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Day Camp

Leave Ordinary at the Door. Extraordinary is in Store.

Day Camp at the Buehler YMCA is unlike any other. It’s a time for youth to stretch their imaginations. Flex their creativity muscles. Learn new and extraordinary skills. Conquer the toughest of challenges. And play until the last whistle blows. 

At the Buehler YMCA, we’re putting play at the center of everything we do. At Y Day Camp, we play for fun and for serious. And we can’t wait to see how youth discover their favorite ways to play all summer long!

Register While You Can

Don’t miss out on the summer of a lifetime! Day Camp registration opens March 1, 2024 for members and March 15, 2024 for non-members. Our camps are filling up quickly. So grab a spot before they’re all gone and get ready to jump into a world of fun and creative exploration! 

Register for Day Camp

Find the Right Day Camp For You

Whether it's participating in an array of education and recreational activities, learning skills and strategies in sports, or blasting off into fun, the Y has a Day Camp for you. We’ve even put together this extensive (but helpful!) e-brochure that showcases all of the programs available at the Buehler Y and across our Association. 

View the E-Brochure

Immerse Yourself in Our Weekly Themes!

Discover a different side of yourself each week with our Day Camp weekly themes. Our creative themes help campers dive deep into their imaginations and experience Day Camp to its fullest!

Buehler YMCA Day Camp Themes


Week 1: Dive into Summer

Week 2: Color Your World

Week 3: Cartoon Classic

Week 4: Wild Wild Midwest

Week 5: Red, White & YOU!

Week 6: Seas the Day

Week 7: Greatest Hits

Week 8: Dig, Plant, Grow

Week 9: Full STEAM Ahead

Week 10: Game Shows Galore

Week 11: Around the World in 5 Days

Week 12: Superhero Academy

Week 13: Wacky & Wonderful

Keeping Youth Safe All Summer Long

Under the supervision of our experienced staff that are trained in first aid, CPR, child-abuse prevention, water safety, and health and safety protocols, youth will experience a full day of play, exploration, learning, and personal growth. Many of our counselors and staff themselves attended Y Day Camp, which has ignited their own passions for helping youth make friends, develop skills, and — of course — have fun. 

Preschool Age Children

The summer is a great time to start! Success starts early! That’s why the Buehler YMCA offers DCFS-licensed, year-round Early Learning programs for 2.5- 5 -year olds. Our teachers are professionally trained and DCFS- certified, with continual professional development to ensure the best and most current practices in the classroom are happening.

Our preschool programs offer children the ability to learn through play and to confidently explore and build positive self-esteem. Our preschool Creative Curriculum promotes individual children’s growth through play, investigation, exploration and creativity. 

We provide a catered nutritional breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, weekly swimming for full-time children when instructors are available, an indoor and outdoor play area, weekly library visits and field trips.

Learn More

Partners

Meet Your Camp Leaders

Say hello to the leaders who bring their own passions and enthusiasm to Day Camp every day! 

  • Liza Nicol

    Youth Development Director

  • Gabrielle Bye

    Camp Coordinator

  • Jenn Stricker

    Early Learning Manager

  • Elizabeth Washburn

    Sports and Gymnastics Manager, Buehler YMCA

  • Emergency Packet
    Emergency Packet (Spanish version)
    2024 Buehler YMCA Day Camp Parent Handbook
    Permission to Dispense
    Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan Form
    Draft Form

  • We’ve got the best in the (day camp) biz — and our Day Camp leaders are here to help you navigate our camp offerings and find the best options for our campers! 

    Liza Nicol
    Youth Development Director, Buehler YMCA
    847-410-5233 | [email protected] 

    Jenn Stricker
    Early Learning Manager, Buehler YMCA
    847-410-5230 | [email protected] 

    Elizabeth Washburn 
    Sports and Gymnastics Manager, Buehler YMCA
    847-410-5213 | [email protected] 

  • The Y’s typical Day Camp schedule includes a welcome activity, opening circle/check-in, experiential learning time, snack time, physical activity, lunch, literacy, intentional choice time, closing circle, and checkout/goal review. Weekly activities may also include swimming and/or offsite field trips — and your Camp Director will have additional information on special activities as the summer approaches!

