Summer Day Camp

Ages 4-13

Register Here
Countdown to Summer Fun!
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Enrollment opens for Andrews Theme, Dawson Theme, Joslin Theme, and Menchaca Theme starting at 8:00pm on March 11th! Go to EZChildTrack to register! 

Today’s Adventures, Tomorrow’s Memories

Start your engines for another action-packed summer of Greater Austin YMCA day camps! We’re cooking up our summer themes and field trips, gearing up for our swim days, and working with our partners across our school districts and communities to welcome our bright-eyed and ready-for-fun campers.

All kids deserve a great summer and YMCA Day Camps are the perfect summer destination! YMCA camps offer children a safe, exciting and memorable day camp experience. Kids have the opportunity to build self-confidence, independence and creativity, and parents have peace of mind knowing your kids are in a safe and enriching place. At YMCA day camps, kids make friends while learning the values of diversity and cooperation.

Camp Offerings

Kinder Camp

$260per child*
  • For ages 4-5
  • Weekly themes and activities to spark creativity and nurture physical, emotional and academic development. Get a jumpstart to kindergarten!

Theme Camp

$280per child*
  • For ages 5-12
  • Weekly themes, field trips, free swims at our local Ys and a variety of activities to explore science, cooking, crafting, creative expression, and more!

Explorer Camp

$295per child
  • For ages 9-13
  • Adventures for older children! Weekly themes focused on STEM, sports, creativity and the arts. With two offsite field trips, a free swim at the Y, and an onsite field trip.

Camp Moody

$340per child*
  • For ages 8-13
  • Weekly themes focused on outdoor activities: archery, challenge course, atlatl, slingshots, fishing, hiking, team-building, swimming, & outdoor education.

Mini-Camps

Various
  • For ages 3-14
  • Half-day week-long camps run through Greater Austin YMCA branches with various areas of focus (sports, art, dance, cooking, and more).

See below for more fee and camp information.

Camp Info

  • Days: Mon. thru Fri (except May 29th, June 19th, and July 4th-5th)
  • Dates:
    • Kinder Camps: May 28th – July 31st
    • Theme and Explorer Camps: May 28th – August 9th (exact weeks vary by location and align with district calendars)
    • Camp Moody: June 10th – August 2nd, 2024
    • Specialty Camps: Various – please refer to the Mini Camp webpage here.
  • Hours:
    • Kinder Camps: 7:30am-6:00pm
    • Theme & Explorer: Hays and Manor camps run from 7:00am – 6:30pm, all other camps run from 7:30am – 6:00pm.
    • Camp Moody: 7:30am – 5:30pm
    • Specialty Camps: Various half-day camps – please refer to the Mini Camps webpage here.

2024 Camp Brochure: Coming Soon (our 2023 summer camp brochure is here for reference).

If you need care for a child under 4 years, please see our Early Education webpage.

For questions contact EACY@www.austinymca.org or call 512.236.9622.

Registration, Fees, & Payment Guidelines

Our camps are priced under $300 a week, and we offer financial assistance to qualifying families. Camp season begins the day after Memorial day and ends a full week before school starts (exact camp dates vary by district calendar).

Registration for confirmed camp locations is open. Keep checking our Summer Camp pages for updates and more locations as they get confirmed!

Registration for YMCA Camp Moody is now open!

Register Here

Registration Fee: $30 per child; Registration fees are Non-Refundable/Non-Transferable and are due at the time of registration.

Deposits: $15 per child / per week, due at the time of registration to hold your child’s spot at camp. Camp deposits are Non-refundable / Non-Transferable.

(Example: If you are registering for three camp sessions, a $45.00 deposit will be required to hold your spot for those sessions of camp.) The $15.00 deposit is applied to the weekly camp fee.

Kinder Camp Theme Camp Explorer Camp Camp Moody
$260/week/child $280/week/child $295/week/child $340/week/child
4-day week: $210* 4-day week: $230* 4-day week: $240* 4-day week: $270*
3-day week: $160 3-day week: $170** 3-day week: $180  

All fees are based on per-week registration per-child.

