Residential Summer Camp

YCamp offers a variety of summer sessions for you and your camper to choose from. We provide intentional programming that focuses on relationship building, which we are all about. Through staff, programs and facilities, we work to create a safe, fun, and magical environment where campers will grow in self, friendships, and the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility

Go here to see our 2012 Summer Camp schedule.  You can find the dates and prices for each camp.

To register online please visit Click Here

View our 2012 Summer Camp Brochure at Click Here

Print a 2012 Summer Camp Registration Form at Click Here


Summer Camp- Frequently Asked Questions

What sessions do you have and what are the ages for each session?

• Please visit Here for a complete list of sessions and ages.

What are the ages of the Staff?

• Junior Leader age 17
• Senior Leader age 18+ (or high school graduate and older)

What is the ratio of staff to campers?

• 6 to 1

What type of training does the summer staff undergo? Do they receive background checks?

• All staff are required to attend a two week long summer camp staff training prior to the first session of camp which includes completing and receiving certifications in CPR, First Aid and AED. Background checks are run on all staff hired to the YMCA.

Are the cabins air conditioned/heated/dormitory style/co-ed/bathrooms?

• Cabins are air conditioned and they are heated. Most cabins can sleep 14. They are dormitory style and are NOT co-ed. Some have bathrooms in them; otherwise there is a central shower house with individual bathrooms and showers.

Are camp sessions co-ed?

• Yes, but the cabins are not.

Can we request cabinmates?

• Yes, we will guarantee one cabinmate and do our best to accommodate additional requests. If a request is made to have children of different ages stay together the older child will have to drop down to the younger children’s cabin. This request can be made on the registration form, camper confidential form located in the parent packet, by phone at 515.432.7558, or email at ycamp@dmymca.org

Can we request leaders?

• Yes, we will try to fulfill a leader request to the best of our ability but we cannot guarantee this.

What time is check in/out?

• Week long camps- Check in Sunday 3p.m. - 5p.m; Check out Saturday 9 a.m.-10a.m.
• Mini camp A- Check in Sunday 3 p.m.- 5 p.m.; Check out Wednesday 9 a.m. - 10a.m.
• Mini camp B- Check in Wednesday 3 p.m.- 5p.m.; Check out Saturday 9 a.m.- 10a.m.

Is bus transportation available?

• For a week long session:
• Transportation is available on Sunday and Saturday, to and from the YCamp from the Riverfront YMCA, 101 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA. One way fee $15.00; round trip fee $25.00- financial assistance is NOT available for the bus fee. Bus transportation is not available on Wednesdays of Mini Camp.
• For day camp:
• Pick up and drop off sites will be determined year to year. Currently there are sites in Boone and Ames. Check the day camp brochure, parent packet, call the YCamp office at 515.432.7558, or email ycamp@dymca.org for exact information.

Do my children have direct supervision at all times?

• Yes, children are with their cabin leaders at all meals and cabin times. They circulate from leader to leader in rotations in the morning and after rest period.

Will my child ever be left alone with a leader?

• No, Staff are trained to always have at least one other person with them at all times. Either another camper or leader will be present.

Can I call my child? Can my child call me?

• Phone calls to campers and by campers are discouraged unless it is an emergency. Because of the large number of campers and limited phone lines it would be impossible to allow incoming calls that tie up or business lines. A phone call from a parent typically encourages homesickness. Letters are encouraged and we do offer an online email service. In the event of an emergency a parent can call the camp number and receive instruction via voice mail on how to contact camp staff by the emergency cell phone.

What happens if my child is homesick?

• Several steps are taken to help the camper adjust:
• Cabin leaders talk with the camper encouraging involvement in activities.
• Leaders may assign another child in the cabin to buddy up for a day or two.
• If all other attempts fail the Summer Camp Director call will home and decide with the parent on the best choice, to stay at camp or have the parent pick the child up.
• How can I help prevent homesickness?
• Parents are often more homesick than the campers. Please make sure that you keep letters and emails upbeat and positive. You may suggest in your correspondence to stay busy, stay positive, stay in touch, stay social, stay focused, and stay confident.
• Arrange practice time away from home prior to camp.
• Share your optimism about camp and not your anxiety.
• Before you come to camp talk to your child about all the wonderful opportunities they will have a camp and encourage them to make new friends and to try new experiences.
• NEVER make a pick up deal.

