Get to know Silver Bay
Silver Bay has a variety of accommodations to fit all groups’ needs and budgets, from private-bath rooms and shared-bath rooms in historic buildings to private cottages located on the periphery of the campus.
As a guest of Silver Bay YMCA, you can swim and paddle on one of the cleanest lakes in the world, hike our many groomed trails, or relax on the Inn porch in one of our famous rockers. While many people enjoy our property throughout the year, please note that a number of activities and amenities are only available during our peak summer season (late June through mid-August).
Silver Bay also offers an array of meeting spaces to fit the needs of your group, ranging from quaint enclosed pavilions and historic halls to a 700-person auditorium. As a courtesy to all conferences and groups, Silver Bay provides standard audio/visual as well as conferencing equipment and set up at no additional charge.
Silver Bay Fun Facts
- It is thought that Jabez Patchin built the first structure on the property, a one-room cottage, around 1800.
- Silver Bay YMCA is over 100 years old.
- In 2015, Silver Bay YMCA was the first to seek a Low Impact Development certification from the Lake George Waterkeeper.
- The bell in the auditorium tower is a 500-pound Meneely bell, cast in 1909.
- In 1910 the Lakeshore Trail and Council Ring was the site of the first Scout Master’s Training School, known as today as the Boy Scouts of America
- Silver Bay serves as the host site for more than 200 educational, cultural, environmental, religious, public groups, and family reunions each year.
Take Silver Bay wherever you go
The Store at Silver Bay has something for everyone. A beautiful array of Silver Bay mementos, t-shirts and sweatshirts, toys, books, decorative home items, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and more can be found at The Store.
A slice of pizza, a scoop of locally made ice cream, or a freshly-made crepe can also be enjoyed at The Store.
For hours please see THE BREEZE or look for the sign on the door.
Accommodations
Enjoy the conveniences of home in one of our cozy cottages.
Cottages sleep anywhere from 4 to 21 so bring the entire family. The possibilities are endless.
Enjoy a variety of hotel accommodations with views of Lake George and our expansive campus.
Looking to getaway as a group of 15 or more?
We have large homes across campus perfect for families looking to spend time together.
What to pack
Are you getting excited for your upcoming trip to Silver Bay? We sure are!
Packing can be a daunting task, to make the process a little bit easier we have compiled a packing list to ensure you have everything you need during your time at Silver Bay.
Accommodations
Silver Bay is designed for enjoying the beauty of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains, rest, relaxation and reconnecting with friends and family.
In order to maintain a tranquil atmosphere, rooms are not equipped with phones or televisions.
Cancellation penalties may apply.
Please see our Reservations page for more information.
Check In: Starts at 4:00 p.m. at the front desk in the Inn
Check Out: By 10:00 a.m. at the front desk in the Inn
For more information click here.
Adult Beverages
We offer beer and wine receptions in select locations on campus by application only.
A Silver Bay catered menu item must be served at the event.
The alcohol is provided by Silver Bay and served by a member of the Silver Bay staff. Bottled beer, wine and champagne only.
Contact the Conference Services staff for more information about how you can incorporate beer and wine into your conference, wedding, family reunion or other special event at Silver Bay.
For guests lodging on-site, a complete copy of Silver Bay’s alcohol policy may be viewed at the Front Desk or online here.
Archives
At Silver Bay, we have archives going back to when Silver Bay was first a YMCA/YWCA Secretary training center for missionaries.
We also have information regarding the pre-colonization of the area.
Silver Bay has artifacts, correspondences, photographs, and documents.
These are available to researchers and other parties interested in reviewing the pieces.
Badges
At check-in, each guest listed on your reservation will receive a badge that must be worn while on campus.
This badge is used for admission to program areas and to the dining hall if your reservation includes meals.
Bag Lunches
Bag lunches are great for hiking days, Silver Camp lunches, or for your road-trip on departure day.
Bag lunches can be ordered at the Front Desk during our off-season or at the Concierge Desk during the Summer season no later than 1:00 p.m. the day before it is needed.
