WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT PALOMAR FAMILY YMCA
When school is out, your family can count on Palomar Family YMCA to ensure your child is having fun in a nurturing environment that is friendly and safe. Our single-day and extended-care options provide the flexibility you need.
Since 1882, our camps have inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships. We offer a unique learning environment where youth are introduced to outdoor experiences, can nurture their passions and explore new interests.
Get Ready for the Best Summer Ever!
- Priority Member Registration - February 29 - March 6
- General Registration Opens March 7
Members Save!
YMCA members save up to 15 percent on camp! An active membership is required at the time of the program start date to receive the member discount.
Ways to Register!
- Register Online — Browse Summer Camps
- Register in Person — Directions Here
- Download the Summer Camp Registration Form (PDF)
Enter the Catalog Tag from the catalog's camp matrix to jump directly to a short, prefiltered list of camps.
Spring First!
When school is out, our school break camps and Vacation Fun Days are the perfect solution for you and your family! Children will engage in traditional camp activities such as games, arts & crafts, science, sports and more! Check out our school break camps for the 2019/2020 school year below:
- Spring Break Camp: April 6-10
- One Day Fun Day: April 13
- Download the Spring Camp brochure (PDF)
SUMMER CAMP GUIDE
Check out the digital edition of our summer day camp guide. View camp descriptions and use the Catalog Tag finder to quickly find and register for camps online. Download the PDF version of the full 2020 Summer Camp Guide.
Camp Locations and Hours of Operation
Palomar YMCA
Address: 1050 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026
Hours: Specific Camp Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm | Drop-off: 7:00am - 9:00am | Pick-up: 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Extended Day AM: 7:00am- 9:00am | Extended Day PM: 4:00pm-6:00pm
Directors & Supervisors
Saul Mendoza
Camp Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (760) 745-7490 ext. 13120
Our Staff
Palomar 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.
Inclusion Program
If your camper has special needs, please let us know when registering.Palomar Family YMCA funds and operates an Inclusion Program that may be able to provide an aide for your camper. For more information regarding the Inclusion Program, please contact Saul Mendoza at [email protected].
Please note: Full camp balance is due the week before camp. Camp deposits ($25) are non-refundable but are fully transferable (as a new deposit only) into another camp up to the second day of camp (if space is available in the new camp).
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 2020. Medical Release forms can be found at the YMCA Registration Desk or can be downloaded from the form library (see Medical section)
Vendor Waivers
Some specialty camps, particularly those that travel to an off-site location, require an additional vendor waiver. Day Camp programs requiring these forms should have a link available to download the waiver as a PDF on the specific Day Camp page — it may also be included within the form library. If it is not present, please contact us and request a copy of the waiver be sent to you.
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
Third Party Payments
The YMCA is contracted to receive payment from the following third party agencies: Child Development Associates (CDA), YMCA Childcare Resource Service (CRS), County of San Diego, Boys and Girls Foundation and the Military Subsidy Program through NACRRA. All 3rd party or alternative payment registrations, transfers and vouchers must be done with our 3rd Party Specialist. Our 3rd Party Specialist, Brenda Magallanes, may be reached at 760-745-7490 x 13194 or email [email protected]. You will not be able to register online or at the Welcome Center.
More Policies
For more information about YMCA Day Camp policies, expectations and helpful information, visit our Day Camp Policy page.
Day Camp Categories
Traditional Day Camps
These ultra-spirited, fun-filled camps are full of BIG themes, BIG ideas and BIG FUN! Each week will have a different theme that will guide our activities and trips for the week. Set in the YMCA style of different crazy activities each and every day, your camper will be traveling on special adventures throughout San Diego: visiting theme parks, taking swim lessons, going to local parks and beaches, or simply having a great time at one of our extraordinary facilities. Go BIG, go traditional!
Find Traditional Day Camps at Palomar
Specialty Day Camps
Our phenomenal specialty day camps combine the traditional fun of YMCA day camps with the more specialized skills and learning of our outside specialty camp providers or YMCA experts. Each specialty day camp has a wide range of subjects to campers to enjoy - from sports-related day camps concentrating on skills and techniques, to creative camps like ceramics that focus on expanding artistic skills and confidence.