How do you handle bedwetting?

• We handle this discreetly so that there is no embarrassment for the campers. Laundry facilities are available on camp for such situations. You may also request a cabin with a bathroom. Please let the staff know of these situations.

How much money will my child need? What is available in the Camp Store?

• You may deposit any amount into the camp store at check in. Your child will be required to purchase a canteen if one is not brought with them to camp. Items in the store range from tee shirts, candy, pop, necklaces, stuffed animals, flashlights, etc. An average of $25 is put in each campers store account. Any money left over will be refunded to the camper at check out.

What should I send with my child to the week long residential camp?

• Tee shirts- 6, Shorts- 4, Jeans- 2, Sweatshirt-1, Swimsuit, Towels-2, Sandals, Old running shoes or Hiking Boots, Flashlight, Sun Block, Bug Repellent- non aerosol, Sleeping bag/ Bedding, Pillow, Toiletries, Water Bottle.

NOTE: Bedding is required for all campers for the cabins. On Tuesdays campers will be cooking over a campfire and camping outdoors. For the event sleeping bags are recommended but not required.


What should I not send with my child to camp?

• Electronics, Cash, Fireworks, Knives or other weapons, Alcohol/tobacco products/illegal substances, Candy/food= mice= snakes.

Do you have a discipline policy?

• We have a discipline and the zero tolerance policy. The YMCA staff has been trained to deal with inappropriate behavior in a constructive, safe, and non-degrading fashion. Campers will be held responsible for their actions in a positive manner. YCamp reserves the right to send a camper home at the parent’s expense if the camper’s behavior consistently takes away from the experience of others or endangers the safety of themselves or others.
• Zero tolerance policy- If any camper chooses to tease or physically confront another camper with the intent to cause harm the camper will be expelled from camp by the discretion of the Summer Camp Director. Refunds will not be awarded. In the event of such an incident the Character Value Guarantee is negated.

What is the Character Value Guarantee?

• Y Camp lives by the Christian Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Y Leaders teach these through everything that we do from how we conduct ourselves in the dining hall, to the commands before climbing the tower. In fact, if your camper does not have a better understanding of the four character values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility from their camp experience, we will refund their camp fee, if it is reported within seven days of their camp experience.

How are illness, injury and medications handled?

• Y Camp employs a Health Care Provider who takes care of any illness or injury. In addition to the Health Care Provider Y Camp holds a Nurse and a Doctor that are on call 24 hours a day. All staff are required to have certifications in CPR, First Aid and AED. In the event that a child may become ill or injured the child’s parents will be contacted.
• All medications must be checked into the Health Care Provider during check-in on Sunday. This includes all non-prescribed, and over the counter medications. All medications are kept under lock and key until meal times and prior to bed times when it is administered.
• To prevent your camper from overheating during the week, water bottles are mandatory for campers and staff. Campers will take frequent breaks during the day to keep water bottles filled and campers hydrated. Campers are welcome to bring one from home, or campers may purchase one from the Y Camp store. Dehydration is a serious matter, and frequent water breaks, and the addition of water bottles help us prevent heat related sickness.

Do you do head lice checks?

• Yes, during check-in Y staff will perform a head lice check. This is necessary to ensure an outbreak will not happen at camp. If lice are found, the camper will be sent home for treatment. Campers are welcome to return to camp 24 hours later for another head check. Campers will not be admitted unless they are found to be clear of all eggs and lice.

What are your Teen Development Programs?

• LA- Leader Assistant age 14- 17
• VIP- Volunteers in Progress age 15-17
• CIT- Counselor in Training age 16-17