Summer Camp

The Y’s typical Summer Camp schedule includes a welcome activity, opening circle/check-in, experiential learning time, snack time, physical activity, lunch, literacy, intentional choice time, closing circle and goal review.

Whether you want to step into the shoes of a master tinkerer, a robotics engineer, a chef, or a detective, we have Specialty Camps just for the camper in your life! Campers will explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Match (STEAM), which are sure to delight, challenge, and inspire. Find the right Specialty Summer Camp program and burn off some STEAM!

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

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 opens Wednesday, February 19, 2025 and can be completed online, at your local Y, or via phone. If you prefer to contact our team, please call 773-905-5115 (Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.).  

Fourteen — YES, FOURTEEN — 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 

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

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.  

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, 2025.   

Do you accept Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds? 
Our program is eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which may cover some of the cost of care. To qualify the applicant must: 

1. Live in Illinois 
2. Be employed and/or going to an eligible educational activity (high school, trade school, college, etc.) 
3. Have children younger than 13 that need care while you are working or going to school 
4. Have income below allowable limits – check at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=118832  

If you would like assistance in applying for CCAP, please contact the Enrollment Coordinator. 

Indian Boundary YMCA  
Ashley Smith , Enrollment Coordinator 
312-978-7743 | [email protected] 

Elmhurst YMCA 
Ashley Smith, Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator 
312-978-7743 | [email protected] 
 
Hastings Lake YMCA, Buehler YMCA and Sage YMCA 
Lamya Cristillo, Enrollment Coordinator 
312-545-1730 | [email protected] 

South Side YMCA 
Ari Osuna, Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator 
312-975-2680 | [email protected] 

Rauner Family YMCA 
Laura Morales, Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator  
[email protected]  

Peterson YMCA and New Field YMCA 
Enrique Balderas, Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator 
[email protected] 

Lake View YMCA and Kelly Hall YMCA 
LaVerne Mayomi  
312-890-8567 | [email protected] 

Irving Park YMCA and McCormick YMCA 
Karen Figueroa 
312-285-9135| [email protected] 

Community Schools Initiative Schools 
Yareliz Carrero, Enrollment & Eligibility Coordinator 
[email protected] 

All camp CCAP applications need to be submitted by April 15 to be considered for the 2025 camp season. 

The YMCA provides financial aid for families in need. Applications for Financial Assistance are available at the Member Experience Desk during regular business hours, or you can find the application at this link. 

All paperwork, including the emergency packet, is due 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. 

All camp CCAP and financial aid applications need to be submitted by April 14 to be considered for the 2025 camp season. 

• 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.Camp deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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. 

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, household, or family membership at the YMCA of Metro Chicago to receive the member rate, and it must remain active and valid until at least September 1. If membership is terminated prior to September 1, 2025, the non-member rate is due on all camp registrations after the date the membership is terminated.  

Do you accept Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds? 
Several of our programs are eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which may cover some of the cost of care. To qualify the applicant must: 

1. Live in Illinois 
2. Be employed at and/or attend an eligible educational activity (high school, trade school, college, etc.) 
3. Have children ages 12 or younger that need care while you are working or going to school 
4. Have an eligible family income, as determined by Illinois income guidelines. Learn more via the Illinois Department of Human Services’ website.  

If you would like assistance in applying for CCAP, please contact the Enrollment Coordinator for the program you are interested in.