UPCOMING HOLIDAY HOURS

New Year's Eve (Tuesday, December 31) All branches will close at 2 pm and all Neighborhood Centers will be open 8 am-1 pm.

New Year's Day (Wednesday, January 1): All branches will be open 10 am-2 pm and all Neighborhood Centers will be closed. 

Enjoy the holidays!

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Summer Camp Parent Information

Please select from the drop-downs below to learn everything you need to know about YMCA Summer Camp.

Day Camp Dates and Rates

Session

Dates

Week 1

June 23-27

Week 2

June 30- July 3

*No Camp 7/4*

Week 3

July 7-11

Week 4

July 14-18

Week 5

July 21-25

Week 6

July 28-August 1

Week 7

August 4-8

Week 8

August 11-15

Week 9

August 18-22

Week 10

August 25-29

 

Session Rates for 2025

AH/BV/ES/NP/TBIRD

Glacier Lake

Watson Woods

Camp Cory

Monroe County Ontario County Steuben County Yates County

Family Member Rate- $320

Youth/Teen Member Rate- $340

Non-Member Rate- $410

Family Member Rate- $280

Youth/Teen Member Rate- $300

Non-Member Rate- $360

Family Member Rate- $275

Youth/Teen Member Rate- $295

Non-Member Rate- $350

Cost Full Day- $310

 

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF CAMP?

Our traditional camp day runs from 9 am-4 pm. AM Care is from 7-9 am and PM Care runs from 4-6 pm.

AM & PM Care are included at NO ADDITIONAL COST.
Please note: Parents are responsible for informing the camp office in writing of all changes to camper registration. Changes will not be accepted over the phone.

WHERE DO I DROP OFF MY CAMPER? - DROP OFF PROCEDURES

Each unit has its own designated check-in space. After checking in, campers will join their unit for AM Care Rotations around camp.

DROP-OFF POLICY

Parents are required to get out of their cars, walk to the check-in area, and sign in their own campers.

Parents and guardians are not permitted beyond the check-in table.

ABSENCES

Please notify the camp directly if your child will be absent for the day.

WHERE DO I PICK UP MY CAMPER? - PICK UP PROCEDURES

Each unit has its own designated checkout space. After presenting your Photo ID staff will radio for your camper to be brought up to you.

During PM Care campers are with their unit for PM Care Rotations around camp.

PICK-UP POLICY

Anyone picking up a camper must be listed on the child’s Authorized Pick-Up List and must have either:

  • A photo uploaded to campsite as an authorized pick-up. Please note that you may still be asked for a valid photo ID even with a photo uploaded to campsite.
  • A valid photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID include: Driver’s license or state non-driver ID, passport or military ID, or an employment identification card.

LATE PICK-UP POLICY

If a child is not picked up by 6 pm. YMCA staff will notify authorized individuals for pick up.

There is a charge of $1.00 per minute/per child for any camper remaining after 6 pm.

If an authorized pick-up cannot be reached within 2 hours of the scheduled pick-up time, the Monroe, Ontario, or Steuben County Protective Agency will be notified.

HOW DO I ADD SOMEONE TO AUTHORIZED PICK UP LIST?

AUTHORIZED PICK-UPS

To change authorized pick-ups, please log into your Campsite Parent Dashboard. No notes or phone calls will be accepted to change authorized pickups

If a last-minute change or addition to your authorized pick-ups is necessary, please contact your camp and specify the change needed.

In the event that an unauthorized individual attempts to gain access to a child, the parent/guardian or emergency contact will be notified. Law enforcement will be contacted if necessary.

Please note that a parent, regardless of custodial arrangements, has the authority to obtain a child from camp at any time unless a copy of the Court Order is on file with the camp office.

WHO DO I NOTIFY IF I NEED TO PICK UP MY CAMPER EARLY?

EARLY PICK-UP POLICY

Please provide written notice if you need to pick up your child prior to 3:45 pm. Please be aware that due to the nature of the camp property, it’s likely your child’s group will not be in the immediate area of the camp office.

Unusual arrivals and departures close to regular arrival/departure time will result in delays.

Email daily changes directly to your camp.

 

    WHO DO I NOTIFY IF MY CAMPER IS GOING TO BE ABSENT/SICK FROM CAMP?

    ABSENCES

    Please notify the camp if your child will be absent.

