Summer Camp at the YMCA
The YMCA provides safe, high-quality, enriching experiences for youth. For 30+ years, children from Lancaster and Fairfield County have come together at the YMCA for summers of nature, swimming, games, arts & crafts, field trips, and new friends.
Our engaging, caring staff leads all programs, regularly demonstrates the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, and helps children realize who they are and what they can achieve.
Our Programs
Summer Day Camp
For youth entering grades 1st – 4th/5th (ages 6-11)
YMCA Summer Day Camps ensure children have a great summer full of experiences centered around relationship building, belonging, achieving new things, stemming summer learning loss, and spending most of their time outdoors getting to know their environment. Campers will participate in various activities, including outdoor exploration, sports & games, creative arts, STEM, and swimming.
Junior Counselors
For youth entering grades 5th – 8th (ages 11-14)
Learn what it takes to be a camp counselor! This 9 week program over the summer will teach leadership skills in a fun, hands-on way. By the end of the program the junior counselors will be certified in CPR/First Aid, learn about babysitting and child care, and make memories for a lifetime.
Junior counselors will get to swim daily and will need to pack a swimsuit and towel.
HOURS
| Program | Hours |
|---|---|
| Day Camp with AM & PM + | 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Day Camp | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Junior Counselor | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
FEES
| Program | Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Day Camp with AM & PM + | $235/Week | $265/Week |
| Day Camp | $195/Week | $230/Week |
| Junior Counselor | $200/Week | $235/Week |
2025 SUMMER CAMP WEEKS
Weeks |
Dates |
Day Camp Theme |
Junior Counselor Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 2-6 | Field of Friends | Fun & Games |
| 2 | June 9-13 | Super Hero Training | Arts & Crafts |
| 3 | June 16-20 | Wild At Art | Food Fun |
| 4 | June 23-27 | Splish, Splash | Taking Charge |
| 5 | June 30-July 2 (No camp July 3 or July 4) | Games, Games, Games | Water Safety |
| 6 | July 7-11 | Prehistoric Adventure | Child Supervision |
| 7 | July 14-18 | Y’s Got Talent | Business of Babysitting |
| 8 | July 21-25 (Spirit Day July 24, Whitehall, Ohio) | Spirit Week | Spirit Week |
| 9 | July 28-August 1 | Great YMCA Cooking | Party Time |
| 10 | August 4-8 | Camp Rewind | No Camp |
You Have Questions. We Have Answers!
We’ve gathered the most common questions to help you better understand what to expect at our camps.
Thank you for considering YMCA of Lancaster & Fairfield Summer Camps for your child this summer! The information below will help you with registration.
Registration dates:
Online Registration Opens: Monday, February 10th
In-House Registration Support Starts: Monday, March 10th (by appointment only)
Contact Abby Gatton, agatton@ymcalancaster.org to make an appointment for in house registration.
Planning to use Title XX/Publicly Funded Child for camp? You must register in person at your preferred location to avoid the weekly deposits. You must be approved for PFCC before enrolling in camp.
Our location accepts PFCC/Title XX and program financial assistance. Please contact us.
Online Registration
You will need an account in our registration system to register for camp. If you are already a YMCA member or have registered for programs in the past.
We HIGHLY recommend logging into your account before registration day to ensure you have access and set up your account correctly.
If you do not have a YMCA account, you can make one:
Member: Get member rate by signing up for a YMCA membership.
Non-member: Create a non-member account.
Registration Tips:
Please allow 30 minutes PER CHILD you plan to register. You must fill out all medical forms during registration.
When completing medical forms, select New Camper regardless of whether you’ve been to camp.
Gather the information below before you begin. The system times out after 40 minutes; you’ll have to start over.
Registration Information Checklist:
Child’s name, DOB, school, grade
Child’s behavior needs and effective behavior management strategies
Child’s medical and medicine administration information
Child’s physician/clinic name and contact information
Date of child’s last tetanus shot
Parent/guardian contact info (email, phone number, work information, etc)
Two emergency contacts who are NOT parents/guardians (names, phone numbers, and addresses)
Any additional authorized adults who can pick up your child
Camp Payment:
We require a $20 deposit per week/session/child at registration. Deposits are charged for Camp, AM Camp+ and PM Camp+. The remaining balance will be drafted from your card on file starting on May 23 and every Friday thereafter – 10 days before the start of the camp week. Please ensure you pay your deposit using the same payment method you would like for camp drafts.
We automatically assess camp payments not processed with a $30 Non-Sufficient Funds fee. If you need to change your payment method, please contact the staff at your location.
Camp payment plans are available upon request.
You’ll receive a confirmation email after you pay each week’s deposits. If you do not pay nor receive a confirmation email, you did not successfully register. Please reach out to Abby Gatton at agatton@ymcalancaster.org for assistance.
Cancellation Policy:
We understand that summer camp plans change from time to time. Please visit this page to request removal from previously registered camp weeks.
Deposits are required at the time of registration for each program you are registering for. Deposits are not refundable or transferable at any time.
Payment plans are available, and you may work with your location to schedule payments before summer.
The balance of your camp fees is charged 10 days before each week of camp on Fridays.
Your cancellation request will be processed in 3 business days based on the following timeline:
Before May 15, 2025
If you withdraw your child before May 15, 2025, or if your program is canceled by our YMCA or a governing agency at any time, here are your options:
Give a Gift: Donate funds you already paid or a portion of the funds paid. We will happily provide a tax receipt for your thoughtful and generous gift.
Get a credit: Apply your funds to a future camp experience or program.
Get a refund: Get a refund of your payments, minus deposits, paid through May 15, 2025.
After May 15, 2025
No refund of deposits or fees paid.
Registrations After May 23:
Requires payment in full or a credit card on file for charges 10 days before the start of the desired week. We cannot refund it due to a parent or guardian’s cancellation.
Cancellations due to Illness
If you are canceling due to illness, please contact Abby Gatton at agatton@ymcalancaster.org as soon as you realize your camper cannot attend. We will then work with you to determine whether to issue a refund or credit (minus any deposits paid). We may ask you to provide medical documentation.
