Camp Information for Parents

Day Camp 

Summer camp at the Tampa Y is so much fun! Campers begin their day meeting in large groups, join in songs, games and fun. Kids break out into smaller age groups and begin various activities with YMCA Camp curriculum. Summer Day Camp includes activities and projects that promote learning and most of all, fun! Campers will participate in one subject for about 45 minutes, and by the end of the day, they will have experienced up to five different camp activities, depending on YMCA location offerings.

Destination Camps

Campers explore unique experiences all summer long at YMCA Camp Cristina, YMCA Camp Sierra and First Tee of Tampa Bay!

YMCA Camp Cristina is an outdoor adventure camp where campers make lifelong memories in an environment that awakens dreams and allows every camper to build self-confidence, independence, and forge relationships. Campers can choose to participate in activities such as sports, archery, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, environmental education, and much more!

YMCA Camp Sierra is a sprawling campus comprised of an outdoor adventure camp area, sports fields, gymnastics center, water park, climbing tower and indoor classrooms where campers make lifelong memories in an environment that offers an amazing variety of experiences for kids of all ages and interests. Campers can choose to participate in activities such as sports, gymnastics, arts & crafts, swimming, High Adventure/Outpost Camp and much more!

First Tee of Tampa Bay offers week-long golf camp for kids  and teens ages 6 -15. During summer camp, beginner and advanced golfers alike will work on their skills under the guidance of professional golf instructors and First Tee counselors. The First Tee team focuses on helping  campers acquire and hone the skills they need to play great golf.

Activities will include golf skill stations, contests, special events and on-course play. Campers will enjoy learning in the First Tee Life Skills Experience, which includes Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits. Golf clubs are provided to all campers and are welcome to bring their own set. Click here for scholarship information.

Bring Summer Camp Essentials

Backpack • Water Bottle • Snack(s) • Towel • Spray Sunscreen • Bug Spray • Cap/Visor • Comfortable Play Clothes • Swimsuit • Flip flops (flip flops can be packed into their backpack to change into during swim time)

1. Hillsborough County Tampa Y camps: bring lunch every Friday, and Weeks 9 & 10. View the Hillsborough County Schools meal service menu.
2. Pasco County East Pasco Y camp: bring lunch every Friday, and Week 10.
3. Please mark every item with your child's name

Leave these at home:
Camp is a natural setting to retreat from technology and become more in touch with others and nature. Please do not bring:

• Cell phones
• Tablets 
• Electronic devices
• Expensive items
• Money
• Medicine
• Tobacco products
• Weapons
• Matches
• Lighters
• Illegal drugs
• Fireworks
• Bad attitudes
  
  What to wear:
• Sunscreen
• Shorts (clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty)
• Comfortable clothing
• Closed-toe shoes/sneakers
• A Smile!
  
  What NOT to wear:
• Halter tops
• Jeans
• Black-colored clothing
• Expensive clothing
• Items that promote tobacco, alcohol, vulgar slogans, or innuendoes
• Dangle jewelry
• Open-toe shoes or shoes with wheels (e.g. Heelys)

Summer camp is always fun, rain or shine! In the event of rain, the show must go on and activities will continue as scheduled. When there are reports of thunder and lightning in the area, campers will go indoors and participate in rainy day activities until the storm passes. Safety is a priority and we want everyone to enjoy their time!

If thunderstorms occur during sign in/sign out, the process will remain the same, unless you are specifically directed otherwise. For the latest weather updates, call your YMCA for information. There are no refunds for days missed due to inclement weather.

The Tampa YMCA summer camp is for kids ages 6-12, however certain specialty camps vary in age group. Please contact the relevant YMCA location for more information. Children must have one year of experience in a structured environment like school before they attend camp. 

Rising 7th and 8th graders can enroll in the Leaders in Training camp (LIT). We also offer a Counselors in Training (CIT) leadership program for rising 9th and 10th grade at YMCA Camp Cristina and Bob Sierra North Tampa YMCA. See CIT and LIT Programs for details. 

What’s better than summer camp at the Tampa Y? Being a Tampa Y member! Families and Two Person Household memberships receive a discounted “member rate” on all summer camp programs.

Join for family fun all year, priority registration, save big on swim lessons and youth sports, plus free Parents’ Night Out every month. The activities for families are endless–we host BBQ parties, pool parties and dive-in movies, holiday events and more! When you become a member, you have access to ALL 13 Tampa Y locations, including 10 family centers with swimming pools. Check out all of the benefits of being a Tampa Y member.

Become a Tampa Y member today! Please note: to receive the discounted member rate on summer camp registration, you must complete the membership transaction. Once completed, stay signed into your account, then register for camp. The child(ren) must be listed on the membership to receive the discounted rate for camp.

Explanation of Fees

Each summer, Tampa YMCA staff are excited to welcome campers to our camp locations! Every summer, our team prepares a year in advance for the following summer. To support the efforts required to make summer camp the best possible experience for each family, there is a one-time, non-refundable Annual Enrollment Fee for Summer Camp.

The cost of Summer Camps can vary by type of camp and location. Tampa Y members receive a special discounted rate on all Summer Camps. For details on Summer Camp rates, check out our registration page.