    SICK CHILD POLICY

    Please do not send your child to camp if they are sick and/or running a fever. If a child becomes ill at camp, a parent or person authorized to pick up will be contacted to pick up the child. Children must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to camp. A doctor’s note may be required. Medical reasons for your child to remain home include but are not limited to:

    • A temperature of 100.4 or more.
    • Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
    • Heavy nasal or eye discharge.
    • Any questionable rash or skin condition: This can include chicken pox, poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, etc.
    • Any communicable diseases: This can include conjunctivitis, herpes virus which causes cold sores, lice, etc.
    WHAT TO PACK

    Children should arrive at camp every day with the following items:

    • A camp bag for all camp stuff
    • A refillable water bottle
    • Lunch (please note: Camp Watson Woods provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack.)
    • Swimsuit and towel
    • Plastic bag for wet clothes
    • Extra set of clothing
    • Sunscreen and bug spray
    • Sneakers (closed-toed shoes are required for many camp activities)
    • Rain Gear (weather permitting)
    • All belongings should be labeled with your child’s first and last name

    PROHIBITED ITEMS

    The following items will be confiscated by YMCA staff and held in the office for parents to retrieve at the end of the camp day.

    • Tobacco, alcohol, drugs
    • Trading/playing cards
    • Valuables. The YMCA of Greater Rochester is not responsible for lost or stolen items
    • Personal toys or games
    • Weapons
    • Candy, gum, or cough drops (due to food allergies, campers should not bring candy or snacks to share)
    • Animals
    • Lighters or matches

    LUNCH

    As the YMCA of Greater Rochester, we are committed to healthy living in all our programs. For this reason, we ask that you follow the below guidelines when packing your camper's lunch each day:

    • We recommend including whole grains, healthy proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables in your camper's lunch.
    • Be sure to pack an ice pack if your camper's lunch needs to be kept cool.
    • Do not send items that require reheating or cooking.
    • Do not send campers with soda or candy.

    Campers will eat lunch at their designated unit area. They will wash their hands before entering the eating area.

    Campers must bring their own lunch and will not be allowed to share food with their fellow campers.

    Should a camper need help with their meal, ie: opening packages, staff will assist while wearing gloves.

    AFTERNOON SNACK

    We will provide your camper with a daily afternoon snack. Snacks will be single-serve items and handed out by gloved camp staff. Campers should bring their own personal, reusable water bottle. Camp staff will not eat with campers.

    SUNSCREEN AND INSECT REPELLENT

    All campers should apply sunscreen and insect repellent in the morning prior to arriving at camp. Staff will assist campers with reapplying their sunscreen and insect repellent after swim periods. To comply with child abuse protection guidelines, the application of sunscreen will take place in an open setting. We recommend that each camper keep their own bottle of sunscreen and insect repellent in their backpack labeled with their first and last name. Because campers spend a large part of the day outside, we recommend campers wear a hat to protect them from the sun and wear approved swim shirts while participating in swim periods.

    INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

    Campers will take part in a fully scheduled program of activities regardless of weather. We are prepared for inclement weather for each group which focuses on crafts, group games, and special events. Be sure to dress campers appropriately for the weather.

    CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONICS

    Camp is a cell phone and electronics-free zone. If cell phones come to camp, they must remain safely in a backpack. The YMCA is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal item. If a camper is continually reminded to put their cell phone away, staff may take the phone and lock it safely in the camp office.

    BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES

    BEHAVIOR POLICY

    All YMCA Camp programs strive to use discipline in a fair, nurturing manner. Punitive methods are not acceptable. The YMCA takes great pride in guiding children to become successful and happy individuals who are learning to independently get along with others. This is achieved through the following:

    • Role Modeling: Effectively exemplifies good qualities needed for acceptance in a group.
    • Positive Reinforcement: To encourage repetition of good behavior.
    • Reinforcing Problem Solving Skills: These include settling disagreements with aggressiveness, predicting consequences, thinking of the feelings of others, etc.
    • Reason and Logic: Helping children to think through a problem and find the solution that works best for everyone concerned.

    Any camper who commits an act of physical aggression or gross disobedience will complete a behavior incident report with camp staff. Reports will be shared with the child’s parents/guardians, and may result in any of the following actions as determined by the camp director or director designee:

    • First Offense: Parents will be contacted and the child will be suspended for the next day of camp.
    • Second Offense: Child will be suspended from camp for the remainder of the session.
    • Third Offense: Child will be expelled from camp for the remainder of the summer.

    There will be no refund or fees or deposits for days a camper is suspended. Please go over these policies with your children. Expectations for behavior and consequences will be reviewed on an ongoing basis over the course of the summer, but your cooperation is needed to ensure that the right of each camper to have a safe and happy environment is attained.

    PARENTAL CODE OF CONDUCT

    We understand that when it comes to your children, an emotional response is sometimes hard to avoid. However, we ask you to understand that we are doing our best to ensure all children have a positive experience in a safe environment while at camp. We evaluate each situation or conflict as objectively as possible and assess the event of each incident, keeping in mind each child’s part in the issue. Our goal with any and every incident is to react as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure we are moving forward and learning from the incident. Both as an organization and for all parties involved, our goal is to improve and prevent further incidents.

