Kindercamp
Kindercamp at the Northwest Cary Y is a half-day summer day camp for our littlest campers ages three - five. These half-day programs are a great introduction to the structure and rhythm of day camp. Days are filled with songs, games, water play, circle time and crafts.
Kindercamp Sessions
at the Northwest Cary Y
There will be eight weeks of Kindercamp this summer at the Northwest Cary Y. July 3 is a holiday, and camp will be closed.
This creative week invites campers to explore colors, textures, and materials through process-based art and sensory play. The focus is on experimenting and expressing — not perfection — helping little ones build confidence, fine motor skills, and joy through hands-on creativity.
Campers get ready for a playful week of movement, music, and make-believe! Campers will dance with ribbons, try silly balancing games, explore pretend performances, and create colorful crafts inspired by the circus. Through imaginative play and group activities, children build confidence, coordination, and joy while having fun together under the big top.
Sun, sand and smiles! Campers will enjoy beach-inspired fun with water play, music, dancing and seaside crafts. They will explore colors, textures, and movement inspired by summer, the beach and water.
Wild fun for future Zoologists! Campers will roar, hop, swim and wiggle through a week of animal-themed games, songs and crafts. They’ll explore different animals and habitats through movement, pretend play and hands-on fun designed just for curious little minds.
Stomp, roar and explore! Your young paleontologists will travel back in time for dinosaur-themed fun filled with movement games, crafts, and imaginative play. From big stomps to tiny fossils, this week is all about curiosity, creativity, and playful discovery.
Mix, stir and smile! Campers explore pretend cooking, simple food-themed crafts, and sensory play. This week encourages creativity, sharing and independence as little chefs cook up big fun!
Build it big! Campers stack, build, and create with blocks, boxes and imagination. Through hands-on play and movement activities, little builders develop coordination, problem-solving and teamwork.
Campers explore nature through outdoor play, sensory activities and simple discoveries. From leaves and bugs to sunshine and flowers, this week encourages curiosity, wonder and a love of the outdoors.
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.
Kindercamp FAQs
Pick up and drop off will be in front of our Northwest Cary YMCA Pool. Please park in the spots outlined in the image below, and walk your camper to check in with a YMCA staff member near our turf field (marked as a STAR on the map below). You will pick up in the same location.
The pool parking lot is accessible from:
- Our main entrance from Carpenter Fire Station Road. If using this entrance, please take a left at the end of our driveway and make your way around our facility. Turn right on Billings Dr. and our pool will be on your right!
- Carpenter Fire Station Road (across from the Fire Station). If using this entrance, please drive straight down Billings Dr. and our pool will be on your right. (As shown in the map below.)
- Highway 55 → Indian Wells Rd. → Billings Dr. If using this entrance, turn right onto Indian Wells Rd. from Highway 55. Take a right onto Billings Dr. and our pool will be on your left.
Parent Orientation
Join us for a Parent Orientation to camp. We will have an information session and pickup cards will be available for the carpool line.
Family Days
Join us for an evening of family fun. Kindercamp Family Nights happen three times a summer; once in June, July and August. Campers and their families attend a special evening of camp programming and fun.
Specific dates and details will be announced in June.
Kindercamp has weekly themes to add interest and variety. We have themed Wednesdays, special guests, water play and pool days.
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 Northwest Cary YMCA