Boat Slips
Dock space will be available from May 1 through October 31. Most of our slips are limited to boats that are a maximum of 20 feet long with an 8-foot beam. We have limited space available for boats over 20-feet.
See our forms section for a boat slip application
Cancellation Policy- Individual Reservations
- Cancellations up to 31 days prior to arrival will receive a refund in the amount of your deposit minus one night’s stay.
- Cancellations 0-30 days prior to arrival; 100% of the deposit will be non-refundable.
Please Note: No billing adjustments will be made to reservation changes, due to late arrival and/or early departures. Guests who fail to cancel their reservations prior to arrival date will forfeit all deposits.
Deposits- Individual Reservations
- All reservations require a 50% deposit at the time of booking.
- Full payment is due 4 weeks prior to your arrival.
Dining
Meals are included in the rates for guests staying on the Silver Bay Campus unless otherwise indicated or arranged.
We offer delicious, well-balanced, buffet-style meals for our guests served in our Dining Hall.
Dining Hall hours:
Continental Breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m.
Hot Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Drones
Personal drone use is not permitted on property or in the airspace above Silver Bay YMCA.
For catering, conference, and wedding events contracted on property professional vendors may request Silver Bay YMCA’s advance written permission for drone photography and filming exclusively within the contracted area.
For more information, please contact lbutler@silverbay.org.
Fitness Center
Located in Fisher Gymnasium, the Fitness Center offers the freedom of individual workouts for those who are ages 16 and up.
The cardio equipment includes Precor treadmills, elliptical, and exercise bikes. The strength training includes free weights and Precor equipment. During the summer, the Fitness Center is staffed with professionally trained individuals.
During the shoulder seasons, registered guests ages 18 and over are given a key to the Fitness Center. Please contact the Program Department for more information.
Laundry
There is a coin operated laundry room available to all guests located on the lower level of the Administration building.
Leadership and Team Building
For Leadership & Teambuilding program rates, group rates, or for additional information please feel free to contact the Conference & Sales office today at 518-543-8833 extension 345.
Parking
When you arrive on-campus please proceed to the front desk to check-in, pick-up your badge and obtain a parking tag.
For those staying in cottages, Spruce Mountain Lodge, Paine Hall, Trinity House and Brookside Community House, your parking is next to/nearby your accommodation. The remaining guests are invited to unload/load at their accommodation, where there is designated parking for a maximum of 15 minutes. After unloading, please park in the new main lot located at the end of the service road, near 9N.
For our off-campus guests there are several designated day-use lots located at Archery, the Children’s Pavilion, the Ice Cream Store, the Tennis Backboard and Fisher Gym. If those areas are full, you are invited to utilize our new main lot parking area.
Handicap parking spaces are located across campus from Slim Point to Archery, behind the Dining Hall, and in the new main parking area. For those who have a physical limitation and/or during inclement weather, a shuttle service will be available for transport. Please let a staff person know and they will arrange for a pick-up.
Please do not parallel park on the service road, in the Inn Circle, or any other spot that is not designated for guest parking.
Smoking
Silver Bay YMCA has a restricted smoking policy. Smoking of any kind is not allowed in any buildings, including guest rooms, meeting rooms and/or porches of any buildings.
A charge of $300.00 may be charged to the credit card on file to cover damage/cleaning fees if you violate this policy.
All public areas including beaches, unless posted otherwise, are deemed a no smoking area.
Smoking tobacco is ONLY permitted in the designated smoking area (e.g., near the flagpole).
As allowed by law in New York, Silver Bay YMCA has a strict no marijuana policy that forbids the possession, use and/or consumption of marijuana anywhere on our properties, in our facilities, or during participation in our programming.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome to purchase a daily program pass to enjoy the Silver Bay campus.
Passes are purchased at the Front Desk during the off-season and at the Concierge Desk in the William Boyd Center during the Summer season.
Vending Machines
Vending machines are located on the 1st floor of the Inn, near the locker rooms in Fisher Gymnasium and at the guest laundry room.
Wifi/ Internet
For those guests who wish to stay a little more connected, we have wireless internet access across most of the campus.
Network Name: SilverBay
*There is no password for the wifi.