Summer Day Camp FAQs

Day Camp: 8 AM – 5:30 PM | Monday – Friday 

• Before Camp care: 6:30 AM – 8 AM | Monday – Friday – offered at an additional cost and only at select locations 

Specialty Camps: 8 AM – 4 PM | Monday – Friday 

• Before and After Camp care: 6:30 AM – 8 AM & 4 – 5:30 PM | Monday – Friday– offered at an additional cost and only at select locations

For day camp, the YMCA accepts youth ages 5 to 12.  

For specialty camps 

• Adventure, Art, Culinary, STEM: the age range is 10 to 14  
• Esports - Minecraft, Fortnite, League of Legends, Mario Cart: the age range is 12 to 15  

Sports:  

• Basketball: the age range is 7 to 10 and 10 to 14 
• Soccer: the age range is 10 to 14 

For Leaders in Training camp, the YMCA accepts youth ages 13 to 15. 

Specialty Camps (except for Sports) are tailored to ages 10-14 this year to ensure that staff members can provide learning environments for a targeted age group. The Y is committed to creating positive youth spaces for pre-teens and teens. We chose to develop our Specialty camps around this age group to ensure there are options for families with young people between the ages of 10-14.  

The YMCA will send updates via email in your YMCA Account. Please be sure you are opted in to receive all updates. You will receive communication from your child's Camp no later than May 15, 2024. 

Did you opt out of our emails? Re-subscribe here.

Late Drop Offs:  

On-site Day Camp and Specialty 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.  (i.e. field, playground, gym, etc.) 

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, please call and email the Camp Supervisor to let them know, giving them enough time to plan.  

Late Pick Ups: 

Children are supervised at the YMCA Childcare Site until 5:30 PM. A late fee of $1 per minute/per child will be charged after 5:35 PM. As a courtesy, please make sure to call and/or email your Camp Supervisor to let them know that you will be late to pick up!  

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

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. 

Additional information will be provided on how to get your camper’s 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? 

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, please provide it with your child's name labeled clearly.

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.  

Click to read A Day in the Life of Summer Camp and view daily schedules.

May 1, 2024 

Two field trips per week (one swimming day and one activity based day).

View Field Trip Calendars

January 17, 2024: For members and YMCA Staff.

January 19, 2024: For current, registered Out of School Time participants, past 2023 camp participants, scholarship recipients and CCCAP participants. 

February 5, 2024: General public - all others. 

See a map of all our camp locations.

Day Camp will be offered:

• Achieve Elementary (6/10-8/2; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Arvada YMCA (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Aurora YMCA (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Bryant Webster Dual Language (6/10-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Christ the King (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Clayton Learning Center (6/10-8/16; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Doral Academy  (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5)  
• East Community Center (6/3-8/9; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Elkhart Elementary (6/3-8/2; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Excel Academy (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5)  
• Glendale YMCA (6/3-8/9; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Morey Middle School (6/10-8/9; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Palmer Elementary (6/10-8/9; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5)
• Reunion Rec Center (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Samuels Elementary (7/8-8/9; no care for 7/1-7/5) 
• Shelton Elementary (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Shepherd of the Hills (6/3-8/9; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Southwest YMCA (6/3-8/16; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Trailside Elementary (6/10-8/2; no care 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• University Hills YMCA (6/10-8/16; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 
• Yale Elementary (6/3-8/2; no care for 6/19 & 7/1-7/5) 

*On 1/12/2024, DPS informed the YMCA that Park Hill Elementary may be under construction during the summer, preventing this location as a YMCA camp site. Please consider registering at nearby Clayton Early Learning or Palmer Elementary for an amazing camp experience for your child!

Specialty Camp will be offered:

Adventure  

• 6/17-6/21 - Arvada, Littleton, Southwest and University Hills YMCAs (closed 6/19)
• 7/8 - 7/11 - Arvada, Littleton, Southwest and University Hills YMCAs
• 7/22 - 725 - Arvada, Littleton, Southwest and University Hills YMCAs

Art 

• 6/10 - 6/14 - Arvada YMCA
• 6/24 - 6/28 - University Hills YMCA 
• 7/15 - 7/19 - Arvada YMCA
• 7/29 - 8/2 - University Hills YMCA 

Culinary 

• 6/3 - 6/7 - Arvada YMCA
• 7/8-7/12 - University Hills YMCA
• 8/5 - 8/9 - Arvada YMCA
• 8/12-8/16 - University Hills YMCA

Leaders in Training 

• 6/11 - 6/13 - Arvada YMCA
• 6/25 - 6/27 - University Hills YMCA
• 7/16 - 7/18 - Arvada YMCA
• 7/30 - 8/1 - University Hills YMCA
• 8/6 - 8/8 - Arvada YMCA
• 8/13 - 8/15 -University Hills YMCA  

