Meet Our Day Camp Team: Peggy Aylmer
Peggy Aylmer, Day Camp Director at YMCA Camp Duncan, grew up in Algonquin, Illinois, and has had roots at Camp Duncan since she was 8 years old. Every summer, she attended at least one week at Camp Duncan, first attending overnight camp and eventually working at the Y — which she’s done since 2016! In all this time, she only missed one summer at Camp Duncan, when she was working as an au pair during a year living in France.
Q: What is your favorite part of working at the YMCA?
A: That every day in the summer, my job is to be outside and kick butt in the Gaga pit!
Q: What do you like most about the work that the Y does?
A: We get to provide so many kids with the opportunity to go to camp, which I think is such an important thing for every child to get to experience because camp is a place where you can be your most authentic self.
Q: What is your favorite part about Day Camp at the Y?
A: Watching the talent show every Friday.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Day Camp at the Y?
A: Too many to pick just one! Maybe watching counselor corcl races on theme days.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career so far?
A: Becoming Day Camp Director!
Q: What’s one thing people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
A: I’ve never broken a bone (knock on wood!).
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be (and why)?
A: Control the weather, so that we don’t have any rainy days at summer camp and can always have snow on the sledding hill at winter break camp.
Q: What’s the last song you listened to?
A: World’s Smallest Violin by AJR.
Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
A: Visit every national park.
The YMCA of Metro Chicago believes in the power of play. We play for fun and for progress. Day Camp at the Y empowers Chicagoland youth to do mighty things — making friends, developing new skills, creating life-shaping experiences, and so much more!
Our experienced and talented counselors and staff are committed to making sure your camper experiences a full day of play, exploration, learning, and personal growth. Here at the Y, we want to show off our Day Camp team’s amazing talents and contributions to our community — and find even more talented, community-oriented individuals who want to work at the YMCA!