Camp

Camps We Offer

Summer Day Camp – Traditional and Specialty Camps

From traditional, basketball and science to splash and mini-golf, there are many different types of Summer Day Camp to choose from. Day Camp is available for youth entering grades K-11. Camp guides are available in January, with registration starting shortly thereafter. We are constantly looking for ways to improve existing camps and add new ones. Please submit your feedback and suggestions to the camp program director.

Family Camps

Spend time together as a family.  Families are under increased stress as they struggle to balance work with quality of life and health.  More physical activity through play helps children and families better manage stress, succeed in school, reduce tension, build energy,, learn skills that encourage a lifetime of activity, and most of all, spend time together as a family.

Resident & Travel Camps

Youth love the imagination and adventure opportunities afforded by the great outdoors! Camping offers a chance to help youth reconnect with nature while bringing simplicity back to their lives.  We offer terrific Resident and Travel  Camps,  a “must do” for youth campers looking for exciting trips that promise new friendships, independence and new activities.

Summer Camps are also offered at East Palo Alto Family YMCA , Palo Alto Family YMCA and Sequoia YMCA.

Holiday Camp (Grades K-6)

Offered holidays, winter and spring breaks Join the Y for a fun-filled, activity-packed week during school holiday breaks. Kids enjoy awesome art and craft projects, weekly field trips, swimming, outdoor games, and more. Holiday Camp enables children to stay physically active, develop friendships, and engage in a variety of activities that promote character development.

For details, download a registration form, or call 650-429-1344. Pre-registration is required at El Camino YMCA. Financial assistance available.

Why your child belongs at YMCA Summer Camp

• Our core values. We make our core values—caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—part of everything we do.
• Our accreditation. YMCA camps are accredited by the American Camp Association, meeting the highest standards in nearly 300 areas, including health, safety, personnel, transportation, and facilities.*
• Our commitment. We plan our programs around essential elements to help kids grow up caring and responsible. We call these elements “Developmental Assets.”
• Our staff. We are caring, competent and experienced. Our training includes camp safety, activity planning, CPR, First Aid, and more, making your child’s experience both safe and fun. All staff go through mandatory background screening, including reference checks and fingerprinting.
• Low staff/child ratios.
  1:6 for 3-to-5 year olds
  1:8 entering grades 1-2
  1:10 entering grades 3-9
  1:12 entering grades 10-11
• Our promise. We offer financial assistance to ensure that no child is denied access due to inability to pay. 
• Our pledge. We are dedicated to making your and your child’s experiences at the Y extraordinary. At the end of the day, your child will come home with a positive experience.

Selecting a Summer Camp

Our children are our most cherished treasure and our greatest responsibility. As such, determining when your child is ready to go to camp and finding the best camp for him or her, can often be a difficult decision. Camping experts from the YMCA of Silicon Valley offer the following helpful tips to help parents choose the best camping experience for their child:

• Know your options. When looking for a camp, parents should start with the American Camp Association (ACA), which accredits camps across the country to ensure they meet the highest standards. YMCA camps are accredited by the ACA.
• Know your budget.  Remember, camp does not have to be expensive. Camps are available for every price range and we offer financial assistance to ensure no child is turned away for inability to pay.
• Know your wants. Families should consider what they want for their child from the camp experience, e.g. a fun vacation from school or a chance to build new skills.  YMCA camps vary, with some highly structured and others offering kids greater flexibility in setting schedules.
• Know your child’s readiness. On average, 8-year-olds are ready for "sleepover" camp. To ease the transition, kids should experience sleeping over at a friend’s or relative’s house at least one night before going to overnight camp.  Day camps are another option available for children of all ages.
• Know the camp. Review camp brochures or Web sites. Call to ask staff questions about activities, policies and special needs for your child. Seek references from other families whose children have attended the camps you are considering.
• Know your child’s wants. Don’t forget to include your child in the decision-making process.