Super Summers Happen at South Sound YMCA Camps

ymca summer camp
A wide variety of camps are slated for this summer at the South Sound YMCA.
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By Kathryn Millhorn

ymca summer camp
More than 1,000 kids participate in summer camps through the South Sound YMCA.

Summer camp is for making memories, no matter where, or when, you grew up. Locally the South Sound YMCA’s many offerings mean your kids will remember all the crafts, activities, community, and childhood friendships that often last a lifetime.

From June 15 through September 4, the Y offers an array of camps for kids ages 3-16. Whether they attend to learn, play, or develop leadership skills, there are opportunities for fun all around our region. Y membership is not required, though members pay a reduced fee, and financial assistance is always available.

Branch Administrative Assistant Aubree Pocklington is proud that “during last year’s camp we served over 1,000 kids and we plan to serve even more this summer.” Camps run Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and families may register for either a half-week (1-3 days) or full week (4-5 days).

Each camp runs for one week only and meets at one of five convenient locations. This year’s sites are the Briggs Community YMCA, Olympia Downtown YMCA, Lacey’s Chambers Prairie Elementary, Olympia’s Pioneer Elementary, and Tumwater Hill Elementary.

ymca summer camp
A wide variety of camps are slated for this summer at the South Sound YMCA.

This year’s summer camps are sure to appeal to any taste and interest. Want the outdoor, nature experience? Sign up for Camper vs. Wild, a full week spent enjoying Millersylvania State Park and wrapping up with an overnight camp-out.

More of a sports nut? Try the All-Sports Camp, Fitness Frenzy, or water-filled Make a Splash! If the arts are your passion, there’s Artsalive! Featuring drama, music, and theater, or Lights, Camera, Action! film-making camp.

Dancers of every skill and variety shouldn’t miss Let’s Dance!, Dance Camp, or even Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp. STEM geniuses and future super villains can rock the Mystery Challenge, the Robotics Lab, Science Superhero, and Space Academy.

Aubree and Olympia Downtown ­­­Youth Development Director Amber Wetzel agree that their most popular options are always science and technology camps, Kids in the Kitchen, and “anything in the water.” They strive through “purposeful planning” to make kids “feel like they belong, are part of a family and a tradition” in our community.

ymca summer camps
Registration is open now for summer camps through the South Sound YMCA.

Youth and Teen Director of the Briggs Community branch, Shilpa Johnson, says that favorite camp trips from previous years have included the beach, Pacific Science Center, OMSI, and bowling. This year they’ve planned excursions to Oxbow Farms, UW Burke Museum, Tenino Rock Quarry, Rainiers Game, Mariners Game, and the Seattle Ferris Wheel and Fountain. She also laughs that “the last week of camp it is tradition to play with as much water as possible and play pranks on each other while getting very drenched. The kids get to soak the counselors and they come up with many different ways to accomplish this every year.”

South Sound YMCA camps fill extremely fast so early registration is required. Interested parents can enroll on-site at either the Briggs Community or Olympia Downtown branches or online here. You can reserve your child’s space with a non-refundable $20 deposit per weekly camp with the balance due the Wednesday prior to that camp’s start.

Questions about any of the camps, enrollment, financial aid, or South Sound YMCA services can be directed to 360-753-6576. The Y has been a longtime wealth of community benefit, supportive child-care options, and knowledgeable health education. Take a moment to explore their many exciting offerings, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.

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