* 4-day weeks for Kinder, Theme, and Explorer are holiday weeks during the weeks of Memorial Day (May 27th) and Juneteenth (June 19th). The 4-day week for YMCA Camp Moody will be July 4th week. All other camp weeks will be 5-day weeks with the rate listed in the top column.

** 3-day weeks will occur July 1st-3rd for Kinder, Theme, and Explorer Camps. There will be no camp on July 4th and 5th for Kinder, Theme, and Explorer Camps. Kinder Camp will have a 3-day week July 29th-31st.

Camp Moody will have camp on June 19th and July 5th.

Summer Camp Locations

We have locations throughout the Central Texas region, in Manor, Hays, Round Rock and across Austin.

We work with our school district partners, local churches, and Greater Austin YMCA branches to secure Summer Camp locations across Travis County and Hays.

Extend-A-Care YMCA Camps

Registration will be opening soon for these EAC Y Camps:

  • KIPP Paseo Kinder
  • KIPP Ridge Kinder
  • KIPP Paseo Theme
  • Trinity United Church Explorer Camp
  • Lively MS Explorer Camp
  • O. Henry MS Explorer Camp
  • Lamar MS Explorer Camp

Camp locations across Austin ISD, Manor ISD, and other community schools and partners coming soon. Keep checking our Summer Camp pages, Facebook, and Instagram for updates as locations are confirmed for Kinder, Theme, and Explorer Camps!

YMCA Camp Moody

Nestled along Onion Creek, Camp Moody is the perfect location for campers seeking adventure! See Google Map directions here.

See the YMCA Camp Moody Summer Day Camp webpage here.

Enrollment is open now! Enroll via EZChildTrack

Mini Camps

Mini Camps are specialized half-day camps that happen at Greater Austin YMCAs across Travis and Hays counties. More info here.

2024 Summer Camp Themes

The EAC Y caters weekly camp themes to each camp with an engaging and fun age-appropriate appropriate curriculum. Games, arts & crafts, STEM projects, songs, Social-Emotional Learning activities, and other activities will be based on the weekly theme.

A girl toddler in a pink hoodie and blue headband looks down at a finger of an adult female staffer in an orange jacket through a magnifying glass while seated at a table. An orange bowl with a bag of sand is sitting on the table next to them.

Kinder Camp

A girl in a gray shirt and a boy in a green shirt and glasses share a smile together while seated on the floor in a line with a group of other kids. The green floor and white walls of the room they are in are blurred in the background of the photograph. 

Theme Camp

 

 

Themes & Descriptions
Two young, male campers in blue shirts put their arms around each other and smile for the camera while standing at a sand volleyball court in Zilker Park. Trees and the Austin skyline are in the background of the photograph.

Explorer Camp

A boy in a tan shirt and white helmet climbs up the climbing wall at YMCA Camp Moody. A rope and harness are attached to the boy. The ground is blurred in the background of the photograph. 

Camp Moody

 

 

Themes & Descriptions

More Camp themes & descriptions coming soon!

Each day will be filled with enriching crafts, a diverse selection of literature, STEAM activities, Social Emotional Learning activities, and organized games all based on the theme of the week! Topics can be found on each summer camp page for Theme, Sports, and Infant-Preschool Camps.

Campers attending YMCA Camp Moody will enjoy a variety of outdoor and survival activities such as crafts, team building, archery, fishing, kayaking, challenge course, hiking, swimming, and more. 

 

Trained camp staff will help lead campers in character development activities and team building games. The EAC YMCA desires for each and every child to gain a sense of accomplishment, build relationships, and find their sense of belonging.  

Kinder Camps: 4 – 5 years

Theme Camps: 5 – 12 years 

Explorer Camps: 9 – 13 years 

YMCA Camp Moody: 8 – 13 years 

Specialty Camps: 3 – 14 years

A child must be the minimum age before or on the Monday of camp. Age limits are set by licensing, via the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

For children under the age of 4 please refer to our Early Education program.

Please contact Extend-A-Care YMCA with any questions about age restrictions.

  • Kinder Camps: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
  • Austin & Round Rock: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
  • Hays & Manor: 7:00 am – 6:30 pm
  • Camp Moody: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Parents can drop off and pick up at any time between these hours.

