CAMP WYDACA WEEK 8 - Need to Know
IF YOU MISSED THE THURSDAY NEWSLETTER...
We will post an Alert on the Website Weekly.
Welcome to 2026 Camp Wydaca
CELEBRATING OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE!
Camp Wydaca Week 8 Information:
Good Evening Camp Families,
Welcome to our Weekly Newsletter of Camp Wydaca 2026 - Week 8 starting Mon., August 10! As you know all of our weeks are themed at Camp Wydaca spotlighting the values and cornerstones of character that the YMCA is known for - CARING, RESPECT, HONESTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY.
This week coming up our theme is "CELEBRATING OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE AS EDUCATORS" A week where we prepare to head back to school and dust off the ol' calculators, sharpen our pencils, and prepare to be the best students we can be.
Every Monday throughout the summer, all Camps take the opportunity to go over name games, getting to know you team building activities, and dry land buddy checks so we are set for the week!
Next week is a great week to ease back into the school year in a camp-like fashion. We will be challenging the minds all week long with awesome Americana-themed Trivia Challenge, Brain Teasers, George Washington Revolutionary War Code Challenges, and of course, team-building activities that bring our Campers closer!
Campers will make their own games that they can play at home plus work as a group to develop new ones to play at camp. Additionally, we will be making beautiful History Landmark Line Drawings in art, along with pencil packs to bring into the new school year.
We can't believe September is right around the corner but we are holding onto Summer with all our might!
We look forward to next week, as always, more to follow as the weeks ensue, but in the meantime, THANK YOU for entrusting your children to us and for above all your loyal support of the Wyckoff Family YMCA!
Sincerely,
Sr. Camp Team
IMPORTANT: We ask that you have car seats and booster seats on the correct sides of your car for Drop Off and Pick Up (listed below).
Not only for the safety of your Campers but also for Staff and Counselors, who will unbuckle and buckle them in the car each morning and afternoon in order to continue the flow of traffic in a fast and efficient way.
- The Main Corral - Passenger Side
- The Upper Corral - Driver Side
- The Lower Corral - Passenger Side
- The Turf Corral - Passenger Side
WHEN PACKING LUNCH....Camp Wydaca is a “NUT FREE” Camp.
Please do NOT send your Camper with any nut products.
Friday, August 14
Fun Friday FREE Lunch: Pizza
You MUST register for the Fun Friday Free Lunch. See Link Below.
Fun Friday Snack: Ice Pops
Camper Dress Up: RED, WHITE, & BLUE
AS A REMINDER:
The Early Pick-Up Form can ONLY BE SUBMITTED as early as 5pm the day before, and as late as 12pm the day of the Early Pick-up.
If you submit the form for future days, you will be kindly asked to re-submit the form in order to ensure our system remains intact for the safety of our Campers.
For General Questions:
Contact: CampTeam@wyckoffymca.org
For Registration/Billing Questions:
Contact: CampRegistrations@wyckoffymca.org
For Health Questions:
Contact: CampNurse@wyckoffymca.org
- Please make sure your Authorized Pick-up Card is placed visibly in the front Windshield for DROP OFF & PICK-UP and that your Camper is seated on the side of the car closet to the Corral.
- Please write your Camper’s Name on ALL ITEMS they bring to camp.
- CAMP WYDACA IS AN OUTDOOR CAMP! Sunscreen should be applied BEFORE CAMP and brought to camp as well. Counselors re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. Please provide a face stick especially if sending spray sunscreen.
- Campers who are not participating in the Camp Lunch Program should bring a bag lunch. Please send only non-perishable foods in non-glass containers. A freezer-pack or frozen juice box helps to keep lunches cool.
- Please evaluate the weather conditions each morning. During cooler weather, please send a sweatshirt or jacket in your Camper’s backpack.
- Sneakers and socks should be worn each camp day.
- Flip-flops/Sandals are not permitted to be worn to camp other than around the Lake. Campers who are wearing Flip-flops/Sandals are not be permitted to participate in some activities including sports.
- Please do not send any non-essential items to camp.
- LITTLE EXPLORERS FULL DAY Please Review HERE
- LITTLE EXPLORERS HALF DAY Please Review HERE
A Note from the Lake Directors:
Campers will receive a wristband for the week so they can swim in the deep water. Please refrain from cutting off daily (to the best of your ability) as Camper's will need to be re-banded each day.
Please send your camper in their swimsuit each day.
In order to streamline their daily activities, Campers have back-to-back Instructional (30 min.) and Free Swim (30 min.) periods Monday through Thursday and two Free Swim Periods on Friday. Within their group swim instructions are differentiated to ensure each Camper is improving as a swimmer throughout the summer.
- Campers swim in Spring Lake in designated areas according to their swim ability.
- Please note the following:
- There is No Instructional Swim Week 1 or Week 10 provided, Campers will have a double period of Free Swim.
- Camp Counselors encourage each Camper to participate in all swim activities and stand at water's edge during both swim periods along with lifeguards posted in multiple guard stands around the perimeter of the lake.
Buddy Checks are done every 10 minutes - Lifeguard blows a whistle 3 times, announcing a Buddy Check.
It is our policy that Gr. 3 & Up Campers are permitted to take the Deep Water Test Only.
- Gr. 1-2 Campers are not permitted to take the Deep Water Test.
- In order to swim in the deep water, Campers must pass a deep water test administered by the Waterfront Staff on Mondays Only.
- If your Camper does not pass on Monday, they will be able to retake the test the following Monday.
- It is Camp Wydaca's Policy that the camper take the remaining four days to practice thoroughly in order to retake the test the following week.
Review our Camp Corrals, Traffic Pattern, and Routes below.
The Main Corral
- Traditional Grade 1
- Traditional Grade 2
- Traditional Grade 3-4
The Lower Corral
- Little Explorers Half Day Camp
- Little Explorers Full Day Camp
- Programs Camps Gr. 1-5
The Upper Corral
- Kindergarten Camp
- Traditional Grade 5
- Performing Arts Camps Gr. 1-5
The Turf Corral
- Sports, Performing Arts, and Programs Camps Gr. 6-8
- Sports Camps Gr. 1-5
Regular Traffic Pattern:
Multiple Campers Traffic Pattern:
Rainy Day Traffic Pattern:
Camp Lunch is now Closed for next week.
BEFORE CAMP CARE:
- ALL age groups and camps will be dropped off at the Childcare Entrance Door #4 which is by the Childcare playground.
- Please drive up along the curb and a Beforecare staff member will come to your car to assist your Camper out of the car and walk them to their indoor Beforecare locations.
- Parents should not park and there is no need to get out of your car.
- Children should be seated on the passenger side of the car.
- As always, be cautious of other vehicles utilizing this traffic lane.
- This procedure will be in place for rain or shine weather conditions.
AFTER CAMP CARE:
- Pick up will be at the Main Corral for all Grades/Camps.
- Kindly pull up along the fence, or on rainy days the entrance along the curb by Door #4, and the After Care Staff will be on hand to safely deliver your Camper (to your car).
LOCATIONS:
Look for LOST ITEMS at the Camp Hub - Located near the Childcare Playground Door 4 Entrance.
Items labeled clearly with a FIRST and LAST name have been brought to the CAMP HUB (Lower Level, Door 4) Our staff will attempt to reunite your camper with the item.
Please note: We cannot stress enough.... LABEL, LABEL, LABEL FIRST & LAST NAME!
