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Day Camp FAQs

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2024 Summer at the Y FAQ

 

  • Big Walnut Elementary School
  • Buckeye Valley Elementary School
  • Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA
  • Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA
  • Galloway Ridge Elementary School
  • Grove City YMCA
  • Hilliard/Ray Patch Family YMCA
  • Hilliard Presbyterian Church
  • Hilltop YMCA
  • Jerry L. Garver YMCA
  • Liberty Township/Powell YMCA - Hyatts Park
  • Liberty Township/Powell YMCA
  • North YMCA
  • Pickaway County Family YMCA
  • Reynoldsburg Community Center YMCA
  • Whitehall Community Center YMCA

Visit our Summer Camps Location Page and scroll to choose the camp location that’s right for your family.

Registration is open! They serve children and teens ages 6 - 16. They are very excited to offer 2024 overnight camp programs! Be sure to visit ymcacampwillson.org for more information.

We understand that summer camp plans change from time to time. Please visit https://ymcacolumbus.org/campchange to communicate your request for removal from previously registered camp weeks. Your request will be processed in 3 business days based on the following timeline:

If you withdraw your child before April 1, 2024 or if your program is canceled by our Y or a governing agency at any time here are your options:

  • Give a Gift: donate funds already paid or a portion of funds paid. We will be happy to provide a tax receipt for your thoughtful and generous gift.
  • Get a credit: Apply the funds you’ve paid to a future camp experience or program.  
  • Get a refund: Receive a refund of all deposits & payments paid through April 1, 2023.

April 1, 2023 - May 23, 2024: Cancellations received during this time will receive a refund equal to paid camp fees less the deposits paid.

After May 24, 2024: No refund of deposit or fees.

Any registration received after May 24, 2024 requires payment in full and will not be refunded due to cancellation.

If you are canceling due to illness, please contact your camp’s director as soon as you realize you are not able to attend. We will work with you to determine if a refund or credit (minus the $20 deposit) will be issued. You may be asked to provide medical documentation.
 

At the Y, your child’s safety and maintaining good health are our top priority.  Camp is a very active, busy day and children should be well-rested and ready to fully participate each day. Campers are in groups and interact with each other daily. Campers should not come to camp if they are not feeling well or have contagious symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting or receive a positive diagnosis for COVID-19.  

In addition to the many steps we take every day to protect the health of our guests, campers, and staff, we work closely with our YMCA Risk Management team to incorporate recommendations from local, state and national agencies and follow guidance from the American Camp Association for a healthy camp community for all.

Parents of registered children will receive a separate email and updated Parent Manual with information about our safety procedures.

Please contact your camp director if you have specific questions regarding your chosen camp’s safety.

Summer camp directors primarily use email to communicate details about camp. Be sure to check the email you used at point of registration often for information about your child’s summer camp. 

Some locations may use additional forms of communication and that will be shared via email.

Should you need assistance with connecting to your program’s director please email daycamp@ymcacolumbus.org.

Summer Day Camp programs generally serve rising 1st-6th graders. Campers have to have completed Kindergarten and be able to fully participate indoors/outdoors throughout the day. Please see location details for more information.

Fun in the Sun! Campers will be outside most of the day with weather permitting. Please apply sunscreen prior to your camper’s arrival for the day. And be sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather that day. Bring a rain jacket if rainy; sweatshirt if chilly; etc.

Campers should wear OLD CLOTHES to camp with the camper’s full name clearly marked on every item brought to camp. Campers will be able to bring a backpack with limited items, including:

  • Water bottle(s)
  • Sunscreen
  • Clothes necessary for that day’s predicted weather (rain, chilly, etc)

Below is a calendar showing the camp weeks and the automatic draft dates.

First Date of Camp WeekWeek #Draft Date
June 3, 2024Week 1May 24, 2024
June 10 Week 2May 31 
June 17 *No Camp Wednesday, June 19Week 3June 7
June 24   Week 4June 14
July 1 *No Camp Thursday+FridayWeek 5June 21
July 8Week 6June 28 
July 15Week 7July 5
July 22Week 8July 12
July 29Week 9July 19
August 5Week 10July 26
August 12 *North + Grove City Day CampWeek 11August 2

Yes.  Scholarships or financial assistance is available for summer camp. To request an application, contact your local YMCA Branch or download one from our website at https://ymcacolumbus.org/join/financial-assistance. Requests should be made no later than April 15, 2024. Funding may be limited so it is to your advantage to apply early.