Please refer to your welcome email and “How does sign in/out work?” for guidelines about dropping off and picking up.

A sign will be posted outside with the center phone number. Please looks for our signs and ring the doorbell for a staff to let you and your child into the center.

Anyone picking up (Primary and Secondary Guardians and authorized pick-ups) should bring a photo ID to present to staff every day, for the child(ren)’s security and safety. Staff may differ each day, so authorized pick-ups must be prepared to present ID any time they go to pick up.

Authorized pick-ups must be on the pick-up list in order to sign out and leave with the child(ren). If the Primary Parent/Guardian needs to add an authorized pick up, they should email Extend-A-Care YMCA prior to pick up with as much notice as possible.

Please include the full name and contact information of any new authorized pick-ups/emergency contacts.

For health and safety, specific information will be emailed to you via a welcome email after registration is complete regarding drop off and pick-ups. 

Our camp staff are enthusiastic and motivated to lead your child(ren) through fun themed activities, games, and songs!

All staff are required to be at least 18-years-old and a high school graduate upon being hired. YMCA Site Leads are required to be at least 21 years of age, graduates of high school, and must have at least one year of licensed childcare experience. The vast majority of staff hired has previous childcare experience.

At hiring, our staff is trained extensively through HHSC-mandated week-long Pre-Service training, First Aid/CPR training, new-hire orientation, child abuse sexual prevention training, and blood borne pathogens training. Staff must continue to participate in training and staff development seminars once employed. Staff accompanying children to swim trips are certified in Basic Water Safety as well. 

Y staff is trained on many procedures to ensure your child’s safe participation in camp and recognize that active supervision is important in all aspects of child care programs.

Camp staff will divide the kids into small manageable groups by age and assign Youth Development Leaders to each group. Your child will notice that we like to count and will be conducting head counts frequently — during the activity, before lunch, bathroom breaks, after lunch, etc.

Camp opens each morning at 7:30 AM (7:00 for Hays and Manor). Children will place their belongings in their proper place (i.e. personal tubs organized by age group). Between 7:15 and roughly 8:30 am, centers will be available for all campers. Centers may include board games, manipulatives, books, and table activities.

Following centers is usually morning snack, and then the beginning of rotations. Campers are grouped by age and will do character development activities and games related to the weekly theme. While group 1 is playing an organized game in the gym or playing outside, group 2 will be doing an activity such as craft, a STEM activity, or team building.

Lunch is usually between 11-1pm. It is required to send your child to camp with a healthy lunch and a refillable water bottle (labeled with your child’s name) each day. ollowing lunch is more engaging curriculum activities including: Einstein Time, SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Group Meeting, Tinker Time, team building, Creative Writing, physical activity, and more!

The end of the day is usually winded down with a daily reflection of the day and table activities.

At the Y, safety is of the utmost importance, especially around the pool. Each child will be swim tested and monitored closely by certified lifeguards before and during swimming. Any child who needs a lifejacket will be provided a Coast Guard approved lifejacket by us. Feel free to provide your own Coast Guard approved lifejacket on swim days. Lifeguards will be watching the children with a ratio of 1/10, and camp staff will also be supervising in and out of the pool. Camp counselors who have been with us since Summer Camp will have Basic Water Rescue certification, on top of the First Aid/CPR training that all counselors receive when hired. 
Each child needs to bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen; a change of clothes to keep at the center in case of accidents; an insulated lunchbox with an ice pack for items that need to remain cold or sack lunch (no microwave meals); and if your child would like a nap, then bring a waterproof sleeping bag or mat. All items need to be labeled. Summer Food Programs collaborate with EAC to provide children with free lunch (at selected schools). Understand that Extend-A-Care staff members are not responsible for the nutritional value or for meeting the child’s daily food needs for the meal provided by this vendor. The summer food meals are optional to parents. Swim wear will be sent home to wash every Friday. Children should wear casual clothing that is appropriate to do art projects and daily activities. Children need comfortable, secure tennis shoes for safety. Sandals, flip-flops and Heelys (shoes with wheels) are not allowed. Do not send money, toys, or other personal belongings with your child. EAC does not allow children to carry any electronic devices, such as cell phones, Gameboys, Playstation Portable Devices, during operational hours. EACY is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Your camper should have a labelled backpack/bag to keep all of his/her/their belongings inside. Please label all of your child’s belongings, and make sure to take everything belonging to your camper home with you weekly.

