Over 170 years of Summer Adventure in Metro Detroit
At Y Summer Day Camp, kids make new friends, accomplish goals and learn new skills, and experience belonging in a way that only the Y can provide. Every new experience comes with a chance to learn and grow. At the Y, we strive to give every child and teen opportunities to test their own limits and explore their potential.
Financial assistance may be provided to eligible families, based upon need and available donor support. Contact us via email daycamp@ymcadetroit.org for more information.
Metro Detroit Day Camp Locations
Birmingham YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: The end of the Y parking lot. Please park your car and walk your child to the pop-up tent! If it rains campers can be dropped off at the double doors located by the bike rack in the parking lot. Please note that Edgewood road is closed for the foreseeable future due to construction.
Lisel Scranton, Camp Director
Boll YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Outside the playground of the Y. Parents are able to park in the child care lot on Farmer Street for drop-off and pick-up.
Klark Waterman, Camp Director
Carls YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Follow the signs along the outer road of the parking lot to the check-out table, where a member of staff will greet you.
Andrew McInerney, Camp Director
Downriver YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Inside the Y in the Welcome Center
Michelle Morales, Camp Director
Farmington YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Weather permitting, outside the Y in the Corral or in inside the Y in the Gymnasium
Mallory Kasper, Camp Director
Macomb YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Inside the Y in the Welcome Center
Connor Quigley, Camp Director
Plymouth YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: At the day camp pavilion next to the tennis courts located in the back parking lot of the PARC building off of Adams Street. For inclement weather we will be located inside the PARC gym
Marit Olsen, Camp Director
South Oakland YMCA Day Camp
Sign In & Out Location: Weather permitting, outside the Y in the back of the parking lot, or inside the Y in the Welcome Center
Chimere Ansley, Camp Director
YMCA Camp Nissokone
Sign In & Out Location: the Camp Nissokone office
Ryan Mertz, Camp Director
YMCA Camp Ohiyesa
Sign In & Out Location: Follow the signs to enter camp, and turn left at the stop sign towards Base Camp/Horse Barn
Ryan Mertz, Camp Director
Day Camp Dates & Weekly Themes
Week A (June 10-14): Summer Blast Off
Rockets! Dance Party! Tye Dye! Games! Did you miss Day Camp as much as we did?! Join us for a week filled with awesome fun as we blast off into summer!
Week B (June 17–21): Heroes Week
Dust off your capes, charge up your lasers, and call your sidekick because it’s SUPER HERO week! This week, counselors and campers are encouraged to dress up like their favorite Superheroes while engaging in fun and exciting activities!
Week C (June 24–28): Wild Discoveries Week
Take a walk on the wild side! Campers will learn all about different animals, including their habitats, what they eat, where they live and so much more.
Week D (July 1–3 ): Camp Carnival Week
Campers will participate in carnival classics including bean bag toss, guessing games, potato sack racing, and many more! This week will be full of engaging science experiments, crafts and activities to give campers the experience of a carnival, right here at camp! *NO PROGRAMS WILL RUN 4TH OR 5TH OF JULY
Week E (July 8–12): Prehistoric Adventures Week
Here comes all things dinosaurs! Campers will have an amazing time learning about prehistoric flora and fauna, and the fun mysteries of life on earth in prehistoric times.
Week F (July 15–19): Wacky Water Week
Ride the wave of wacky water fun in our wettest week of the summer! Arm yourself with water balloons, pack your swimsuit, win a water relay, and prepare to get soaked!
Week G (July 22–26): Around The World Week
Explore the globe as we learn about different countries and cultures!
Week H (July 29–August 2): DIY Week
Campers will have a blast this week exploring a variety of fun DIY projects! Campers will grow their creativity and learn a new skill or have something cool to take home after!
Week I (August 5–9): Y-Lympics Week
Jump, Sprint, and Move your way through our Y-Lympics week! Campers and their teams will play games, compete in obstacle courses, challenge their minds in trivia, show off their artistic abilities, and cheer their way onto the podium!
Week J (August 12–16): Spirit Week
Compete with your team and show your camp pride! Camp teams will create camp-themed banners, songs, dances, and mascots to help them cheer their way through the weekly activities.
Week K (August 19–23): Best of Camp Week
Campers can relive the most popular activities of the summer in just one week! Water games, wacky science experiments, ice cream, and capture the flag, just to name a few. The best part? Campers get to vote to help create the schedule! It’s the very best way to end an awesome summer!
Day Camp Activities
How to Prepare for Day Camp
List items may vary by location. If you’re unsure what your camper needs every day please contact your local Y.
What to Bring from Home
- Be sure to dress for the weather and label all belongings.
- A sturdy backpack for belongings is recommended.
- Closed-toed shoes are mandatory. For safety reasons, open-toed shoes or sandals are not permitted at Day Camp.
- Please pack 1-2 healthy snacks each day.
- Swimsuit and bath or beach towel—labeled with camper’s first and last name.
- Extra clothes (T-shirt, shorts, and shoes) highly recommended for children 6 and younger.
- Leak proof, non-breakable water bottle—labeled with camper’s first & last name.
What to Leave at Home
- Gum, candy, sugar-sweetened beverages (pop, sports drinks, energy drinks)
- All toys All electronic devices
- Any type of cards: magic, trading, Pokemon, etc.
- Pocket knives/weapons
- Expensive items Cell phones, phone watches, tablets, computers, etc.
- Fireworks (firecracker, sparklers, etc.)
- Any additional items or clothing deemed inappropriate
About Y Day Camp
Safe, Licensed Program
Safety is our motivation at the Y. We hold our programs to the very highest standards through internal assessments and external inspections. Many of our summer day camps voluntarily fulfill with third party requirements and regulation, including state-licensing and/or ACA accreditation. This helps further ensure a safe, healthy and worthwhile camping experience.
Certified, Well-Trained Staff
Y counselors are dedicated to making sure summer day camp is an amazing experience for every camper. Each “Professional Role Model” has the knowledge and training to make each moment of your camper’s summer fun and enriching. Our staff believes in developing youth through nurturing the potential of every camper.
Camper-Counselor Ratios at Camp
- 6 campers : 1 counselor for ages 3-5
- 8 campers : 1 counselor for ages 6-8
- 10 campers : 1 counselor for ages 9-11
- 12 campers : 1 counselor for ages 12-17
Staff Qualifications
All Y staff meet the following criteria before joining our team:
- CPR certification
- First Aid certification
- Child Safe certification
- Background check
- Drug screen
Financial Assistance Available to Qualified Families
We work hard throughout the year so everyone can be a part of the Y. Our Annual Campaign makes financial assistance available for those who qualify.