WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT MCGRATH FAMILY YMCA
Your family can count on McGrath 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!
SUMMER 2023 DAY CAMP SIGN-UPS
- Weekly sessions: June 19 - August 18
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 — (619) 462-9622
- View the digital version of our branch camp guide here
MEMBERS SAVE ON CAMP!
YMCA 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!
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SIGN-UP
- Log in to your My Y account. If you haven’t logged in since November 2022, you must create a new My Y account.
- Setup is easy. Learn more here
YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER DAY CAMP
Learn more about our Summer 2023 day camps! View the digital version of McGrath Family 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 CODES
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. CPSPEC33).
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 McGrath Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPTRAD33) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.
CHALLENGERSAges 10-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPCHL33 FIND SESSIONS |
CLUB 6/7Ages 6-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPCL33 FIND SESSIONS |
DISCOVERYAges 8-9 | SEARCH CODE: CPDSC33 FIND SESSIONS |
HIGH FIVESAge 5 | SEARCH CODE: CPHF33 FIND SESSIONS |
LIT/CIT TRAININGAges 13-17 | SEARCH CODE: CPLCITT33 FIND SESSIONS |
LIT FIELDWORKAges 13-15| SEARCH CODE: CPLIT33 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 McGrath Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPSPEC33) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.
Animal GrossologyAges 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPANG33 FIND SESSIONS |
ArcheryAges 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPARCH33 FIND SESSIONS |
BaseballAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBBL33 FIND SESSIONS |
Big Messy ArtAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMA33 FIND SESSIONS |
BMX ProAges 7-14 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMX933 FIND SESSIONS |
Broadway MashupAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBRDM33 FIND SESSIONS |
Cooking: Chocolate LoversAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKCL33 FIND SESSIONS |
Cooking: Tasty EatsAges 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKTE33 FIND SESSIONS |
Funster ChefsAges 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFC33 FIND SESSIONS |
Funster Full STEAM AheadAges 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFSTA33 COMING SOON |
Funster Ooey Gooey ScienceAges 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFOGS33 COMING SOON |
Funster SportsAges 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFSP33 FIND SESSIONS |
Funster TumblersAges 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPFTML33 FIND SESSIONS |
Gamers ParadiseAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGP33 FIND SESSIONS |
GardeningAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGRD33 FIND SESSIONS |
GymnasticsAges 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGYM33 FIND SESSIONS |
Ice SkatingAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPIS33 COMING SOON |
Jr. LifeguardAges 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPJRL33 FIND SESSIONS |
Jr. VetAges 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPJRVET33 FIND SESSIONS |
LEGO FuryAges 6-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGF33 FIND SESSIONS |
Living Coast Jr. KeeperAges 7-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPLCJK33 FIND SESSIONS |
Outrageous ArtAges 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPOART33 FIND SESSIONS |
PokémonAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPPKM33 FIND SESSIONS |
Radical Reptiles and FriendsAges 6-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPRRF33 FIND SESSIONS |
San Diego HighlightsAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSDH33 FIND SESSIONS |
San Diego ZooAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSDZ33 FIND SESSIONS |
SD Humane Animal AdventuresAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSDHM33 COMING SOON |
SeaWorldAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSWLD33 FIND SESSIONS |
SplashAges 6-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPSPLSH33 FIND SESSIONS |
STEM Out of this WorldAges 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSTMOW33 FIND SESSIONS |
WaterpaloozaAges 6-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPWTRP33 FIND SESSIONS |
We’ve Got ChemistryAges 7-10| SEARCH CODE: CPWGC33 FIND SESSIONS |
About Us
Our Branch
MCGRATH FAMILY YMCA
Address: 12006 Campo Road, Spring Valley, CA 91978
Phone: (619) 462-9622
Camp Locations and Hours of Operation
McGrath Family YMCA
Address: 12006 Campo Road, Spring Valley, CA 91978
Full-day: 8:00am-5:00pm Drop-off: 8:00-9:00 am | Pick-up: 4:00-5:00pm
Directors and Supervisors
CAMP DIRECTOR
Melanie Navarro
[email protected]
About Our Staff
McGrath 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 $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.
Interest Lists
When a day camp session is full, you may add your child to a waitlist enrollment — choose "Join Waitlist" during the registration process when signing up online. We’ll provide an update via email that lists all day camps with open availability. Registration is first come, first served. We recommend that families check the website often, as other spaces may become available prior to email communications going out.
Here's what our parents tell us:
"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, Melanie Navarro at [email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!