WELCOME TO DAY CAMP AT DAN MCKINNEY FAMILY YMCA

Your family can count on Dan McKinney 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!

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SUMMER 2023 DAY CAMP SIGN-UPS

  • Weekly sessions: June 19 - August 18

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! 

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SIGN-UP


YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER DAY CAMP

Summer Day Camp Guide

Learn more about our Summer 2023 day camps! View the digital version of Dan McKinney 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 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. CPSPEC28).

 

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 Dan McKinney Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPTRAD28) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

❯ ❯ TRADITIONAL CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

CHALLENGERS

Ages 10-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPCHL28 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: CPHF28 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 and swim lessons from our trained Y staff. 

CLUB 6/7

Ages 6-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPCL28 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: CPDSC28 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.

NAVIGATORS

Ages 7-9 | SEARCH CODE: CPNAV28 FIND SESSIONS
Take camper adventures to the next level this summer! Build self-confidence, meet new friends, and have a blast while exploring San Diego. Get a thrill from activities at the camp facility such as sports clinics, science experiments, arts and crafts, while exploring exciting weekly themes. As if this isn't enough, take trips to different amazing locations, and bring home stories to share! Campers will travel 2 days a week.

MAINSTREAM IN CAMP

Ages 5-18 | SEARCH CODE: CPMINC28 FIND SESSIONS
Our Mainstream in Camp Program 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. "MinC" campers will participate in activities with our traditional camps as well as experience camp at a pace that works for them. Our increased ratio allows us to provide the staff needed for positive inclusion and/or one-on-one support. PLEASE NOTE: There is a pre-req for this camp; you must contact the Camp Director or Coordinator before registering.

TRAVELERS

Ages 10-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPTVL28 FIND SESSIONS
Set sail on join us on a camp excursion unlike any other! This camp will travel around San Diego everyday for age-appropriate field trips! Amidst the traveling, campers will be playing games, singing songs, and experiecing the beauty of camp through the eyes of a traveler!

LIT/CIT TRAINING

Ages 13-17 | LIT TRAINING SEARCH CODE: CPLITT28, CIT TRAINING SEARCH CODE: CPCITT28 FIND SESSIONS
The LIT/CIT program is designed for older campers to obtain the skills they need to become a Camp Leader. Teens will learn what it takes to work with campers and gain real world work and life experience through communication skills, management techniques, and building their self-confidence. LIT /CIT's will also receive CPR and First Aid training. The LIT/CIT program is required each year for all participants regardless of past experience in the program.

LIT FIELDWORK

Ages 13-15 | SEARCH CODE: CPLITF28 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: CPCITF28 FIND SESSIONS
LIT/CIT 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 team. 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!

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 Dan McKinney Family YMCA, or go straight to the program finder and type or copy/paste a search code (e.g., CPSPEC28) into the search bar to zero in on your camps.

❯ ❯ SPECIALTY CAMP DESCRIPTIONS (CLICK TO EXPAND)

All Things Craft

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPATC28 FIND SESSIONS
Come let your creativity flow in this DIV and craft filled camp. Campers will spend the week exploring various crafty projects from scrapbooking and jewelry making, to knitting and more! Campers will take home all their wonderful creations and amaze people with their DIV skills.

Animals Galore

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPANGL28 FIND SESSIONS
From ocean, zoo and farm animals to pets, Animals Galore is sure to make your campers ROAR with excitement. Campers will get two animal shows throughout the week, as well as learn about animals and their habitats through art and science projects.

Animals Galore Jr.

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPANGLJ28 FIND SESSIONS
From zoo and farm animals to pets and reptiles, Animals Galore Jr. is sure to make your campers ROAR with excitement. Campers will get to enjoy a live animal show as well as learn about animals and their habitats through art and science projects.

Archery

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPARCH28 FIND SESSIONS
Spend the week with us and you're guaranteed to hit a bullseye! Campers will spend part of their day at the archery range with certified instructors learning about safety, parts of the bow and how to shoot, along with designing their own target and playing fun archery games such as tic-tac-toe, balloon shoot and battleship.