Yes, for most programs.  The YMCA accepts publicly funded childcare (PFCC) subsidy payments from ODJFS if applicable. Please note that not all camp programs are eligible for PFCC funding. Weekly co-payments must be paid prior to each week. In addition to co-pays, it is the responsibility of a parent/guardian to be consistent with checking in/out of the ODJFS TAP system. Failure to comply with these state mandated requirements may result in removal from the program.

Parents are responsible for filing change forms with their case manager to ensure you have the correct camp program number. Please talk with your camp director for more information.

Tuition fees are eligible for child care tax credit. Our federal child care tax ID # is 31-4379495 and a year-end tax statement is available upon request.

The YMCA of Central Ohio is a licensed camper care facility while the Day Camp programs are accredited programs through the American Camp Association (ACA). All YMCA of Central Ohio DayCamps are registered with the State of Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services. For more information or to file a complaint please contact Job & Family Services at (614) 466-7765.
Day Camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. This independent body establishes standards for key aspects of camp operation, program quality, health and safety of campers. ACA accreditation includes an on-site visit every three years. For more information on accreditation or ACA, please go to ACAcamps.org.

Accredited Camps Include all camps affiliated with the following YMCA centers:

  • Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA
  • Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA
  • Grove City YMCA
  • Hilliard/Ray Patch Family YMCA
  • Hilltop YMCA
  • Jerry L. Garver YMCA
  • Liberty Twp/Powell YMCA
  • North YMCA
  • Pickaway County Family YMCA
  • Reynoldsburg Community Center YMCA
  • Whitehall Community Center YMCA 

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

  • Campers are responsible for their own belongings including backpacks, library books, clothing, and other personal items. We discourage campers from bringing their own electronic devices, phones, other special toys, game cards, books, money or sports equipment (unless specified for camp). If these items are brought, the YMCA staff may collect them and will return them when the child is picked up at the end of the day. The YMCA is not responsible for lost items.

 
DANGEROUS ITEMS & CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES NOT ALLOWED AT CAMP

  • Controlled Substances: Illegal Drugs, controlled substances and alcohol are not permitted on the property where a YMCA program is operated or visits
  • Tobacco-Free YMCA camp and facilities; no tobacco products permitted. Family cooperation is necessary to protect our “outdoor classroom” too for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for keeping YMCA Day Camp space and buildings tobacco free.
  • Pets: Pets or other animals are not allowed and are not to be brought to YMCA programs.
  • Weapons: No children, staff parents or visitors are not permitted to bring or possess weapons (including firearms and pocket knives)
  • Matches, lighters and firecrackers are not permitted.
  • Soda, sugary or any carbonated drinks are NOT permitted 

Each camp instance requires a deposit per week, per camper to reserve a space for a week of camp. Standard deposit fees are $20/week for camp instance. Deposit fees apply toward the total of weekly camp fee.

Deposits are charged for AM Camp+, Day Camp Full Day and PM Camp+ instances. Registration for AM Camp+ or PM Camp+ is only available for those registered for the Full Day. Anyone registering for AM or PM Camp+ without full day registration will receive a cancellation notice

Yes. For 2 or more children attending the same week of camp,  please reach out to your camp registrar to verify appropriate discount.

 

No. Families may register for as many or as few weeks as desired during the summer.

No. Camp fees and staff ratios are set for a full week of camp programming. Though attendance is not required for a full week, registration fees reflect for Monday-Friday (excluding holiday weeks).

Daily activity plans vary from camp to camp depending on themes and program times. However, an example of a common day will have the structure as follows:

AM Camp+ (7:00a-8:00am)

  • Camper choice activity  

Morning (8:00a-11:30am)

  • Opening Circle (camp communication, group game/activity)
  • Small Group theme activity rotation. 

Lunch (11:30am-12:30pm)

  • Lunch

Afternoon (12:30-4:00pm)

  • Small Group enrichment activity rotation. 2-4 stations including summer reading program, arts/dance, yoga, outdoor education
  • Closing Circle & reflections for the day

PM Camp+ (4:00pm-6:00pm)

  • Camper choice activity  

North

Ward

Garver

Gahanna

Reynoldsburg

Whitehall

Pickaway

Grove City

Hilliard + Hilliard Presbyterian Church

Hilltop

Liberty: Liberty Park + Hyatts Park

Big Walnut

Buckeye Valley

Registration
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General Registration Guide

Gahanna's day camp has its own registration guide. Please check the locations page for their guide. 

Dates, Rates & Themes
Dates, Rates, & Themes

View the dates, rates, hours, and themes for the summer camp season. 

Dates, Rates & Themes
Locations
Locations & Registration

With locations all throughout central Ohio there should be a camp location near you! View all the details, themes and registration information for your camp.   

Locations
ACA Accredited
American Camp Association