WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT DAN MCKINNEY FAMILY YMCA
Your family can count on Dan McKinney Family YMCA to ensure your child is having fun in a safe, nurturing environment. The Y offers single day, weekly and specialty camps to meet the needs of parents and match the interests of our campers.
Since 1882, our camps have inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships.
FIND YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!
FALL 2024 SESSIONS
- October 4, 2024
- November 11, 2024
- November 25–27, 2024
REGISTER TODAY
- Register Online — We have invested in new technology, and signing up online is the best way to secure your top picks. Make sure your new account is ready to register.
- Register in Person — Directions Here
- Register by Phone — (858) 453-3483
MEMBERS SAVE
To receive the Y member rate for any program, your membership must be active throughout the duration of the registered program session(s), otherwise the non-member fee will be applied. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Y member, and join us today!
Y COMMUNITY PLUS MEMBERSHIP
- Up to 15% off day camp and up to 10% off overnight camp. This rate also applies to active members who have not yet upgraded to one of our new membership plans.
Y COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
- Up to 10% off day and overnight camps.
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SIGN-UP
Please note that you must create a My Y account in order to register. If you are new to the Y, you can set up your account now. If you already have an account, please log in prior to registering to make sure your profile is complete with payment method, valid email address, child's birth date and full name, etc
SAVE TIME WITH SEARCH CODES
When you're ready to fill your cart, open a tab to our program finder, and log in to your My Y account. Find your camp selections quickly by typing in (or copying/pasting) the SEARCH CODE (e.g. CPSPEC28).
YOUR GUIDE TO DAY CAMP
Learn more about our day camps! Check out the camp descriptions below.
TRADITIONAL CAMPS
Traditional camps are ultra-spirited, fun-filled camps with weekly themes that guide activities for the week. New experiences, skill building, a sense of community and lasting friendships are all part of traditional day camp experience. When you're ready to register, here's a shortcut to all traditional camps at Dan McKinney Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPTRAD28) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.
HIGH FIVESAge 5 | SEARCH CODE: CPHF28 FIND SESSIONS |
CIT FIELDWORKAge 16-17 | SEARCH CODE: CPCITF28 FIND SESSIONS *Must have previously completed LIT/CIT Training or Renewal Summer 2024 to register for LIT/CIT Fieldwork. |
LIT FIELDWORKAge 13-15 | SEARCH CODE: CPLIT28 FIND SESSIONS *Must have previously completed LIT/CIT Training or Renewal Summer 2024 to register for LIT/CIT Fieldwork. |
TRADITIONAL EXTREMEAges 5-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPTRADEX28 FIND SESSIONS |
SPECIALTY CAMPS
Does your child have a specific interest or hobby? Looking for a camp that specializes in sports or STEM? Browse through the specialty camps section for camps that combine the traditional fun of YMCA day camps with the more specialized skills by providers or YMCA experts. When you're ready to register, here's a shortcut to all specialty camps at Dan McKinney Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPSPEC28) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.
EDIBLE SCIENCEAges 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPES28 FIND SESSIONS |
GymnasticsAges 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGYM28 FIND SESSIONS |
LEGO Builders Jr.Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGB28 FIND SESSIONS Nonmember: TBA | Y Community Member: TBA | Y Community Plus Member: TBA |
Outrageous ArtAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPOART28 FIND SESSIONS |
Sports GaloreAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSG28 FIND SESSIONS |
About Us
Our Branch
Dan McKinney Family YMCA
Address: 8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla, CA, 92037
Phone: (858) 453-3483
Camp Locations and Hours of Operation
Dan McKinney Family YMCA
Address: 8355 Cliffridge Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Camp Hours:
Full day: 8:00am–4:00pm
Drop-off: 8:00–9:00am | Pick-up: 3:15–4:00pm
Extended Care: 4:00–5:30pm*
*Extended care is included for camp sessions three days or less and will be an extra fee for camp sessions four days or more.
Directors and Supervisors
Hannah Lewis
Camp Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (858) 453-3483 ext. 1832
Reese Kirkpatrick
Camp Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (858) 453-3483 ext. 2662
About Our Staff
Dan McKinney Family YMCA takes pride in hiring the best people to fill our camp staff. Each camp leader was hand-selected through an extensive hiring process to ensure the safest environment for everyone. Staff training includes CPR and First Aid certification, transportation safety, behavior management and bully prevention, child protection and abuse prevention, field trip and off-site safety procedures, risk management/prevention and more.
PAYING FOR CAMP
At the time of registration, you may choose to:
- Pay in full (includes a $60 non-refundable deposit).
- Place a $60 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration. Deposit discounts may apply based on membership type.
- Note: any day camps less than three days will have no deposit and will require to be paid in full at time of registration.
- For Summer sessions, balances will be due three weeks prior to the first day of camp.
- For school break camps, balance dues will be one week before the camp date.
- An active membership is required at the time of the program start date to receive the member pricing discount.
- Financial assistance is available through the Y's ACCESS scholarship program or through third party payment support.
Deposits are non-refundable but can be immediately applied as a deposit for another camp if space is available or applied to an already existing camp balance within the same season. See our Refund/Voucher/Transfer Policies for more information.
Here's what our parents tell us:
"My child came home so happy and didn’t want to leave at the end of the day. He said it was the best camp EVER and loved all his camp counselors!"
REQUIRED FORMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS
Day Camp Parent Manual
Check out our Day Camp Parent Manual for easy reference on what to expect and how to best prepare your camper for day camp. Additional information can be found on the YMCA of San Diego County Day Camp page.
UPDATED SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Your family's safety is our top priority. We have implemented safety protocols that follow state and local guidelines. It's our priority to help your children enjoy a safe and fun program that builds lasting friendships.
Medical Release Form - Required
In order to register, all campers must have a current medical release form updated and submitted to the YMCA. Medical release forms can be updated through your My Y account in our Community Portal.
Vendor Waivers
Some specialty camps, particularly those that travel to an off-site location, require an additional vendor waiver. Camps that require a waiver to be completed will be contacted and provided the waiver before the start of camp.
ADAPTIVE CAMP
Our Adaptive Camp Program is a designed to support youth with behavioral and developmental needs as it adapts the camp experience to your child's needs and abilities, allowing opportunities for all campers to learn new skills, form new friendships and create lifetime memories. Campers will participate in activities with our traditional and specialty camps based on their interests at a pace that works for them. Our smaller camper-to-staff ratio for Adaptive Camp supports positive inclusion and/or one-on-one support as needed. Space is limited.
PLEASE NOTE: Contact the Camp Director and/or Coordinator to initiate an enrollment request and help us prepare a great experience for your camper. We begin accepting enrollment requests on March 4, 2024 and strive to provide at least one week of camp to all interested families.
Camp Scholarships
Financial assistance is available to families who qualify. Applications are available at the service desk and online. Assistance is based on verified income and completed applications.
Apply for a Program Scholarship
More Policies
For more information about YMCA Day Camp policies, expectations and helpful information, visit our Day Camp Policy page.
Giving Back
For every session of camp, the Y provides program scholarships for families seeking financial assistance. This is made possible through the generosity of our community. If you wish to help a child go to camp, please see our Camp Director for information.
Feedback
We love to hear from our campers and parents! Camp leadership teams use your feedback to make positive changes to our program. Please feel free to contact Camp Director Hannah Lewis at [email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!