northeast Ohio. This year’s camp will be held at YMCA Camp Fitch in Pennsylvania. Camp Fitch is a premier YMCA outdoor youth camp located along the shores of Lake Erie, offering a beautiful and immersive natural setting for our students. Our planning committee works closely with the Camp Fitch staff to rent out the property exclusively for our group. The camp’s experienced staff will provide meals and facilitate an exciting lineup of activities, while our parent chaperones will be present to support and guide students throughout the weekend.

Campers will travel by chartered bus and stay in comfortable cabins. Throughout the weekend, students will participate in a variety of engaging activities such as horseback riding, archery, zip-lining, canoeing, nature hikes, campfires, climbing walls, high ropes courses, team-building games, and more. No matter the weather, fun and adventure await!

Who attends Sixth Grade Camp?

Sixth Grade Camp is open to all incoming Strongsville Middle School sixth graders.  Students must be a student in good standing with Strongsville City Schools. If you're an incoming SMS sixth grader from a parochial school or another school district, this is a great way to get to know your new classmates.  Space is limited!

How much does camp cost?

• • • The total cost per Camper is $250.00.  

    • The total cost per Chaperone is $130.00  

    • We are committed to making camp accessible for every student. If you require financial assistance, please contact your elementary guidance counselor prior to the end of the school yer to discuss available options. 

What is included in the cost of camp?

• • • The total cost per camper includes:  Transportation to/from Camp Fitch, meals throughout the weekend, activities and rental fees, a camp sweatshirt, and a cinch bag. 

Can you describe Camp Fitch?

• • • YMCA Camp Fitch is a traditional overnight camp owned and operated by the YMCA of Greater Erie. It hosts summer camp programs and rents its facilities to groups like ours in the off-season. The setting is naturally beautiful, with a classic camp atmosphere—think cabins, bunk beds, nature, bugs, critters, dirt, campfires, friends, new experiences, s’mores—the full outdoor adventure! If you’ve ever been camping, this will feel familiar. Visit the Camp Fitch website for photos and more details.

What are the cabin/sleeping arrangements?

• • • Camp Fitch has indoor lodges that have bunkbeds.  There are heaters, ceiling fans and screens in the cabins, but there is no air conditioning.  Campers will use shared restroom facilities (separated by gender) in the lodges.   There will be chaperones sleeping in the rooms with the campers.

    • A bunk request section is included in the camper registration form.  You will be able to list up to 4 kids your camper would like to bunk with.  We will do our very best to make sure campers have at least one friend in their cabin.  Remember, the point of sixth grade camp is to make new friends.  We will be putting different groups together for activity rotations, so there are opportunities for campers to see different friends throughout the camp.  Our goal is to make sure everyone has fun and feels included!

Can campers bring their cell phone?

• • • It is entirely up to the discretion of the parents'/guardians' whether campers bring cellphones and/or valuables to camp.  If campers do bring these items, they are fully responsible for them.  Chaperones and staff are NOT responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen phones/valuables.  Please note that cell phone service is not reliable at the camp. 

Where can I register and pay? 

• • • Space is limited for both Campers and Chaperones!  Full registration on both the Strongsville Sixth Grade Camp website and Camp Fitch's website plus payment must be completed BY JUNE 20, 2026 to secure spots. Please note that we are only accepting 1 chaperone per family at this time.  If more than one parent/guardian from the same family would like to chaperone, please register and we will add you to a waitlist.

      • • REGISTRATION CLOSED AS OF JUNE 21, 2026

Still have more questions?

• Check out our FAQ page HERE

• Send us an e-mail at  SixthGradeCamp@gmail.com  This fun-filled weekend is organized and facilitated by parent volunteers, not Strongsville Middle School or PTA.  If you're interested in helping (small jobs to big jobs!) please let us know.  There are opportunities to help, even if you are not chaperoning or even able to attend camp. 

2026 Camp Planning Committee: Robin Byrne, Amie LaBahn, Suzanne Blair, Keila Branch, Jillian Cameron, Christa Heckman, Heather Metcalf, Lora Puskar, Amy Russo & Jen Watrob