    There are very few one-sided incidents and to successfully address a situation, we must look at each child’s part and gather all the facts. When speaking with you, we exercise the confidentiality of everyone concerned and can only provide information pertinent to your child. Staff cannot provide any personal information of other children/parents involved in a situation. We ask that you work with us to reinforce the concerns brought forward and help by offering positive solutions to your child to avoid conflict in the future.

    Just as we expect your child to respect the facility, our mission, and our staff working within it, we ask you to do the same. Remember there are impressionable ears everywhere in our facilities and as an adult, you have a responsibility to express yourself accordingly. Bullying occurs at all ages and we will not respond to parents who attempt to intimidate our staff with threats of any kind.

    Please speak appropriately and refrain from using threatening words, tone of voice, gestures, foul language, sexually inappropriate comments, and physical contact toward our staff. Please be aware that aggression of threatening behavior of any kind could affect your child’s eligibility to attend our program. Such behavior will not be tolerated and authorities will be contacted.

    GOALS AND OUTCOMES

    Quality youth development programming isn’t just the proper ratio of teachers to youth or a clean classroom; it is a commitment to meeting the social, emotional, and developmental needs of youth. Moreover, it’s staff who are dedicated to providing high-quality services for all youth.

    Our goals are as follows:

    • To welcome all youth and provide high-quality services regardless of socio/economic background.
    • To support the growth and development of all youth, focusing on: Social and emotional skills.
      • Self-awareness, confidence, and feelings of self-worth.
      • Interpersonal relationships.
      • Academic achievement.
      • Physical skills.
      • Health and nutrition.
      • To deliver programs in a positive YMCA environment of enrichment, safety, and support, focusing on:
        • Broadening the community, national, and world understanding of youth and parents including experiences that foster exposure to ethnic and cultural diversity.
        • The program will be conducted in accordance with core YMCA operating principles and philosophy. Implementing and delivering Character Development programs.
        • Eradicating the Achievement Gap.
        • Ensuring safety for all.

    The single most important factor in attaining these goals is the commitment of the staff and their dedication to providing high-quality programs.

    SWIMMING AT CAMP

    SWIMMING

    Campers will all have the opportunity to swim while at camp. Swim time is a recreational swim time. We do not offer swim lessons during the swim block.

    Campers who wish to swim in designated deep-end water areas must pass the deep-end test.

    Campers who are unable to complete the deep-end test and do not meet the height requirements will be required to wear a life jacket and remain in the shallow end while swimming.

    TAKING THE DEEP-END TEST

    Deep End swimmers are required to take the Deep End Test every summer after Memorial Day.

    LOST AND FOUND

    Camp will keep these items for no longer than 1 week from the end of the session. After this time, these items will be donated or thrown away. Please note that these items will be held at the discretion of camp staff. Items that are soiled, damaged, or otherwise deemed not able to be safely stored will be disposed of.

    Camp will only hold the following specific list of items:

    • Jackets/Sweatshirts

    • Water Bottles (with names on them)

    • Prescription glasses, durable medical equipment, prescription medication

    • Shoes (not water shoes or sandals)

    • Backpacks

    • Swimsuit/towel

    The list of items camp will not hold on to includes but is not limited to: socks and underwear, hats, water bottles (without names), sunglasses, toys, and arts and crafts projects including tie-dye.

    Campers will have unit and sub-unit spaces to help campers maintain their belongings and help staff identify misplaced items during the camp session. We highly encourage parents to label all items with their camper’s name to help our staff identify items during the camp session. Many items look similar and it can be confusing for both staff and campers.

    Please do not send campers with stuffed animals, toys, blankets, or other items from home. Items like jewelry can be easily lost or damaged. Electronics, including phones, are not permitted to be used at camp. Phones will be confiscated and returned to families at the end of the day if campers are using them. Camp is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items—including confiscated phones.

    After the camp session ends, if one of the listed items is missing, please contact the camp to see if the item has been found and to arrange a pickup.

    NYS DOH & ACA ACCREDITATION

    CAMP DOH INSPECTION

    YMCA Camps are permitted to operate by the New York State Department of Health. We are inspected twice annually. Reports are filed with the Monroe, Ontario, and Steuben County Department of Health.

    OCFS LEGALLY EXEMPT CAMP

    Our camps are also filed as Legally Exempt with OCFS. (Except YMCA Camp Glacier Lake)

    AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION (ACA) ACCREDITED

    We are also proud to be an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited camp. The ACA nationally recognizes camps that meet the highest standards focusing on health, safety, and program quality.