Baseball

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBBL28 FIND SESSIONS
Your camper could be the next big baseball star with this fundamental sports week. Daily activities include instruction in hitting, catching, throwing and positioning. With the YMCA, baseball camp is for young athletes looking for a strong summer building fundamental skills. Baseball gloves are required and all skill levels are welcome.

Basketball

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBSK28 FIND SESSIONS
Your camper could be the next big NBA star with this fundamental sports week. Daily activities include instruction in dribbling, passing, shooting and positioning. With the YMCA, basketball camp is for young athletes looking for a strong summer building fundamental skills.

Beach Volleyball

Ages 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBVB28  FIND SESSIONS
Set your sights on a camp that explores volleyball skills, drills and games while soaking in the sun at our beautiful local beaches. Campers, novice and experienced, will have the opportunity to share in the fun of sand volleyball-based activities, as well as the classic, creative camp games we know and love. Learned skills will be put to play as campers partake in our ceremonial Beach Bowl where they will be recognized for their participation and growth. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and towels because this camp is made to play under the sun!

Big Messy Art

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMA28 FIND SESSIONS
Let your campers immerse themselves from head to toe in art projects using unique painting techniques, creative art creations and getting their hands messy. Campers will learn about the artists behind these techniques - some of whom are even scientists.

BMX

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPBMX28 FIND SESSIONS
Learn from BMX world champions and Olympians at Dale Holmes Racing! Bikes, equipment and instruction for your budding BMX racing pro will all be provided. This high-demand camp is for beginners and experts alike. All campers will depart with goodie bags stuffed with a t-shirt, hat, stickers and copy of Extreme Cycling. PLEASE NOTE: Long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as closed-toe shoes are required for riding, but campers may bring shorts for post-riding time at camp.

Cheer

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCH28 FIND SESSIONS
Two, four, six, eight! Our Cheer Camp is really GREAT! Calling all cheerleaders! Come smile, bounce, jump and dance your way through cheer instruction and a choreographed dance routine. This camp proves to be full of spirit and teamwork, and is the ultimate the ultimate dance experience. The squad will end their week with a final performance to showcase their talents!

Cirque

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPCQ28 FIND SESSIONS
Bend, twist and tumble your way through the week in Cirque Camp. Campers will focus on using their strength and flexibility to learn new acrobatic skills on the floor, rings, ropes and more! We will work on learning new cirque skills for about three hours each day while also having fun doing arts, crafts and games. All our hard work will pay off when we dazzle you at our parent show on Friday.

Climbing

Ages 7-8 | SEARCH CODE: CPCLMB28 FIND SESSIONS
Learn the basic techniques of climbing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This camp will include an overview of the sport along with individualized instruction in climbing equipment, technique and safety. Find new heights on our very own rock wall and build your camper's confidence in climbing skills. All gear is provided.

Cooking and Chemistry

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKCH28 FIND SESSIONS
Make awesome culinary concoctions while learning about the wonders of science with Cooking and Chemistry Camp! We use cooking as a mode to teach campers about the chemical properties of certain foods, as well as how phenomena such as heating, cooling, stirring and other cooking-related actions can fundamentally alter the substances in the delicious food we enjoy every day!

Cooking: Iron Chef

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKIC28 FIND SESSIONS
One of our longest running and most successful camps, Cooking Iron Chef, teaches campers how to make a wide variety of different foods using a wide variety of tools and cooking methods. Children will learn how to perform cooking methods such as proper cutting, boiling and pan frying in as safe an environment as possible, under the watchful eyes of some of our most experienced teachers. 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: Tasty Treats

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPCKTT28 FIND SESSIONS
One of our longest running and most successful camps, Cooking Tasty Treats teaches campers how to make a wide variety of different foods using different tools and cooking methods. Children will learn how to perform cooking methods such as proper cutting, boiling and pan frying in as safe an environment as possible, 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.

Dance

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPDNC28 FIND SESSIONS
5, 6, 7, 8, Dance camp is really great! Campers of all skill levels are welcome at our high-energy dance camp, where your dancer will learn different styles of dance including hip-hop dance, contemporary and jazz. There will be a performance for family and friends at the end of the week.

