Camp Explorer
Camp Explorer, located at Apex Elementary School, is packed with activities, games and fun. Campers spend the day swimming, creating crafts, playing kickball, pickup basketball, and soccer and enjoying games like gaga ball and capture the flag.
Camp Explorer Sessions
There will be nine weeks of Camp Explorer at Apex Elementary School this summer. July 3 is a holiday, and camp will be closed.
Calling all aliens, astronauts, time travelers, and wizards! Your camper will blast out of this world and into summer at the YMCA! Campers will fuel up their spaceships, time-traveling cars, and brooms this week. Campers bring their magic, stars, and amazing costumes to a week so fun, it’s out of this world!
This high-energy week brings campers together through teamwork, character building, and vibrant activities. Each day, a YMCA character trait and color are highlighted with games, crafts, and challenges. The week ends with a Color Run, a fun race where campers celebrate community and spirit with a burst of bright colors.
It’s America’s birthday—and camp is throwing the party! Campers celebrate with red, white and blue games, challenges, crafts, and celebrations as camp honors 250 years of history, community, and summer fun the YMCA way.
It’s a week full of games, laughter, and classic carnival fun. Campers step right up to creative activities, silly challenges, and festive surprises that bring the magic of the midway to life.
Camp hits rewind and campers learn what made yesterday so awesome! Campers step into different time periods, learning how people lived, played, created, and imagined the world. With themed crafts, outdoor adventures, dress-up days, and classic games, every era becomes a brand-new adventure.
Campers explore the excitement of various holidays, including the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, and more, through games, crafts, and festive challenges. Each day immerses kids in a new celebration, sparking imagination and cultural curiosity. The week wraps up with a special YMCA Birthday Party, where all campers come together for a joyful celebration of the Y.
Campers dance at a beach party, play wet and wild water games, do seaside inspired crafts, and splash around with new friends. Summer might be hot, but at the YMCA, it's nothing but fun in the summer sun!
Campers are the stars during this week filled with excitement and imagination. Through arts and crafts, active games, and tons of other fun activities, campers will experience what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.
Campers will step into their own superhero stories through teamwork challenges, creative missions, and character-building fun. This week celebrates courage, kindness, and the unique strengths of every hero.
Registration
All YMCA Day Camps require a $20 deposit per session. If you do not have a YMCA account, you can create one at the time of registration.
YMCA Day Camp Experience
From preparation to programming, these are the essentials that shape each camp day.
Counselors & Staff
YMCA Day Camp operates with a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio. We hire high schoolers, college students and teachers to lead activities, drive buses and facilitate summer camp. Each staff member undergoes extensive training - from CPR and First Aid to leading assemblies. Many staff are former campers and return summer after summer.
Swimming at Day Camp
Almost all YMCA Day Camps offer free swim times or water play (for younger campers). Each camper is assessed for their swim ability on the first swim day of the session. Campers are issued swim bands that identify their swim levels. Swim bands also help lifeguards and counselors identify which areas of the pool are appropriate for each camper.
Weather Management
From outdoor games to water play, day camp is designed to keep kids moving, learning and connecting. But when the heat index rises, so does our responsibility to make smart, timely adjustments that protect campers and staff.
Huddles
Huddles are small groups of campers of similar age and grade who are grouped together at day camp. Typically, huddles move together throughout the day to difference activities. Each huddle is accompanied by two or more counselors.
Character Traits
Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Honesty, and Faith are the character traits the YMCA uses to reinforce positive behavior. Campers can earn beads by demonstrating these traits. Each camper (ages 5 and older) receives a necklace on the first day camp for their beads.
Camp Explorer FAQs
Rides In: 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Rides Out: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Pick up and drop off will happen in the carpool loop off of Tingen Road. A staff member will be outside to greet you from 7 - 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 - 6 p.m. If you are dropping off or picking up outside of these times, please call 919-815-3342. A staff member will assist you at your vehicle. Parents must present a pick-up card (provided on your child’s first day of the program) or an I.D. as a safety precaution. Rides Out ends at 6 p.m.
Camp Explorer will swim twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, at the Kraft Family YMCA!
We ask that your child is dropped off no later than 9:25 a.m. to catch the bus.
Have questions about camp? We will talk through camp logistics and have a Q & A time for parents at our Parent Orientation.
Check your email for the link.
During Family Nights, you and your child are invited to attend camp together and experience what it is all about! Campers are invited to join us even if they are not registered for camp during the week of our Family Nights.
2026 Family Nights
July 9 and August 6
Campers are asked to bring a change of clothes, a swimsuit, a towel, lunch, two snacks, and a refillable water bottle. Most campers pack everything in a backpack.
Sunscreen/insect repellent (lotions and sprays) requires a Sunscreen/Insect Repellent Distribution Form to be completed if you wish for the Y to apply it to your child. This is part of the YMCA Medication Distribution & Sunscreen Application form.
We recommend that your child bring spray sunscreen and repellent for personal use if you prefer they self-apply. Please mark your child's first and last name on the bottles.
Other Day Camps
Offered by the Kraft Family YMCA
