South Sound YMCA’s Summer Camps Offer Education, Safety, And Fun To Olympia Area Kids

ymca summer camp olympia
The Farm-to-Table camp has kids getting dirty on real area farms, visiting farmer's markets, and cooking with fresh produce.
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By Kate Scriven

olympia summer camp
The South Sound YMCA supports Thurston County school curriculums through WeDo Robotics programs and their engineering based camp, Brick Lab.

You may have recently read our article detailing the extensive summer camp options in Thurston County.  And amazing programs are available throughout our area for either one week immersion in your child’s favorite topic or extended programs for summer-long fun.

There is one, however, that stands out from the pack – The South Sound YMCA Summer Camp Program.  Several features of the Y’s camps give it this distinction.  I recently spoke with Ron White, Director of Child Care Services at the Y, to learn more about these unique traits making their camps a premier choice for Thurston County families.

Safety is Job Number One

With more than twenty years as a licensed child-care provider in Thurston County, the Y knows how to run a safe and effective child-care program.  Many area families experience this quality care first hand using the Y-Care program, housed in local elementary schools.  When Y-Care closes in June, families can receive the same level of care in the Summer Camp Programs.  In fact, because of the smaller size of the summer program, White believes they get “the cream of the crop” for their summer instructors, selecting the best among their Y-Care providers.

“Because we are licensed year-round, the level and quality of care and expertise provided at the Y is honed throughout the year – our instructors do this year-round and there is a difference when you do it full –time,” shares White.

ymca summer camp olympia
YMCA’s Camp Bishop, located on Lost Lake near Shelton, offers a week-long overnight camp for kids third through seventh grade.

“We have a great team that work with the campers.  In addition to wanting the kids to have a good time, they are focused on creating safe and active adventures,” says Joyce Neas, Executive Director of the Briggs Community branch of the South Sound YMCA.

Building Kid’s Learning Throughout The Summer

When you look at the vast array of camp options you might not think “educational” at first glance.  You’ll likely think “FUN!” – which is what your kids will think, too.  But, the classes offered are carefully planned, building on what students learn in the classroom, helping bridge the learning slump that often occurs in the summer.

One example is the YMCA’s new program, “Brick Lab.”  It may look like LEGO play, but it is actually a carefully crafted science and engineering program in which students are given complex problems to solve using spatial skills and building materials.  The program connects to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program used in the Olympia School District, supporting learning goals already in place.  LEGO Robotics and WeDo are also offered, again connecting to programs in our local schools.

Shifting focus to the right brain, the Y offers a wide variety of Arts Education classes for students with a creative bent.  Most noteworthy is the long standing ArtsAlive program, hosted at Roosevelt Elementary.  The month-long sessions focus on theater and set design, allowing local kids to experience live theater at an affordable price.

Arts, cooking, nature, and adventure sports are all examples of the multi-disciplinary themes available.  Browse the full listings here.

Extended Adventures Beyond Day Camp

ymca summer camp olympia
The Farm-to-Table camp has kids getting dirty on real area farms, visiting farmer’s markets, and cooking with fresh produce.

Registration for the YMCA Camps is broken down by week.  Your child can attend one to eleven weeks of summer fun.  Families can also extend the fun with optional excursions that are offered on an “al-a-carte” basis for families including trips to the Seattle Science Center or catching a Mariners or Rainiers baseball game.

“Each day is an adventure for the kids.  There are a lot of choices this summer and each one has something really exciting planned.  Our camps create lasting memories for kids,” summarizes Neas.

For those looking for an in-depth experience, the South Sound YMCA offers a week-long resident camp – Camp Bishop.  Located near Shelton on Lost Lake, this close-to-home traditional summer camp has cabins, a dining hall, a fire pit for sing-alongs, canoes….the works.  A classic childhood camp experience, right next door in Mason County.  With campers in third through seventh grade, Camp Bishop focuses the week on building core values and personal goal setting.  Campers set goals throughout the week – passing a swim test or learning specific canoeing skills – and earn beads showing progress.  Success is experienced by all and celebrated at week’s end.  Directed by the YMCA’s Brenda Banning, the camp is an excellent opportunity for kids to experience independence, responsibility, and success.

Getting In on All The Fun

With offerings this vast, there is an extensive brochure to help you navigate the choices.  Visit the Y’s website and download the PDF, or pick up a copy at the Briggs Community or Olympia Downtown branches.  Camps are held at both branches as well as at M.T. Simmons, Chamber’s Prairie, and Roosevelt Elementary Schools.

When registering, review the matrix near the end of the brochure to see which classes are offered on a particular week.  Also note the letter codes in the class descriptions.  These indicate locations of classes and a preview of these will help you decide which camp choices to offer your kids.

ymca summer camp olympia
Field trips can be added to most weeks of camp including Day Camp Day at the Seattle Mariners!

Financial assistance is also an option.  White explains, “We are proud to be able to support the lower income families in our area with quality, safe care for their kids throughout the summer.  In addition to being the only summer camp program to accept DSHS payment in the area, we also offer scholarships for those in need of assistance.”

While only the licensed child care camps, easily identifiable in the brochure, accept DSHS payment, all Y camps offer financial assistance to families with demonstrated need.

Living in Boston Harbor, chances are, we won’t be driving to a camp across town at Chamber’s Prairie Elementary.  However, I do know that no matter which camp my daughter enthusiastically joins this year, she’ll be safe, have fun, and really learn something in the process.  That’s a good value any day of the week.

 

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