Day Camp - Summer and Seasonal
Traditional - Summer
Ages 6 – 13
What better place for your child to spend their summer days than at the Des Moines Y Camp located in Boone? Under the supervision of our trained staff your child will spend their summer enjoying the outdoors through various program activities all while building new friendships and growing in the four Y values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Traditional Day Camp activities may include: climbing, hiking, archery, fishing, canoeing, field games, Imagineering, arts and crafts, swimming, gaga ball, horseback riding (additional fee), and so much more!
Additional Child Discount- Sign up more than one sibling for the same week and receive $25 off the registration price.
The Des Moines Y Camp strives to make camp affordable for all. Through the generous donations of Y members, community members and local businesses we are able to offer Financial Assistance to individuals and families at all income levels to make our programs accessible to all. To fill out an application and view our policy please click here.
Financial Assistance Lost & Found
2025 Fees:
$265 Traditional Session
$10 Horses (Optional- Offered Weeks 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10)
$15 Bus Transportation (Optional- Offered Weeks 1- 10)
A $50 per week non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. Weekly balances are due by check in each Monday.
| Day Camp Traditional Sessions 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Week |
| June 9- 13 | Week 1 |
| June 16- 20 | Week 2 |
| June 23- 27 | Week 3 |
| June 30- July 4 | Week 4 |
| July 7- 12 | Week 5 |
| July 14- 18 | Week 6 |
| July 21- 25 | Week 7 |
| July 28- August 1 | Week 8 |
| August 4- 8 | Week 9 |
| August 11- 15 | Week 10 |
2025 Fees:
$285 Specialty Session ~ Ages 9- 13
$15 Bus Transportation (Optional- Offered Weeks 1- 10)
| Day Camp Specialty Sessions 2025 ~ Ages 9- 13 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Week |
| Art-Rageous July 7- 12 | Week 5 |
| Top Chef July 14- 18 | Week 6 |
| Gone Fishin' July 21- 25 | Week 7 |
Swim Lessons
All day campers are encouraged to participate in daily swim lessons (weather permitting) included in the cost of camp. Lessons are taught by trained staff with emphasis on stroke refinement and water safety. Campers are swim tested each week and placed into skill level groups based on ability. It’s a great way to build confidence and learn a new, valuable skill, all while keeping cool during those warm summer days.
Campers ages 6- 8 enjoy morning swim lessons included in their registration.
Elective Activity
Campers ages 9-13 have the choice between morning swim lessons OR an elective activity such as soccer, dance, archery and many more! During Day Camp Weeks 1, 8, and 10 campers may choose not to participate in swim lessons but the alternative elective activity is not offered.
Hot Lunch
Take a break from packing lunches! Lunch is provided every day at Y Camp. The summer menu is kid-friendly and nutritious with fresh fruit and vegetables offered daily along with childhood staples such as chicken tenders, walking tacos and mac-n-cheese. Special dietary needs such as vegetarian or gluten free can easily be accommodated with prior communication.
Summer Reading Program
Students experience significant learning loss when they do not participate in educational activities during the summer months. Research shows that students on average score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer than they do on the same tests at the end of the school year. Summer reading loss is cumulative, these children do not typically catch up in the fall. Their peers are progressing with their skills while they are making up for the summer learning loss. By the end of 6th grade, children who lose reading skills during the summer are on average 2 years behind their peers.
That is why Y Camp implemented the summer reading program at Day Camp. The core of the program is a half hour of reading time every day. Groups find their favorite spot under a tree or by a stream to read either books from home or a selection from the ever growing camp library. Incentive programs, local library partnerships, and consultation from board certified reading coaches work together to help prevent summer learning loss and spread the love of reading all summer long.
Bus Transportation- Fees Apply
For the convenience of our families we provide daily bussing from Herman Park in Boone and Lloyd Kurtz Park in Ames. Staff are on site for Drop Off and Pick Up times to provide supervision and lead activities while waiting for caregivers to arrive.
The fee for transportation is $15.00. You may sign up for transportation through the registration site here.
Families are also welcome to drop off and pick up at the Y Camp office 1192- 166th Drive, Boone.
Horses- Fees Apply
To better serve our campers we offer optional horse rides. The fee for horses is $10.00. We are able to guarantee each camper one ride per week. You may sign up for horses through the registration site, here. Please note there is no horse option available for Weeks 2, 5, 6 or 7.
