Camp 101 .jpg)
In this class we will cover:
» General Overview of Y Day Camps
» Summer Day Camp Open Houses
» Parent Meetings
» Answers to FAQ's
Y Day Camps are all about discovery. Children have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence
and make lasting friendships and memories. And of course, they are
doing all of this while having fun too! With more than 2,000 day camps serving more than 800,000 kids every summer, the Y is one of the nation's largest providers of camping programs in the USA.
Choosing a summer camp that fits the needs and interests of your child is important. It will ensure that your child has a successful camp experience, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that your child is in a quality program with caring staff.
Not sure where to start or what to ask? You've come to the right place! We have two great events where you can talk with our directors and learn from other campers. Please come and join us at our one of our Summer Camp Open Houses or Parent Meetings.
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Summer Camp Open House
OPEN HOUSE DATES
Sat, Jan 21 | Burl-Riverfront Y | 2:00-4:00pm
Sun, Jan 22 | Mt. Laurel Y | 2:00-4:00pm
Sat, Mar 10 | Mt. Laurel Y | 10:00-Noon
Sat, Mar 10 | Burl-Riverfront Y | 2:00-4:00pm
Sun, Apr 22 | Burl-Riverfront Y | 10:00-Noon
Sun, Apr 22 | Mt. Laurel Y | 2:00-4:00pm |
Parent Meetings
Campers are welcome to attend! Camp staff will be on hand to provide activities and answer questions your child may have about a specific camp.
Traditional Camps
Adventure, Worth, Round-N-About, Palmyra and Discovery
Tues, Jun 12 | Burl-Riverfront Y | 6:30-7:30pm
Wed, Jun 13 | Mt. Laurel Y | 6:30-7:30pm
Thurs, Jun 14 | Berlin Borough CC | 6:30-7:30pm
Teen Camp & Sports Camp
Thurs, Jun 14 | Mt. Laurel Y | 6:30-7:30pm
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Plus, we've put together answers to FAQs.
What can we expect from a summer camp experience with the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties?
Summer camp at the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is a fun place for campers to learn and grow. We offer a well rounded, values-oriented, camper-centered program.
Values-oriented means that we work to incorporate our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility in each of our activities. Our staff model these qualities for campers, looking for opportunities to develop character and recognize positive behaviors.
Camper-centered means that we focus our energies on our campers’ experiences. Before we make a decision about our programs, activities, policies or any other aspect of camp, we make sure that it puts their best interests first.
Camp activities include, but are certainly not limited to:
What are the hours of camp?
Camp is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm, Monday – Friday. We do ask that campers arrive no later than 9:00am and pick up is after 4:00pm. If you need to arrange for a late drop off or an early pick up, please speak to your child’s camp director.
Note: Teen travel campers return at various times depending on where the trip destination is for the day, however proposed arrival and departure times are clearly posted and communicated daily to parents from counselors.
What should my child wear to Camp?
Children should wear clothes that allow them to play and get messy! Socks and Sneakers must be worn daily. We ask that children not wear their bathing suits all day, so underwear is necessary.
Note: Camp T-Shirts must be worn on trip days and are available for purchase for $7.00 if forgotten.
What should my child bring to Camp?
Campers should bring a daypack of some kind to carry clothing, lunch, snack, water bottle and any other belongings. Clearly marking your child’s name on all clothing and towels will reduce the possibility of lost items.
Bathing suits and towels need to be packed on all scheduled swim days. Campers will spend time outside, so please be sure to apply sun block each morning and pack extra to be applied throughout the day.
What tips can you provide for my child's lunch and snack?
Lunch and snack need to be packed daily. Here are some tips for preparing summer camp lunches!
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Summer days are hot! Freeze a water bottle the night before and pack it in your child’s lunch bag. This way the food stays cold and your child will have ice cold water for later in the day.
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Many campers have severe allergies. It is camp policy that there is no sharing or trading of lunches. Please remind you camper.
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Pack a variety of snacks for your child. Fruits are a great way to rehydrate!
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Please do not pack any items that will require reheating. We have a refrigerator but space is limited, so please pack appropriately.
What does the session theme mean?
Session themes are used to add a little bit of flare to each camp session. The themes will influence choices concerning Arts and Crafts, all camp activities, dress-up days, etc. The regular camp activities are offered each week, regardless of the theme.
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
At the Y, our ratio is 1:9, meaning one adult for every nine children. Depending on the age group, some camps (not ours!) may go as high as 1:15, but on average of 1:10 or less is preferable.
What are the ages and experiences of your staff?
We believe that our staff is our biggest asset. We expect that each staff member will serve as a professional role model, supervising, guiding and challenging each of our campers. Our staff is chosen for their experience, maturity and dedication to our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
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Camp Directors are 21 years of age and older.
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Camp Counselors are 18 years of age and older
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Assistant Camp Counselors are 17 years old and are always under the close supervision of an adult staff member.
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Teen Travel Counselors are 21 years of age and older.
All staff undergo at least 12-15 hours of staff training, including risk management, policies and procedures, behavior management, child abuse prevention, teambuilding, program implementation and character development. Our leadership team spends an additional 10-12 hours in workshops related to supervision and management.
All camp staff undergo a background check before working with campers.
Is there trained medical personnel on site?
Yes. In accordance with state requirements, we have a health care provider who is able to administer First Aid and CPR. We also notify the local police, EMS and fire departments closest to each campsite location.
What do the campers do if it's raining or excessively hot?
Each of our traditional camp sites have plenty of indoor space to accommodate all campers on rainy days. Oftentimes, the schedule will be modified to include special indoor events or activities. In excessive heat, we spend more time indoors and modify the schedule to limit high exertion activities. Water breaks are a normal part of our routine but we place special emphasis on the importance of water during heat waves.
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