Day Camp - Summer and Seasonal

Serving Boone and Ames communities.

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.

Daily traditional activities may include: climbing, hiking, archery, fishing, canoeing, field games, Imagineering, 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

One-Week Traditional Sessions 2023
Date	Week	Price
CHECK THE REGISTRATION SITE FOR AVAILABILITY!
June 12- 16 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 1	$255
June 19- 23 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 2	$255
June 26- 30 LIMITED AVAILABILITY	Week 3	$255
July 3- 7 LIMITED AVAILABILITY	Week 4	$255
July 10- 14 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 5	$255
July 17- 21 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 6	$255
July 24- 28 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 7	$255
July 31- August 4 LIMITED AVAILABILITY	Week 8	$255
August 7- 11 FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	Week 9	$255
August 14- 18 LIMITED AVAILABILITY	Week 10	$255

One-Week Specialty Sessions 2023
Program	Date	Week	Price
Art-Rageous FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	July 10- 14	Week 5	$280
Top Chef FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	July 17- 21	Week 6	$280
Gone Fishin' FULL- MAY BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST	July 24- 28	Week 7	$280

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. Campers ages 9-13 have the choice between morning swim lessons OR an elective activity such as soccer, dance, archery and many more! If your camper ages 9-13 prefers the elective period over swim lessons, please uncheck the swim lesson box. During Day Camp Weeks 1, 8, and 10 campers may choose not to participate but the alternative elective pathway 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 corn dogs and pizza. 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.

Transportation- Fees Apply

For the convenience of our families we provide daily bussing from Herman Park in Boone and the 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.

Horses- Fees Apply

To better serve our campers we offer optional horse rides. The fee for horses is $10.00. You may sign up for horses through the registration site, here. Please note there is no horse option available for Week 8, July 31- August 4.

Payment Information

A $20 non-refundable deposit is required per session, per child. Full payment will be required prior to your camper's arrival at camp. Simply go to the Registration Site and sign in with your email address and password. You may 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.

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 Day Camp Staff Boone Cell: 515-443-2209	7:30am-8:15am	4:25pm-5:30pm
Ames- Lloyd Kurts Park, off Bloomington Road Day Camp Staff Ames Cell: 515-443-3111	7:30am-8:00am	4:45pm-5:30pm
Y Camp Office- 1192 166th Drive, Boone Y Camp Office: 515-432-7558	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

Spring Break - Seasonal