Summer Camp

Kids will have a blast at YMCA Summer camp! Kids will enjoy field trips, arts and crafts, games, sports, wellness activities, swimming and so much more! The theme for summer camp this year is Blast on the Bayou, so the activities we will provide include: Swamp Splash'n, Bayou Games, Swamp Kids, Crawdaddy Week and Bayou Boating.

Day Camp

Day camp can offer almost all of the benefits of traditional camp -- new experiences, skill building, a sense of community and lasting friendship -- in rural and urban setting while allowing campers to return home each afternoon. YMCAs across the nation offer day camps for elementary children and some have offering for pre-schoolers and teens.

Specialty Camps

Camping is for everyone, and the Y offers specialty camps that focus on particular programming like teen adventure, music, sports specialties, dance and more.                     

FIELD TRIPS

We want to make our campers’ experience with the YMCA as memorable as possible.  During the summer, each age group will have the opportunity to enjoy the minimum of one field trip per week. 

Counselor in Training (CIT) and Leader in Training (LIT) Teen Leadership Programs at Camp

The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills, particularly in assisting counselors with younger campers. The goals of CIT and LIT camp programs are to teach the general skills of leadership that can be used at school, home and community (not just at camp.) For younger camp leaders (ages 13-15), the curriculum includes working with younger kids at camp, but often includes community components like volunteering at senior centers or YMCAs. Counselors-in-Training or "CITs" are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp the next summer, maybe as a Jr Counselor or some other supporting role. They need to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers, and more experience planning and leading activities. Both programs give kid age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence and capacity for working with people of all ages. Our counselors have over 40 hours of child care training; CPR/First-Aid, Background Checks, Child Abuse Prevention, Playground Safety and More!

Why YMCA Summer Camps?

As part of the Y’s commitment to strengthening community by nurturing the potential of youth, YMCA camp programs offer a fun and unique experience that gives children and teens the opportunity to discover their full potential, meet new friends, play and create memories that last a lifetime, all while becoming part of a community.

While summer should be a time of exploration, youth are sometimes less involved in activities that stimulate their mind and body. Camp gives children and teens the opportunity to get outdoors and learn about nature, discover new interests, be more physically active, and develop confidence, independence, leadership and social skills.

Nationally, the Y has been a leader in providing summer camp for more than 125 years. The YMCA Summer Camp continues to give youth an enriching, safe experience with caring staff and volunteers who model positive values that help build their kids’ character. 

The Y encourages parents to give their child(ren) the experience of camp to help keep them healthy and engaged during the summer. And, to ensure that all kids have this opportunity, the YMCA of the Capital Area has financial assistance programs/offers scholarships to help parents in need send their child to camp.

Five Reasons Why Kids Should Attend Summer Camp

1. ADVENTURE: Summer camp is all about a wide variety of fun adventures and new experiences, and especially exploring the outdoors. YMCA camps have a new adventure for every child and teen. Visit ymcabr.org/programs/camp for details.

2. HEALTHY FUN: Day and resident camps offer fun, stimulating activities that engage the body and mind, and also help children and teens learn the importance of nutrition to help improve their eating habits. 

3. PERSONAL GROWTH: While being away from the routine back home, youth have a chance to learn new skills, and develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges.

4. NEW FRIENDSHIPS: Amidst the fun of camp games, songs, swimming, canoeing and talent shows, campers meet new friends. 

5. MEMORIES: Summer camp is an unforgettable experience that will give each camper memories (and campfire stories) that will last a lifetime. Youth return to school with plenty of camp stories to share!

YMCA Camping Facts

The Y is one of the largest providers of camp programs. There are over 1,920 day camps across the country, 335 resident camps for youth and teens and 902 specialty camp programs that meet the diverse needs of children and teens, such as youth with disabilities and illnesses.
 
Ys nationwide serve 800,000 kids and adults through summer day and resident camp programs.  In addition more than 350,000 youth, teens, families, school and retreat groups are served each year with group camping overnight programs.

The Y gives youth early work experience, employing 61,000 college-aged young adults as summer resident camp leaders each year.

Tens of thousands of teens are annually enrolled in “Leader in Training” and “Counselor in Training” every summer at YMCA day and resident camps.