Camp Information for Parents

Summer 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 Activity Central curriculum. Activity Central is comprised of projects, 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.

Adventure Camps

Campers who enroll in an Adventure Camp will take part in traditional camp experiences as well as break into smaller groups to  participate in the specific Adventure Camp they enrolled in: gymnastics, sports, dance, swimming, visual arts, performing arts, discover science and more.

Destination Camps

Campers will 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 camps and much more!

First Tee of Tampa Bay offers week-long golf camp for kids in rising 1st grade through rising 9th grade. Most camp weeks are limited to 30 children each week with 4-5 instructors. Beginning and advanced golfers alike will work on their skills under the guidance of professional golf instructors and First Tee counselors. Our First Tee team will focus on guiding campers on the skills needed to play golf.

Activities will include golf skill stations, contests, special events and on-course play. During camp, we also focus on teaching 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.
 

Summer camp is 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 have fun!

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. 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, get up to 50% off swim lessons, 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 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.

When you register before March 15, 2022, the one-time registration fee of $35 per child (or payment in full) is waived. March 16 through May 17, the registration fee ($20 for non-members) is due at the time of sign up. Starting May 18, the registration fees are: $10 for members, $35 for non-members.

Summer camp registration requires the set up of an automatic draft from a credit card, debit card, checking or savings account. Upon signing up for camp, a $10 deposit is due at the time of registration for per camper, for each week. This reserves your spot in each camp week, and the remaining balance will be taken automatically 2 weeks prior to the Monday camp starts. The auto-draft/scheduled payment is mandatory. We cannot accept payment for summer camp in any location.

Summer camp and adventure camp rates vary by type of camp and location. Tampa Y members receive a discounted rate on all summer camps. For details on summer camp rates, check out our registration page.

Bring these items:
PLEASE MARK EVERY ITEM WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME
• 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)

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 • 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)

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.

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:
New Tampa: 7:30am pick-up; 5:15pm drop-off
South Tampa: 7:30am pick-up; 5:15pm drop-off

Transportation Rates
The cost of the transportation add-on is $30/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 totally understand that sometimes plans change, and your child(ran) may not be able to attend the camp enrolled. 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 $10 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: 

• 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:

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