The YMCA of Greater New York is thrilled to run summer camp in 2024! Through our day camps and specialty camps in all five boroughs, parents can trust the Y to give their kids a fun, enriching, and high-quality camp experience this summer — out of the house and off screens.

Registration opens in December 2023. See below for more information about camp sessions and why you should choose the Y.


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Early Bird Deadline and Camp Open House 
Early Bird Deadline: April 20, 2024 
Learn more about summer camp and meet our camp staff at our Open Houses on Saturday, February 10th, March 9th, April 20th, and May 11th. 
 

Locations

YMCA Location  
238-10 Hillside Ave, Bellerose, NY 11426

Hours & Dates

Hours: 9 AM-5 PM 
AM Extended Day Hours: 8 AM-9 AM 
PM Extended Day Hours: 5 PM-6 PM

Dates: July 1-August 23 (no camp Thursday, July 4) 

  • Session 1: July 1 – July 12, 2024 
  • Session 2: July 15 – July 26, 2024 
  • Session 3: July 29 – August 9, 2024 
  • Session 4: August 12 – August 23, 2024

Camp Leadership

Byresha Waithe, Camp Director
718-551-9320
crossislandycamp@ymcanyc.org

 

Summer Camp at the Cross Island YMCA is a Lisa Beth Gerstman Inclusion Camp.

lisa beth gerstman foundation logo

Find a Camp

Kinder Camp, Ages 5-5.8

A fun summer is a springboard for an amazing school year! Kinder Camp is designed for children entering kindergarten in September 2024. Structured Day Camp activities support the transition to kindergarten by building social and emotional skills in a fun and nurturing environment, including a focus on classroom structure, transitional activities, and group play. Staff members experienced in engaging with this age group understand the importance of rich adult-child interactions and focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Campers participate in physical fitness, interactive science, literacy activities, and theme-based arts and crafts. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4

Cost per two week session:
Member: $879
Community: $959

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Traditional Summer Day Camp, Ages 5.9-12

There is an energy and magic to summer camp that cannot be replicated! Friends, experiences, and memories to last a lifetime! At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, each day is a fun new adventure. Campers participate in traditional camp activities that get them active in physical fitness, get them creative in arts and crafts, get them to experiment in exciting science activities, and get them silly in theme day activities.  Camp offers a unique experience that includes time for children to build social and emotional skills in a fun and inclusive environment. This environment creates an atmosphere of family and community that includes a focus on classroom structure, transitional activities, group play, and team building. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4

Cost per two week session:
Member: $800
Community: $879

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Sports Camp, Ages 5.9-12

Summer is amazing when you are active and have friends and coaches cheering you on! Kids have been stuck indoors for too long! At the Y, they'll have the chance to be active while having fun playing different sports. Campers will explore the world of sports, the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and motivating each other to succeed, while strengthening their appreciation for health and fitness. When campers are not playing a sport, they participate in traditional camp activities which include getting creative in arts and crafts, experimenting in fun science activities, and taking part in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4

Cost per two week session:
Member: $853
Community: $933

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

STEAM Camp, Ages 5.9-12

Curious campers can explore new areas in this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) themed camp. Campers will participate in innovative and imaginative activities that will take them on a new fun fun new adventure every day! All our camp activities are designed to keep campers engaged and develop problem solving skills. When campers are not engaged in STEAM, they participate in traditional camp activities that get them active in physical fitness, get them creative in arts and crafts, and get them silly in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4.

Cost per two week session:
Member: $879
Community: $959

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Dance Camp, Ages 5.9-12

Can you feel the rhythm? Dance Camp is for all youth who have a passion for the art of dance. Our skilled instructors work with all different levels of dancers, from beginner to advanced, and start each session with warm-ups to get the body ready for technical skills being taught. Dance types include: Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, and Musical Theater. Proper attire is required to make sure each dancer is equipped and ready to learn to the best of their ability. When campers are not dancing, they engage in Day Camp activities including arts and crafts and swimming. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4.

