
Summer Camp Information Station
Fun, adventure and friends start at the Y! All campers will experience traditional camp activities plus a variety of "adventure camp" activities throughout the week. Campers who register for "adventure camps" will focus on the specific adventure activity throughout the week in additional to traditional camp fun.
DID YOU KNOW? Tampa YMCA Summer Camps are now ACA Accredited! This means the Tampa Y camps underwent a thorough review of our operations by the American Camp Association (ACA) – from staff qualifications and training to emergency management – and complied with the highest standards in the industry. The ACA's nationally recognized standards program focuses primarily on the program quality, health and safety aspects of a camp's operation. Learn more about why this is important for you and your camper.
Become a member for the best camp rates! Campers must also be members for these benefits.
Because our community is strongest when we all participate together, financial assistance is available for Summer Camp. When you apply for Open Doors, rates are set by a sliding fee scale, based on income. Assistance is made possible by generous donations to the Y's Annual Giving Campaign. Please contact the location your family will attend camp for an application.
Camp Types
- Day Camp: Activity Central
- Tampa YMCA Summer Camp takes traditional day camp to a whole new level! With Activity Central, campers will have the opportunity to explore a variety of activities as they rotate through different “experience stations” with Activity Central. Some examples of activities campers may experience include: swimming, STEM, arts & crafts, outdoor education, games, team building and more. Activities are led by experts and seasoned team members who love working with children.
- Tampa YMCA Summer Camp takes traditional day camp to a whole new level! With Activity Central, campers will have the opportunity to explore a variety of activities as they rotate through different “experience stations” with Activity Central. Some examples of activities campers may experience include: swimming, STEM, arts & crafts, outdoor education, games, team building and more. Activities are led by experts and seasoned team members who love working with children.
- Add-on Experiences
- Choose additional experiences to your camper’s days before and after traditional camp times of 9am-4pm. Examples of add-ons are: swim lessons, free swim, sports mix, ropes course, horseback riding, gymnastics, field trips and more. Add-ons vary by location and price, and are available only at the designated times. During registration, the add-on options available for the chosen location will appear.
Rates & Payment
- What is the price per week in each camp?
- Check out the registration page for detailed pricing on summer camps and specialty camps. Prices vary by location.
- Are there any registration discounts?
- We offer an exclusive discounted rate to our members on all summer camp and specialty camp options. Check out summer camp prices for members and non-members by YMCA location.
- We have scholarships available for those who qualify. Please contact the location you would like to attend for an application.
- What do you have to pay when you register for camp?
- Anyone who registers for camp pays a non-refundable deposit/down payment of $10 per camp week, per camper. (Example: if a camper signs up for all 10 weeks, the total deposit paid upon registration is $100). This deposit is applied to the total cost of the camp week.
- Tampa Y members can register for summer camp and pay $0 Enrollment Fee 1/1/2022 - 5/17/2022. Starting 5/18/2022 there is a $10 annual enrollment fee per camper.
- Non-members can register for summer camp beginning and pay $0 Enrollment Fee 2/15/2022 - 3/15/2022. The annual enrollment fee increases to $20 from 3/16/2022 through 5/17/2022. Starting 5/18/2022, the enrollment fee is $35 per camper.
- Based on the dates above, your annual enrollment fee (and $10; deposit) is due at the time of registration for per camper, for each week. This reserves a camper’s spot for each week of camp. The remaining balance will automatically draft from your payment method two weeks prior to the Monday camp starts. The auto-draft/scheduled payment is mandatory. We cannot accept payment for summer camp at any location.
- Cancellations: If a parent cancels at least 14 days prior to the start of the camp week:
- Enrollment fee and deposit/deposit are non-refundable
- Any prior payments if applicable, may be refunded
- Where do I make my payments?
- All payments must be set to auto-draft. All payments will occur on Monday, two weeks before the registered camp week begins.
- What is the payment auto-draft schedule?
- Week 1: Monday, May 16
- Week 2: Monday, May 23
- Week 3: Monday, May 30
- Week 4: Monday, June 6
- Week 5: Monday, June 13
- Week 6: Monday, June 20
- Week 7: Monday, June 27
- Week 8: Monday, July 4
- Week 9: Monday, July 11
- Week 10: Monday, July 18
- What about campers with special needs?
- Two Tampa Y locations (North Brandon Family YMCA and the Bob Sierra Youth and Family Center) have camps for those with special needs. Parents/Guardians MUST contact the camp director at the location of camp to sign up. Registration for this camp type is NOT available online.
