The Y’s day camp offers a mix of fun and educational activities aimed at improving kids’ well-being, such as swimming, hands-on science experiments with University of Pittsburgh’s School of Science, nature hikes and developing 21st Century skills through leadership and small group team building. Our program centers on three areas proven to impact kids’ development: friendship, accomplishment and belonging.
“I really like that my daughter gets to be outside during summer and is busy with a variety of activities and making new friends. She’s safe while I’m at work and the counselors seem to take a genuine interest in her and really try to make it a positive experience.”
-Day Camper’s Mom 2014
Working with SEER Analytics, a national research firm, the Y recently surveyed nearly 30,000 parents and caregivers with kids enrolled in camp at nearly 190 Y associations across the country to find out how camp benefits kids. Ninety-two percent of parents/caregivers said they agreed the Y’s day camp program helped kids make new friends. In addition, 83 percent said they agreed the program helped their kids discover what they can achieve, while 87 percent agreed their child felt a sense of belonging at their Y camp.
“At the Y, we know that when kids are given an opportunity to accomplish new skills, make friends and feel like they belong, they are comfortable expressing individuality and feel more confident, connected and supported,” says Todd Brinkman, vice president of Camping Services at the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. “We are focusing on these youth development areas to ensure that kids in our day camp program go home with so much excitement for all they’ve accomplished and enjoyed that they can’t wait to come back the next day.”
The Y’s camp activities help kids grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Character development provides a universal theme that’s been a hallmark in Y youth programming for over 160 years. Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are woven in to activities and modeled by counselors. Kids develop in to better leaders when they learn to work with and support other kids for a common goal. They increase their appreciation of diversity by learning to respect people of different cultures, abilities and incomes. And, they can develop stronger personal and family relationships by learning to care more about how they communicate and interact with friends and family.
Y overnight campers practice skills that lead them to be more independent, resilient, collaborative, and self-confident in an environment of support, healthy risk taking, free play, and group living. Through the camp environment and culture we offer programs that support 30 character competencies built around our core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. By delivering over 60 unique activities, from archery to nature crafts, a canoe trip or the zip-line, and so much more, an experience is delivered that teaches skills needed for future success in an atmosphere of fun and adventure by college-age role models and mentors. This experience, topped off with friendships and memories that our campers keep forever, is the perfect way for your son or daughter to spend their summer.
When our job is done, we’ve inspired and equipped campers to find their path, unlocked potential within our campers, and played a role in creating people of consequence.
As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, the Y offers so much more than a place to play and have fun. Through a holistic approach to youth development, the Y nurtures the potential of children and teens from birth to career to help them achieve in school and life. Through day camp, overnight camps and other youth development programs, the Y is working to keep kids active and address gaps in learning when school is not in session.
New Day Camp Enrichment Program Promoting Accomplishment, Belonging & Friendship:
Regional Adventure Day Camps:
Bussing provided from the Baierl Family Y and St. John's Lutheran Church
Cloverleaf YMCA South
Bussing provided from St. Louise de Marillac, Shop’n Save Castle Shannon, South Park Outdoor Ice Rink, South Hills Village Mall
Neighborhood Camps:
Super Summer Friends Day Camp Program Builds Confidence, Character & Friendships:
To learn more about the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s Camping programs, visit www.YCamps.org
