Summer Camp

Camp Theme Weeks

*Start of camp may depend on how many emergency days District 7 uses.*

Weekly Summer Camp Registration Update
The last day to register for camp weeks is the Thursday before!

• Week 1 (starts 5/29) • Last Day To Register Is Thursday, May 22nd
  Week 2 (starts 6/2) • Last Day To Register Is Thursday, May 29th
  Week 3 (starts 6/9) • Last Day To Register Is Thursday, June 5th
• …And So Forth Thru The End Of Camp

Field Trips

Field trips are usually scheduled on Fridays and campers are grouped as follows:

• Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grades
• 4th & 5th Grades & Teens: 6th, 7th & 8th Grades

Trip details, departure times and other information will be provided the week of the scheduled trip. A list is available at the camp/service desks and online.

Snacks, Lunch & Menu

A morning and afternoon snack are provided to the campers Monday – Friday. The PM snack Monday – Thursday & the AM/PM snacks on Friday are included in the weekly cost of camp. Lunches and the Monday – Thursday AM snack are provided at no cost to our campers through our new Summer Food Program.

Campers have two options to choose from at snack time, or they may bring their own from home. Lunches may also be brought from home, but campers will not have microwave or refrigerator access, nor permitted to access the vending machines/concessions. A cold drink is provided at no cost during lunch
time.

Look for our weekly menu online and emailed in our weekly newsletter.

Week 1 Menu

Week 2 Menu

Fee Structure

There is not a multiple child discount for Non-Members! A Great reason for your family to become members! Note: 2nd Child 10% Discount will not automatically come off when signing up for camp!

Prorated Weeks

4 Day Week:

2 Day Week:

Deposits

For YMCA staffing and safety ratio compliance purposes, we require a $35 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit per child, per registered week. The remainder of the week’s camp fee will be automatically drafted from your designated account on the Friday before the week(s) that your child attends camp.

Payment Policy

Required Weekly Bank/Debit/Credit Card Draft

We require weekly day camp fees to be automatically withdrawn from a checking account or debit/credit card. The remaining fee (minus deposit) will be deducted directly from your checking or credit/debit card account on the Friday before each week reserved.

Keep Payments Up To Date

Please keep your card & bank information on file up to date. Declined/expired card transactions or cases of insufficient funds will be assessed a $15 bank handling fee.

Any changes to automatic withdrawal must be received at the Meyer Center no later than close on the Wednesday prior to the week that your child will be attending.

Campers with an outstanding balance due to a declined automatic draft will not be able to attend camp.

LATE PICKUP CHARGE POLICY
As a reminder, if you do not pick up your child by 6:00PM, you will be charged
$1/min until 6:05PM & then $5/min after that via the payment method on file.

Changes To Registered Weeks

Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE; however, they may be transferred from one
week to another by contacting the Camp Billing Director, Angie Pence via email at apence@edwymca.com. Spaces are not always guaranteed as spots fill up quickly.

Camp week transfers must be submitted by the Wednesday prior to week of requested change.

A $15 fee applies to each camp week transfer request submitted.

Refund Policy

If you are withdrawing from weekly camp, you must contact the Camp Billing Director, Angie Pence via email (apence@edwymca.com.) If you paid for your weekly camp in full this is the refund policy:

• 100% Refund (Minus $10 processing fee & $35 deposit): Request made 8 days before the start of that week of camp.
• 50% Refund: Request made 4 – 7 days before week of camp.
• No Refund: Request made the 3 days or less before the week of camp.

Financial Assistance

We do accept CHASI as a form of payment. Written approval from the CHASI office will be required before the child starts camp. Please submit your CHASI application as soon as possible because approval can take several weeks. Campers using CHASI as payment can only attend the number of days approved by CHASI. Additional days must be paid for by the family separately.

We require that you put a $35 deposit per child per week (refundable upon approval). If you are denied CHASI & still would like assistance with payment, please fill out a Y Camp Financial Assistance Form available at the Service Desk at both our Meyer & Niebur Centers.

exploring new horizons at teen camp!