Cost per two week session:
Member: $853
Community: $933

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

 

Swim Camp, Ages 7-12

Freestyle!  Butterfly!  Backstroke!  Cannonball!  
YMCA Swim Camp combines the traditional fun of Day Camp with a specialized focus on skills and learning related to aquatic activities. Our campers develop a lifetime love for the water, and a deep understanding of water safety and responsibility. All swimmers are individually tested, and instruction is tailored to meet them at their age and skill level. All aquatic activities are supervised, and instruction provided by experienced certified water safety instructors and lifeguards.   When campers are not in the pool, they participate in traditional camp activities that get them creative in arts and crafts, get them to experiment in exciting science activities, and get them silly in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4

Cost per two week session:
Member: $906
Community: $986

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Teen Camp, Ages 13-15

Teen camp is for campers currently enrolled in middle school or high school and is designed to immerse campers in a variety of fun and inclusive activities tailored specifically to their ages and interests. Campers explore and partake in the arts, sports, and science, all with a focus on building confidence and strong peer relationships. Each session campers participate in project-based learning designed to foster growth in social emotional learning and leadership development skills. All camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4.

Cost per two week session:
Member: $800
Community: $879

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Early Childhood Camp, Ages 2-4.11

Early Childhood Camp is for children 2 through 4 years old. Campers have the same fun as the big kids, but they stay closer to home. Early Childhood Camp engages our youngest campers with hands-on,experiential , fun experiences that support each child’s need to explore the world around them all while, preparing them for the upcoming school year. Thematic activities are planned for each session and incorporate play based learning, music and movement, gross motor development, language and literacy, socialization, and MOST importantly FUN! Our experienced staff members focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Early Childhood campers enjoy campsite-based collaborations with child-friendly organizations and go on excursions within walking distance in their communities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. Children must be toilet trained prior to the start of camp. Offered sessions: 1,2,3,4

Cost per two week session: 
Member: $959 
Community: $1,040

 Register Now

*Financial assistance is available

Registration and Information

Everything you need to know about registration, camp policies, how to get ready for camp, and more. For additional information, visit our Camp FAQ.

Need help with signing up? Read our guides for "How to Complete Registration Forms" and "How to Complete Online Payments". 

Signing Up for Camp

 

Step 1:

Register(Submit a deposit for each session you would like your child to attend)

 

Step 2:

Complete the Camper Information Form and Camper Medical Form

 

Other important information you should know:

Take advantage of our discounts

  • Member rates if you are a YMCA member
  • 10% Early Bird Discount if you pay off your entire balance by April 20, 2024
  • 10% Sibling Discount for all siblings of the first child registered at full price Note: Early Bird and Sibling Discounts cannot be combined. Please connect with the branch’s membership desk to apply the early bird or sibling discount.

Note on payments:

  • Two forms of payment are accepted: credit cards and cash
  • The YMCA accepts all major credit cards, and you will need to sign up for automatic billing to ensure payments are made on time with no late fees incurred
  • Online payment is currently not able to process 3rd party payments, early bird discounts, sibling discounts, and financial assistance · How to complete online payments

Registration is a 2-step process:

Once you’ve registered and submitted payment online, you’ll receive an email with the Camper Information Form and Camper Medical Form that must be completed and submitted to the Camp Director before the start of camp.

Your child’s full application packet, including medical form, is due to finalize registration. The Camper Medical Form must be completed, stamped by a doctor and dated within 12 months of your child’s last day of camp. Note: if your child has a current medical (including immunizations), you may submit this instead of completing a new form. If the 12-month mark comes up during camp, an updated form must be submitted.

If you wish to sign up for camp in person, come to our YMCA branch and we will be happy to assist you.

Summer Camp Open House Dates

Learn more about summer camp and visit with camp staff at our Open Houses. Check with your local branch for the specific time of their open house.

  • Saturday, February 10
  • Saturday, March 9
  • Saturday, April 20 – Early Bird Deadline and Healthy Kids Day
  • Saturday, May 11
Fees and Discounts

Fees

CampMemberCommunity
Kinder Camp$879$959
Traditional Day Camp$800$879
Sports Camp$853$933
STEAM Camp$879$959
Dance Camp$853$933
Swim Camp$906$986
Teen Camp$800$879
Early Childhood Camp$959$1,040
AM Extended Hours (8-9am)$160$240
PM Extended Hours (5-6pm)$160$240

 


Discounts

Take advantage of our discounts

  • 10% Early Bird Discount if you pay off your entire balance by April 20, 2024
  • 10% Sibling Discount for all siblings of the first child registered at full price

Note: Early Bird and Sibling Discounts cannot be combined. 


