Summer Camp 2022 Memories
Find Your FUN. Find Your Y.
Summer Camp at the YMCA is a time for kids to explore, discover and create in a place that encourages confidence and community.
- CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 13
- Valparaiso Family YMCA Camp is an outdoor day camp
- Open to kids in grades 1st-8th (grades based on fall enrollment)
- Camp runs May 30–August 4, 2023
*Registration must be done at the Valparaiso Y Courtesy Desk if you qualify for CCDF, Financial Assistance, or have a sibling discount.
If you have additional questions:
Audrey Sheehan, Camp Coordinator | 219-464-9543 ext 349 | asheehan@valpoymca.org
Field Trip Dates and Descriptions
Collapsible
Campers need to wear their camp shirts on field trip days. Buses for field trips depart at 9:00 a.m.
*We reserve the right to charge campers for a new shirt if not worn on field trip days. FIELD TRIPS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Camp Groups
• 1st & 2nd Grade: Bears, Bandicoots, Badgers
• 3rd Grade: Wildcats
• 4th Grade: Wombats
• 5th-8th Grade: Wolves
Week 1 – Welcome Week
May 30 – June 3
Trip: Porter Starke – Children and counselors will walk to Porter Starke challenge course and participate in team building games and activities. This is our only walking field trip.
Friday activity: Pizza Party!
Week 2 – Fun in the sun
June 6 – June 9
Trip 1: Coffee Creek & Valplayso – Groups will start at Coffee Creek for hiking followed by lunch and play time at Valplayso park.
Trip 2: Jump Zone – Y camp has rented the zone and the children will enjoy time with bounce houses and games. No money needed for this trip.
Friday activity: Magic show
Week 3 – Ooey Gooey
June 12 – June 16
Trip 1: Howard park- We are heading to south bend to enjoy Howard park! There is a splash pad so please be sure to pack a swim suit and towel.
Trip 2 Bears/Bandicoots/Badgers: Bass Pro – Children will learn about the outdoors, learn how to pitch a tent, and play a variety of outdoor games.
Trip 2 Wildcats/Wombats/Wolves: Jax Warehouse – We will be going to Jax for the day, all students must have a permission slip signed and be wearing socks!
Week 4 – Beat the Heat
June 19 – June 23
Trip 1 Bears/Bandicoots/Badgers: Spencer Park and pool. Please be sure to send a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
Trip 1 Wildcats/Wombats/Wolves: Munster pool. Please be sure to send a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
Trip 2(both groups): Kennedy Park and pool. Please be sure to send a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
Friday activity: Blow up water slide/slip and slide.
Week 5 – Lizards, Snakes, and Spiders- Oh My!
June 26 – June 30
Trip 1 Bears/Bandicoots/Badgers: Washington Park zoo
Trip 1 Wildcats/Wombats/Wolves: Potowatomi zoo
Trip 2 all groups: Broken Wagon Bison Farm – Children will learn about bison as well as take a tractor ride to a bison field.
Friday activity: Cross Town Exotics is bringing lizards, spiders and other animals to the Y for the children to learn about and see.
Week 6 – Minute To Win It
July 3 – July 7
Closed July 3
Closed July 4
Trip 1 both groups: Whicker Park
Friday activity: Bounce house at the Y
Week 7 – Lights, Camera, Action!
July 10 – July 14
Trip 1 both groups: Movie Theater Day! The group is going to see the movie, Elemental. Snacks will be provided; no money is needed.
Trip 2 both groups: Round Barn Theatre Group is visiting us at the Y for some theatre games and a short performance
Friday activity: Talent show! All children will have the opportunity to show off a special skill. They will be able to work on this within their group throughout the week.
Week 8 – Game On
July 17 – July 21
Trip 1 both groups: Deep River County Park. The children will go hiking and play group games. Please note- this is not the waterpark.
Trip 2 Bears/Bandicoots/Badgers: Mascot Museum.
Trip 2 Wildcats/Wombats/Wolves: Railcats game. Children will enjoy the baseball game with provided snacks and a hotdog. They may still bring a lunch if they’d like, no money is needed.
Friday activity: Dunk tank! Children will have the opportunity to dunk their counselors. No children will be allowed in the tank.