Early Registration Savings

Register for Summer Camp early to save on Annual Enrollment Fees!

• January 1 - February 28:  PAY $0 Annual Enrollment Fee (Y members*, 2023 campers & waitlisted campers, currently enrolled 2023 BASE participants)
• February 1 - 28:  PAY $0 Annual Enrollment Fee (nonmembers)
• March 1 - May 15:  nonmembers pay $45 Annual Enrollment Fee per child.
• *Tampa Y Members pay $0 Annual Enrollment Fee through May 15, 2024.

Starting May 16, the Annual Enrollment Fee for YMCA members is $20 per child; for nonmembers: $45 per child, due at the time of sign up.

Down Payments

Down payments are required for each week (or session) of camp at the time of registration and are non-refundable, but can be transferable. Down payments are $15 per session, per camper for members and nonmembers. The remaining charge for Summer Camp will be setup as an auto-draft using credit card or an ECP on Monday, 2 weeks prior to each week of camp. Extended payment plans are available upon director approval.

Supply Fee

In order to provide the best experience for each camper throughout the summer, select Summer Camps have a Supply Fee. Art Camp and Sports Camps have a $12 supply fee. Art Camps will be $12 per week (session) of camp, per camper. Sports camps will be a $12 fee for each different “type” of camp (Sports Mix, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, etc.) per camper.

For Coding Camp at select centers, there will be a $50 per week (session) technology fee. This fee allows us provide state-of-the-art technology, licensing and third-party instruction.

Example: if a camper registers for three weeks of basketball camp, they will have one $10 fee. If the same camper registers for two additional weeks of Volleyball Camp, they will have one additional $10 fee. The Supply Fee also applies to campers who participate in a sport camp a different YMCA locations.

Financial Agreement

Auto Draft Payments
Summer Camp registration requires the set up of an automatic draft from a credit card, debit card, checking or savings account. It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to keep their account and payment information up to date.

All payments will be processed automatically on the Monday two weeks prior to each camp week, through your online YMCA account using the credit card/ECP set up during registration. Parents/Guardians can change the credit card/ECP information through their online account at any time. Parents/Guardians can make additional payments through the online account before the set auto draft date. Should a payment be returned for any reason, the parent/guardian must log into their YMCA account and make a payment in full, debit or credit card only. If the parent/guardian does not bring the account up to date, the camper’s space will be reassigned and he/she will not be admitted to camp without full payment. Any fees previously paid, such as the down payment or partial payment for the week, are forfeited.

Spring Payment Plans available upon director approval.

Transportation
YMCA Camp Cristina is an amazing outdoor experience and we aim to serve as many children as possible. Non-stop transportation is available to YMCA Camp Cristina from the following locations for an additional fee: New Tampa Family Y and South Tampa Family Y. Additionally, we offer transportation to YMCA Camp Sierra from the West Park Village YMCA for an additional fee.

Campers who have registered for the transportation add-on should be at their pick up location by their scheduled time. The bus will not make unscheduled stops or return to the center to pick up latecomers. After a fun-filled day of adventure, campers will return to the center at their scheduled time.

Times vary per center. Pick-up and drop-off times are as follows:
Camp Cristina
New Tampa: 7:45am pick-up; 5:15pm drop-off
South Tampa: 7:45am pick-up; 5:15pm drop-off

YMCA Camp Sierra
West Park Village YMCA: 7:45am pick-up; 5pm drop-off

Transportation Rates
The cost of the transportation add-on is $45/week. Bus transportation registration closes on the Tuesday prior to the week for which you are registering, and is not available during late registration.
 

We completely understand that sometimes plans change, and your children may not be able to attend the camp you enrolled for. If this happens, please let us know per the following procedure, so we are able open up the spot to waiting campers and can adjust our camp plans in time to provide the best experience for everyone. 

The last day to submit a cancellation is a least 14 days prior to the start of each camp week. Cancellations must be submitted in writing and can be emailed to camphelp@tampaymca.org. Changes and cancellations can also be accepted at a Y center or camp location. Verbal cancellations will not be accepted. If requests to cancel camp session are not cancelled in writing within the appropriate timeframe, credit/refunds will not be issued. The initial Enrollment Fee and $15 down payment for each camp cancelled is non-refundable. 

If a parent/member cancels AT LEAST 14 days PRIOR to the start of the camp week: 

• Annual Enrollment Fee and Down Payment fees are non-refundable.
• Any prior payments if applicable, may be refunded.

If a parent/member cancels LESS than 14 days to the start of the camp week:

• Annual Enrollment Fee and Down Payment fees are non-refundable.
• There are no refunds for all fees and camp week payments.

Requests to transfer to another week of camp must be received at least 14 days prior to the start of each day camp week. The $15 down payment is transferable per week/per camper when changing one camp week for another if at least 14 days prior to the start of camp week. Changes must be made at a Tampa YMCA Family Center.

If a parent/member transfers AT LEAST 14 days PRIOR to the start of the camp week:

• Down Payment fee: may be transferred to new camp week/program
• Any prior payments may be transferred to new camp week

If a parent/member transfers LESS THAN 14 days to the start of the camp week:

• Enrollment Fee and Down Payment fees are nonrefundable
• There are no refund for fees and camp week payments