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YMCA Camp Ernst is a summer camp nestled in the woods of Burlington, KY. The bucolic setting
is enclosed by bodies of water. Both Salamander Creek and Gunpowder Creek form the boundary of most of the acreage, (over 300 acres, to be precise.) Camo Ernst Lake forms the upper boundary.

Salamander Creek is a fossil-lover's dream. In fact, many museums, such as the Field Museum in Chicago, exhibit fossils embedded in limestone found in the Northern Kentucky (Tri-State) Area. Crinoid columnals, which are generally small circular fossils a centimeter or less in width, are the most noticeable fossil in the rock bed of Salamander Creek. Such fossils may have a hole toward the axis (bead shape) but are common without holes as well. Crinoid columnals are common in limestones and shales throughout Kentucky, especially central Kentucky and around Cumberland Lake.

Over time (since around 1930), the camp has become an historic place where generations come, year after year, to relive their youth. The cycle of life repeats itself as young children, who have never experienced summer camp, discover the magic of Camp Ernst. Upon discovery, they never want to leave.
The Senator Ernst Dining Hall is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Children can stay at the overnight camp as long as they are 6 years old and up. Some children stay for a week, while others stay for a whole summer. Some kids wind up as staff members and work there for many years. In fact, some of the staff members have made a career out of summer camping. Famous campers-come-directors include Jon Perry, Elizabeth Wayman-Cochran, and Nathan Hirt (who now works at Camp Joy.)

Those of us who know and love the place like to flock back to it every Memorial Day Weekend. We are permitted to pretend that we are still little kids sleeping in the cabins, going on creek hikes, riding horses, and swimming in the pool.

The swimming pool was constructed in the 1950s, after the Polio outbreak. Prior to having the luxury of an underground pool, people swam in Gunpowder Creek. This creek has a bed of soft, grey clay. The clay is a derivative of limestone which is abundant in Kentucky. The limestone in Kentucky is most prevalent where water has eroded the earth.

Sometimes the clay dries up into hard, jagged forms, but when mixed with water and kneaded to the proper consistency, it becomes malleable again. If one rubs it on her face, it will dry and provide the perfect clay mask. The clay naturally sucks the skin's oils out of the pores (especially in the T-zone) so that an individual may have clean and balanced skin.

A primitive and exotic tradition for people at camp is to rub the clay all over their bodies. At that point, they are designated as "Clay Bunnies." They also have the opportunity to become "muck bunnies," if they so desire. To attain this status, they must visit a shallow cove on the North side of Camp Ernst Lake. They will squirm their toes in the organic mixture of dead leaves, fish, and other black, oil-like materials. Although muck resembles oil, it mixes well with water, and has a pungent, deep smell. It takes one several days to wash the scent off their body. However, tomato juice is not required to do so.

If one should encounter a skunk at Camp Ernst, then they would need to stay clear. Many animals have been found consuming human food. Several raccoons have been known to hang out in the Camp Kitchen, and many skunks have entered cabins. One particular raccoon fell through the ceiling above the kitchen and then ran around the dining hall. It finally ran out the door, after several people tried to catch it.

Hundreds of silver tin cups hang from the ceiling of the Dining Hall. The cups have the names of past campers on them who received the cup as a special reward for doing something good at camp. There are two moose heads on the wall, who have been named Mangy and Martha Moose. On the last day of each session, before the kids go home, the staff sing a song to Mangy. It is sung to the tune of the "Mickey Mouse" anthem, but with a twist. The staff put their left hand over their hearts, and sing, "Now its time to say goodbye..."

The camp was established by Senator Ernst, (KY). He relocated the camp, which was originally located in upstate New York.
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