Week 9 – Farm
July 24 – July 28
Trip 1 both groups: Fair Day! The children will walk around the farm animal’s section. No rides or games will be played. Money for food can be brought.
Trip 2 both groups: Fair Oaks Farms. We will learn about pigs and cows at Fair Oaks! No money needed.
Friday activity: Horses are coming to the Y! The children will be able to pet the horses, but there will be no riding. We will have a special lesson all about horses!
Week 10 – Holiday Havoc
July 31 – August 4
Trip 1 both groups: Hiking at Gabis Arboretum
Trip 2 both groups: Bope Equine Center. Kids will get the opportunity to watch a horse show! The horses will be doing tricks for the kids to enjoy.
Friday activity: Pizza Party
Students will celebrate different holidays and have activities to go with them during their days at the Y this week.
All children swim on the days they are not on a trip
Camp Pricing
Collapsible
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Members: May 21 | Non-members: May 14
If you need to add a week after your original registration, it must be done no later than the Wednesday before the week you want to add.
- Free week of camp: Prepay for all 10 weeks. No refunds.
- 10% off a Summer Y Family Membership: NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY AND SAVE ON A MEMBERSHIP THIS SUMMER. We offer a huge variety of programs and offerings that will not only keep your children active and inspired - they’ll keep your whole family moving forward this summer: program discounts on swim lessons, youth sports, 160+ free group exercise classes, priority registration and free child watch services. BECOMING A MEMBER IS JOINING OUR FAMILY! LEARN MORE!
- Weekly Auto Payments
Payments are made each Monday of the current week of care with our convenient electronic draft system. Payments of credit card, debit card, or check accepted. - Cancellations: No refunds or credits given for any cancellations.
|
CAMP 2023 FEES (Pricing is per week) Sibling Discount: There is a 15% child discount for each additional family member after the first child. |
MEMBER | NON-MEMBER |
| Registration Fee (one time yearly fee including bus fee) | $150 | $150 |
| FULL TIME: M-F, 8:30am-3:30pm | $120 | $145 |
| FULL TIME WITH WRAP AROUND CARE: M-F, 6am-6pm | $170 | $195 |
Financial Assistance
Collapsible
The Y Creates Opportunities for All
Financial assistance is available for families who need it to ensure that all kids in our community can have enriching summer experiences. We accept CCDF vouchers (Parents must contact Head Start to receive state funding).
Policies and Procedures
Collapsible
Cancellation Policy
There will be no refunds or credits given for any cancellations.
Lunch Policy
Campers need a packed lunch every day (no heat-ups). Peanut free table will be designated. If a child does not come with lunch, $5 will be charged to your account for providing a lunch.
Camp Counselors
Professionally trained and enthusiastic staff are the key ingredient to a positive camping experience at the Valparaiso Family YMCA. Each counselor is selected based on their skills, maturity, creativity and sensitivity to the needs of our camp participants. Staff are certified in CPR, AED and First Aid.
Extended Care | Wrap around Extended Camp Care
Before and after care hours to accommodate various schedules. We offer extended care Monday through Friday 6-9 AM and 3-6 PM.
Inclusion
The Valparaiso Family YMCA invites persons with disabilities to enjoy Y programs and facilities. If your child requires a reasonable modification due to a disability to enjoy any of our programs, please answer the requested question on the registration form. A member of our team will contact you. Any questions that you may have can also be sent to: asheehan@valpoymca.org
Field Trip Policy
Children must wear YMCA camp shirts on field trip days. We reserve the right to charge campers for a new shirt if not worn on field trip days.
What to Bring to Camp!
Please mark all items with your child’s first and last name.
- Children need a labeled reusable water bottle everyday
- Backpack
- Tennis shoes (no flip-flops)
- Change of clothes
- Suncsreen and Towel
- Swim Suit on water field trip days
- INDOOR SWIM DAYS: Swim suit, towel, flip flops, goggles, swim cap, etc.
- Weather appropriate apparel (ex. jackets for cooler days)
- What to leave at home: All electronics, cell phones, and toys. They Y is not responsible for lost or broken items.
Stay Connected with the REMIND APP: We use this app to communicate with our parents and share important information about the camp! Download the Remind App and type in camp code:@valpoycamp