Payment Information
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required per session, per child. We kindly ask that balance dues be paid before check-in each week. Visit your account here to make payments using the Return to Pay feature as often as you like as well as view and download your account statement.
Additional Child Discount- Sign up for more then one sibling for the same week and receive $25 off the registration price.
Cancel or Transfer a Session
Any CHANGES to registered sessions must be confirmed by Y Camp via email confirmation by 5:00 p.m. Monday one week before the registered session.
- Example: Your camper is registered for a session beginning Monday, the 8th. Any changes must to be confirmed by Y Camp via email confirmation by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, the 1st.
- To CANCEL/TRANSFER please contact the Y Camp at ycamp@dmymca.org by 5:00 p.m. Monday one week before the registered session.
- If you cancel a registered session:
- BEFORE 5:00 p.m. Monday one week before, you will be refunded to the card on file less the non-refundable deposit.
- AFTER 5:00 p.m. Monday one week before NO refunds will be given.
- If you have only paid the non-refundable deposit, NO refund will be given.
Please contact the Y Camp at ycamp@dmymca.org for availability and/or to submit your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can my child start camp?
Day campers must be 6 years old by the first day they attend camp.
What about bad weather?
During inclement weather staff move activities indoors. During severe weather staff are trained to take campers to the nearest emergency storm shelter until the "All Clear" is given by the leadership team.
What should I send to camp?
We suggest a backpack comes everyday with the following items. While some might not be needed every day it is best to have them handy. Look to the weekly newsletter to find the day to send your camper with long pants for horse rides or closed toed shoes for climbing.
-
Sunscreen
-
Water Bottle
-
Book or Magazine
-
Swimsuit
-
Towel
-
Change of clothes (dirt is complimentary)
-
Rain coat or poncho
-
Sweatshirt or jacket for cool mornings
When are the drop off and pick up times?
|
Location |
Drop Off |
Pick Up |
|---|---|---|
|
Boone- Herman Park, South Greene Street |
7:30am-8:15am |
4:30pm-5:30pm |
|
Ames- Lloyd Kurts Park, off Bloomington Road |
7:30am-8:00am |
4:45pm-5:30pm |
|
Y Camp Office- 1192 166th Drive, Boone |
8:00am-8:30am |
4:00pm-5:30pm |
Do I need to stay with my child at drop off and pick up?
No, we will have staff with your child during drop off and pick up times.
Is there a minimum of weeks my child can attend?
Your child can attend one week, or all 10 weeks of our summer season.
REGISTER TODAY PARENT INFORMATION
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Serving Boone and Ames communities.
Spring Break Day Camp - Seasonal - CHECK BACK FOR MARCH 2026 DATES!
Ages 6 – 13
What a better way to spend spring break than at Y Camp! Y Camp proudly provides quality day camp programs for the communities of Boone and Ames. We strive to ensure the safest atmosphere while teaching your camper the four Y values; caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Spring Break Day Camp provides your camper with daily lunch, snack and activities such as climbing wall, arts and crafts, archery, and gaga ball just to name a few (weather permitting).
All our day camp staff are First Aid and CPR certified.
Additional Child Discount- Sign up more than one sibling for the same week and receive $25 off the registration price.
The Des Moines Y Camp strives to make camp affordable for all. Through the generous donations of Y members, community members and local businesses we are able to offer Financial Assistance to individuals and families at all income levels to make our programs accessible to all. To fill out an application and view our policy please click here.
Financial Assistance Lost & Found
| One-Week Sessions 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date | Price |
| March 2026 TBD | $TBD |
| Optional Bus Transportation | $TBD |
Bus Transportation
For the convenience of our families we provide daily bussing from Herman Park in Boone and Lloyd Kurtz Park in Ames. Staff are on site for Drop Off and Pick Up times to provide supervision and lead activities while waiting for caregivers to arrive.
Families are also welcome to drop off and pick up at the Y Camp office 1192- 166th Drive, Boone.
When are the drop off and pick up times?
|
Location |
Drop Off |
Pick Up |
|---|---|---|
|
Boone- Herman Park, South Greene Street |
7:30am-8:15am |
4:30pm-5:30pm |
|
Ames- Lloyd Kurts Park, off Bloomington Road |
7:30am-8:00am |
4:45pm-5:30pm |
|
Y Camp Office- 1192 166th Drive, Boone |
8:00am-8:30am |
4:00pm-5:30pm |
