YMCA day camp: HSA Eligibility

What is the YMCA day camp?

There are many day camp programs that YMCA provides. They are generally broken up by age or grade into groups so that children are in attendance with people their age. The day camp can offer children many great benefits including providing new experiences, skill building, and sense of community and lasting friendships. It allows them to explore various rural and urban settings before returning home each afternoon. YMCAs across the nation offer day camps for elementary school children, and some even have offerings for preschoolers and teens (YMCA of the USA).

Why is camping beneficial?

Camping, like the mission of many programs at the Y, is about learning skills, developing character and making friends. In the environment of a camp, kids become a tight-knit community as they learn how to be more independent and contribute to a group. They engage in physical, social and educational activities to build a healthy physicality as well as mindset. Camping helps to promote self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors as well as the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership.

What are some of the activities that a child engages in at camp?

Camps provide structure and room to participate in games and learn new skills. Kids may spend the day canoeing, hiking, or learning archery. They get the opportunity to have fun around a campfire and participate in talent showcase to showcase their skills.

What are some of their specialty camps?

The Y also offers specialty camps that focus on particular programming like teen adventure, music, sports specialties and farm/ranch experiences and for campers with special needs. Youth with developmental disabilities, physical and mental health challenges or other impairments can participate in these specialty camps to get the same benefits of personal development and meaningful relationship building from the camps.