THE REGIONAL

YMCA OF WESTERN CT

Camp Greenknoll NEW

Camp Greenknoll

We are looking forward to another great summer at YMCA Camp Greenknoll 2021!

YMCA Camp Greenknoll is more than just a day camp; we are a facility that offers campers ages 3-15 years a place where they can be themselves. We give our campers the chance to build confidence through skill building activities, positive developmental experiences and encouraging them to forge bonds with each other and staff. Campers experience a sense of achievement through opportunities in the outdoors and are welcomed to a physically and emotionally safe and stimulating environment.

Here at YMCA Camp Greenknoll we raise the B.A.R. with our commitment to Belonging, Achieving goals and Relationship building. Our campers are able to explore creativity, team work and leadership in a wide range of physical activities that influence lifelong healthy living. They have the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor environment where they develop an appreciation of nature. Campers also participate in a variety of activities, including instructional swim, enrichment, STEAM, art education, and others that are designed to build confidence and teach teamwork. Y-USA’s new swim structure is designed with a skill-based approach to help children become independent in the water and build confidence.

At YMCA Camp Greenknoll we don’t just have fun; we make memories!

Register Online Here
Camp Greenknoll Facebook

Camp Greenknoll Contact:

Sean Turner
Camp Director
203.775.4444 x 103
sturner@regionalymca.org

COVID-19

Here at YMCA Camp Greenknoll our goal is to keep campers and staff as safe as we can. Therefore, we are implementing some new policies, in accordance with guidelines we have received from the Office of Early Childhood. We are limiting the amount of people on camp grounds. Staff will wear a face cover; campers are not required to wear a mask, but if a parent or guardian asks that their camper wear a face covering, we will do our best to make that happen. 

Below is some additional information.   

The camp hours for this summer will be 7:30AM to 5:30PM. (No early drop off or late pick up) Children must bring lunch from home, daily. 

Traveling Outside of the State of Connecticut or the Country

https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Travel-In-or-Out-of-Ct

In accordance with Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7BBB, effective June 25, 2020, we will require children and staff that attend/ work at our program to self-quarantine at home for 14 days upon return if they have traveled to a state with a high infection rate of Covid-19.  The State of Connecticut maintains an information page related to COVID-19 including the travel advisory and all residents are encouraged to consult it regarding their travel and any subsequent need for self-quarantine. This information can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Travel-In-or-Out-of-Ct

The list of affected states will be updated on a regular basis as the situation develops across the country. The term of this policy will coincide with the travel advisory or until Executive Order 7BBB expires. In addition, families that travel out of the country will also be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Safety

  • Counselors will wear face coverings
  • Campers are not required, but if a parent asks, we will make sure their child is wearing their face covering
  • Frequent hand washing
  • Hand washing stations will be added throughout camp
  • Additional porta-potties will be brought in
  • Frequent sanitizing of the bathroom, porta-potties, playground and equipment
  • Anyone with temperature of 100 degrees or higher must leave camp and not return until fever free for 24 hours without aid of medication.   

Rainy Days

We will continue to run camp as we normally do on a rainy day. Some of our groups will have use of the bays, we will have tents for some groups, and we’ll have additional space at the Y’s main building and in the School Age Program area for sudden or threatening weather.

COVID Cleaning Procedures

In the midst of COVID-19, Camp Greenknoll will be implementing more strict and frequent cleaning/disinfecting procedures to ensure the safety and health of all campers and staff.

High trafficked areas such as the bathrooms/changing areas, playgrounds, porta-potties, etc. will be sanitized frequently.

All other cleaning procedures will be done on a daily basis.

Visitors/Early Pickup

  • Traditionally, we encourage parents and families to visit their campers any time they desire, but due to the circumstances with COVID, visitors will not be permitted at camp until further notice.
  • In the event that a parent needs to come to the office, a mask will required at all times! 