Disney Cooking

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPDIS28 FIND SESSIONS
Be our guest, be our guest, put your cooking to the test! Disney Cooking will teach campers to make a variety of scrumptious dishes inspired by classic Disney films. Ever wonder what kind of dishes Belle would have had in her village? Or what delectable delights would have awaited her at the Beast's castle? What kind of exotic foods would have been served in Agrabah? Or in the Chinese courts of Mulan's era? Or even in Tiana's restaurant from "The Princess and The Frog"? Join us as we travel across the wonderful world of Disney and find out and make culinary magic!

Dodgeball

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPDGB28 FIND SESSIONS
Dodge, dip, duck and dive your way to the top of one of the many varieties of dodgeball games we play. Campers will develop their hand-eye coordination, balance and reflex skills while having a great time. Games are closely monitored for fairness and sportsmanship.

Extreme Gaming

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPEXTG28 FIND SESSIONS
Take gaming to the extreme! Campers will spend two days with the game truck, take a trip to TC's Rockets, play Magic, Pokémon and other card games as well as create their own game. This camp is guaranteed to be a winner!

Edible Science

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPES28 FIND SESSIONS
Science you can eat? The perfect combination. This camp will focus on learning about science through edible treats and also creating delicious food while learning about the science behind the cooking process. Campers will leave the camp week with a full tummy and a full mind!

Flag Football

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPFLGF28 FIND SESSIONS
Down, set... HIKE! Join the YMCA's instructional flag football camp. Camp will include the fundamentals of passing, catching, blocking, and kicking. Daily scrimmages will emphasize basic football strategy. Campers will have the opportunity to travel to local parks to test their skills!

Gaga

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGGB28 FIND SESSIONS
Dodge, strike, run and jump and be the last one standing in Gaga Madness! Campers will enjoy extra playing time, specialized gaga games and learn new strategies. If you love gaga, this camp is for you! Campers will also enjoy all of the activities camp has to offer and will finish the week off with an ultimate gaga tournament!

Gardening

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPGRD28 FIND SESSIONS
Do you have a green thumb? Now is a great time to find out! In this camp, campers will learn the ins and outs of gardening, the science behind plants, as well as how to help their gardens grow. Campers will explore the surrounding nature and plants around camp, plant their very own seeds and create projects ranging from homemade Chia Pets to their very own flowerpots.

Gymnastics A

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPGYMA28 FIND SESSIONS
A camp you'll flip over! Watch your child grow in confidence as they learn new skills on the floor, bars, beam and vault. Campers will be put in smaller groups of up to 10 kids based on age and ability to practice their gymnastics skills every week. Each day, our gymnasts will spend almost three hours of gymnastics time while also doing arts, crafts and games. This fun camp will finish with an exciting parent show on Friday.

Gymnastics B

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPGYMB28 FIND SESSIONS
A camp you'll flip over! Watch your child grow in confidence as they learn new skills on the floor, bars, beam and vault. Campers will be put in smaller groups of up to 10 kids based on age and ability to practice their gymnastics skills every week. Each day, our gymnasts will spend almost three hours of gymnastics time while also doing arts, crafts and games. This fun camp will finish with an exciting parent show on Friday.

Harry Potter

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPHP28 FIND SESSIONS
We have a few tricks up our sleeve for this camp! This week campers will learn if they are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or Gryffindor during the sorting hat ceremony and show some spirit while creating their Hogwarts House banners. They will get to make Polyjuice Potion, catch the Golden Snitch and win house points in a variety of magical games.

Hike & Climb

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPHC28 FIND SESSIONS
Join us for a week of reaching new heights! Campers will spend 2 days hiking some of San Diego's beautiful hiking trails and spend 3 days rock climbing at Mesa Rim. When not hiking and climbing, campers will have fun participating in fun camp activities.

Hook, Line & Sinker

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPHLS28 FIND SESSIONS
Fishing camp takes campers around to some of the best pier fishing spots in the county to try their hand at reeling in a big catch! We teach the fundamentals of fishing, such as how to put together the best line for the location and desired catch, how to safely handle a rod, and the little behaviors that will better your chances of catching a fish. Don't have your own rod? No problem! While we encourage campers to bring their own rods, hooks and other fishing gear, we do have loner rods, hooks, bait, etc. (campers may have to share).

