Do you have questions about YMCA Summer Camp? Search below to find the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Registration

When does summer camp registration open?

January 17: For members, current Out of School Time participants, past camp participants, scholarship recipients and YMCA Staff 

February 6: All others 

How much does summer camp cost?

Prices range from $149 to $449 for members and $199 to $499 for non-members, depending on the camp. 

Members save $50 per week of camp. Consider YMCA membership to save on summer camp!   

Must be a member at the time of registration AND through the program dates to qualify for member pricing.  

Is there a registration fee? Is there a deposit?

For summer camp 2023, the Y has eliminated registration fees. 

Non-refundable and non-transferrable deposits of $25 per week of camp are collected upon registration.  

A future billing method is required to complete the registration. 

When is the full payment of camp due?

Families have two options: 

1. Pay the full balance upon registration. 

2. Pay the balance three weeks prior to the start of the session. For example: if your week of camp begins June 26, your balance due is June 5. 

If full payment is not received by the due date, the family loses their deposit and their spot in camp.  

Is there a sibling or multiple child discount?

No.

How do I register for Before Camp Care?

Before camp care is new this year. Only select sites will offer this program. Before camp care will operate from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM.  

Price: $29/member & $39/non-member per week. 

The sites offering Before camp care are:  

  • Achieve Day Camp 

  • Arvada YMCA Day Camp 

  • Dennis Day Camp 

  • Downtown YMCA Day Camp 

  • Elkhart Day Camp 

  • Glendale Day Camp 

  • Park Hill Day Camp 

  • Shelton Day Camp 

  • Southwest YMCA Day Camp 

  • University Hills YMCA Day Camp 

If families are registering for the camps above, they can “add on” this option during registration and before they check out. Before camp care is not a stand-alone registration option. 

What if I have to cancel or withdraw from a week of camp I have registered for?

To avoid being charged for the camp session, families must cancel or withdraw from the camp by contacting the Solution Center at summercamp@denverymca.org three weeks in advance of the session start.  

Deposits will not be refunded and are not transferrable to another week of camp. 

For example: If the week of camp begins June 26, individuals must cancel by June 5.  

If families cancel less than three weeks before the first day of the session starts, they will not receive a refund.  

Are there exceptions to the cancellation/withdrawal policy?

A refund or credit may be granted if: 

1. A doctor’s note stating the child’s health will prohibit him/her from participating in the program for three business days or more for day camp. 

2. The child’s family moves out of the service area. 

Do you offer CCCAP at certain YMCA camp locations?

Yes, there will be a limited number of CCCAP spots reserved at certain YMCA camp locations. See the locations here.  

  • Adams County - Adv. @ Achieve 

  • Aurora - Elkhart 

  • Aurora - Yale 

  • Glendale at Infinity Park 

  • Denver - Downtown YMCA 

  • Denver - Trailside 

  • Denver - Weber 

  • Denver - University Hills YMCA 
     

Prior to registering for camp, CCCAP families should contact their CCCAP caseworker by mid-April to get authorized for summer camp 2023. CCCAP does not authorize care until 45 days from the start of the program.  

Families will not be able to register for camp until the Y receives CCCAP Authorization for the correct location. Without authorization families will be responsible for the full cost of camp.  

 

Does the YMCA offer financial assistance?

Yes, through the generosity of our donors, the YMCA offers financial assistance to eligible families. There are a limited number of scholarships for summer camp and applications are considered in the order they are received.   

Our application is fully online.  Apply

Day Camp is full, can I get on the waitlist?

We can help with that. Please contact our Solution Center at childcare@denverymca.org

Also, consider looking at our Sports or our Art, Nature & Food, or STEM camps that may be available at the location you are interested in.

The Camp Experience

What time does camp start/end?

Camp hours:  8:30 AM – 5 PM  

All camps begin the week of June 5 and most end Aug. 4, but check each listing. 

How old does a child need to be to attend camp?

The YMCA accepts children ages 5 to 12, depending on location.  

Please note that your child must be 5 years old and going into kindergarten to register them in our camp program.  

Kindercamp is for kids ages 4-5 entering Kindergarten in the fall. Registration details will be announced soon, and Y Academy preschool will have priority registration.

As a camp family, do I need to sign up in EPACT or Alaris?

If a family is currently enrolled in a YMCA OST program, nothing is required at this time. 


If a family is not currently enrolled in a YMCA OST program, there will be a second part to summer camp registration. Families will receive a link to Alaris 7 to 10 days after their initial camp registration Alaris is our secure system to collect contact and health information. Alaris has replaced EPACT. 

More information about Alaris will be shared with parents prior to the start of summer camp.  

What if I’m late for drop-off or pick-up?

Late Drop Offs: 

On-site day camp families may choose to drop their child off late, but the parent must transport them to the exact location where they are supposed to be at that time.  

On field trip days, families are responsible for dropping their child off well before their scheduled departure.   

If you plan to drop your child off later in the day, you will be able to do so through our Alaris platform, however please provide camp directors enough time to plan.  

Late Pick Ups: 

Children are supervised at the YMCA Child Care Site until 5 PM. A late fee of $1 per minute/per child will be charged after 5:05 PM. As a courtesy, please use the Alaris platform to let the camp staff know that you will be late to pick up!  

Repeated violation of the policy may result in the child’s dismissal from the program. 

 

What is the Staff to camper ratio?

The YMCA follows the Colorado Department of Human Services guidelines for the State of Colorado. The YMCA has a 1:15 ratio for school age childcare and camp. 

 

How do families get their camp shirts? 

Additional information will be provided on how to get your campers shirt.  

Camp shirts must be worn on all field trips and labeled with your child's name. Additional camp shirts will be available for purchase. 

What should campers bring EVERY DAY?

What should campers bring EVERY DAY? 

Please bring a backpack with: 

  • a cold lunch 

  • two snacks 

  • a water bottle 

  • closed-toed shoes 

  • swimming gear (on water days)   
     

Sunscreen will be provided by the YMCA. If families want a different sunscreen, they can provide it.  

PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD'S NAME ON ALL ITEMS.  

Please do not allow your child to bring anything that can be lost, broken or misplaced.  The YMCA is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged or misplaced items.  

QUESTIONS? Contact the Solution Center at 720 524 2700 or childcare@denverymca.org