A Few Words About the Camp…

The YMCA Camp in Pelion was established in 1924 and is the first organized camp in Greece. It is in Eastern Pelion, in the village of Agios Ioannis, within the municipality of Zagora-Mouresi. It is 55 km from the city of Volos, 370 km from Athens, and 255 km from Thessaloniki.

The camp covers an area of 17,299 square meters and is approximately 100 meters from the sea. The facilities are situated on a flat surface, with most of the area covered by plane trees. The camp can accommodate 200 campers (100 boys and 100 girls) and 40 Academy staff members each camping period.

The camp is open to boys and girls aged 7-13 from all over Greece, regardless of nationality, religion, economic, or social status. The camp operates in four sessions, each lasting 21 or 15 days.

The facilities are designed in a camp style, providing all the necessary amenities and specifications for hosting campers. Accommodation is in cabins and tents, with sports facilities, sanitation areas, and auxiliary spaces to meet the needs of the stay and the camp program. Campers stay in cabins and tents accommodating 12 people, including 1 leader and 1 assistant (trainee staff). The camp is equipped with a modern clinic, and the presence of a doctor and nurse covers the children’s needs throughout the day and night.

Historical Overview: “100 Years of History” …

In 1924, YMCA established the first camp in Greece in Agios Ioannis, introducing a new concept with unprecedented programs for the youth of that time. The first director of the camp was Louis Reis, the man who brought basketball to Greece through YMCA, Thessaloniki with Apostolos Nikolaidis as his collaborator.

In 1932, by setting up ten tents on its own premises, the camp stabilized its operation. Over time, the camp gained national recognition and attracted increasing numbers of people interested in its innovative programs and work.

From 1940 to 1951, the camp intermittently ceased operations due to World War II. Since 1952, it has been operating continuously, hosting tens of thousands of Greek and foreign children, and has created a unique tradition in the field.

Until 1992, the camp operated as a boys’ camp and, from the following year (1993), began accepting girls for the first time. In 1994, it organized the European Camp PHILIA, with the participation of dozens of children aged 15-17 from 13 European countries.

In 2019, it celebrated its 95th anniversary with a three-day event, hosting hundreds of visitors and former campers in the camp and surrounding area!

2024 – 100 Years of Existence!

The 100th anniversary of our camp – the oldest and most legendary camp in Greece – should be a historic period of joy, love, and memories. However, the reality is challenging. The flood caused by storm Daniel in September 2023 resulted in significant damage to the riverside area, just before reaching a milestone in its history. For this reason, in early December 2023, YMCA Thessaloniki launched a fundraising campaign with the goal of initially raising around €500,000 to significantly repair the camp’s infrastructure, including some of the buildings, so that we can operate safely in the summer of 2024.

2025 – Έχοντας περάσει πλέον στη δεύτερη εκατονταετία της λειτουργίας της, η κατασκήνωση προγραμματίζει για το φετινό καλοκαίρι σειρά εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων (24 – 27 Ιουλίου) στον Αη Γιάννη και στην κατασκήνωση με συμμετοχή εκατοντάδων παλαιών κατασκηνωτών και φίλων από κάθε σημείο της γης.