Online Registration Directions

How to Register Online for YMCA Camp Greenknoll

  1. Visit regionalymca.org; in the top right corner click “My Account.”
  2. From there please login, or create an account if you are new to the Y. When filling out the information for your account, please use your child’s name.
  • If you are currently a member of the Y but do not have an online account, you can create an account using your email or cell phone number the YMCA has on file for you.  If you are not currently a Y member, you will be given an option to create an online account. Choose “Sign Up”, choose Greenknoll as the location, and choose “non-member” as your membership type.
  • You should log in as the primary on the account and then you will gain access to all members on the account for which you want to register. If you are having trouble logging in or creating your account, please call the Y at (203) 775 4444.
  1. Click on Programs, then click on YMCA Camp Greenknoll
  2. Select the first week you are registering for. If you are registering for more than one week, select “Register for multiple offerings for this camp (8 more)” located at the top of the page, and select the additional weeks.
  3. Select the weeks you would like your child to attend camp, and complete the online registration form.
  4. To register an additional camper select “Add More Programs.”
  5. Please direct any questions about registration to campgk@regionalymca.org.

Important items to Know:

  •  Online registration must be completed for the following week by the Tuesday of the prior week.
  • If you wish to register after Tuesday, a paper registration must be received in the camp office by Wednesday of the prior week no later than 5PM.
Download Registration Directions
Register Online Here
Covid-19 Informed Consent

Theme Weeks for 2021

Theme weeks for 2021 will be revealed next year!

Week 1 –  June 21st  – Surfs Up

Let’s go surfing now, everybody’s learning how, come on a camp surf-ari with us!   

Week 2  – June 28th  – Superhero

Grab your capes and masks and join the call for superheroes at Camp Greenknoll! Fight villains, sneak your way through obstacles and save the day at our superhero week. Be sure to remember your crime fighting outfit for dress up on Fun Friday!  

Week 3  – July 5th  (Closed 6/05) – Party at the Y

Let’s party at YMCA Camp Greenknoll for our party at the Y week. Play backyard games, enjoy some friendly competition and show your patriotic flare as we celebrate Independence Day!  

Week 4  – July 12th – Camp  Olympics

 The return of YMCA Greenknoll Olympics games. Do you think you’ve got what it takes to compete, or even win the gold? Come find out!  

Week 5  –July 19th –Camp  Carnival

Step right up! Come one, come all! Come to camp and have a ball! It’s carnival week at Greenknoll; play games, win prizes but most importantly-have fun & make memories with friends!  

Week 6 – July 26th – Color Wars   

One of the most anticipated weeks of the summer, come join as us at Camp Greenknoll for our annual Red vs. Blue color wars! Last year blue stole back the trophy in a celebrated upset. Can red team be stronger this year to reclaim the trophy or will blue continue to be reigning champs? It all depends on you!  

Week 7 – August 2nd – Camp Show –   

A week of song, dance, memories and hilarious outtakes. Come to our camper show week as each tribe creates its own unique performance to present.  

Week 8 – August 9th – Amazing Race    

Roadblocks, pit stops, detours oh my! Make your way through the Greenknoll race route without hitting any speed bumps or hazards and cross the finish line before the other team in order to be reigned as the race winner!   

Week 9 – August 16th – Wild West     

Howdy campers! It’s time to ginnin’ around to our hoe down here at the YMCA. Come with your bandanas and cowboy hats in tow!   

Week 10 – August 23rd  –Game Show    

Survey says… let’s round out the summer with a good old game of big bucks, vowels, no whammies and deals! See what you can win!  

Fees & Hours

Camp hours: 7:30AM – 5:30PM 

One time Registration Fee: $25 

Weekly Fee: $285 per week  

No early drop-off or late pick-up) Campers are scheduled for a variety of different activities offered throughout the day. 

Registration & Payment Form COMING SOON
Scholarship Application Coming Soon

CIT Program

CIT Program  

This year’s CIT program will be modified due to COVID-19.  The camp day for CIT’s will be a mix of camp activities and CIT lessons/activities.  

 

Our Counselor in Training (CIT) program is focused on developing strong leaders through discussion and observation, however because groups cannot interact, CIT’s will not be able to shadow counselors throughout the week. The CIT Coordinator will in-cooperate lessons of how to work with children in given situations through scenarios, in place of shadow observation.  This is a program for 14 and 15 year olds interested in working with children, improving their leadership skills and learning how to communicate with peers in a group setting.  CIT’s will learn the value of teamwork, community service, and leadership skills through various activities and mentoring. Candidates are required to fill out a CIT application and questionnaire. The program is limited to 12 CIT’s per week. 