- If you have questions about your child’s needs at any Tampa Y location, contact the camp director to discuss/inform of any special needs.
- Can my child switch camps in the middle of the week?
- No, we do not allow any campers to switch camp types or locations after that week of camp has already begun.
Camp Ages/Ratios
- What age does my child have to be to attend camp?
- All Tampa Y locations offer camp for those 6 or older. Campers must have completed Kindergarten to attend Tampa YMCA camps.
- All Tampa Y locations offer camp for those 6 or older. Campers must have completed Kindergarten to attend Tampa YMCA camps.
- How are children grouped together at camp?
- Age groups are based on the type of camp. For most camps, children will be separated by grades 1 & 2, and then grades 3-6, grades 7 & 8.
- Age groups are based on the type of camp. For most camps, children will be separated by grades 1 & 2, and then grades 3-6, grades 7 & 8.
- What are your camp ratios?
- Low ratios. Learn more about safety at summer camp.
- Low ratios. Learn more about safety at summer camp.
- What camps are offered this year?
- Summer camp specialties vary by location. Every camp location offers a variety of activities, some specialties, and a lot of fun!
Swimming at Camp
- Will my child be swimming at camp?
- Campers will have will have the opportunity to swim/have pool time every day of camp (weather permitting), regardless of the type of camp they are registered.
- Campers will have will have the opportunity to swim/have pool time every day of camp (weather permitting), regardless of the type of camp they are registered.
- What if my child does not know how to swim?
- All children will complete a swim test. The swim test consists of jumping into the deep end of the pool, resurfacing, treading for 1 minute, and then swimming to the shallow end (25 yards)
- If a child does not pass, he or she will be given a life jacket to wear while in the pool.
- Swim Camp and Swim Team campers will have to pass the swim test at minimum two weeks prior to their week of camp. Please review the Parent Handbook for more information on swimming at summer camp.
What to Bring
- What should my child bring with them each day?
- All items must be labeled with the camper’s first and last name
- Water bottle, closed-toed shoes, spray sunscreen, bug spray, backpack, swim suit, towel, lunch, snacks
- Are electronics, toys, or phones allowed?
- NO. Please do not bring any electronics, toys, handheld video games, Legos, Pokemon cards, etc.
- The Y is NOT responsible for any lost or stolen property.
Lunch
- When will my child eat breakfast/lunch/snack?
- Campers will eat breakfast between 7:30am - 9am
- Campers will eat lunch between 11:30pm -1pm, depending on the type of camp
- We will offer a snack time around 3:30pm – we do not provide snacks
- Will children be provided with the snack?
- No. Campers should pack their own snack.
- No. Campers should pack their own snack.
- What is for lunch?
- We are a partner in Hillsborough County’s “Summer Break Spot.” They provide free breakfast and lunch to anyone in the community 18 & under. Our campers are welcome to receive a free breakfast and lunch each day Weeks 1-9 of camp!
- The menu is scheduled to repeat every two weeks.
- Week 10: August 1st-5th, lunch is not provided by our partners, so each family will need to provide lunch (and breakfast before arriving to camp) for their campers.
- Campers may still bring their own lunch for dietary needs or preference.
- Are there vegetarian or Gluten-free options?
- No, there are no special options available through Summer Break Spot.
- There are NO pork products.
- If a child has any food allergies, etc., please contact the camp director via email.
Pick-up & Drop-off Policy
- If a parent needs to add an additional person to pick up their child, can they do so over the phone with a director?
- NO, we do not allow phone call approvals. To ensure each camper's safety, our staff must have the parent’s signature to add an additional pickup person. Signatures will be accepted in person, via fax, or a note sent with the child.
- NO, we do not allow phone call approvals. To ensure each camper's safety, our staff must have the parent’s signature to add an additional pickup person. Signatures will be accepted in person, via fax, or a note sent with the child.
- Where is drop-off & pick-up for day camp and specialty camps?
- Drop-off and pick-up areas for camp vary by location, and will have staggered curb-side check-in. During camp, each location will have signs to direct parents/guardians in the right direction.
- Drop-off and pick-up areas for camp vary by location, and will have staggered curb-side check-in. During camp, each location will have signs to direct parents/guardians in the right direction.
- What will my child do each day/week?
- Campers will participate in arts and crafts, STEM activities, sports, swimming, group games, and team building activities each week.