Not Your Typical Day Camps...

School vacation is just five weeks away...what will your kids be doing this summer? 

Send them to the YMCA Summer Enrichment Program! The YMCA Summer Enrichment Camp offers eight weeks of discovery and hands on fun for children entering 1st through 6th grade. Each week a different theme engages children in a fun filled journey of experiential learning. Weekly themes include:

• June 24th-28th: Game On  

• July 1st-5th: Ocean Exploration

• July 8th-12th: Y Spy Detectives & Forensics

• July 15th-19th: Intergalactic Adventures

• July 22nd-26th: Fitness Frenzy

• July 29th-Aug 2nd: Actors, Authors & Illustrators

• Aug 5th-Aug 9th: Aspiring Artists

• Aug 12th-Aug 16th: Y World Explorers

This program is a great fit for children who like art, science and creative exploration. Mornings are spent diving into theme filled activities and afternoons are full of recreation and play. This year we have new field trips, more theme based presenters and enrichment programs and more outside play!  A daily recreational swim, optional swim lessons (at an additional cost) and a field trip complete each exciting week! 

NEW SPORTS PROGRAMS

Does your child enjoy sports? We are offering four weeks of new sports programs for children entering 3rd through 6th grades. These programs are perfect for kids who enjoy athletics and want to learn some new games and brush up on basic skills. Teamwork and sportsmanship will be reinforced. No equipment is required but participants must wear sneakers to participate in daily activities. Weekly themes include:

• July 22nd-26th: Children's Running Program

• July 29th-Aug 2nd: Basketball

• Aug 5th-Aug 9th: Stick Sports

• Aug 12th-Aug 16th: Sports Spectacular

Mix and match your child's summer experience between the two programs or go all one program or the other. Space is now available in both programs for all weeks.Before and after care and swim lesson options are available for an additional fee. Financial assistance is available  For more information you can click here to visit our website or call Melanie Carfora at 860-343-6208. We hope to see your child this summer!

Greetings from YMCA Camp Ingersoll

We have all heard that camp is the place for campers to explore the great outdoors, learn values, make friends with “professional role models” in a fun and safe environment.  Well I can tell you first hand that it truly is, and there is much more that camp has to offer!

For the past 16 years, I always thought I knew what the benefits that a camp experience has had on a camper.  I often talk about the values and confidence we instill, the new experiences we offer, and the friendships that can be made.  But it wasn’t my son attended camp for the first time last summer that I not only saw the effects, but felt them in my home.  Michael went from being one of those nervous campers that would not sing at flag or swim during afternoon rec swim, to just a few short weeks later, one of those campers that would jump right into the water (as well as swim under water!) and sing songs as loud as he could, doing his best to imitate the movements as well.

That experience for my family and I last year further solidified my belief that every child should be able to attend, regardless of their ability to pay.  Though the cost to run a high quality camp program increases each year, the Y is committed to serve all our families within our diverse community. 
In our best effort to raise the amount of funds needed to cover the true cost of camp, without risking some of our families losing out on the opportunity to attend, I am very pleased to announce our voluntary 4-tier pricing program for our Summer Camp programs.

Tiered Pricing will allow families to choose the price that works best for them. Naming your price requires no paperwork and in no way influences the experience your child will receive at camp.
 

Tier 1 is based on the True Cost of campers participating in the selected programs.  It includes direct expenses, field trips, special guests and long-term wear and tear. If you are able to pay this amount, please do so.  Thank you.  
 
Tier 2 is a partially subsidized rate that will enable families that just can’t afford the full cost of the camp to attend.  Please, choose this rate if your family has the need to receive a subsidized rate. 

Tier 3 is a more heavily subsidized rate for families whose children would not be able to attend camp otherwise.  If you unable to afford either of the higher rates, please pay this amount.

Tier 4 is our traditional Open Doors Program.

You know your family’s financial situation better than we do. Please carefully consider the amount that your family can afford. If the middle price seems comfortable to you, choose it. If you think you can help with some of the bigger expenses of the camps, please choose the higher price. And remember, our practice is that no one is turned away for a lack of funds. If paying for camp is a significant challenge for your family and need additional help, please contact us. We want to welcome everyone one to join us because we believe the experience we offer at camp is invaluable!

I hope you will join us this summer!

Best Wishes,

Tony Sharillo, Camp Director

50/50 Fitness Competition - Camp Director Challenge #1

Alright 50/50 contestants as this fitness challenge is about to officially kick-off I first want to thank you for participating. Half of the money raised will help give some children an opportunity they would not otherwise have to experience YMCA Camp Ingersoll this summer. A truly great thing, thank you.

A little about my challenges (I promise the remainder challenges won't be this long winded):

I've been trying to increase my level of fitness for a few years now and in my quest for health, I recently registered for a Tough Mudder event to be held this May. A 10 mile extreme obstacle course that involves running up a mountain, climbing and crawling through mud along with other crazy obstacles. I hear that it requires a mix of stamina, strength and mental toughness to complete. So as I prepare for my adventure, I am challenging you to complete a portion of my training regiment. Important note: I, along with my training partner Maegan, will be completing all my challenges issued each week. Some may be harder than others, but they all are challenging to me! Each challenge must be completed prior to the following Monday and remember our core character value of Honesty!

Tony's Challenge Week 1
I need to get some mileage under my belt, so I figure that a running challenge is a nice way to start. I know it's cold outside, but that's part of the challenge, plus there are plenty of treadmills available.

Run a total of 12 miles

Good luck and stay fit!

Benefits of Summer Camp

For both parents and kids it’s never too early to start thinking about summer vacation; though they may think about it for different reasons. Parents are concerned with ensuring that their children are safe, supervised, and engaged in activities that develop skills and keep their minds and bodies active when school lets out for the summer. Youngsters eagerly anticipate the free time, simply want to have fun, learn something new, and make friends. The right summer camp will be able to provide all of these experiences for your family.

Gone are the days when day camp meant simply tying knots or making pot holders Today, summer day camp programs are as unique as the campers themselves. We still provide arts and crafts, but we also offer kids exceptional opportunities to enjoy activities and resources that are often unavailable to them during the school year. Campers can go for a hike, play sports, climb the tower, learn how to maneuver a canoe, dress up as their favorite superhero and much more!

Camp programs are always designed to provide opportunities for physical activity. This is vital due to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 9 million young people between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight and on a very unhealthy path to adulthood. The number of overweight children in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1980. Increasing the levels of physical activity in the lives of our children is a critical component of this country’s efforts to help children get healthier. Children are at less risk at camp where they have a sense of community, develop intergenerational relationships, and learn through first-hand experiences. Camps help children grow and learn by providing a supervised, positive environment that has building strong minds, bodies and spirits as a primary commitment.

Day camps are positioned to help young people get healthier and feel connected to their communities during summer months. I want to encourage parents and kids to experience our longstanding commitment to strengthening the spirits, minds and bodies of kids firsthand.