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WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT TOBY WELLS YMCA

Your family can count on Toby Wells 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!

camp is calling

SUMMER 2023 DAY CAMP SIGN-UPS

  • Weekly sessions: June 11 - August 11

REGISTER TODAY

MEMBERS SAVE ON CAMP!

sunYMCA members save an average of 15% on camp — one whole summer adds up to a whole lot of savings!

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! 

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YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER DAY CAMP

Summer Day Camp Guide

Learn more about our Summer 2023 day camps! View the digital version of Toby Wells YMCA's summer camp guide here or check out the camp descriptions below, and view a list of camps by week here (PDF) and view descriptions below.

SAVE TIME WITH SEARCH CODESpro tip in a sun graphic

When you're ready to fill your cart with a summer's worth of camps, 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. CPSPEC21).

 

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 Toby Wells YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPTRAD21) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

❯ ❯ TRADITIONAL CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

CHALLENGERS

Ages 10-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPCHL21 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.

CLUB 6/7

Ages 6-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPCL21 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.

DISCOVERY

Ages 8-9 | SEARCH CODE: CPDSC21 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.

HIGH FIVES

Age 5 | SEARCH CODE: CPHF21 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.

LIT FIELDWORK

Ages 13-15 | SEARCH CODE: CPLITF21 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 child care 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 this summer while earning school-required or volunteer service hours!

CIT FIELDWORK

Ages 16-17 | SEARCH CODE: CPCIT21 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!

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 Toby Wells YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPSPEC21) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

❯ ❯ SPECIALTY CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

Archery

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPARCH21 FIND SESSIONS
Bull’s-eye! This summer, take a shot at a fun sport with archery experts. With steady hands and straight aim, our young archers will learn about equipment, shooting and technique. Campers will also participate in themed craft activities and games. Campers travel daily to an official archery range in Balboa Park. All equipment needed to participate will be provided.

Balboa Park Adventure

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBPA21 FIND SESSIONS
Is your camper ready to go on a daily adventure to one of the coolest spots in all of San Diego County? Campers will travel daily to Balboa Park where they will play games, visit museums and even visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo!

Big Messy Art

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMA21 FIND SESSIONS
Let your campers immerse themselves from head to toe in art projects including pendulum painting, splat painting and art installations. All the while, they will learn about the artists behind these techniques — some of whom are even scientists. We mix in a little circuitry, as well, because art isn’t just about painting!

BMX

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMX21 FIND SESSIONS
Learn from BMX world champions and Olympians at Dale Holmes Racing as they supply all the bikes, equipment and instruction for your budding BMX racing pro! This high-demand camp is for beginners and experts alike. Please note: Long pants and shirt, as well as closed-toe shoes are required for riding, but campers may bring shorts for after riding time at camp.

Cooking Around the World

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKAAW21 FIND SESSIONS
Campers will learn how to make a wide variety of different foods using different cooking methods. Children will learn how to properly cut, boil, and pan fry foods in as safe an environment as possible, and under the watchful eyes of some of our most experienced teachers. Your camper will learn how to make dishes from a variety of different cultures, including but not limited to: Latin American, Asian, American, Italian, Indian and others (regional foods presented in camp depend on our teacher, as each has different regional specialties and themes). We cater to different dietary restrictions and needs, so if your child has any allergies or other dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, etc.) please let us know when signing your child up so we can alter our material appropriately.

Cooking: Chocolate Lovers

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKCL21 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is sweet! Literally! Campers will be making all kinds of scrumptious sweets using everyone’s childhood favorite: chocolate! From s’mores, to chocolate chip pancakes, to chocolate dipped fruit and so much more. Satisfy your sweet tooth at our Cooking: Chocolate Lovers camp!

Cooking: Iron Chef

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKIC21 FIND SESSIONS
Each day, your little chef will get a unique ingredient that they will use to create different delicious tasty treats! Campers will go head-to-head combining traditional favorites with out-of-the-box creative concoctions.

Cooking: Tasty Eats

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKTE21 FIND SESSIONS
Our young culinary artists will be loaded with helpful tips and tricks after spending a week with our talented YMCA chefs. Each day, your sous chef will learn to create delicious, tasty treats combining traditional favorites with out-of-the-box creative concoctions. Campers will create their own recipe books and have multiple take-away projects and treats that they can enjoy at home.

