WHAT MAKES THE Y YOUR BEST CHOICE?
With over 80 years of camp experience, the
Y leads the way to give campers their best
summer ever!
ACHIEVEMENT, RELATIONSHIPS
AND BELONGING
Camper Choice and Play. Provides campers an
important opportunity to make individual choices and
feel a sense of belonging.
Camper-Planned Events. Engaging campers to select,
organize, and run an event builds collaboration skills
and offers important leadership opportunities.
Crew Service. Responsibility activities encourage
campers to feel a sense of ownership for maintaining
the camp.
Family-Engagement Events. Family orientations,
family nights, and parent and caregiver lunches connect
families to the camp experience.
Huddle Group. Getting to know campers’ interests,
and qualities during small-group interactions creates
a positive environment, promotes friendships, and
reduces conflicts.
Mastery Activities. Giving campers a chance to
select an activity to practice helps build a sense of
achievement.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Campers
participate in fun and engaging routines, recognize and
celebrate campers and counselors, and experience a
positive social environment.
Reflection. Individual or small-group reflection
on the day’s events creates belonging and fosters
relationships.
Variety Activities. Allows campers to discover their
interests and talents.
BUILDING POTENTIAL,
CLOSING THE GAP
Kids benefit year-round from Y programs,
but it is more critical during the summer
months when kids are at greatest risk
of falling behind.
HUNGER
Many children from low-income
households go without meals for most
of the day during the summer when free
lunches are no long available. At the Y, we
bridge the hunger gap by providing much needed
healthy meals and snacks. In our communities, the
Y served over 22,000 healthy meals and snacks.
(Varies by YMCA branch).
WATER SAFETY
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in
children ages 1–14. The Y teaches more than a million children
vital water safety and swimming skills each year. Second Grade
Learn to Swim, Summer Camp swimming and Swim Lessons
educate children about water safety.
SAFE SPACES
Outside of school, youth don’t always have a safe place to play.
Creating safe spaces at the Y begins with the hiring process
and continues during employment. In addition, children have a
safe space to know they belong, know they are respected and
can be themselves.
LEARNING
Most students lose two months of grade-level skills in the
summer. The Y’s summer learning programs can help close this
achievement gap for all students. The YMCA Enrichment plan
is designed to weave reading together with fun activities so
that campers work on improving their reading skills while school
is out.
S.T.E.M. AND YMCA
SUMMER CAMP
Nutrition education and physical activities.
Five servings of fruits and vegetables
No more than 2 hours of screen time
One hour of physical activity each day
Zero sugary drinks
Teen Camp, Leaders in Training and
Counselor in Leadership Training.
A great summer experience! Opportunities include mentoring
younger campers, leading camp activities, participating in camp
projects, field trips, swimming, and fitness activities. These
camps vary by location, read more online or inquire at the
Welcome Center.
CAMP FORT MONROE
Hampton, VA
HEALTH
Solutions to childhood obesity, lack of physical activity and
nutrition require difficult lifestyle changes. Our 5210 program
educates children about healthy living by incorporating lessons
and activities about healthy eating along with physical activity.
5210
FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES
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JUST FOR TEENS
Campers at the YMCA S.T.E.M. Fair.
The Y is bridging the gap on
summer learning loss. Summer
Camp at the Y now includes
fun and educational S.T.E.M.,
reading, S.P.A.R.K. and arts
activities to help keep learning
on track for your student.
These materials, and the activities described are not sponsored nor endorsed by Isle of Wight County Schools, Newport News City Schools or York County Schools.
An Outdoor Adventure!
Boating • Fishing • Crabbing • Biking • Swimming • Nature
Exploration & Survival • Beach Activities • Dance & Cheer •
Music & Drama • Sports & Field Games • Team Building &
Leadership. Transportation available. Visit our website.
SPECIALTY CAMPS AVAILABLE!
Sports, science, arts, so many to choose from! Go to
peninsulaymca.org for fun weekly options. Varies by YMCA.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Weekly sessions run from June until August
for rising Kindergartners to rising 9th graders.
Choose one week, two weeks or the whole summer!
For session dates, ages, times, cost and registration
information visit our website at peninsulaymca.org,
click on Programs, then choose Camp. Due to licensing
regulations, registration is done at your YMCA.
FIND MORE INFORMATION AT
PENINSULAYMCA.ORG
JOIN THE Y AND SAVE ON CAMP FEES!
Membership at the Y has many benefits. Gain access to
the tools you need to live a healthier lifestyle:
• Free group exercise classes
• Adult and family programming
• Access to all YMCAs in Virginia and North Carolina