summer starts here2015 YmCa summer Camps

summer starts heresummer starts here Whether it’s splashing in the pool, exploring nature, learning a new skill, or going on fun field trips, summer camp at the Y provides an opportunity for children to build meaningful relationships and gain important life skills such as learning the importance of being caring, honest, respectful, and responsible individuals.

Summer camp at the Y provides a variety of activities and adventures beyond traditional day camp with specialty camps including Arts & Theatre, Gymnastics, Mountain Biking, Camp Tahigwa, and overnight resident camp at YMCA Camp Weona.

Y camps engage youth in enriching activities while fostering a sense of belonging and provide them the opportunity for achievement. Our programs are designed to build social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development activities into fun, enriching experiences.

Positive developmental experiences help children forge bonds with each other and with staff, building confidence through skill-building activities suited to their age. YMCA camps give young people experiences that last a lifetime and inspire them for years to come.

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Young explorers Ages 3-5 years This camp provides a smaller setting for our youngest campers. Our staff create a positive, caring, learning environment where children can make new friends, achieve new successes, and have their first camp experience. The program includes many camp traditions such as camp circle, theme days and more. Daily activities that are designed to meet the social, emotional and physical needs of your youngster include swimming, arts, science, literacy, games, and outdoor play. Activities provide hands on fun, while children have the opportunity to be active and learn new skills while reinforcing lessons learned throughout the year.

daY Camp Ages 5-11 years (if starting 1st grade in the fall)YMCA Day Camp is tailored for fun, exploration, and adventure! Day campers are broken out into age-specific groups to ensure all activities are geared toward their specific interests and abilities. Campers spend time swimming, exploring the environment through outdoor education, developing their creative skills in arts and crafts, playing group games and sports, learning how to work together as a group, going on field trips, and more!

Young explorers daY Camp

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sports Camp Ages 5-12 yearsCampers learn the skills, strategies, and concepts of a variety of sports in a fun atmosphere where teamwork and good sportsmanship are stressed. Each weekly session also includes traditional day camp activities such as instructional and recreational swimming, arts and crafts, and more.

traVel Camp Ages 5-12 yearsAre you ready for your camper to take a vacation but you have to work? Try our travel camp. Campers spend each day experiencing new adventures as they take daily field trips to exciting locations in the Buffalo Niagara region. Trips vary by location and space is limited so call your branch for more information and sign up today!

gYmnastICs Camp Ages 5-14 years This non-competitive, educational gymnastics program is great for boys and girls new to, or already skilled in, gymnastics. Parallel bars, uneven bars, vault, and balance beam are utilized. The full-day format includes instructional and recreational swimming, arts and crafts, and other traditional day camp activities.

bounCe & splash Camp Ages 7-13 yearsChildren who enjoy playing in the water will love this camp! Each day is packed with activities including fun water sports and games, a variety of pool activities, and arts and crafts. Children receive swim instruction, learn about water safety, and enjoy free swim.

arts & theatre Camp Ages 7-14 yearsThis is a great opportunity to engage your child in the arts and theatre this summer! In addition to all the traditional day camp activities, campers explore their creative side through art, dance, voice, and acting. This five week extravaganza culminates in a Friday showcase where your child can show off their creativity!

teen Camp Ages 13 years & upTeens take an active role in planning program electives in addition to participating in camp activities such as swimming, creative projects, and team building activities. Our camp counselors encourage personal independence and responsibility while maintaining their role as program leaders.

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leaders In traInIng

Counselors In traInIng

leaders In traInIng Ages 12-13 yearsThis challenging program reaps endless rewards through new friendships, increased self awareness and self esteem, and new interests. Participants develop leadership skills in twelve skill groups: teamwork, responsibility, respect, motivation, listening, planning, initiative, creativity, persistence, presenting, problem solving, and observation. They put these skills to use as they plan special events for the campers to participate in. They also have fun within their group by participating in activities just for them chosen by them! With this combination your child is bound to have an amazing summer while developing new skills and friendships to last a lifetime.