Funster Bugs and Slugs

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFBS21 FIND SESSIONS
We know young children love the slimy, icky and gooey. This being so, they will enjoy Funster Bugs and Slugs camp. This week-long camp gives kids the opportunity to do slimy experiments that can resemble the slimy feel of a slug trail; gives them the opportunity to interact with actual bugs, and learn about the positive impact certain types of bugs have in our environment; and can show them how to take care of these little creatures so you can reap the full benefits of what they do, all while having a whole lot of fun.

Funster Detectives

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFDT21 FIND SESSIONS
A simplified version of our returning detective camps, Funster Detectives will test campers’ ability to problem-solve using more basic items that are more age appropriate for younger elementary school aged kids. This camp is a great way for your little camper to test their comprehension of items such as letters, numbers, colors, pattern recognition, and simplified logic puzzles that will be the basis of our mysteries, and can be adjusted in difficulty by our educator to match your child’s comprehension level.

Funster Dinosaurs

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFDNO21 FIND SESSIONS
We are now offering a Dinosaur Camp, 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.

Funster Science

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFSC21 FIND SESSIONS
Is your child the type with an insatiable curiosity that even dirt and slime can’t stop? Do they love nothing more than experimenting with the slimiest, gooiest, ickiest and stickiest stuff they can get their hands on? Introducing Funster Science Camp: perfect for your inquisitive young child who just so happens to love all that is slimy and gross!

Funster Zookeepers

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFZK21 FIND SESSIONS
Do you love animals? Then you will love this zookeeper camp! Campers will learn cool facts about their favorite animals and the habitats they live in, play cool animal games, make cool animal crafts and even receive the occasional visit from some of our amazing animal friends. We look forward to teaching campers to love and appreciate the diverse ecosystems that comprise our planet, and the animal friends that inhabit them.

Gaga Ball

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGGB21 FIND SESSIONS
Dodge, strike, run and jump and be the last one standing in Gaga Ball! Campers will enjoy extra playing time, specialized gaga games, and learn new strategies. If you love gaga, this camp is for you! When the children are not playing Gaga, they are having a blast participating in other camp activities such as arts and crafts, games, songs, sports and more.

Gymnastics

Ages 5-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGGB21 FIND SESSIONS
Beginning to experienced gymnasts will learn or improve acrobatic and creative movement skills. Campers will be grouped by age and ability for three hours of gymnastics instruction daily, including basic tumbling, equipment stations, low beams. Camp includes arts and crafts, games and songs. Instruction will take place in our state-of-the-art Gymnastics Center at Toby Wells YMCA.

Harry Potter

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPHP21 FIND SESSIONS
Welcome to Hogwarts! Campers will be sorted into their magical houses where they will work together to compete in themed crafts, games and projects. Explore the world of Harry Potter by creating a wand, playing Quidditch and becoming a potion master.

Harry Potter Cooking

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPHPCK21 FIND SESSIONS
Take a taste of the wizarding world with Harry Potter Cooking camp! Learn how to make delectable delights, plentiful palatable potions, and other forms of magical tasty treats, all while gaining the basics of cooking that you can use well beyond this week-long camp. In addition to cooking up some goodies, we may also teach you a trick, or two, or a few, to confound and befuddle muggles of all ages.

Ice Skating

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPIS21 FIND SESSIONS
Campers will travel to the San Diego Ice Arena and receive instruction from an ice-skating coach, as well as enjoy free skate time. This camp will culminate in a performance for family and friends on Friday at the San Diego Ice Arena. By the end of the week your camper will have gained new skating skills, made lasting friendships and developed self-confidence in their amazing abilities! Skates are provided, but campers should bring or wear socks every day.

Jr. Ninja

Ages 5-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPJRN21 FIND SESSIONS
Outwit Outlast and Outsmart fun obstacle courses and relays. In this fun spirited camp, everyone will get in touch with their inner Ninja. Campers will be introduced to timed challenges, group contests, exciting brain teasers and more!

LEGO BUILDERS

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGB21 FIND SESSIONS
This intense lego building camp is for the extreme LEGO camper. Campers will learn how to craft, build, and construct different LEGO structures, through exciting games and instruction. Campers will also have the opportunity to use their imagination to create their own structures and masterpieces.

LEGO Mindstorm Robotics

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGMR21 FIND SESSIONS
Explore the world-class robotics challenge. Students will build a cutting-edge EV3 robot and control its movements with motors and sensors. Get your robot to hit a home run by programming it to run all four bases. Students will gain the 4Cs skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity to become robotic engineers.