Teen Adventure Camp is designed for campers who have completed 6th, 7th or 8th grades. This camp fosters independence by allowing teens to take responsibility for themselves & develop confidence, trustworthiness & leadership skills as they transition into adulthood.

Each day begins in their private recreational area, where teens will collaborate with their friends to plan their activities. With a variety of choices available, campers enjoy a balance of structured & self-directed experiences that encourage responsibility & decision-making.

Don’t forget other fun traditions like the cardboard boat regatta!

LET’S HAVE FUN AT TEEN CAMP THIS SUMMER!
Don’t spend your summer bored at home – join Teen Adventure Camp for a summer filled with fun, friends and enriching experiences!

Activities During The Day

Private Recreational Area Amenities
Lounge • Four Square • Ping Pong • Pool Table • Big-Screen TV With Video Games & Movies

Variety Of Activities 
Skating • Gymnastics • Swimming • Sports • And More!

Teen lunches & snacks are included with camp registration through our new food program.

Field Trips

Traditional field trips occur every Friday, offering exciting excursions to places such as The Edge, The Zoo & The Science Center.

BACK FOR 2025 SUMMER • TEEN TRIPS
We are excited to announce the return of the Teen Field Trips! These will take place typically on Tuesday or Wednesday (depending on the location). Join our counselors & your friends as we venture to various locations in the community, including Cardinal games, the Humane Society, the library & more.

• Week 2 • Walk To Culvers
• Week 3 • Cardinal’s Game Wed., June 11th • 1:15pm
• Week 4 • House Of Illusions
• Week 5 • Mobile Escape Room
• Week 6 • Cookout Day
• Week 7 • Altitude Trampoline Park
• Week 8 • Watershed/Northside Dairy Haven
• Week 9 • Union Station Mini Golf
• Week 10 • TBD
• Week 11 • End Of Summer Teen Party

medication

If medication is necessary during camp hours, the medication, along with a doctor’s note, must be given to the camp director or staff by the parent/guardian in its original packaging, in a zip lock bag with your child’s full name & grade on it. Campers may not keep prescription or over-the-counter medications with them. The camp first aid specialist will administer medication during the day. Medication forms are available online.

medical SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE EXCLUSION

1. A temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.
2. Any fever AND a sore throat, rash, earache, and/or irritability.
3. Diarrhea: two or more runny or watery stools within a four hour period.
4. Vomiting: two or more times in a 24 hour period. Please do not bring a child to camp if they have vomited in the night.
5. Breathing trouble, sore throat, swollen glands, loss of voice, hacking or continuous cough.
6. Frequent scratching of body or scalp, lice, rash or any other spots that resemble diseases, including ringworm.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Minor bumps and scratches are inevitable and will not require parental notification. However, we will make every effort to keep children safe through active supervision and a safe environment. Minor injuries will receive appropriate first aid, and in the event of a more serious injury or illness, parents will be notified. If necessary, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital, where parents will be asked to meet us. If you are not at your usual place of employment or home, please ensure we have a phone number where you can be reached. Parents are responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including transportation if required. The YMCA will not be liable for any sickness or injury of a child, parent, or guardian while on YMCA property or participating in a YMCA-sponsored activity.

sunscreen

Part of ensuring your camper has a safe and fun summer means proper use of sunscreen. It is the parents’ responsibility to apply sunscreen to their child in the morning before coming to camp. Please apply sunscreen liberally to your child every morning even if it looks like rain. Parents are responsible for providing their child with enough sunscreen (marked with their name, in a sealed container) to take with them for additional applications throughout the day. It is recommended that parents send spray on sunscreen, as it is easier and less messy for the child. Campers will be reminded to re-apply sunscreen during the day.

emergency procedures

In the event of an emergency, all staff have been thoroughly trained on all emergency procedures such as fire, tornado, and other events. Each group leader and location throughout the Y is equipped with a binder that states all of the emergency procedures and what to do in the event of an emergency in each location and where to go. Campers will not be outside if there is lightning within the vicinity of the YMCA.

