Important Covid-19 Update for Summer Day Camp
At this time, we are working with our local health department and state officials to determine our ability to provide Summer Day Camp programming this summer. More information will be available shortly.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented time.
Updated 5/21/20
YMCA Summer Day Camp 2020
When you count on us, you can count on the best summer ever for your kids. One week or the whole summer. Indoors and out. Crafts to cannonballs, silly songs to science experiments at Summer Camp your kids will have an amazing experience, all in a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment.
Download the official 2020 Summer Day Camp Brochure >
NEW! Summer Camps Breakdown:
Preschool Camp: (Ages 3-5)
Camp Kish: Kindergarten Camp: (Entering K in fall 2020)
Camp Kish: Explorers (Grades 1st-5th)
Camp Kish: Adventure (Grades 6th-8th)
CIT: Counselor in Training (Grades 9 & 10)
Download our guide to 2020 Summer Day Camp!
Character Development:
Our YMCA is committed to Character Development. It is infused into YMCA programs locally and all across the country. The four core values of Character Development are honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. We believe that shared values hold families and communities together. At YMCA Summer Camp, we incorporate these values in our daily activities.
The mission of the Kishwaukee Family YMCA:
The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is a charitable association whose mission is to promote Christian principles through quality services and facilities. We strive to enrich the Spirit, Mind and Body of all of our participants, especially families, and children, regardless of ability to pay.
Camp Vision:
We strive to enrich the Spirit, Mind, and Body of all our participants. In the camp program, we use character development, crafts, active and non-active games, along with a variety of other activities to build strong children both physically and mentally. Strong children are just one piece of the YMCA’s goal of strong children, families, and communities. At camp, we believe that by building strong children we are also helping build stronger families and communities.
YMCA Goals for Summer Camp:
• Help children experience personal growth
• Teach children values
• Support and strengthen the family unit
• Demonstrate an appreciation for diversity
• Assist children in developing specific skills
• Deliver the program in a positive YMCA environment of safety, support, and care.
• Assure that children HAVE FUN!
You can depend on the Y to make sure that all camp activity areas are well supervised. Camp staff are interviewed and background checked prior to being hired. As role models, they are selected for sound judgment, maturity, experience, enthusiasm and creativity. Training occurs before and throughout the summer to ensure attention to detail. All staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid.
Food/ Meals:
A healthy, USDA approved, lunch and afternoon snack (including field trip days) will be provided, FREE of charge from Voluntary Action Center (VAC) and the Y. A monthly menu will be posted for parents. If an alternative lunch is preferred parents are welcome to pack a nut-free lunch and/or snack for their children. Please leave soda and candy at home.
Menu Calendars: (Menus are subject to change)
What to bring to Camp:
Backpack
Healthy Morning Snack (fruit, granola bar, fruit snack or crackers)
Swim Suit/Towel
Water Bottle
Plastic Bag for wet swimsuit and towel
Bug Spray/Sunscreen
Please wear tennis shoes (No sandals or flip flops)
What to leave at home:
All electronics, cell phones, toys, soda, candy, money, sandals & flip flops unless specified by the day’s events.
4C and YMCA Financial Assistance
The YMCA accepts Child Care Assistance (CCAP) funds, administered through 4C. Child Care Assistance (CCAP) is a child care financial assistance program provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services for working families.
Don’t wait! The process for applying can take up to 45 days for new applicants to receive approval. You must apply through 4C, and list the Kishwaukee Family YMCA as your provider. Once you apply for CCAP assistance we require a confirmation receipt that DHS has received your application. We must have an approval letter before you are able to register.. After you are accepted in the program you are responsible for paying the parent assigned monthly co-pay each month IN ADDITION to the differential. The differential is the daily cost of our program less than the daily rate paid by (CCAP). If you qualify, your assistance can be applied for all of your weeks of camp.
If you do not qualify for 4C, you can apply for Financial Assistance through the YMCA. Assistance is based on annual income and family size. Funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply for Financial Assistance, complete a Summer Camp Financial Assistance Application, provide all required documentation, including a copy of your Federal 1040 and submit by March 1st. Applications will be reviewed for completion and decisions will be made by April 1st.
Financial Assistance must be set up before registering your child for camp in order to have the scholarship applied to the camp fees.
Download Financial Assistance Forms >
2020 Camp Weeks
TBD
Preschool Camp (3-5 yrs)
Join the fun in a creative and hands-on summer experience for your preschooler. This program is specially designed for part-day children, 3–5 years old. Preschool Camp offers your child a variety of their favorite camp activities, including camp songs, creative art experiences, hands-on science creations and providing opportunities to develop their imagination. Our experienced trained staff promises your child a safe, happy and terrific time! Unique on-site “field trips” and swim lessons combine for a great summer experience for your child.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Dates: May 26-August 14
Registration Fee: $25
2020 Fees:
2 days per week: $35/week
3 days per week: $50/week
Parents are able to choose the days of the week. Price includes 1 t-shirt and in-house field trips.
A $5 deposit for each week will be due at the time of registration along with the $25 registration fee.
*All Campers must have an active Kish YMCA membership at the time of registration
Important Preschool Forms:
All forms must be turned in at the time of registration.
Online Registration: Online Registration is only available for YMCA Members only beginning April 1, 2020.
Preschool Summer Camp Registration >
Camp Kish: Kindergarten Camp (Entering Kindergarten in Fall 2020)
New this summer: Kindergarten Camp is a great transition to get your kids ready for long school days in a safe and fun camp setting. Kindergarten Camp is the best of both worlds: Traditional camp setting with age-appropriate activities that will help young children get emotionally and socially ready to succeed in school and future camps! Camp Kindergarten will offer lower staff to camper ratios, and fun and exciting guests and on-site “field trips”.