Counselors In traInIng Ages 14-15 yearsThe Counselors In Training (CIT) program is geared toward those teens who want to become a camp counselor. Teens develop leadership skills in twelve skill groups: teamwork, responsibility, respect, motivation, listening, planning, initiative, creativity, persistence, presenting, problem solving, and observation. Teens also learn skills for working with children as well as job readiness. CITs work side by side with our counselors helping to plan and lead activities for our younger campers. CITs may be required to participate in an interview process and must commit to attend a minimum number of weeks of camp.

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YmCa Camp tahIgwa YMCA Camp Tahigwa in Corfu, NY is the ideal environment for children who love the great outdoors. Camp Tahigwa is filled with daily activities that will arouse any child’s curiosity and spirit for outdoor adventures. Each day provides the opportunity for your child to self select and master a new skill. Whether it’s the low ropes course, hiking through the endless acres of woods, archery, canoeing, four square, gaga pit games, crafts or just catching frogs, Camp Tahigwa offers so much more!

ConVenIent bus loCatIons & extended Care hours Camp Tahigwa is easily accessible as we offer six different pick-up and drop-off locations for bus transportation to the camp. See the Lancaster Family YMCA registration form online for bus times and extended care hours!

Independent Health Family Branch YMCA Alden Primary School William Street School

Clarence High School Cheektowaga High School

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buIldIng tomorrow’s leadersFor Sydney, YMCA Camp Tahigwa is THE camp to go to during summer vacation. It is here that she has enjoyed her last several summers meeting many new friends and experiencing a multitude of adventures. From swimming and games to canoeing and nature hikes, she has made memories that will last a lifetime. Sydney’s mom is very happy with the opportunities that Y camp has afforded her daughter as well. “The program has allowed Sydney to grow as a young lady, understand the importance of community and how to work with others. She has developed skills that they can’t teach in school. The staff has made a positive impact on her as well, as they are one of her favorite parts of camp. Thank you for having such a wonderful program.”

Camp tahIgwa open house!may 16 & June 6, 2015 10:00 am-12:00 pmCheck us out during a 30-minute guided tour. Tours every 30 minutes at 2432 Richley Rd., Corfu, NY 14036

day CampAges 5-11 years

leaders in trainingAges 12-13 years

mountain biking CampAges 8-13 years

Counselors in training Ages 14-15 years

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YmCa Camp weona

YmCa Camp weona Discover what summer dreams are made of in a place “where only good prevails” at resident YMCA Camp Weona. Each day is full of new adventures, whether hiking a trail, kayaking under the blue sky, making new friends, singing by the campfire, jumping into the refreshing pool, setting up a campsite, or fishing at the lake.

With over a century of camping experience that is built on the Christian heritage of the YMCA, we value honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. You’ll find that your child is better at meeting and getting to know people and is more willing to take positive risks and learn new things. Campers return home with increased self esteem, friendship building skills, and the ability to make good decisions on their own. YMCA Camp Weona serves children 7-17 years old with exciting summer camp options for one, two, or several week stays, and both traditional and high adventure activities. Visit CampWeona.org for rates, dates, and more information.

First Chance Camp Grades 2-7

traditional Camp Grades 3-10

weekend adventure Camp

Grades 5-10

super star leadership week

Grades 5-11

wrangler horseback riding Camp Grades 5-10

leaders In training Grades 9-11

Camp weona open house!may 17, may 31, June 7 2:00-4:00 pmVisit us and take a tour of camp at 4025 Poplar Tree Road, Gainesville, NY 14066

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2015 Camps & locations

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delaware FamIlY YmCa 875-1283

