YMCA Summer Camps Have Options For All Kids

Not surprisingly, with spring approaching, summer plans are top-of-mind with many parents. The YMCA of Central Kentucky can help. Beginning on March 2, parents can register their children aged 3-12 for camp.

The YMCA provides a safe environment for children to expand their horizons. Katherine Cook has been the Youth Development Director with the C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA for the past three years. Cook said she feels privileged to be part of such a special program.

“Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, discover new talents, try new activities, gain independence and confidence, and make lasting friendship and memories,” Cook said. “Where else do kids have the opportunity to go creek fishing, take a field trip to Adrenaline Trampoline Park, make a wizard wand and take a swim lesson from one of our certified YMCA swim instructors?”

These qualities were experienced first-hand by Lexington mother Ashley Brown. She wanted a camp that had both indoor and outdoor experiences, in an environment she trusted.

“For me, it was important to choose a camp that encouraged play, creativity, and friendships,” Brown said. “We searched extensively and found that the YMCA summer camps met all of our needs.”

Brown said her daughter Charlotte, 8, has matured through her time at YMCA summer camps while also discovering new interests.

“The summer programs at the Y are not only convenient, but they give my daughter the experiences in sports and creativity that are harder to get during the school year,” Brown said. “Last summer, Charlotte was able to practice archery at camp and found that she really loved learning about that sport and looks forward to it again this summer.”

Each week of YMCA summer camp is themed, which helps set the tone for all the activities planned.

“This year our theme weeks will be offered different weeks at each camp location,” Cook said. “For example, if a child really loves Harry Potter, they could attend Week 3 at our C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA location, Week 6 at the Whitaker Family YMCA or Week 8 at the North Lexington Family YMCA. This is intentional, so campers have different experiences throughout the summer.”

The YMCA makes it easy for parents also, through the app CAMPSPACE.

CAMPSPACE enables parents to upload required documents through an online portal. It makes setting up individual care plans and emergency contacts extremely easy, and information can be changed or new documentation added quickly and efficiently.

Parent orientations are also held where parents have the ability to meet camp staff, get a copy of the daily camp schedule and learn about swimming procedures.

As is always the case, the YMCA of Central Kentucky believes no child should be denied access to summer camp due to the inability to pay. Therefore, the nonprofit provides financial assistance to ensure that those who in need are able to experience the benefits of camp.

Learn more about financial assistance at the YMCA website www.ymcacky.org/financial-assistance.

The YMCA has summer camp in three Central Kentucky counties in 2020 – Fayette County, Woodford County and Scott County.

For those interested in preschool camps for children ages 3-5, this option is only at the Whitaker Family YMCA.

To sign up for camp at one of the YMCA locations, and to learn more about the different theme weeks, click the link below. Rates will vary depending on what camp is selected as well as the location.

https://ymcacky.org/programs/camps/summer-day-camp

The YMCA would also like to thank White, Greer and Maggard Orthodontics for being a community partner and sponsoring summer camps at the Y.