Sports - Basketball 

• 6/17 - 6/21 - University Hills YMCA – advanced and fundamental (closed 6/19)
• 7/22 - 7/26 - University Hills YMCA – advanced and fundamental 
• 7/29 - 8/2 - Arvada YMCA

Sports - Soccer 

• 6/24- 6/28 - Arvada YMCA

STEM 

• 6/10 - 6/14 - University Hills YMCA
• 6/17 - 6/21 - Arvada YMCA (closed 6/19)
• 7/15 - 7/19 - University Hills YMCA
• 7/22 - 7/26 - Arvada YMCA

ESPORTS – at Centennial YMCA Center of Generations  

• 6/3 - 6/7 
• 6/17 - 6/21 (closed 6/19)
• 7/8 - 7/12 
• 8/5 - 8/9 

A few things including: 

• A YMCA Account. If you don’t have a YMCA account, please take steps now to set up an account. 
• Preferred location, weeks you want care, if you can before and after care (only at select locations). 
• A preferred billing method on file. We encourage you to set up an ACH/bank account for your billing method. As of February 1, 2024, the YMCA will pass on surcharges for accounts that are drafting from credit/debit cards. 
• Initial payment installment – see schedule below.

After you have registered for camp, you will receive a follow up communication from the Y. In that communication will be a link to complete additional registration information within your YMCA Account. Required information includes an emergency contact, sunscreen authorization, medical authorization etc. You can complete this information at anytime within your YMCA account and we encourage you to do so right after you register. 

The deadline to complete this information is May 15, 2024, and your camp registration is not complete until you complete this required information. Those with incomplete information will not be able to attend camp until completed.

We have simplified camp registration this year. You can complete step 1 of your camp registration immediately and return to complete step 2 by May 15, 2024.  

Step 2 of your camp registration is our required health and emergency information. As a licensed childcare provider, the State of Colorado requires the YMCA to collect health and emergency information on our campers. Log into your YMCA Account to complete this mandatory information at any time, and before the deadline of May 15, 2024. 

There are a variety of camps offered so families can customize their camp experience.  

• Day Camp: $230/members; $280/non-members

• Specialty Camp: 

  • Adventure Camp: $450/members; $500/non-members

  • Art/Basketball/Culinary/STEM/Sports: $300/members; $350/non-members

  • Esports: $125/members; $175/non-members

• Leaders in Training: $100/members; $130 non-members

YMCA members save ~$50 per week of camp. Consider YMCA membership to save on summer camp – join now! Note! You must maintain your YMCA membership from the point of registration through the end of summer camp to qualify for the member pricing on summer camp. The child registered for camp must be an active member on the membership account in order for member camp pricing. 

No for both! However, a future billing method is required to complete the registration. We encourage you to set up an ACH/bank account in your YMCA Account for your billing method.

As of February 1, 2024, there will be a surcharge for accounts that draft from credit/debit cards. Here’s how to set up a payment method in your YMCA Account. 

Families have two options for camp payment: 

1. Pay the full balance at registration. 

2. NEW! We will be on a payment schedule as follows. 

• Register between January 17 and February 14: Pay 20% of the camp fee upfront. Pay four more installments of 20% of the total fee due February 15, March 15, April 15 and May 15. 
• Register between February 15 and March 14: Pay 40% of the camp fee upfront. Pay three more installments of 20% of the total fee due March 15, April 15 and May 15. 
• Register between March 15 and April 14 : Pay 60% of the camp fee upfront. Pay two more installments of 20% of the total fee due April 15 and May 15. 
• Register between April 15 and May 15: Pay 80% of the camp fee upfront. Pay one more installment of 20% of the total fee due May 15. 
• Register after May 15: Pay 100% of the camp fee at this time.  

If you decide to pay an installment early, notify us so that your payment can be applied correctly. 

Full payment of camp is due by May 15, 2024. If full payment is not received by the due date, you risk losing your spot in camp and may not receive a refund.

No.

Register for your preferred camp and location. Before and after camp care is available as an “add on”. Before and after camp care is not a stand-alone registration option.  

If you don’t see the add on, then before and after camp care is not being offered at that location.  

Price: $20/youth per week for members & $30/youth per week for non-members. Only select sites will offer Before/After camp care. 

