CAMP WYDACA WEEK 5 - 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 5 Information:
Good Evening Camp Families,
Welcome to our Weekly Newsletter of Camp Wydaca 2026 - Celebrating Our American Heritage - Starting Mon., JULY 20! 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, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
This week coming up we are Celebrating our American Heritage as PERFORMERS! A week where we explore the wonderful world of artists and performers, uncover hidden talents, and support one another as we show bravery taking the stage to display what makes us all unique individuals. This is a week that we hold very close to our hearts...as it is a long standing tradition here at Camp Wydaca that we host the "Annual Camp Wydaca's Got Talent Show!" An event that is nothing short of inspiring as we watch Campers take the stage to highlight their amazing talents for all to see! Not to mention leaning into our heritage and bringing back a "Camp Classic"... The Family Night Talent Show on Friday, July 24 from 5:30-7pm in the Lower Corral.
More details below!
As a reminder, every Monday throughout the summer, all Traditional and Specialty 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!
For our "Flag Appreciation Series" this upcoming week we have asked all Members and Camp Families to help donate any and all materials that have to do with "the Arts"...whether that is old ticket stubs, dance shoes, instruments, playbills, concert posters - we are upcycling those items to create a 3' x 5' Flag to add to our Camp Collection!
Simultaneously all week long we will be traveling through the decades to learn all about the past "American Great Performers" in the world of Music, Theatre, or Dance. Whether it's Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, or Woody Guthrie or how "Swing" Dance came to form, next week's activities will have the Campers singing, toes tapping, and hearts humming! We will close the week out with a special performance from Off-Broadways' "Bash the Trash!"
We look forward to seeing the wonderful, creative, and innovative performances the Campers come up with for this upcoming week! As always more to follow, but in the meantime, THANK YOU for entrusting your children to us and above for 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, July 24
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, and Blue!
NEW! America's Got Talent Show!
Family Night for Week 5 Campers
Friday, July 24 from 5:30-7pm
Location: Summer Stage Lower Corral (Red)
(Plus Free Band on the Sand from 7-8:30pm at Spring Lake)
The Camp Talent Show dates back to the start of camp over 40 years ago. We are so excited to lean into our heritage and bring back a Family Night that showcases the Campers!
All campers will perform at the in-house Talent Show on Friday during the camp day for just the campers only (No Parents).
Our hope is that all Camp Families can come back and join us at Family Night to watch some of the outstanding acts from earlier that day on the outdoor Summer Stage.
In addition to the Talent Show, there will be face painting, crafts, tattoos, and carnival games made by the campers that week for all to enjoy. After we invite all camp families to head down to the Lake for a free Concert on the Sand from 7-8:30pm.
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!