Find Specialty Day Camps at Palomar
Sports Day Camps
Recreational games and skill building with focus on sportsmanship and a different sport each day. Enjoy basketball, soccer, baseball, flag football, a trip to our pool and many other active games.
Find Sports Day Camps at Palomar
Leader in Training and Counselor in Training Camps
Our Leader in Training (LIT) and Counselor in Training (CIT) programs are an excellent opportunity for teens to learn hands-on job experience and responsibilities, while still operating under the supervision of our camp staff team. Additionally, all hours completed within LIT Fieldwork can be recorded as community service hours!
Find LIT and CIT Day Camps at Palomar
Aquatics Day Camps
Does your camper love the water? Whether they are a fantastic swimmer or just learning, we offer fun-filled and exciting aquatic camps for every ability.
Find Aquatic Day Camps at Palomar
Special Needs Day Camps
The YMCA is proud to offer low-ratio day camps for children with special needs, providing a day camp experience in a safe, fun and nurturing environment. All camp counselors for this program have additional experience working with special needs campers.
Find All YMCA Special Needs Day Camps
What to Expect and Prepare For
Sign In and Sign Out Procedures
In order to ensure the safety of your camper, it is mandatory that each camper be signed in and out daily with a legal signature and time by an authorized adult.
Authorization To Pick Up Camper
Only adults who are authorized in writing by the parent will be allowed to pick up your camper. All adults picking up campers from Camp are required to identify themselves with a photo ID.
Late Arrivals
It is imperative that your camper arrives to camp on time. If campers are late, it will be the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the camper is signed in and arrives safely with his or her designated camp.
Late Pick-Ups
Children not picked up at the end of the camp day at any of our sites will be placed in our Late Parent Program. A $15 late fee will be charged for any of the first 15 minutes after the end of camp. An additional $1 per minute fee will be charged after the first 15 minutes. For example, camp pick-up ends at 4:30pm, and a child is picked up at 4:55pm. There would be a $25 charge.
Lunches and Snacks
Campers should eat a nutritious breakfast before being dropped off for camp and bring a healthy non-perishable lunch each day. Sorry, but we do not provide meals for campers. Please note, we do not have the capacity to heat or refrigerate lunch items.
Clothing
Campers are required to wear closed toe shoes and socks daily. Belongings are the responsibility of the camper. A backpack is helpful in keeping your camper’s belongings in a safe place. Please clearly mark your camper’s belongings with his/her name.
What Not to Bring to Camp
The following are not allowed at camp:
- Personal toys
- Electronics
- Animals
- Weapons
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Electronic devices
- Candy and soda (healthy eating is encouraged)
Sun Protection
Parents should apply sunscreen before campers arrive to Day Camp in the morning. We apply sunscreen multiple times throughout the day. If you do not want sunscreen applied to your camper, or would like a special type of sunscreen applied, please send a note to your child’s Camp Unit Leader each Monday and provide them with the special sunscreen.
Swimming
Please see your camper’s camp calendar for specific swim days. Campers who wish to swim must bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and warm change of clothes. All campers are required to take a swim test before swimming in the YMCA pool or beach on a daily basis. The swim test consists of jumping in deep water, returning to the surface, treading water for 60 seconds and swimming 25 yards (the length of the pool) on the surface with rudimentary side breathing. If a camper is unable to pass this test or if a camper chooses not to take the swim test and cannot stand comfortably in the water (water no higher than the armpits), s/he will wear a life jacket in the pool and will stay in the closely supervised shallow end of the pool. In order to keep your camper safe, all campers take the swim test every day. During beach visits, campers are required to take a swim test daily, if campers pass the test, they are allowed to go in waist deep, if they do not pass, they are allowed to go in ankle-deep.
For your camper’s safety, all campers visiting the beach will be given brightly colored rash guards to wear throughout their visit.
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 our Camp Director, Saul Mendoz at s[email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!