The sites offering before camp care are:   

• Achieve Day Camp 
• Arvada YMCA Day Camp
• Bryant Webster 
• Clayton Learning Center
• Downtown YMCA Day Camp 
• East Community Center
• Elkhart Day Camp
• Excel Academy 
• Samuels Elementary  
• Shelton Elementary 
• Southwest YMCA Day Camp 
• University Hills YMCA Day Camp

The sites offering after camp care (4 - 5:30 PM) are:   

• Arvada Specialty Camp  
• Southwest YMCA Specialty Camp 
• University Hills YMCA Specialty Camp 

If you do not “add on” before and/or after care during the registration process and decide later to add this option, please contact us to process the request.  

• It is the YMCA's policy that written notice must be given of your child's withdrawal from summer camp no later than May 15. 
• No refunds for camp will be granted beyond June 1.
• Refunds on all cancellations or withdrawals are subject to a 2% per week administrative fee per program or course option.
• A 100% system credit can be awarded when a credit is being requested before May 15 as noted above.
• All cancellations or withdrawal requests are submitted through the contact us form.

See our full refund policy here.

To process a cancellation, please contact us.  

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

• Achieve Elementary 
• Downtown Denver YMCA 
• Elkhart Elementary 
• Glendale YMCA  
• Shelton Elementary 
• Southwest YMCA 
• Trailside Elementary 
• University Hills YMCA 
• Yale Elementary 

If you are a CCCAP family who is currently in YMCA Out of School time or a 2023 camp participant, you must register for camp on January 19, 2024 or soon after. Current CCCAP families will be sent a coupon code to apply and use at checkout when registering online. Didn't get your coupon code? Contact us. 

Payment will not be required at registration. Past CCCAP recipient’s YMCA accounts will be noted if they received CCCAP in the past. 

IMPORTANT: Proof of CCCAP authorization must be submitted to the YMCA by April 22, 2024 (45 days from the first day of camp).

1. To submit your authorization letter, please go to this form. 

2. Select YMCA of Metro Denver Summer Camp.

3. In the subject line, add CCCAP authorization - your first and last name.

4. Upload and attach your CCCAP authorization.

5. Add your Contact details and click Submit.

If an authorization is not submitted to your YMCA Account, families will be responsible for the cull cost of camp. 

If you are new to CCCAP and do not have a YMCA Account, please contact us.

Questions about CCCAP? Contact us.

Yes, through the generosity of our donors, the YMCA offers financial assistance to eligible families. The scholarship application process for summer camp 2024 opened on December 18, 2023. There are a limited number of scholarships for summer day camp and applications are considered in the order they are received.

Our application is fully online at Scholarship Application.

To be considered for a scholarship for summer camp, please complete your application no later than January 10, 2024. 

• Y-Premium couple – parent or guardian/youth 
• Y-Premium Household – youth must be on the account 
• Y Your Way – youth must be on the account 
• Y-Starter – for children age 13+ 
• Virtual Y members are not eligible for member rates on programs. 

Not a member? Join today and save on summer camp!

No. Youth may be registered for camp prior to turning 5 and then may attend Day Camp once they have turned 5.  

Contact us and refer to our Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct. A 2% administrative fee per program or course option will apply. 

Please contact us.

The deadline to register for any week of camp is the Wednesday before the Monday of the camp week. For example, the deadline for camp week June 24, 2024 is Wednesday, June 19, 2024.  

All required camp forms are due the prior Thursday at 12 PM. 

We are only offering camp at select locations. It is possible due to scheduling or other conflicts that this camp site is no longer available as a YMCA camp location. 

Please check our map of locations and select a camp that is nearby or visit our Summer Camp page and select the type of camp you'd like your child to attend. 

Welcome back! Opt back into our emails here.

When all camp spots fill, a family can register for the waitlist during the registration process. All program spots are first come, first-served, so the first person on the waitlist will be the first person eligible for a spot.  

If a spot opens up for your child and they are next on the waitlist, your child will be automatically enrolled into that week of camp, and the payment method on file will be charged. 

• If you do not have a valid, stored payment method on file, your waitlist spot will be forfeited. This includes credit cards that have expired. Reminder, starting in February credit card payments will incur an additional 2% fee.  
• Waitlist spots will be made available as spots open up in camp. If you have multiple children on the waitlist, we cannot guarantee that all children will be enrolled in camp. 
• Waitlist spots cannot be transferred to other weeks or other types of camp.   
• If you are a CCCAP family, make sure you contact us to secure your coupon code to apply should you move off the waitlist into a camp week.  
• If you do not take this step and you don’t have a payment method on file, your waitlist spot will be forfeited. If you do have a payment method on file, your credit card will be charged.

If, while on the waitlist, you find another camp option for your child, and you want to be removed from the waitlist, you must submit a request to be removed in this form.  

If you do not submit this request, your child could end up enrolled in camp and your payment method on file will be charged.