Ice Skating

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPIS28 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is designed to be a fun and educational experience for beginner and intermediate ice skaters. Traveling to San Diego Ice Arena, campers will get 30 minutes of instructional lessons every day. Lessons are followed by a four-hour public session where they will skate to the latest tunes. Parents are invited to a basic skills show on Friday. Only skates are provided, however, campers may bring their own skates and gloves. PLEASE NOTE: Campers should bring or wear socks each day. If you don't have a helmet, one will be provided.

LEGO Builders Jr.

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGB28 FIND SESSIONS
This intense LEGO building camp is for the extreme LEGO lover. 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 Coding

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGC28 FIND SESSIONS
Explore the world of coding with the latest LEGO coding tools; campers will build, imagine and program their very own machines during the week. LEGO Coding is an immersive experience introducing and improving your camper's relationship with the world of coding. This camp is perfect for those interested in mechanics, programming and architecture. Let the imagination become reality with this state-of-the-art camp!

LEGO Engineers

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGE28 FIND SESSIONS
Let your imagination run wild with thousands of LEGO parts. Ever imagine what it was like to save the world with LEGO Superheroes!? LEGO Engineers is the perfect camp for campers to explore their creative side. Create motorized and architectural projects while imagination and engineering bring your superpowers to life.

LEGO Mindstorm

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGMR28 FIND SESSIONS
Explore the world-class robotics challenge! Campers will build a cutting-edge EV3 robot and control its movements with motors and sensors. Get your robot to be the best in class at retrieval and target missions on a LEGO playing field.

Little Artists

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLA28 FIND SESSIONS
In this camp, our little artists will be able to express themselves through creating different projects daily. Each day they will learn about a different style of art and practice what they learn. Campers will get to be creative and design their own masterpieces to share and show off. This camp may get a little messy, but it will be tons of fun!

Little Chefs

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLCH28 FIND SESSIONS
In this camp children learn cooking can be creative, full of discovery and lots of fun. Little Chefs will learn age-appropriate culinary skills, basic nutrition and how to create some delicious recipes. Each child will receive a homemade apron and camp cookbook.

Little Gardeners

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLGRD28 FIND SESSIONS
Do you have a green thumb? Now is a great time to find out! Campers will learn the ins and outs of gardening, plus different techniques to help their gardens grow.

Little Scientists

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLSC28 FIND SESSIONS
Unleash your inner scientist as we get exponentially messy. Campers will experiment with foamy explosions, gooey projects and so much more! Campers will also have fun as they participate in camp games, songs and crafts. Please send your camper to camp in clothes that can get messy.

Little Superheroes

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPLS28 FIND SESSIONS
Young superheroes unite! Explore the lives of famous superheroes and supervillains, invent your own character and save the day! We'll design costumes, create superhero powers and follow our own code of superhero behavior. Dive into fun and games, art projects, story adventures, obstacle courses and more.

Musical Theater

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPMT28 FIND SESSIONS
Take the stage in Musical Theatre camp! This camp will take aspiring thespians through the various aspects of theatre, and the steps that go into creating a successful performance at any level of theatre. Your child will work with our professional actors/theatre directors as we go through casting, rehearsal, stage and prop design, choreography and much more; all leading up to the matinee performance at the end of the week. This camp is a great way to build confidence and public speaking skills! It also sets the groundwork for aspiring theater artists.

Ninja Warrior

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPNW28 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is the ultimate test of skill and agility. See if you can scale walls, jump over obstacles and run a strength-testing obstacle course in ninja warrior camp! We'll spend each day trying new events and obstacles.

Ooey Gooey Science

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPOGS28 FIND SESSIONS
Unleash your inner scientist as we get exponentially messy. Campers will experiment with foamy explosions, gooey experiments and other fun projects! Campers will also have fun as they participate in camp games, songs and crafts. Please send your camper to camp in clothes that can get messy.

Outrageous Art

Ages 8-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPOART28 FIND SESSIONS
Get ready to take art to the next level! Campers will learn about different artists and their art forms and will be able to create their own masterpieces through the use of a variety of art mediums like painting, pastels, clay, water colors and more. Be prepared, this camp is sure to be a little messy and a lot of fun!