Groups

YMCA Camp Greenknoll, campers are placed in groups based on grade they will be entering into in the fall and will be Coed.  Groups are limited to 18 campers.  Campers in pre-K to 2nd grade have minimum ratio of 1 staff to 7 campers and for campers in 3rd grade and up the ration will be 1 staff to 10 campers.     

Coed offers campers the chance to interact as they would in the real world at different stages of childhood. This helps to create healthy social interaction between the genders and there is a better understand of the opposite gender. Campers can then build a real-world relationship and much-needed social skills for future development. This interaction means that campers learn to relate to each other not as members of the opposite gender, but as humans.  Campers learn to be more respectful towards each other, all in a respectful environment.  

We’re committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion and community, a gender-blind environment for friendships at camp, and later in life.  Through shared experience, open communication, trust, and respect, campers form solid bonds with other campers. And this makes for the best kind of friends! 

Our new groups will be  

Pre- K,   Kindergarten/ First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eight and Ninth.  There may be more than one groups for a grade level depending on the number of campers.   

Traditional Day Camp

The Y is giving kids their Best Summer Ever! The YMCA Camp Greenknoll offers a mix of fun and educational activities aimed at improving kids’ well-being. Our programs center on three areas proven to impact kids’ development: Relationship, Achievement and Belonging.

The Y has been a leading provider of summer camp for over 150 years and continues to provide youth with an enriching experience. We ensure that campers are in a safe environment with caring YMCA staff that instill positive values that help build character.

Camping at the Y is a fun and unique experience that gives youth the opportunity to discover their full potential, meet new friends, play and create memories that last a lifetime.

YMCA Day Camp provides a safe and affordable opportunity for youth to participate in activities in which campers will have the opportunity to create arts and crafts, swim, appreciate nature, enrichment, STEAM, make lasting memories, and better understand our many cultures. Campers will build self-confidence, appreciate teamwork and sportsmanship while gaining independence as they nurture their sprits, challenge their mind and strengthen their bodies.

The Y works to help youth discover their full potential by providing opportunities to learn, grow and thrive amidst caring, supportive adults. Through the Y’s day camp program, kids participate in fun and educational activities that help them with:

  • ACHIEVEMENT – Learn and master skills that help them realize their passions, talents and potential.
  • RELATIONSHIP – Build friendships with new friends and staff role models adding to their well-being.
  • BELONGING – Help them feel like they belong so they feel safe, welcome and free to express their individuality.

Swimming

Camp Greenknoll WILL have use of the pool!

Swimming 

Our developmental swim lesson program provides opportunities for campers to improve their skills, learn new competences, and advance to higher levels. Campers swim twice per day; morning is instructional, and afternoon is recreational swim.   

Campers participate in structured swim instruction to learn how to be safe in the water and work on skills appropriate to their level.  On Mondays, children are evaluated to determine their swim skill level. At the end of the week, they are reevaluated to determine progress.   

Safety is our priority.  Non-swimmers, regardless of age, are required to wear a life vest during the swim period.  At the discretion of the aquatic staff, life vests may also be required for campers based on their swimming ability, and/or height.  Our pool is staffed with a full-time Camp supervisor, Red Cross-certified lifeguards, and swim instructors. 

Drop Off & Pickup

Drop Off

  • Drop off time will be from  7:30AM to 9:00AM
  • Traffic will be one way in and one way out

Screening questions that will be asked of each family are:

    • Does your camper have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
    • Does your camper have a cough?
    • Has your camper or a member of your family knowingly been in contact with anyone with COVID-19?
  • Families are required to wear a face covering when dropping off campers
  • Staff will walk campers to their counselors.
  • Campers that arrive after 9:15AM must be brought to the office to sign in
  • Adults MUST wear a face covering while on camp grounds

Pick Up

  • Pick up time will be from 4PM – 5:30PM
  • Parents will park in the designated parking area and come to the pickup tables. There will be 4 tables set up for pick-up in a parent waiting area
  • A face covering will be required while you are picking up your camper
  • Staff will radio for your camper and the camper will be brought to the waiting area. We are asking families to be patient, as this may take a few minutes depending on where the group is located and how many kids are being picked up at that time.
  • ID is required at dismissal at all times.  Staff may begin to recognize you and may not ask for ID.   

Camp Greenknoll Contact:

Sean Turner
Camp Director
203.775.4444 x 103
sturner@regionalymca.org