commitment to child abuse prevention & reporting

At the Edwardsville YMCA, the safety and well-being of every camper is our top priority. We are committed to maintaining a safe environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. As part of our dedication to child protection, we adhere to the highest standards of abuse prevention and reporting.

abuse prevention measures

All staff and volunteers undergo comprehensive background checks, reference verification, and child abuse prevention training before interacting with campers. Staff are trained to recognize and respond to signs of abuse and inappropriate behavior. We enforce strict supervision policies, including prohibiting one-on-one interactions between staff and campers in private settings.

Campers are educated on appropriate boundaries and encouraged to report any concerns to a trusted adult.

mandatory reporting

In accordance with state law and YMCA policies, all camp staff are mandated reporters and are required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Reports are made to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or local law enforcement as required by law. Staff are not responsible for investigating allegations but must report any concerns immediately.

As part of our commitment to best practices in child safety, the Edwardsville YMCA is actively pursuing Child Abuse Prevention accreditation through Praesidium Academy. This accreditation ensures we uphold the highest standards in abuse prevention, risk management, and staff training.

Stay Connected All Summer Long with myCampApp!

We’re excited to introduce myCampApp, the ultimate platform to keep camp parents informed, engaged, and connected during the summer camp season! With a simple, intuitive design and everything you need right at your fingertips, myCampApp makes staying in the loop easier than ever.

What Makes myCampApp A Must-Have?

• Instant Notifications: Never miss an important update! Get real-time alerts about schedule changes, weather updates, and other essential announcements straight to your phone.
• Daily Camp Memories: See the magic of summer through your child’s eyes! Our counselors capture fun moments from your camper’s group and share them exclusively with the camper families.
• All-In-One Access: Need a camp form or details about the program? myCampApp keeps everything (forms, schedules & FAQs) just a tap away.
• User-Friendly Experience: Designed for simplicity, myCampApp ensures you can stay informed without any hassle, so you can focus on your child’s summer adventures!

What to Expect Next?
More information about myCampApp, including how to access and use it, will be shared with camper parents in May. Get ready to stay connected and make the most of your summer camp experience!

With myCampApp, you’ll always feel like part of the adventure. We can’t wait to share updates, memories, and important information with you this summer as we explore new horizons together!

Photo Sharing with myCampApp

To help keep parents connected and informed, myCampApp will be used as the exclusive, acceptable platform for sharing camp photos. Through this secure app, counselors will capture and upload group photos for parents to view privately. We encourage families to use this feature to enjoy the moments shared during camp!

COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

Good communication is of the utmost importance. When a family comes to camp we want to be sure that we can share any concerns or questions that may arise. We welcome questions, feedback or discussion of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the children. We email a weekly newsletter and utilize our Facebook page among other forms of communication. YMCA staff are not permitted to make connections with parents/guardians outside of approved communication platforms including phone calls, social media, emails, texts.

Approved Platforms Of Communication Include:

• Face To Face At The Meyer Center
• YMCA Phone (618-655-1460 ext. 2237)
• YMCA Email Address (camp@edwymca.com)

PARENT COMMUNICATIONS

SOCIAL MEDIA
This policy includes (but is not limited to) the following technologies:

• Social Media Sites (Ex. Facebook, Snap Chat, Instagram, TikTok)
• Micro-blogging (Ex. Twitter)
• Blogs
• Discussion Forums (Ex. Discord)
• Collaborative Online Spaces
• Media Sharing Services (Ex. You Tube, Twitch)

As a part of our duty to safeguard children it is essential to maintain the privacy and security of all our families and employees. We therefore require that:

• No photographs taken within the YMCA or at special events and outings with the children, are to be posted for public viewing, except those of your own child.
• Parents are advised that they do not have a right to photograph anyone else’s child or to upload photos of anyone else’s children.