    Before care typically runs from 7 to 9 a.m., camp programming from 9 to 4 p.m., and after care from 4 to 6 p.m. Please check with your camp site for specific program times. Before and after care are included with your registration at no additional cost.

    • Active, comfortable clothing (anything you don’t mind getting dirty)
    • Close-toed shoes
    • Water bottle 
    • Sunscreen
    • Swimsuit & towel/life jacket if required for swim level
    • Lunch and snack (nut free)
    • Mask (optional)
    • A positive attitude and desire to have fun!

  • The YMCA is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of all of our campers!

    Sign-in and sign-out procedures at pick-up and drop-off will occur curbside, or outside of the building/camp area. 

    Handwashing procedures are reinforced and integrated into activities throughout the day. 

    Campers should bring a labeled water bottle with them every day. Water filling stations will be made available to campers and staff. 

    Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place, including the frequent sterilization on high touch objects, surfaces, and toys, as well as overnight deep cleaning of our facilities. 

    Staff will go through extensive training to be prepared to carry out all the safety procedures required.

  • Registration can be completed online, at your local Y, or via phone. If you prefer to contact our team, please call 847-359-2400 or contact Lamya Cristillo our Eligibility and Enrollment Coordinator at 312-545-1730 or via email at [email protected].

  • The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago works to create a positive environment for all of its members, including those with disabilities. If your camper requires a modification due to a disability, our Inclusion team is happy to work with you to create a plan for support. Look for and select the modification request on our registration platforms  online, in-person, and on paper enrollment forms. For more information, please visit our Inclusion Services webpage. 
  • All campers participating in Traditional Day Camp and Specialty Camp are required to put down a non-refundable deposit per week of camp. If you are using the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and have a copay under $100 or have siblings with $0 copay, no deposit is needed.

    All campers must be fully paid in full by the Wednesday prior to attending the week of camp. A $15 late fee will be added for payments made after the Wednesday before the week of camp, which is due before the first day of the camp week. Vouchers on the account will be applied to childcare balances.

    Once your summer camp week(s) ends and if you do not plan on further using your Y membership, the membership must be canceled by the membership department/front desk. Please note, there is a minimum of 5 business days’ notice before your next drafting date that is required. Any membership cancellation will be effective as of the next billing cycle. The cancellation may be made in person or email with receipt of confirmation. All campers must hold a valid youth or family Y membership to receive the member rate, and it must remain valid until September 1, 2024.  
    • Camp deposits for all camps are non-refundable.
    • Camp deposits for all camps are non-transferable.
    • All specialty camps have a deposit, to be paid like traditional camps.
    • All cancellations must be in writing 14 business days prior to the start of registered camp week and will be issued as a voucher for use toward other Y fees. The deposit will be forfeited.
    • All cancellations made less than 14 business days prior to the start of registered camp week will be non refundable and non transferable.
    • In the event the YMCA cancels a camp week, all money paid, including the deposit is refunded.

    Refunds required due to third-party approval will be processed two weeks after the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) approval letter arrives at the center. CCAP balances will be the financial responsibility of the parent/guardian.

  • All paperwork, including the emergency packet, is due the Wednesday before your child attends camp. Campers will not be permitted into their day camp without receipt of these documents. Documents are provided to you when you register your child(ren). 

    If your camper has a medical need requiring medication during camp (routine or emergency medication), the Permission to Dispense Medication form must be completed and turned into your Camp Director. Additionally, any camper with an allergy requiring emergency medication must have a Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis form on file as well. 

  • No! The Y is for everyone, and you do not have to be a member to participate in Day Camp. However, members do receive a discount* and early access to registration. 

    *All campers must hold an active and valid Youth, Parent & Child, or Family membership or Youth Program Pass at the YMCA of Metro Chicago to receive the member rate, and it must remain active and valid until at least September 1, 2024. If membership is terminated prior to September 1, 2024, the non-member rate is due on all camp registrations after the date the membership is terminated.

  • Fifteen—YES, FIFTEEN—locations across Chicagoland offer Day Camp! 

    These locations include: 


    *Day Camp programming is held at neighboring schools throughout the summer. More information will be available as part of the registration process.