YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Day Campers at YMCA Camp Ohiyesa

Where each day comes to life

Day Camp is a great introduction to the benefits and activities of a Camp Ohiyesa experience in an action-packed day. For boys and girls grades K-8 there is no better way to spend a week participating in safe, fun, quality programs in a convenient location.

Our caring, responsible staff is trained in a variety of areas including child development, activity leadership, behavior management, sports, and swim instruction. In addition to the exciting activities and new friendships, lunch and an afternoon snack are included daily. In the mornings campers travel with their counselors and age group to a variety of activities that change each day. Each group’s schedule is designed for their age. In the afternoon, we offer specialty options when campers can choose which activity they’d like to try.

Day campers at Ohiyesa are separated by grade into one of four groups; Jolee (ages 7 and under), Casper (ages 8-9), Alastair (ages 10-11) & Royale (ages 12+). The daily schedule that your camper follows will be determined by the group they are placed in, with age-appropriate schedules being set throughout. Younger campers (Jolee & Casper) will follow a set schedule taking them through all of the activities on offer at a set time, while Alastair & Royale campers are offered more choice on the activities they do each day, while always having the option to take in everything during their week.

Camp Ohiyesa Day Camp Schedule

Though there are variations, a typical day camp schedule looks like this:

7:30Early morning care
8:15Check-in & buses arrive
9:15Opening Ceremony
9:30Activity Period #1
10:30Activity Period #2
11:20Round Up
11:30Lunch
12:30Activity Period #3
1:15Activity Period #4
2:45Swimming, Waterslide and Beach Fun
4:00Snack and Closing Ceremony. Buses depart
4:15-5:00Check-out
5:00-5:30Afternoon care

Download our Parent Handbook for more information about preparing for camp!

Day Camp Sessions

Day Camp 016/9/25–6/13/25Around the Worldregister
Day Camp 026/16/25–6/20/25Knights of Ohiyesaregister
Day Camp 036/23/25–6/27/25Wizarding Worldregister
Day Camp 046/30/25–7/3/25
No camp July 4.		Halloweenregister
Day Camp 057/7/25–7/11/25Star Warsregister
Day Camp 067/14/25–7/18/25Pokémonregister
Day Camp 077/21/25–7/25/25Trapped in TVregister
Day Camp 087/28/25–8/1/25Battle of the Bandsregister
Day Camp 098/4/25–8/8/25Piratesregister
Day Camp 108/11/25–8/15/25Disneyregister
Day Camp 118/18/25–8/22/25Jurassic Campregister

Day Camp Rates

Day Camp FeesFee on 10/31/24Fee after 10/31/24
Traditional Day Camp$309$339
Saddle Club+$154
AM Care 7:30-8:15 am, includes breakfast+$25
PM Care 5:00-5:30 pm+$10

Day Camp Bus Options

Bussing is not available during Day Camp session 10 or 11.

LocationPickup TimesSessionsFee
B = Birmingham YMCA7:45 am / 5:30 pm1-9$104
N = Novi Kroger7:30 am / 5:15 pm1-9$104
M = Milford – Carls Family YMCA8:00 am / 4:45 pm1-9$84
W = White Lake Kroger8:45 am / 4:30 pm1-9$84

Day Camp Add-ons

Saddle Club

A wonderful opportunity to enjoy horses, Saddle Club teaches fundamental horse riding, maintenance, and care. Saddle Club is an add-on activity where campers will be at the barn for one hour (one activity period) each day. Saddle club is a great introductory program for first time riders. Please pack any shoe with a heel and a pair of pants (leggings/sweatpants/jeans) to keep at the barn. Helmets are provided Campers may not ride each day. Typically, on the first day, campers will learn the barn rules, the basics in terms of behavior around horses, a review of equipment, care and feeding. Campers will also not ride in inclement weather such as extreme heat, thunderstorms, or flooded trails/arenas. A partial refund will only be granted upon request if campers ride fewer than three days in a given session.

Saddle Club (ages 9 and up) is available during every Day Camp Session.

a photo of a young girl smiling with her soiled hands

Day Camp Activities

All of our activities are ‘Challenge by Choice;’ we create an environment to encourage campers to push themselves to try each activity, but we never make anyone try something they don’t want to.

a photo of a kid climbing a bunch of woods
While scaling the massive Alpine Tower, climbers can choose the challenges they want to tackle, all the while building confidence and endurance.
a girl smiling next to her crafted material
Campers spend their arts and crafts time making, friendship bracelets, tie-dying and learning origami and other creative skills.
a photo of gathered people in a forest
Played inside a waist-high octagon arena, Gaga ball is a fast-paced, safer version of dodgeball. Using only swatting motions, campers try to avoid being bumped by a ball as it bounces off the inside walls of the arena.
a girl smiling next to a water slide
Campers love taking the plunge down our 100-foot wet willie water slide during the summer months. Like all water activities, campers are closely supervised by lifeguards and all sliders wear lifejackets.
a kid riding a zipline
Our zip line tower empowers campers to overcome their fears. Our well-trained high ropes staff guides participants every step–or leap–of the way.
a photo of a kid practicing bow and arrow with a big guy in blue shirt
A skill that has been practiced at Camp Ohiyesa since 1918, archery teaches campers about struggle, determination and success.
a photo of people riding a boat on a lake
Canoeing in our tandem and voyageur canoes year-round is an exciting way to explore Fish Lake. All boating activities are supervised by our expertly trained and licensed lifeguards.
a photo of a kid climbing a wall
Campers navigate their way up the Climbing Tower footholds to reach their goal. Fellow members of the group team belay for the climber and encourage them to push through the burn and ring the bell.
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One of the most idyllic places at camp, the Council Ring lakeside amphitheater is where campers gather to sing songs, perform skits, laugh and toast golden brown s’mores.
a photo of a kid in a giant swing
At the Giant Swing, campers choose how high they want to go and then yell “brace yourself” before letting go of the release mechanism and swinging through the air. It’s a great place to get photos of wacky facial reactions!
two girls smiling in front of a horse
Horseback rides are a great way to learn about independence and friendship, both with humans and animals! Ohiyesa is home to 12 horses in the summer, and campers are carefully paired with a four-legged friend for supervised rides.
a photo of some people in the forest
Many lessons on teamwork are learned at our teams courses. Participants are given a task and work their way through achieving it with the help of a counselor. After each experience, the group debriefs struggles, successes, and major takeaways.
a photo of a lake with a slide
Jump off the floating dock, build a sandcastle, improve your backstroke and cool down on a hot day at the waterfront. Camp has a long tradition of aquatic safety and campers are closely supervised by highly skilled, certified lifeguards.
a photo of a boat with some people in it in the middle of the sea
Campers enjoy views of camp, the lake and bald eagles on guided, leisurely boat rides. Like all water activities, campers wear lifejackets and are under the close supervision of lifeguards.
a photo of a boy smiling while a fish is being caught
As with all activities in and around the water, campers always wear lifejackets and are under the close supervision of our instructors and lifeguards when they go fishing.
a photo of people enjoying playing on a big soccer ball
Campers learn sportsmanship and skills through a wide range of sports at camp. While we focus on teamwork and respect, we keep games fresh by adding a camp twist!