Delaware Family YMCA 2564 Delaware Ave, Buffalo

$15 ● ● ●Tapestry Charter School105 Great Arrow Ave, Buffalo

$15 ●Independent health FamIlY branCh YmCa 839-2543

Clarence Middle School10150 Greiner Rd, Clarence

$30 ● ●Independent Health Family Branch YMCA 150 Tech Dr, Amherst

$30 ● ● ● ●St. Leo the Great School903 Sweet Home Rd, Amherst

$30 ● ● ● ●Ken-ton FamIlY YmCa 874-5051

Ken-Ton Family YMCA535 Belmont Ave, Kenmore

$30 ● ● ● ●North Tonawanda Middle School1500 Vanderbilt Ave, North Tonawanda

$30 ● ● ● ●Thomas A. Edison Elementary School236 Grayton Rd, Tonawanda

$30 ● ●lanCaster FamIlY YmCa 684-2395

William Street School 5201 William St, Lancaster

$30 ● ● ● ● ● ●YMCA Camp Tahigwa 2432 Richley Rd, Corfu

$30 ● ● ● ●nIagara Falls FamIlY YmCa 285-8491

Lewiston-Porter Primary School4061 Creek Road, Youngstown

$15 ● ● ● ●Cataract Elementary School6431 Girard Ave, Niagara Falls

$15 ● ● ● ●southtowns FamIlY YmCa 674-9622

Eggert Road Program CenterS3636 Eggert Rd, Orchard Park

$30 ● ● ● ●Southtowns Family YMCA1620 Southwestern Blvd, West Seneca

$30 ● ● ● ●wIllIam-emslIe FamIlY YmCa 845-5440

Cazenovia Park & Pool626 Abbott Rd, Buffalo

$15 ● ●Grace Lutheran Church 174 Cazenovia St, Buffalo

$15 ●William-Emslie Family YMCA585 William St, Buffalo

$15 ● ●YmCa Camp weona 565-6008

YMCA Camp Weona4025 Poplar Tree Rd, Gainesville

$75 ● ●

2015 Camp dates

Session 1Session 2Session 3Session 4Session 5

June 29-July 3July 6-10July 13-17July 20-24July 27-31

Session 6Session 7Session 8Session 9Session 10

August 3-7August 10-14August 17-21August 24-28

August 31-Sept 4

our staFFOur staff are role models with a passion for camp and working with children. All staff members go through a rigorous interview and observation process as well as reference and background checks before being offered employment. They then complete pre-camp training lead by our experienced professional team. All of our staff from counselors to directors are prepared to ensure your child has a safe and fun summer where they will make memories that last a lifetime.

maKIng a dIFFerenCe On average, kids lose 2½ months of reading and math skills over the summer. At the Y, we know we can make a difference in preventing summer learning loss. Kids who attend camp over the summer do not experience the same degree of learning loss and in many cases, make gains. Our approach takes kids through theme weeks. The kids lead activities and discuss how to solve problems. Then they design a pathway to get the results they want. Think of it as driving a car... the staff is in control of the gas and brakes but the kids are steering down the road. They are in control of where they go.

Camp readersGiving kids access to books helps them maintain their reading level… even when school isn’t in session. The research proves it. Just 30 minutes of reading each day can positively impact children’s reading skill. Day and resident camps at the Y provide a perfect opportunity to capitalize on this reality through programs like Camp Readers. Whether it’s independent reading, partner reading, or a Y staff member reading aloud to our campers, your child will have 30 minutes of reading each and every day they are at a YMCA camp this summer.

maKIng Y Camp aFFordable For allThanks to the community’s support of our charitable mission, the YMCA offers financial assistance to help ensure all children can experience the many benefits of summer camp. In addition, the Y also offers the “Earn Your Way to Camp” candy sale and accepts third party DSS funding. Contact the Welcome Center at any YMCA branch to apply.

posItIVe role models“My boys love sports camp. Coming from a single parent household, I appreciate the stable environment for my kids and the positive male role models. The counselors have fun while teaching teamwork and how to win and lose. I expect my boys will attend Sports Camp for years to come!”

– the Cipressi family

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