YMCA Camp Greenknoll is near capacity. July weeks are full and August is filling up quickly.
To register, you must call the camp office first to check availability at 203.775.9363. If space is available, you can complete a registration packet and email it to campgk@regionalymca.org.
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.
Sean Turner
Camp Director
203.775.4444 x 103
sturner@regionalymca.org
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. Groups will not interact with each other. 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.
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.
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.
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!
CIT Program
Our Counselor in Training (CIT) program is focused on developing strong leaders through discussion and observation. CIT’s will shadow counselors throughout the week. The CIT Coordinator will incorporate lessons of how to work with children in given situations. 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 questionnaire. The program is limited to 12 CIT’s per week. First come, first serve.
At YMCA Camp Greenknoll, campers are placed in groups based on gender and grade they will be entering into in the fall.
The Pre-K group and the CITs are co-ed groups.
Campers in pre-K to 1st grade have a minimum ratio of 1 staff to 8 campers and for campers in 2nd grade and up, the ration will be 1 staff to 12 campers.
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!
YMCA Camp Greenknoll gives children an opportunity to unplug, to build confidence, experience a sense of achievement and enjoy the outdoors.
Campers also participate in a variety of activities, including instructional swim, team building and physical activities.
Camp will begin on June 21, 2021 and ends on August 27. 2021.
No. You can sign up for 8 weeks or 1 week. To get a more complete experience, most families sign up for 3 or more weeks.
7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Our goal is to make sure our campers are having a safer summer. Please visit our website https://www.regionalymca.org/programs/camps/ymca-camp-greenknoll/ to learn more about what COVID-19 safety.
| Week 1 | June 21 | Surf’s Up |
| Week 2 | June 28 | Superhero |
| Week 3 | July 6 (Closed 7/5) | Party at the Y |
| Week 4 | July 12 | Olympic Games |
| Week 5 | July 19 | Carnival |
| Week 6 | July 26 | Color Wars |
| Week 7 | August 2 | Camp Show |
| Week 8 | August 9 | Amazing Race |
| Week 9 | August 16 | Wild West |
| Week 10 | August 23 | Game Show |
Campers are placed in groups based on gender and grade they will be entering into in the fall. Campers in pre-K to 1st grade have minimum ratio of 1 staff to 8 campers and for campers in 2nd grade and up the ration will be 1 staff to 12 campers.
The groups are Pre- K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eight /Ninth.
Definitely remember to LABEL everything!
No. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
You must come into the office and sign out your child. A note is always helpful. Please give your camper amply time to get to the office. You must wear a mask while on camp grounds.
To meet the needs of families, campers may be dropped at camp at 7:30 AM and picked up no later than 5:30 PM.
Parents coming to visit their camper while at camp has always been welcomed. However, due to the COVID pandemic we cannot allow visitors at this time. If concerns arise or special issues need to be addressed, parents are encouraged to call the camp office.
In the case where you cannot pick up your child and someone else will, we ask that you inform the office. An email or fax stating to full name of the person may be sent. Your child’s safety is important to us. Unknown persons will be asked to present an I.D. to camp staff.
YMCA Greenknoll Camp phone number is 203.775.9363. Someone is always available in the office during camp hours.
As a licensed camp, we must follow strict guidelines. You must fill out a permission form and give the medication to the camp director or first aid provider in the original container, physician’s name, and dosage and expiration date. The medication is locked up and the first aid provider will administer the prescription per instructions from you and your physician. The permission form must also be signed by your child’s physician and by you.
Yes, Campers should bring a brown bag type lunch, which will be stored in large lunch bags and brought to the walk in cooler until lunchtime. Clearly mark the campers name on lunch bags. No glass containers!!! Any food allergies your child has should be indicated on the medical form.
Dressing your child appropriately is important to ensure that your child has a good time at camp. Shorts and t-shirts, closed toed shoes, sneakers preferable and a sweatshirt are standard dress. No open toed shoes are allowed except on pool deck.
In the event that there is liquid sunshine (rain) at camp, activities will be going on as scheduled. Camp is held despite liquid sunshine, so it is helpful to send rain gear with your child.
Parents should call the camp at 203.775.9363
Yes. A tax letter is sent out at the end of the year.
We discourage children from bringing any personal belongings to camp, Other than the standard camp gear. This includes cell phones and personal gaming systems. YMCA Camp Greenknoll cannot and will not take responsibility for any person belongings.
NO! We strongly encourage our campers to unplug this summer. Staff will bring any visible electronic devices during the camp day to the camp office, where it can be picked up by a parent at the end of the day.
It is the goal here at YMCA Camp Greenknoll to provide each camper with a fun, healthy and safe camp experience. Campers are treated equally and responsibility, caring, respect and honesty are the cornerstone for learning and understanding the camp rules and abiding by them. Campers may be given a time out and the opportunity to discuss the problem with the staff. If progress were difficult, we would ask you to help. If this is not productive, a day away from camp will be discussed. Should behavior continue to be a problem after a full day time out, then the child may be asked not to return to camp.
Absolutely! If your child is sensitive to bug bites and sun, both are recommended. We ask you apply sunscreen in the morning before coming to camp. Younger campers will receive help applying sunscreen and older campers will be supervised. Campers will be encouraged to reapply during the day.
Each tribe swims twice per day. Morning swim is instruction and afternoon is free swim. A bathing suit and towel are necessary. It is helpful to have children use a back pack of some kind so they can keep track of their belongings. Clearly marking your child’s name on all clothing and towels will reduce the possibility of lost items.
Any child that cannot touch the bottom or is not a good swimmer, which is determined by our Red Cross Certified lifeguards, must wear a life vest. The camp provides life vests. Campers are given bracelet identifying them as deep end swimmers or shallow end swimmers. This is for the safety of all our campers.
Each Monday children are tested and placed in the appropriate swim level. During the week, children are taught appropriately. At the end of the week, children are retested, some children may remain at their level and some may up move up to the next level.
SWIM BASICS – Recommended skills for all to have around water
SWIM STROKES – Skills to support a healthy lifestyle
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:
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.
Screening questions that will be asked of each family are:
