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WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT SOUTH BAY FAMILY YMCA

Your family can count on South Bay 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 SESSION DATES

  • September 23–27
  • September 30–October 4 

REGISTER TODAY

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 CODESpro tip in a sun graphic

    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. CPSPEC42).

    YOUR GUIDE TO DAY CAMP

    Learn more about our day camps! Check out the camp descriptions below.

     

    TRADITIONAL CAMPS

    camp girl

    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 South Bay Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPTRAD42) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

    ❯ ❯ TRADITIONAL CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

    CHALLENGERS

    Ages 10-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPCHL42 FIND SESSIONS
    Join our Y day camp for a week of fun with all the onsite activities our camp has to offer! Campers will build self-confidence, meet new friends, and create lasting memories through different activities like sports and games, arts and crafts, science experiments and more, all based on the weekly theme and interests of the campers. Day campers will be divided into small groups by age and will participate in activities appropriate to the interests and needs of their group.

    Nonmember: $334 | Y Community Member: $301 | Y Community Plus Member: $284

    CLUB 6/7

    Ages 6-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPCL42 FIND SESSIONS
    Join our Y day camp for a week of fun with all the onsite activities our camp has to offer! Campers will build self-confidence, meet new friends, and create lasting memories through different activities like sports and games, arts and crafts, science experiments and more, all based on the weekly theme and interests of the campers. Day campers will be divided into small groups by age and will participate in activities appropriate to the interests and needs of their group.

    Nonmember: $334 | Y Community Member: $301 | Y Community Plus Member: $284

    DISCOVERY

    Ages 8-9 | SEARCH CODE: CPDSC42 FIND SESSIONS
    Join our Y day camp for a week of fun with all the onsite activities our camp has to offer! Campers will build self-confidence, meet new friends, and create lasting memories through different activities like sports and games, arts and crafts, science experiments and more, all based on the weekly theme and interests of the campers. Day campers will be divided into small groups by age and will participate in activities appropriate to the interests and needs of their group.

    Nonmember: $334 | Y Community Member: $301 | Y Community Plus Member: $284

    HIGH FIVES

    Age 5 | SEARCH CODE: CPHF42 FIND SESSIONS
    High Fives is a perfect fit for our younger campers. With staff supervision at low ratios, campers will spend their action-packed days doing arts and crafts, science projects, playing games and learning new skills.

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    LIT FIELDWORK

    Ages 13-15 | SEARCH CODE: CPLITF42 FIND SESSIONS
    LIT Fieldwork is an opportunity for teens who have successfully completed our training course to use their leadership skills in the field of camp and enjoy the rewards of working with the YMCA’s incredible staff. Teens will experience various camp programs, assist in the daily operations of camp, and receive valuable on-the-job experience that will help build a strong foundation for either a recreational or childcare career. Teens will be placed into age-appropriate camps prior to the start of the fieldwork week. Join our team in making a difference in the lives of many young campers while earning school-required or volunteer service hours!

    Nonmember: $114 | Y Community Member: $99 | Y Community Plus Member: $97

    CIT FIELDWORK

    Ages 16-17 | SEARCH CODE: CPCITF42 FIND SESSIONS
    CIT Fieldwork is geared toward teens who are beginning the transition to becoming camp counselors. They will have additional responsibilities and expectations that are more aligned with those of our staff. Teens will earn school-required volunteer service hours by participating in this program. This is the perfect opportunity to complete this requirement and make a difference in our camp community!

    Nonmember: $50 | Y Community Member: $0 | Y Community Plus Member: $0

    REGISTER

     

    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 South Bay Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPSPEC42) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

    ❯ ❯ SPECIALTY CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

    CLAY CREATIONS

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPCLAY42 FIND SESSIONS
    Welcome to Clay Creations, where young artists embark on a hands-on journey of creativity and imagination! Campers will dive into the world of sculpting and molding as they explore the endless possibilities of clay. From pinch pots to intricate sculptures, our campers will unleash their artistic flair under the guidance of experienced instructors. Get ready for a week filled with messy fun, laughter, and the joy of bringing unique clay creations to life! Join us for a memorable experience where imaginations soar and masterpieces take shape.

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    CLIMB & SWIM

    Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCST42 FIND SESSIONS
    Embark on a thrilling adventure at our Swim/Rock Climbing camp! Enjoying two hours of daily water time at the McGrath Family YMCA aquatics center that includes a daily 30-minute swim lesson! Swim lessons are divided by height and taught by YMCA certified swim instructors. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will tackle the exhilarating world of rock climbing.

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    COOKING

    Ages 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCK42 FIND SESSIONS
    Order up! As one of our most popular choices, this camp will continue to bring you all-day cooking! Campers will work with experienced chefs from Arimaw Productions to create everything from appetizers to main courses and desserts! Join us as we turn your camper into a culinary expert. Join your campers at the end of the week for a showcase of their culinary skills!