Our ratios are smaller than state licensing requirements. Extend-A-Care YMCA centers are group child care facilities and are not in the business of providing individual one-on-one child care. (Exceptions include: injuries, immediate disciplinary issues, and certain personal care needs customarily provided to all children).

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the EAC YMCA at EACY@AustinYMCA.org.

YMCA of Austin programs and activities are designed to benefit persons of all backgrounds, and fees are based on the cost of providing each program. While participants are expected to pay their fair share, when financial assistance dollars are available, the YMCA will assist any individual or family that wants to participate but cannot afford the fee.

Financial Assistance is awarded on a first come, first served basis. Only completed applications will be accepted and reviewed. Funds are limited, and we recommend applying early.

We require a completed camp application form, 2 recent pay stubs, and enrollment with Workforce/CCS (to be placed on their waitlist). Camp Registration forms can be found on the camp webpage.

For any questions about Financial Assistance, contact EACYMCA@AustinYMCA.org.

Only the primary parent/guardian (or secondary if authorized) is able to submit a request to Extend-A-Care YMCA to identify an adult who is authorized to pick up the child. Authorized pick up contacts are also added to your Emergency Contacts and must be 16 years old or older. 

Please provide the full name and full contact information of the person you wish to add when submitting request. Please also contact us with plenty of time before the person picks up to ensure we are able to notify the site staff and Program Director. If you have any questions, or have a last minute changes please call us directly (512-236-9622) during business hours.

We do our best to ensure that we can provide childcare to as many families as possible, while also keeping the safety of the children in mind in accordance with site capacities set by the Department of Health. If a camp is at capacity, we will recommend another camp nearby that still has space.

If you are not interested in attending an alternate camp location, you may be added to a waitlist. Spaces become available for a variety of reasons including cancellations. Spaces are offered to those on the waitlist on a first come, first served basis. Spaces are not guaranteed for those on the waitlist and registration will be pending available space for all programs.

The best guarantee of getting a spot at your preferred camp is registering early. 

Y Camp is open to ALL children, and the YMCA will work with children of all abilities. Parents have a duty to disclose significant medical, physical, or behavioral needs at the time of enrollment. 

Extend-A-Care for Kids will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities unless taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of its services, programs, or activities, or would result in an undue burden or hardship on Extend-A-Care. To better serve your child, please allow extra processing time for EAC staff to conduct an individual assessment. The purpose of an assessment is to determine if the program design and staff can meet the needs of the child. Extend-A-Care centers are group child care facilities and are not in the business of providing individual one-on-one child care. This type of program may not be suitable for some children due to their need for individual care or attention, aversion to loud and/or busy settings. 

Please make sure to check the boxes for special needs and/or allergies on the enrollment forms. There is a line on the form to include details about your child’s allergy or special condition. Please keep in mind that Y staff cannot be with a child one-on-one as camp operates in a large group format. If you have questions about this, then please email Extend-A-Care YMCA or the Program Director over the camp.

Our licensing requires that children enrolled in our programs who have indicated food allergies have a Food Allergy Emergency Plan prepared by their health care professional before they can attend. 

This Food Allergy Emergency Plan must:

1) List your child’s full name and date of birth

2) List each food your child is allergic to, possible symptoms if exposed to the food on the list, and the steps to take if your child has an allergic reaction

3) Be signed and dated by your health care professional

4) Be signed and dated by you

If you are an Afterschool participant and we already have a copy of your allergy plan for this year, then you do not need to submit a new form for camps.

The allergy plan must be renewed every year.

Most health care professionals have their own format for this information, which we can accept as long as it meets the above criteria. If you need a copy of the form, we are happy to provide you with one. Just call us at 512-236-9622 or email us. Please email the allergy form to Extend-A-Care YMCA.

