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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!

School Break CAMP SESSIONS

  • November 11, 2026
  • November 23-25, 2026
  • December 21-23, 2026 (single day options available)
  • December 28-31, 2026 (single day options available)
  • January 4-8, 2027

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

STAY TUNED FOR THE LATEST CAMP OFFERINGS!

School Break DAY CAMPS

CAMP INFORMATION

DATES: November 11

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.

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

CIT (Counselor in Training) Fieldwork is geared toward teens beginning the transition to becoming camp counselors. They will take on additional responsibilities and meet expectations aligned with those of our staff. Teens will earn school-required volunteer service hours by participating in this program. It’s the perfect opportunity to complete this requirement and make a difference in our camp community!

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

Join our Y day camp for a week of fun with all the onsite activities we have to offer. Campers build self-confidence, make new friends and create lasting memories through sports and games, arts and crafts, science experiments and more. Activities are based on the weekly theme and camper interests. 

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

Fab Fours is a perfect fit for our youngest 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. With their own dedicated space and scheduled break times, this is the perfect space to introduce kids to a camp environment.

Please note: Your child must have already started school to register for this camp.

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

High Fives is the perfect introduction to the world of camp for our youngest campers! Exclusively for 5-year-olds, this camp is designed with your child’s first camp experience in mind. With a small 1:6 staff-to-camper ratio, your little one will receive personalized attention and care throughout the day. Campers will enjoy a variety of activities that encourage friendship-building, teamwork and creativity. From fun group games to arts and crafts, each day is filled with opportunities for exploration, laughter and learning. Whether it’s their first time away from home or just their first camp adventure, High Fives is the ideal place for 5-year-olds to grow, make new friends and have a blast!

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

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. 

DATES: November 23-25 | December 21-23 | December 28-31

A week of non-stop action, creativity and hands-on fun! Adventure Camp is the ultimate all-in-one experience for curious, active and creative kids. Each day brings a new adventure as campers dive into a dynamic mix of activities — from mastering archery and playing team sports to experimenting in the kitchen and creating awesome art projects. This camp is perfect for kids who love to try new things, make friends and stay on the move. Whether they’re hitting a bullseye, whipping up a tasty snack or designing a craft masterpiece, there’s something for every kind of adventurer!

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

Halecrest Elementary School
Address: 475 E J St. Magdalena Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

South Bay Teen Center
Address:  820 Paseo Ranchero, Chula Vista, CA 91910

School Break Day Camps

Camp Hours: 

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

Directors and Supervisors

Kyle Millard | Camp Director
jmillard@ymcasd.org 

Erilyn Merino | Camp Coordinator
emerino@ymcasd.org 

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.

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.

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 SBDayCamp@ymcasd.org with any questions, comments or concerns!

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