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    DANCE

    Ages 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPDNC42 FIND SESSIONS
    Join America’s best kids dance crew! Campers will be separated into age groups to learn different genres of music and dance. Work as a team to create a unique style and choreography. Join us for a special performance on Friday for friends and family!

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    DINO CAMP

    Ages 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPDNO42 FIND SESSIONS
    Dinosaur camp is perfect for children that are into dinosaurs and/or archeology. We will take a journey through the Triassic, Cretaceous and Jurassic periods, taking a look at the dinosaurs that lived in each, making lots of dinosaur crafts, playing fun dinosaur games and doing just a little bit of digging for fossils.

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    ENCHANTED FAIRIES

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPEF42 FIND SESSIONS
    Welcome to the whimsical world of Enchanted Fairies. Celebrate your favorite characters and help write stories of your own. Create costumes and special crafts to share with friends and family!

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    GAMERS PARADISE

    Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGP42 FIND SESSIONS
    Gamers unite and get geared up for a week of non-stop gaming fun! Campers will travel to local arcades and gaming venues to challenge, compete, play and strategize. They will also have the ultimate gaming bus experience to cap off the week. Challenge your friend or beat your personal best, but whatever you do, play hard!

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    ITTY BITTY AQUATICS

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPIBA42 FIND SESSIONS
    Campers will have a 30-minute swim lesson each day with Y swim instructors, get comfortable in the water, learn how to float and tread water. Campers will end the day with a 45-minute free swim to play and have fun with the entire camp. Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities like arts & crafts, songs and games. Swimmers may be required to wear life jackets during free swim.

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    ITTY BITTY SPORTS

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPIBS42 FIND SESSIONS
    Why pick one sport when you can play them all? Each day will focus on a different sport such as soccer, basketball, football, dodgeball and more. Itty Bitty Sports is designed to teach campers recreational sports and the value of exercise. Focus will be placed on team play and skill development.

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    JR. BIOLOGIST

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPJRB42 FIND SESSIONS
    The wild places of California are some of the coolest around! Each day we’ll explore a different terrain to discover the special wildlife that lives there. Whether we dive into ocean life, muck through the marsh, or trek the dry upland terrain, we’ll discover amazing wildlife each step of the way. This camp travels daily to Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista and activities will be facilitated by their experts.

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    LITTLE SCIENTISTS

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPLSC42 FIND SESSIONS
    This camp is the perfect camp for the young mind that is curious to understand the way many of the things we see every day work. We will introduce basic scientific principles, such as gravity, motion, chemical reactions, and others in a way that is fun, and will help the young mind retain the actual lessons taught in the camp by giving them an unforgettable camp experience!

    Nonmember: $366 | Y Community Member: $330 | Y Community Plus Member: $312

    RADICAL REPTILES

    Ages 5-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPRR42 FIND SESSIONS
    Meet the cold-blooded creatures of the animal world as you are introduced to snakes, frogs, tortoises, turtles, lizards, bugs and other creepy crawlies. This camp will have you collaborating with reptiles and friends. Your hands-on experience will be enhanced by art projects, games, and activities that investigate the lives of reptiles. If you like reptiles or other creepy crawlies, this is certainly the camp for you.

    Nonmember: $462 | Y Community Member: $416 | Y Community Plus Member: $393

    SWIM & STEM

    Ages 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSTMS42 FIND SESSIONS
    Swim & STEM camp combines swimming skills development with engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects. Each day, campers spend two hours in the water, including a daily 30-minute swim lesson taught by YMCA-certified instructors. The lessons are divided by height, ensuring appropriate instruction for each camper. In addition to swimming, the camp includes hands-on STEM activities, allowing campers to explore scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way. The combination of physical activity and educational exploration makes this camp a well-rounded option for kids who enjoy both swimming and science.

    Nonmember: $420 | Y Community Member: $378 | Y Community Plus Member: $357

    REGISTER

     

     

    About Us

    Our Branch

    South Bay Family YMCA
    Address: 1201 Paseo Magda, Chula Vista, CA 91910
    Phone: (619) 421-9622

    Camp Locations and Hours of Operation

    Heritage Elementary School
    Address: 1450 Santa Lucia Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91913

    Camp Hours: 

    • Full-day: 8:00am–4:00pm
    • Drop-off: 7:30–9:00am
    • Pick-up: 3:00–5:00pm

    Directors and Supervisors

    Kyle Millard | Camp Director
    [email protected] | (619) 421-9622

    Alejandro Villasenor | Camp Coordinator
    [email protected] | (619) 421-9622

    ABOUT OUR STAFF

    South Bay 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 at [email protected] with any questions, comments or concerns!