Though YMCA Camp Twin Lakes is located near the middle of Cedar Park, the playgrounds, picnic pavilions and quiet spaces can make the area seem like it is in the middle of the wilderness.

Camp Twin Lakes sits adjacent to the Twin Lakes Family YMCA off Little Elm Trail in Cedar Park, and since the late 1990s the YMCA of Greater Williamson County has managed the 55-acre park to provide recreation to families in the area through programs and camps.

Day camps have been a staple of the camp since its creation, and cabins and a dining hall were recently added to accommodate overnight camp, which will begin its second season of operation this summer. Facilities such as the cabins, dining hall, pavilions, lodges and amphitheater can be rented out for functions such as weddings, retreats and corporate events.

“We have been hosting day camp and other programs since 1990,” Executive Director Doug Grimm said. “The camp has routinely had 600-plus kids a day out here [in summer], and every year more [amenities are] built. The big push had been for overnight camp, which we finally opened last summer.”

Resident Camp Director Rachel Wacker said families can expect a little bit of everything at overnight camp.

“Canoes, kayaks, a 100-foot-long waterslide into the lake, big inflatable slides and obstacle courses in the lake, archery, paintball, fishing, hiking, sewing, dance, skit nights, talent shows and campfires with s’mores—because what’s overnight camp without that?” she said.

Wacker said children who stay more than one week have enough activity options to continuously try new things.

“Kids also discover independence and self-reliance,” Wacker said. “We just want to create an environment that fosters positive growth. For some kids that may just be discovering the confidence to try something they wouldn’t have tried at the beginning of the week.”

She said making friends is one of the best parts about Camp Twin Lakes.

“We have four campers who met here last summer that don’t go to the same school or live in the same area,” she said. “They’re all coming back the same week this year and staying in the same cabin. They’ve stayed friends throughout the year. Relationships built at camp last.”

YMCA Camp Twin Lakes 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park 512-257-0709 www.camptwinlakes.ymcagwc.org Office hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.