PUDDLE JUMPERS
Ages 3-5

Develop friendships and build skills through inquiry, exploration and fun weekly themed activities in this air-conditioned location. Camp includes outdoor playground time, water play, arts & crafts, camp sing-a-longs, games and guest performances. Campers must be at least 3 years old at the start of the session and toilet trained. 3-day session is Tuesday-Thursday.

 

LITTLE EXPLORER
Ages 3-5

Build confidence and friendships through exploration,
creativity and fun! Campers participate in activities which foster positive growth and development including outdoor play, arts & crafts, water play, stories, songs and specialty days. Fine and gross motor skills are incorporated daily. Children must be at least 3 years old at the start of the session. 3-day session is Tuesday-Thursday.

 

SUNSHINE
Entering grades K-2

It’s like walking on sunshine at camp! This fun and educationally-structured environment encourages exploration time through centers and outside discovery.
The development of children’s self-esteem and their social-emotional learning are reinforced and expanded throughout the day. Each week we explore a different theme which comes alive through art and science projects, games and activities. Camp also includes sports, team building, themed dress up days, playground time and much more. Campers and staff travel by bus to the Main Y Facility for instructional swim and/or recreational swim. Plus, there is a weekly special event or trip!

 

DISCOVERY
Entering grades 3-6

Discover the adventures of summer camp in an indoor air-conditioned facility. Campers experience the summer in a fun and supportive environment with skilled and nurturing staff. Each week offers a new theme to investigate through exciting activities and special projects including arts and crafts, science, team building, group games, outdoor fun, recreational swim and a special event or trip.

 

EXPLORER
Entering grades K-5
Hello Summer! Inside or outside, the fun doesn’t stop. This versatile camp includes a spacious outdoor field as well as fully air-conditioned indoor classrooms. Campers have the opportunity to get their bodies moving with outdoor team building games and cool down with classic arts and crafts and indoor play! Each week includes an exciting special event or trip. Campers and staff are bused to the Main Y Facility for swimming. Come join us for the best summer ever! 3-day
session is Tuesday-Thursday (week 2 is Wednesday-Friday).

 

PIONEER
Entering grades 1-4

Make new friends, be creative and try new things for one week or all summer long! This outdoor based camp experience is located at the Centennial Pool and Fitness Center in Cranford allowing opportunities for recreational swim more than once a day. We also have a designated outdoor space for games and activities as well as an indoor space if the weather rains on our parade. Each week campers explore different themes that come alive through fun and engaging activities, games and arts & crafts. Cranford residents who are not Westfield Area YMCA members should contact the Welcome Center directly to register.

 

BLUE SKY
Entering grades 2-6

This is an active camp that allows children to explore the wilderness that is around them. Pack your sunscreen and bug spray, we love the sunshine and fresh air that the Watchung Reservation has to offer! We experience the great outdoors through hikes, compass activities, animal watching, and just playing in the dirt. Other activities include traditional sports,team building games, creative art projects, and S.T.E.A.M. projects. Use of the Loop Playground and Trailside Museum are incorporated in the weekly schedule. Recreational swim is at the Main Y. Grey skies and rain never ruin Blue Sky, we simply bring the fun to an indoor space! Each week features an exciting special event or trip.

 

LEADERS IN TRAINING
Entering grades 6-8

LIT camp pairs experiential leadership education with traditional and non-traditional games. The session starts with icebreakers and classic camp games while learning the teamwork and leadership qualities required to make these activities successful and fun. Campers then move into designing their own activities, games and puzzles with the help of our trained staff. Using and developing their leadership qualities, they will explain the rules, facilitate the activity, and
provide/receive feedback. Through self-reflection, communication and teamwork, the goal is for each camper to build self-esteem, appreciation of themselves, confidence and the ability to work with anyone, anywhere, anytime! LIT campers also swim two times per week with a trip or special event once per week.

 

COUNSELORS IN TRAINING
Entering grades 9-10

CITs learn and experience what it takes to be a role model and leader while making a meaningful difference in the lives of their campers. CITs spend two weeks immersed in at least two of the Y’s younger camps. They are coached throughout the day to prepare and lead activities and have the opportunity to reflect on their performance, discuss areas of improvement and develop their own creativity and initiative. CITs learn behavioral management techniques, how to properly facilitate activities, create schedules, and develop interpersonal and communication skills. This camp is great for teens who enjoy working with children and/or aspire for careers in childcare or child development. CIT campers also swim two times per week with a trip or special event once per week.

Camp is fun for everyone! At the Westfield Area Y, we believe camp should be inclusive, providing as many opportunities as possible for children to join in the camp fun. The Inclusion Camp Program helps us to achieve this goal by operating within the traditional Y camps each summer. Each camper who qualifies is matched with a shadow (one-to-one counselor) who is able to provide support as needed throughout the camp day. Some examples of modifications/accommodations our shadows are able to provide are:
• Opportunities for breaks from the main group/activity
• Picture schedules/interactive schedules
• Direct prompts and assistance when preparing for transitions
• Use of sensory toys
• Extra time for transitions
In an effort to extend this opportunity to as many children as possible, we are only able to guarantee that a shadow will be assigned to a camper for two weeks of camp. Beyond two weeks, we can only offer support if we have appropriate staff available. If you believe your child might benefit from our Inclusion Program, please reach out to us as soon as possible to see if our shadows would be able to provide the appropriate support needed to help your child have a fun, and successful, camp experience! Contact Marty Collett, Senior Director Child Care Services, Camps and Teens, at mcollett@westfieldynj.org or 908-301-9622 x223 or Carly Kaplan, Inclusion Camp Director, at ckaplan@westfieldynj.org by April 1. Funded in part by the Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation and Autism Speaks.