Summer Camp

We’ve got the best in the (summer camp) biz — and our Summer Camp leaders are here to help you navigate our camp offerings and find the best options for our campers! 

Ashley Pettinger
Youth Development Director, Sage YMCA
[email protected] 

Melissa Lejis
School Age Manager, Sage YMCA
[email protected]

The Y’s typical Summer Camp schedule includes a welcome activity, opening circle/check-in, experiential learning time, swimming, physical activity, lunch, literacy, snack time, intentional choice time, closing circle, and checkout/goal review. Weekly activities may also include onsite field trips — and your Camp Director will have additional information on special activities as the summer approaches! 

Before care typically runs from 7 to 9 a.m., camp programming from 9 to 4 p.m., and after care from 4 to 6 p.m. Please check with your camp site for specific program times. Before and after care are included with your registration at no additional cost.

• Active, comfortable clothing (anything you don’t mind getting dirty)
• Close-toed shoes
• Water bottle 
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit & towel/life jacket if required for swim level
• Lunch and snack*
• Mask (optional)
• A positive attitude and desire to have fun!

*To find out if your camp will provide a pre-packaged meal or snack for your child, please contact your Camp Director.

The YMCA is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of all of our campers!

Sign-in and sign-out procedures at pick-up and drop-off will occur curbside, or outside of the building/camp area. 

Handwashing procedures are reinforced and integrated into activities throughout the day. 

Campers should bring a labeled water bottle with them every day. Touchless water filling stations will be made available to campers and staff. 

Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place, including the frequent sterilization on high touch objects, surfaces, and toys, as well as overnight deep cleaning of our facilities. 

Staff will go through extensive training to be prepared to carry out all the safety procedures required.

Registration can be completed online, at your local Y, or via phone. If you prefer to contact our team, please call 815-459-4455.  If you prefer to contact our team, please call 815-459-4455 or reach out to Enrollment Coordinator, Lamya Cristillo at 312-545-1730.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago works to create a positive environment for all of its members, including those with disabilities. If your camper requires a modification due to a disability, our Inclusion team is happy to work with you to create a plan for support. Look for and select the modification request on our registration platforms  online, in-person, and on paper enrollment forms. For more information, please visit our Inclusion Services webpage. 

All campers participating in Traditional Summer Camp and Specialty Camp are required to put down a non-refundable deposit per week of camp. If you are using the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and have a copay under $100 or have siblings with $0 copay, no deposit is needed.

All campers must be fully paid in full by the Wednesday prior to attending the week of camp. A $15 late fee will be added for payments made after the Wednesday before the week of camp, which is due before the first day of the camp week. Vouchers on the account will be applied to childcare balances.

Once your summer camp week(s) ends and if you do not plan on further using your Y membership, the membership must be canceled by the membership department/front desk. Please note, there is a minimum of 5 business days’ notice before your next drafting date that is required and membership cancelation must be completed by the 15th of the month. Any membership cancellation will be effective as of the next billing cycle. The cancellation may be made in person or email with receipt of confirmation. All campers must hold a valid youth or family Y membership to receive the member rate, and it must remain valid until September 1, 2024. 

• Camp deposits for all camps are non-refundable.
• Camp deposits for all camps are non-transferable.
• All specialty camps have a deposit, to be paid like traditional camps.
• All cancellations must be in writing 14 business days prior to the start of registered camp week and will be issued as a voucher for use toward other Y fees. The deposit will be forfeited.
• All cancellations made less than 14 business days prior to the start of registered camp week will be non refundable and non transferable.
• In the event the YMCA cancels a camp week, all money paid, including the deposit is refunded.

Refunds required due to third-party approval will be processed two weeks after the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) approval letter arrives at the center. CCAP balances will be the financial responsibility of the parent/guardian.

All paperwork, including the emergency packet, is due at the latest the Wednesday before your child attends camp. Campers will not be permitted into their summer camp without receipt of these documents. Documents are provided to you when you register your child(ren). 

If your camper has a medical need requiring medication during camp (routine or emergency medication), the Permission to Dispense Medication form must be completed and turned into your Camp Director. Additionally, any camper with an allergy requiring emergency medication must have a Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis form on file as well. 

No! The Y is for everyone, and you do not have to be a member to participate in Summer Camp. However, members do receive a discount* and early access to registration. 

*All campers must hold an active and valid Youth, Parent & Child, or Family membership or Youth Program Pass at the YMCA of Metro Chicago to receive the member rate, and it must remain active and valid until at least September 1, 2024. If membership is terminated prior to September 1, 2024, the non-member rate is due on all camp registrations after the date the membership is terminated. 

School-age campers must be predominantly independent in their personal care needs. Y staff will provide reminders, verbal and visual cues, and minimal assistance with clothing management. Preschool campers may have different criteria. 

What are the expectations for individuals participating with inclusion support? 

Program participants are expected to meet the program eligibility criteria (regardless of disability status) in order to participate.  Eligibility criteria may vary from program to program, but not from person to person. 

Program eligibility criteria can include age restrictions, program capacity limits, residency status, school enrollment status, enrollment fees/charges, minimum competencies or prerequisites, and personal care requirements. 

Program participants are expected to understand and follow the program’s general behavior expectations with or without modifications.  

Program participants are expected to be willing and able to participate in a majority of a program’s activities with or without modifications. 

For more information about a specific program’s eligibility criteria, please contact the program lead. 

Fifteen—YES, FIFTEEN—locations across Chicagoland offer Summer Camp! 

These locations include: 

• Buehler YMCA
• Elmhurst YMCA
• Foglia YMCA
• Fry Family YMCA
• Hastings Lake YMCA
• Indian Boundary YMCA
• Irving Park YMCA
• Kelly Hall YMCA
• Lake View YMCA*
• McCormick YMCA
• Rauner Family YMCA
• Sage YMCA
• South Side YMCA
• YMCA Camp Duncan 
• YMCA Safe ‘n Sound*

*Summer Camp programming is held at neighboring schools throughout the summer. More information will be available as part of the registration process.