Please refer to the fee schedule. If you are registering for multiple sessions, you must agree to keep payment methods on file. If enrolled in autopay, drafts will occur (11) eleven days (every Thursday) prior to the start of each session. All camps must be paid in advance or on the due date. Only paid participants are allowed to attend camp. Checks and EFT not accepted after the payment due date. Your enrollment will be canceled by the Monday before each session if your balance is unpaid. If canceled due to non-payment, the camp spot, deposits, and registration fee are forfeited and a $25 cancellation fee will incur. Re-registration is not guaranteed for any cancellations due to non-payment.

Debbie Rios-Lombraña, Accounts Director

Emma Jaramillo, Senior Manager of Operations & Parent Engagement

Fees:

Registration fees and camp deposit(s) are non-refundable, non-transferable when you submit a cancellation request.

Cancellation and transfer requests submitted  less than 11 calendar days prior to the start of camp will incur a cancellation fee of $25 and/or a transfer fee of $10.

ONLINE CANCELLATION FORM

Deadlines:

Cancellation or transfer requests will not be accepted on or after the Tuesday before the start of the camp session. No refunds will be given. You will be held responsible for the full amount of camp fees, regardless of whether or not your child attends camp.

Cancellation and transfer requests must be submitted to the EAC  YMCA Customer Service team at least 11 calendar days prior to the start of camp.

Make sure to use our online cancellation form or transfer request form. These requests can take 3-5 days to complete.

Transfers:

Transfers subject to availability. If the camp you need to transfer to is full, you may be placed on the waitlist.

Emergency Registration:

An emergency registration is defined as any registration occurring Thursday or Friday before the desired camp session. The emergency registration will only be accepted up until 10am on Friday with an additional $50.00 Emergency Registration fee. You must contact the EAC YMCA customer service to request an Emergency Registration. Registration will depends on whether the camp has space.

Refunds and/or credits are NOT issued under the following circumstances:

  • Your child is absent,
  • Your child is suspended from EAC Y,
  • There is a unexpected camp closure announced by the school district that does not exceed 1 day of camp,
  • There is an unexpected camp closure due to weather, an emergency or natural disaster that does not exceed 1 day of camp.

Partial credits and/or pro-rations WILL be applied under the following circumstances: Unexpected camp closures announced by the school district, and/or due to weather, an emergency or natural disaster exceeding 1 day of camp.

EAC YMCA programs and activities are designed to benefit persons of all backgrounds, and fees are based on the cost of providing each program. While participants are expected to pay their fair share, EAC YMCA will assist families that want to participate but cannot afford the fee. Financial Assistance will be awarded to working families that meet our income guidelines and/or can demonstrate a need for fee assistance. Since demand for assistance is great and funds are limited, we encourage parents to apply early. You can complete our prescreen questions while completing your online summer application.

Our Site Leads and Youth Development Leaders are passionate about their role in your child’s life while at the EAC Y, and we welcome communication with parents. Please feel free to share any questions, suggestions, allergy information, etc. for your child to any on-site camp staff.

Additionally, the phone number and email address of the Program Director for camp will be listed on your Summer Camp Welcome Packet and available online. The camp webpage will also have contact details for your camp’s Program Director.  

The Y contracts with local school districts and use their buses and drivers for transportation to transport the camps to their swim and field trip locations.  
Having our camps at schools grants us more space for activities with use of the cafeteria, playground, gym, and classrooms to enhance the curriculum and schedule we have planned for the kids’ enjoyment. The schools we use for camp are also used for some of our Afterschool sites, so we are familiar with them and their wonderful staffs. Most of the Y branches don’t provide a lot of space for our camps, unfortunately (with East Communities being an exception due to its exterior portables). At schools we are also able to operate camp without interfering with members who want to work out and swim. 
A $25.00 fee is charged for all non-sufficient funds and declined charges. Children will not be allowed to attend camp unless payment for the camp session and fees have been received and posted to your account by the EAC YMCA Customer Service team. If two consecutive payment returns occur due to insufficient funds, a different form of payment will be required for future payments.

As an Extend-A-Care YMCA Summer Camp customer, you are eligible for a $60/month Family Membership to your nearest YMCA Branch. That’s $32 savings + Waived Join Fee of $49!

Email Extend-A-Care YMCA or call 512-236-9622 for general questions and help with your registration, camp billing, financial assistance, and Y online account.