Outrageous Science

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPOSC28 FIND SESSIONS
As if normal science wasn't enough?! We are upping the experiments to an outrageous level! Campers are introduced to the nature of physics, will explore reactions and take up the role of mad scientist during this week of camp.

Paintball

Ages 7-9 / 10-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPPNTB28 FIND SESSIONS
Traveling daily, your sharpshooter will crawl, roll and dive for a fun-filled experience. Goggles, jump suits, guns, protective headgear and paintballs are all provided - campers are welcome to bring their own equipment as well. PLEASE NOTE: Although all paintball guns are checked by the referees and set for safety at a velocity of 250 feet per second or less, some hits may still cause bruising.

Painting

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPPAINT28 FIND SESSIONS
Express yourself through one of the world's oldest forms of art. Learn a variety of popular painting techniques including those used by several famous artists. You'll leave this camp with new creative painting skills and your very own masterpieces.

Parkour

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPPRK28 FIND SESSIONS
Learn how to run, vault, flip, climb and roll over obstacles in the safety of our gymnastics center. Campers will spend time in the gym and will learn how to safely maneuver through their environment in a fun and creative way. Campers will also participate in camp activities such as art, science and games.

Photography

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPPHT28 FIND SESSIONS
Express your creativity through photography! Participants create a portfolio of their pictures, learning how to organize and place them to showcase each one. Participants learn about lighting, glare, angles, cropping, framing, editing and other details that can make a photo the best it can be! Cameras provided for camp use.

Pickleball

Ages 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPPKLB28 FIND SESSIONS
Your camper will have tons of fun in this accessible, high-energy and fast-paced paddle sport which was created to allow all ages to enjoy this activity. Campers will play pickleball using special paddles and hitting a slightly smaller whiffle ball. This camp is perfect for campers who want to try out a new sport and test out their paddle sport skills.

Pokémon

Ages 7-10| SEARCH CODE: CPPKM28 FIND SESSIONS
Campers, we choose you! Discover the wonderful world of Pokémon, full of mysterious creatures and plenty of adventures. In this camp you'll learn about new released Pokémon and brush up on facts about the classics, while learning the craft of battling, creating new Pokémon and so much more!

Power Team Gymnastics

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPPGT28 FIND SESSIONS
Ever heard of Power Team Gymnastics? Let the coaches of our nationally ranked gymnastics team teach you what it is all about! In this camp, our gymnasts will learn how to perform together in a floor routine, vault, mini tramp and tumbling. Each day will consist of at least 3 hours of gymnastics work along with fun arts, crafts and games. Then the week will end with a mini competition that all parents are invited to watch on Friday.

Radical Reptiles & Friends

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPRRF28 FIND SESSIONS
Meet the cold-blooded creatures of the animal world as we are visited by snakes, frogs, tortoises, turtles, lizards, bugs and other creepy crawlies. Campers' hands-on experience will be enhanced by art projects, games and activities that investigate the lives of reptiles. If you like reptiles and other creepy crawlies, this is certainly the camp for you!

Radical Reptiles & Friends

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPRRF28 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is a perfect fit for our younger campers! Meet the cold-blooded creatures of the animal world as we are visited by snakes, frogs, tortoises, turtles, lizards, bugs and other creepy crawlies. Campers' hands-on experience will be enhanced by art projects, games and activities that investigate the lives of reptiles. If you like reptiles and other creepy crawlies, this is certainly the camp for you!

Robotics

Ages 7-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPRBT28 FIND SESSIONS
This week-long camp will teach campers the fundamental concepts of robotics as they make basic robots to perform a variety of functions. This camp is in line with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) teaching. The lessons we teach in robotics camp will give your child a head-start toward not only being successful in any future technology-based classes but also help them build a love for science and technology that could guide them into what could later become a promising career in the ever-expanding and infinitely marketable tech industry.