Financial Assistance

The YMCA of Greater New York awards financial aid to campers based on the family’s annual income. Download an application and bring it to your branch to explore scholarship options.


Credit Policy

Good news! All YMCA deposits and fees are fully refundable for any health or medical related reason if your request is received in advance of your campers camp session start date. Requests for credits or refunds after your camper’s camp session begins will be granted at the Camp Director’s discretion. 

Required Paperwork

According to the NYC Department of Health, all participants must have a completed medical form on file prior to the start of summer camp. Please submit your child’s complete medical information form. It’s also a good idea to keep extra copies of the medical form for your records. If your child does not have complete medical forms along with immunization records, they may not attend camp.

During the registration process, it is extremely important that families notify the camp if the child has any medical conditions such as, but not limited to, allergies, asthma, diabetes or other conditions.

Additionally, campers must submit all necessary consent forms, including but not limited to: 

Camper Information Form

Medical Form

Mandatory Family Orientation

Prior to your child attending camp, we require all families to attend our orientation. You will receive more information on this in your welcome email from the camp director.

Activities

Y campers stretch themselves physically and creatively. They play games, read, create books, and write poetry. They participate in science experiments, solve puzzles, craft art, and perform music and shows. Parents say their children come home tired, smiling, and frequently humming a new camp cheer.

Weekly schedules for each age group are provided to families at the beginning of each session. They can be obtained from the camp office. Families are encouraged to review the weekly schedule with their child. Weekly activities that are planned and scheduled are age-appropriate, recreational, challenging, and fun. If there are any questions about the activities or events, please speak to the Camp Director.

Camp Clothes and Gear

Each camper will receive two t-shirts and a camp bag. Camp t-shirts must be worn every day. Additional camp t-shirts may be purchased with the camp director.

Food Allergies

The YMCA is a peanut- and nut-free environment.

During the registration process, it is extremely important that families notify the camp if the child has any medical conditions such as, but not limited to, allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other conditions.

Why YMCA Camps

Y Camp is Fun

  • Camp is Part of the Y’s DNA: We’ve been running camps for decades and we’ve adapted to our current context to keep camp fun and safe for all.
  • Cut the Screen Time: From sports to crafts to games to adventures, we’ll make sure your kids get to play and participate in all types of exciting activities, including dedicated outdoor time every day (weather permitting).
  • New Friends: In the course of a week, kids will make new friends and connect with campers and staff members.

Y Camp is Enriching

  • Educational Camps: Our creative and enriching camps — from traditional day camp to specialty camps like STEAM — help kids reach their fullest potential physically, mentally, and emotionally.
  • Cultivate Social-Emotional Learning: Camp is a safe space to try new things, build new skills, and develop trusting relationships.
  • Y Core Values: Our camp program focuses on the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Y Camp is the Highest Quality

  • Experienced Staff: We’re seasoned youth development professionals who have a passion for education and for nurturing, cultivating, and developing campers’ full potential.
  • Camp Spirit: We love camp, yes we do, we love camp, how about you? Each camp has a fun and exciting energy that can only be found at the YMCA. From daily cheers to wacky spirit days, from camp songs sung throughout the day to weekly challenges, we create an experience that promotes individuality amongst campers and lifelong memories.
  • Healthy Environments: We’ve provided care for essential workers and Y families throughout the pandemic, so we’re experienced in ensuring all our programming strictly adheres to current health and safety regulations.

Interested in going to a Sleepaway Camp? Check out our YMCA partners in the NY region. Scholarships (for up to 95% off) to these camps are available thanks to funding from the YMCA of Greater New York and our generous partners.  For more information, or to start your registration process, contact sleepawaycamp@ymcanyc.org  

Camp partners: Frost Valley YMCAYMCA Camp Mohawk | Fairview Lakes YMCA Camps