YMCA Summer Day Camp programs generally serve rising 1st-6th graders. Campers must have completed kindergarten and be able to participate fully indoors/outdoors each day. 

Our Summer Enrichment programs serve youth entering grades K-6th.

Please see your location page for more information.

Fun in the Sun! If the weather permits, day campers will be outside most of the day. Please apply sunscreen before your camper arrives. Also, ensure your child dresses appropriately for each day’s weather. Bring a rain jacket if it is rainy, a sweatshirt if it's chilly, etc.

Summer Enrichment Camp campers typically spend half their day outside and up to half inside on lessons.

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

The YMCA of Central Ohio is a licensed camper care facility, and the American Camp Association (ACA) accredits all YMCA of Central Ohio Day Camp programs. All YMCA of Central Ohio Day Camps are registered with the State of Ohio Department of Children and Youth. For more information or to file a complaint, please contact the Department of Children and Youth at (614) 466-7765.

YMCA Day Camps maintain a voluntary Accreditation with the American Camp Association, Inc. This independent body establishes standards for camp operation, program quality and health and safety of campers. ACA accreditation includes an annual compliance statement and an on-site visit every three to five years. For more information on accreditation or the ACA, please go to ACAcamps.org.

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

• Delaware Community Center YMCA
• 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 Park YMCA 

Summer Enrichment Camp programs are quality-rated through the state of Ohio’s Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) programming system. 

Step Up to Quality recognizes child care programs that exceed basic licensing standards, signifying a higher level of quality care for children by meeting specific criteria for learning environments, staff training and curriculum development. SUTQ program standards are based on national research.

These programs are star rated through the Step Up to Quality program:

• All Shepherds Church (Day Camp, Lewis Center)
• Alton Hall Elementary School
• Buckeye Valley West Elementary
• Pickaway County Family YMCA
• Prairie Lincoln Elementary School
• Prairie Run Elementary (Big Walnut)

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

Summer Day Camp

AM Camp+ Before-care
7:00-8:00 am, if offered at your location

• Camper choice activity 

Morning
8:00-11:30 am

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

Lunch
11:30 am-12:30 pm

Afternoon
12:30-4:00 pm

• 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+ After-care
4:00 pm-6:00 pm, if offered at your location

• Camper choice activity 
   

Summer Enrichment Camp

Morning
7:00-11:30 am

• AM Stations
• Welcome Circle
• Gym Game
• Snack Inside
• Art Activity: Reach For The Stars
• Playground and Y Kids Are Fit Outside

Lunch
11:30 am-12:00 pm

Afternoon
12:00-12:30

• Group game in gym
• Water Play
• Reading Activity Music Room
• STEM
• PM Snack Outside
• Group game Outside
• Sports Clinic
• Closing Circle

Evening
4:30-6:00   

• Playground
• PM Stations
• Clean-Up & Next Day Prep
   

Spirit Day is a magical day when all YMCA Day Camps and Summer Enrichment Camp programs gather at Whitehall Community Park YMCA to celebrate the spirit of summer.

Campers have a blast learning, bonding and having fun with games and inflatables. Spirit Day is included in Week 8 at no extra cost.

Past donors such as Battelle enhanced the day with their generous support, enabling us to provide STEM education. These learning experiences are incredible opportunities for the kids and integral to the programs that empower them to reach their full potential.

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

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

Special or Expensive Personal Belongings

• Campers are responsible for their own belongings, including backpacks, library books, clothing, and other personal items. We discourage campers from bringing:
  • electronic devices and phones
  • special toys, game cards and books
  • money 
  • sports equipment (unless specified for camp)

If a camper brings these items, the YMCA staff may collect them and return them when parents or guardians pick up their child at the end of the day. The YMCA is not responsible for lost items.

Dangerous Items & Controlled Substances

• Weapons: Children, staff, parents and visitors cannot carry weapons, including firearms, pocket knives, matches, lighters and firecrackers.
• Controlled Substances: All properties where a YMCA operates or visits prohibit illegal drugs, controlled substances and alcohol.
• Tobacco-Free YMCA Camp and Facilities: No tobacco products are permitted. Family cooperation is necessary to protect our “outdoor classroom” for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for keeping the YMCA Day Camp space and buildings tobacco-free.

Animals & Sugary Drinks

• Pets: No animals are allowed at YMCA programs.
• Pop: Please refrain from sending soda, sugary or carbonated drinks to camp.
   

Summer camp directors primarily use email to communicate details about camp. For information about your child’s summer camp, regularly check the email you used when registering. 

Some locations may use additional forms of communication, which they will share via email.

If you need assistance connecting to your program’s director, please email day-camp@ymcacolumbus.org.
 

Visit Summer Camp Locations and choose the best camp for your family.

YMCA Camp Willson is our overnight camp, just a one-hour drive from Central Ohio. It offers week-long stays for kids and teens ages 6-17, and 2025 registration is open! Visit ymcacampwillson.org for more information.

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

Yes. Scholarships or financial assistance are available. To request an application, contact your local YMCA center or download one from our website. Requests should be made by April 15. Funding may be limited, so we recommend applying early. 

Yes, for most programs. If applicable, the YMCA accepts publicly funded childcare (PFCC) subsidy payments from ODJFS. Please note that not all camp programs are eligible for PFCC funding. Parents or guardians must pay the weekly co-payments before each week. In addition to co-pays, a parent or guardian must consistently check in and out of the ODJFS TAP system. Please comply with these state-mandated requirements to avoid removal from the program.

Parents must file change forms with their case manager to ensure they 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.

We understand that summer camp plans change from time to time. Please visit this page to request removal from previously registered camp weeks. 

Deposits are required at the time of registration for each program you are registering for. Deposits are not refundable at any time.

Payment plans are available, and you may work with your location to schedule payments in advance of summer.

Balance of Fees payments are scheduled 10 days prior to each week of camp and are charged on Friday.

Your request will be processed in 3 business days based on the following timeline:

Before April 1, 2025

If you withdraw your child before April 1, 2025, or if your program is canceled by our YMCA 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 happily provide a tax receipt for your thoughtful and generous gift.
• Get a credit: Apply your funds to a future camp experience or program.
• Get a refund: Get a refund of all deposits and payments paid through April 1, 2025.

April 1, 2025 - May 24, 2025

Cancellations received during this time will receive a refund equal to the paid camp fees minus the deposits paid.

After May 24, 2025

No refund of deposit or fees.

Any registration received after May 24 requires payment in full, and we cannot refund it due to a parent or guardian’s cancellation.

If you are canceling due to illness, please contact your camp’s director as soon as you realize your camper cannot attend. We will then work with you to determine whether to issue you a refund or credit (minus the $20 deposit). We may ask you to provide medical documentation.
 

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

We charge deposits for each full day, plus AM Camp+ and PM Camp+ where applicable. 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. Please contact your camp registrar to verify the appropriate discount for two or more children attending the same camp week.

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

No. We do not prorate camp other than the available listed rates.

Day Camps

We set camp fees and staff ratios for an entire week of camp programming. We do not require attendance for a whole week; however, the registration fees will remain the same, reflecting the cost for Monday through Friday (excluding holiday weeks).

Summer Enrichment Camp

Some sites offer a part-time plan that allows campers to attend 1-3 days per week at a reduced rate.