Rookie Sports

Ages 5-6 | SEARCH CODE: CPRSP28 FIND SESSIONS
Each week campers will learn how to play sports such as t-ball, basketball, soccer, floor hockey and other fun sports. Our camp staff will provide a fun and engaging camp environment to let your camper explore new sports and learn new skills. Campers will also get the opportunity to participate in traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, songs, games and one to two days of free swim in our Y pool.

SeaWorld

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSWLD28 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 of 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, this camp is sure to make a splash! PLEASE NOTE: SeaWorld Fun Card included at the end of the camp week.

Slime Factory

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPSF28 FIND SESSIONS
Slime factory is the scientific study of all that's NOT allowed at the dinner table. Campers will spend part of their day getting their hands dirty by using different ingredients such as glue, glitter, starch and paint to make the thickest, ooey-gooiest slime around! You won't want to miss this one - it's slime time!

Smash Lab

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSL28 FIND SESSIONS
Everybody knows that if there's one thing kids are great at, it's destruction. Let your child channel their destructive nature and have a blast in the process with Smash Lab Camp! Campers get to build a variety of structures and use a diverse arsenal to tear them down. They'll also get to take apart electronic devices and look at how they work, then put them back together; if they don't work, they're the next smashing target. While we ensure they will have a lot of fun breaking things, we also make sure campers are well­ supervised and safe as they do so.

Soccer

Ages 7-8 / 9-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSC28 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.

Space Academy

Ages 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPSPAC28 FIND SESSIONS
Houston, we have a camp! This camp is an explorative and adventurous dive into the stars above. Campers are taken through a journey of learning about celestial bodies, creating replicas and working together to complete a secret mission assigned to them. Fuel your rockets and prepare for takeoff! Welcome to Space Academy, Cadet!

Sports Galore

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPSG28 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. 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 7-10 | SEARCH CODE: CPSW28 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 lightsabers in a fun and safe environment. Do you have what it takes to become a Jedi Master? Come find out in our amazing force-filled camp!

Super Science

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPSPS28 FIND SESSIONS
Come spend the week experimenting! Campers will spend the week coming up with a science experiment, testing it and entering it in the science fair that will be held on Friday.

Surf

Ages 8-13 | SEARCH CODE: CPSRF28 FIND SESSIONS
This camp is designed for the first-time or beginner surfer and the camper who loves to be in the water. Activities include surfing, body boarding, body surfing and other water games. Our goal is for each camper to stand up and ride the waves! The Y will supply instructional surfboards to loan and for campers to share. All Surf Camp staff are certified as lifeguards and are experienced around the waterfront.

Under the Sea

Ages 5-7 | SEARCH CODE: CPUTS28 FIND SESSIONS
Dive into the magical world of the sea. This camp is a mixture of arts and crafts, games and fun! Campers will spend the week learning about everything under the sea.

Waterpalooza

Ages 8-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPWTRP28 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.

Young Engineers

Ages 8-11 | SEARCH CODE: CPYE28 FIND SESSIONS
Design, create and test amazing builds such as crash test cars, air rockets and bridges. The fun gets bigger and wilder when campers split into teams to build ballistics projects like catapults and marshmallow shooters to lay siege to the other team's base in a friendly battle.

Zoo

Ages 7-12 | SEARCH CODE: CPZOO28 FIND SESSIONS
Each day campers will get an exclusive experience with the zany doctor or zoo educator, then spend the rest of the day exploring the incredible exhibits at the San Diego Zoo. If you love monkeying around, this experience is for you. Don't forget your walking shoes!

REGISTER

 


 

 

 

About Us

Our Branch

Dan McKinney Family YMCA
Address: 8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla, CA, 92037
Phone: (858) 453-3483
 

Camp Locations and Hours of Operation

Dan McKinney Family YMCA
Address: 8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla, CA, 92037
Camp Hours: 
Full day
: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Drop-off: 8:00am - 9:00am | Pick-up: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Extended care (extra fee): 7:30-8:00am | 4:00-5:30pm

Directors and Supervisors

Steven Pagan
Camp Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (858) 453-3483 ext. 2517

Hannah Lewis
Camp Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (858) 453-3483  ext. 1832

About Our Staff

Dan McKinney 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.

Waitlists

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 Steven Pagan at [email protected], with any questions, comments or concerns!