Each week a new theme is introduced with activities and on-site field trips focused on the theme. Weekly activities include:
- Arts and crafts
- Swimming
- Sports and Group Games
- Stem and Literacy
- Playground
- Nature
- Character Education
- and more!
Summer Camp Dates: TBD
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Friday
Extended care:
7:00–9:00 a.m. Included! No additional charge
4:30–6:00 p.m. Included! No additional charge
2020 Fees:
Full time (4-5 days/week): $165/week
Part-time* (1-3 days/week): $110/week
* For part-time, parents are able to choose the days of the week. Price includes a t-shirt and in-house field trips.
Important Kindergarten Forms:
If registering at the YMCA Front Desk, all forms must be turned in at the time of registration. If registering online, please be sure to turn in forms to the YMCA as soon as possible.
Online Registration: Online Registration is only available for YMCA Members only beginning April 1, 2020.
Kindergarten Camp Registration >
Camp Kish: Explorers (Entering Grades 1-5)
Our Kish Camp Explorers will have a summer to remember as the memories and friends that are made will last a lifetime! No two days are the same, and there is never a dull moment. Explorers will spend fun-filled days doing group activities, creative art experiences, games, sports and exploration, as well as an exciting weekly field trip that tie into our weekly themes. Explorers will also enjoy swimming two times per week! Through directed games and skill-building activities, campers will work on improving their social and emotional skills in a supportive and safe environment.
Each week a new theme is introduced with activities and field trips focused on the theme.
Weekly activities include:
- Arts and crafts
- Swimming
- Sports and Group Games
- Stem and Literacy
- Outdoor Games and Sports
- Nature
- Character Education
- Field Trips
- and so much more!
Summer Camp Dates: TBD
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Extended care:
7:00–9:00 a.m. Included! No additional charge
4:30–6:00 p.m. Included! No additional charge
2020 Fees:
Full time (4-5 days/week): $165/week
Part time* (1-3 days/week): $110/week
* For part-time, parents are able to choose the days of the week. Price includes a t-shirt and field trips.
Important Explorer Forms:
All forms must be turned in at the time of registration.
Camp Kish: Adventure (Entering grades 6-8)
Adventure Camp is an energetic, high-paced and enriching camp for the Junior High school-aged child. The camp provides an excellent way to develop self-confidence, responsibility, and trustworthiness while making lifelong friendships. Our staff is focused on making camp a memorable and safe experience in the camper’s lives.
Our Adventure Campers will take it to the next level! Our camp provides a safe and social atmosphere for our campers. Our goal is to offer a summer full of fun and exciting events so your child won’t feel like they are in a day camp but like they have an opportunity to socialize and hang out with friends as well. Their summer will be packed full of leadership opportunities, new experiences, and the exploration of building skills through relevant and fun activities. We offer three weekly field trips where campers can experience team-building activities, community service, and adventure.
Weekly field trips will include:
an exciting adventure field trip, a water park field trip and a local community service field trip.
Sign up now and come live the adventure!
Activities include:
- exciting adventure field trips
- hiking trips
- roller and ice skating
- sports
- swimming
- scavenger hunts
- games
- community service
- and much, much more!
Summer Camp Dates: TBD
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Extended care:
7:00–9:00 a.m. Included! No additional charge
4:30–6:00 p.m. Included! No additional charge
2020 Fees:
Full time (4-5 days/week): $190/week
Part time* (1-3 days/week): $135/week
* For part-time, parents are able to choose the days of the week. Price includes a t-shirt and field trips.
Important Adventure Forms:
If registering at the YMCA Front Desk, all forms must be turned in at the time of registration. If registering online, please be sure to turn in forms to the YMCA as soon as possible.
CIT : Counselor-in-training (Entering Grades 9th & 10th)
Counselor In Training (CIT) is a program for teens desiring future leadership roles as summer camp counselors at YMCA camps. The CIT program is an advanced program for those who have attended camp for at least one summer. The training provides an interactive experiential learning environment for teens going into grades 9 and 10.
The philosophy behind the program is to provide an inside view into how camp runs, and the responsibilities of the leadership behind camp. CITs will learn much of the same material covered during our summer seasonal staff training and they will “shadow” a senior counselor with Kindergarten, Explorer or Elburn Camps, assisting them in program activities, lessons, field trips.
CIT participants must be between the ages of 14 and 17 at the start of the program, exhibit positive personal characteristics, such as enthusiasm, caring, honesty, respectfulness, positive attitude, and be dependable and hard-working. Prior involvement in other Y programs is a plus, but not required. CIT participants are campers, not employees or volunteers, and are bound by the same guidelines as all other campers. CITs are not paid for participating in the program and are not guaranteed employment after completing the program. Also, past involvement does not guarantee future participation in the program
Note: Please pick up your CIT application folder at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA (2500 W. Bethany Rd, Sycamore, IL) Member Service Desk after March 1, 2020, or you can download the PDF from the camp webpage at kishymca.org. Once we receive your completed packet, we will contact you about the next steps for this program.
Summer Camp Dates: TBD
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Extended care:
7:00–9:00 a.m. Included! No additional charge
4:30–6:00 p.m. Included! No additional charge
2020 Fees:
Full time (4-5 days/week): $480/session
Part-time* (1-3 days/week): $315/session
* For part-time, you are able to choose the days of the week. Prices include a CIT t-shirt, training, and field trips.
Sessions: TBD
Applications are due by May 1, 2020. Please email Melissa Johnson at mjohnson@kishymca.org for more information.
Important CIT Forms:
If registering at the YMCA Front Desk, all forms must be turned in at the time of registration. If registering online, please be sure to turn in forms to the YMCA as soon as possible.