Extend-A-Care YMCA:

Debbie Rios-Lombraña Accounts Director

Emma Jaramillo Senior Manager of Operations

Andie Connors-Pool Director of People for the EAC Y

Aneesa Royce Senior Program Director

Shana Chung Senior Program Director

Carley White Senior Program Director

Jay Mills Program Executive Director

April Walker Senior Director of Learning and Innovation

Sarah Rinner Associate Vice President, Out of School Time & Operations

Ami Cortes-Castillo Associate Vice President, Early Learning

For general questions please call 512-236-9622 or email EACY@austinymca.org

YMCA Camp Moody:

Megan Gonzalez Senior Program Director

Jamie Young, Camp Moody Business Manager and Membership Coordinator

Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions

Social Emotional Learning

Extend-A-Care YMCA staff members include Social Emotional Learning as a piece of your child’s daily schedule.

  • Group meeting time guides campers toward self & social awareness
  • Activities provide opportunities to make friends and learn from positive role models
  • Program spaces include quiet areas where young people can find calming tools and focus to reset when needed
  • Cooperation, kindness, and respect are built into every experience

STEAM and Creativity

We believe creativity, curiosity, and play are essential to engaged learning. Across all ages, our campers have the opportunity to engage in a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities in a space that promotes creativity, invention, problem solving, and self-expression.

Young people build their technology skills through educational activities, interactive games, engaging materials, and constructive projects related to the weekly curriculum theme.

Hands On Learning

Each week campers participate in hands-on, enriching developmentally-appropriate curriculum projects and experiences that include:

  • Arts and crafts
  • STEM Education
  • STEAM
  • Physical exercise
  • Creative expression
  • Group games and activities

These projects are created by EAC YMCA’s curriculum specialists and are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Enhanced Themed Areas

Our summer camp professionals spend countless hours creating enhanced areas that correspond to our summer themes. These thematic areas offer children a place to enrich their creative thinking, and promote an inviting and fun space for them to enjoy throughout their summer days.

Swimming

Beginner, intermediate, and experienced swimmers welcome! Children will participate in swim trips at our local YMCA pools weekly, if weather permits.

EAC YMCA also provides children with four swim lessons with dedicated YMCA swim instructors during Sharks ‘N Minnows theme week!

Field Trips

Every student will experience several field trips over the summer to fun-filled places and sometimes experts bring exciting activities and exhibits right to our site!

Healthy Snack

EAC YMCA ensures children have access to a healthy, balanced snack each morning and afternoon.

Snacks include a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and small amounts of added sugar and saturated fat. All USDA approved.

Building Relationships

EAC YMCA offers a program where children can engage with peers and establish meaningful friendships.

Our staff are caring, trained professionals who support your child’s development through encouragement, listening and modeling kindness and respect.

Book Nook

Mounting evidence suggests that afterschool programs can play a vital role in improving literacy outcomes for children.

EAC YMCA Offers:

  1. A print rich environment that integrates curriculum projects with books and comprehension tools.
  2. Incorporating a multicultural and leveled library into the program that speaks to the real interests of our children with cozy, attractive reading areas.


Preventing Summer Reading Loss

*Studies show that some youth suffer significantly from a loss of academic skills over the summertime. EAC YMCA focuses on enhancing the academic opportunities of EAC YMCA Summer Camp through our various learning stations and helps reduce many pressing concerns such as closing the opportunity gap.

Specialty Camps

Each summer, students are introduced to unique and age-appropriate skills and themes through specialized instructors, partnerships with other community organizations, and in depth onsite experiences. Because of this specialized focus, our camp offerings may change from summer to summer and across locations. Students will experience a variety of themes such as:

  • Sports (basketball, soccer, kickball, softball, and more)
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math on specific careers and topics)
  • STEAM (all of the above plus ARTS!)
  • Outdoor Education and Nature

These specialty sports not only give our campers the opportunity to learn a new sport, but also the opportunity to gain confidence, friendships, teamwork skills and participate in leadership roles.

“YMCA day camp has been a great fit for our summer needs. The staff are kind and courteous. Our daughter has made friends and really enjoys the field trips.”

– Jessie G., Extend-A-Care YMCA parent