Living Coast

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPLC21 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is perfect for nature and animal lovers. Every day, campers will travel to Living Coast Discovery Center where their days will be full of animal encounters, games and outdoor activities. Kids will discover science and conservation while increasing their passion and knowledge of local wildlife.

Magic

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPMG21 FIND SESSIONS
Abra kadabra! Magic camp offers campers the ability to gain a plethora of different magic tricks and learn how to use each and every one to put on a spectacular show! In addition to these many tricks, we will also be building their magical wardrobe with a variety of magical crafts, and having lots of fun magical games to test their knowledge and skill as magicians-to-be and as campers who just want to have a lot of fun!

Marine Science

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPMS21 FIND SESSIONS
Do you care about our planet? Do you love the ocean and the creatures that live there? Do you love a clean San Diego? If your answer is yes, then we have the perfect camp for you! Campers will travel to Mission Bay daily to learn about the animals in the ocean and how to protect them. Mission Bay Aquatic Center will facilitate all marine science lessons and I Love a Clean San Diego will facilitate hands-on interactive activities that highlight how to be an eco-conscious environmentalist. There will be games, experiments, arts and crafts, and even a chance to give back to the planet.

Seaworld

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSWLD21 FIND SESSIONS
Visit SeaWorld free for the rest of the calendar year if you sign up for one of our most popular camps! Animal enthusiasts have a chance to see virtually all the aquatic wildlife and exciting shows that SeaWorld has to offer, including dolphins, walruses, sharks and sting rays. Find out how these animals survive in their watery habitats and how humans impact those habitats. If you love to learn about marine life, then this camp is sure to make a splash! Please note: A SeaWorld Fun Card is included with the camp at the end of the week.

Soccer

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSC21 FIND SESSIONS
Soccer fans will get a kick out of this camp! The YMCA will provide instruction featuring daily clinics, scrimmages, and tournament play. Drills will focus on dribbling, passing, shooting and position techniques.

Splash

Ages 6-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPSPLSH21 FIND SESSIONS
This wet, wild and fun camp is sure to keep your little fishes busy. Campers will enjoy a fun-filled, 30-minute jam packed swimming lesson with outstanding YMCA certified lifeguards, followed by an extended swim time full of splishing, splashing and sploshing! When the children are not in the pool, they are having a blast participating in other camp activities such as arts and crafts, games, songs, sports and more.

Sports Galore

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSG21 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, dodge ball and more. Sports galore camp is designed to teach campers recreational sports and the value of exercise. Focus will be placed on team play and skill development.

Star Wars

Ages 5-7 & 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSW21 FIND SESSIONS
Our campers will have an out of world experience as they learn how to become a Jedi Master! They will attend Jedi Training every day, where they will use the force to sharpen their agility, strength, and wisdom. They will also learn how to control their light sabers in a fun and safe environment. Do you have what it takes to become a Master Jedi? Come find out in our amazing force-filled camp!

Surf

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSRF21 FIND SESSIONS
Ready to shred the gnar!? At Surf Camp, campers will learn all there is about surfing and bodyboarding! They’ll learn etiquette, about the different types of waves, how to stay safe in the ocean, and the basic fundamentals of both surfing and bodyboarding. Campers with travel Tuesday through Thursday to YMCA Camp Surf in Imperial Beach where they will surf and bodyboard under the supervision of YMCA ocean lifeguards.

Waterpalooza

Ages 8-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPWTRP21 FIND SESSIONS
This wet and wild camp will be a great way to escape the summer heat. Our campers will keep cool with water balloons and games galore.

REGISTER

 

 

About Us

Our Branch

TOBY WELLS YMCA
Address: 5105 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (858) 496-9622

Camp Locations and Hours of Operation

Toby Wells YMCA
Address: 5105 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
Hours: Drop-off: 7:30am – 9:00am | Pick-up: 3:30pm – 5:00pm 

Directors and Supervisors

CAMP DIRECTOR
Michael Nicoloff
[email protected] | (858) 496-9622

About Our Staff

Toby Wells 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 $50 non-refundable deposit)
  • Place a $50 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration. Balances will be due the Monday prior to the first day of camp.
  • 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.

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 summer. See our Refund/Voucer/Transfer Policies for more information.

What parents said about our camps:

"Thanks to YMCA, for making this camp possible. My child was lonely at home and I was scared to send him to the camp. I decided to trust your organization. Overall my son had a lot of fun and came home with exciting stories about his camp experiences."

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 this summer.

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 after January 2023. 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.

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, Michael Nicoloff at [email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!