Camp Wydaca Parent Handbook Little Explorers Half Day Camp

WELCOME TO LITTLE EXPLORERS HALF DAY CAMP!

HALF DAY CAMP OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Wyckoff Family YMCA’s Little Explorers Half Day Camp! We look forward to sharing the summer with you and your family. We have lots of fun planned for the children, and we are certain that they will have an enjoyable time. The following is a list of helpful information to ensure a smooth and positive transition to camp!

Half Day Camp Hours: 9am-12pm

*Lunch Bunch (Available for Purchase): 12-1pm

*All Half Day Campers must bring lunch from home. 

Health Inquiries:

  • Please visit and review HERE to adhere to all Camp Wydaca Health Procedures.
  • See the Camp Nurse CampNurse@wyckoffymca.org if medication needs to be administered during the day. A medical release form needs to be completed, signed and presented with the medication.

Must Read Policies:

  • Please visit and review HERE to adhere to all Camp Wydaca Policies.

Potty Training Requirement:

For all Campers it is the YMCA's Policy that children must be fully potty trained in order to participate in camp activities and swim in Spring Lake. This means a Camper is required to be able to use the toilet independently. Readiness is not based on a specific age but rather on the Camper's developmental stage. A Camper is considered ready when they show the ability to have control, can recognize when they need to go, and can follow simple instruction.

What To Bring:

(All items must be LABELED First & Last Name):

  • A backpack to organize their belongings is recommended
  • 1 Bathing Suit & Towel
  • Lunch in a Lunchbox Labeled 
  • Sneakers & Shoes for the Lake (Optional - for example flip flops, crocs, or water shoes) 
  • Extra set of Clothing & Hat 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Plastic Bag for Wet Clothes 
  • Refillable Water Bottle
  • Swimmies/Flotation devices are not allowed at camp.

Sample Schedule:

  • Arrival
  • Swim at the Lake (send camper in their bathing suit and sunblocked)
  • Change, Sunblock, Snack
    • Changing Note - For privacy reasons, children are changed separately (Girls/Boys) in different classrooms.
    • Snack Note - (Goldfish or Pretzels provided by the Y once-a-day, but please send as many snacks from home as you can to keep your camper energized)
  • Art in the Art Tent
  • Sports on the Turf
  • Dismissal
  • Lunch Bunch (if purchased, see details right below)
  • Dismissal 

Add Lunch Bunch 12-1pm for additional $70:

Want to extend your Half Day?

  • Registration Required.
  • Reminder to bring your own Lunch - Please send all food in a Lunch Box with an ice pack, labeled.
  • Questions regarding Lunch Bunch? Please Contact: CampTeam@wyckoffymca.org 

Descriptions of Summer Camp Activities:

Art:

The Art Tent gives the Campers a feel for an Artist “outside” Studio. Plenty of room to use their imagination and creativity. Art Directors lead the group with age-appropriate, theme-based ideas. Teachers and Counselors are on-hand to assist the Campers when needed.

Sports:

Campers are led by YMCA Coaches in a variety of theme-driven games and activities. Teamwork, silly games, and friendly competition double the fun on the Turf. Water stations are available on the Turf. Sneakers are required.

Swim: 

Please send your camper in their swimsuit each day.

Swimming as an activity has always been a cornerstone of Camp Wydaca.  In order to streamline their daily activities, Campers have back-to-back Instructional and Free Swim periods. 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.
    • Specifically Little Explorers swim in an area that ranges from 0 entry to 2.5 feet. 
  • Please note that 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.
  • All Campers clear the water immediately lining up two-by-two, squatting behind the Counselor, plus a Counselor will be at the rear of the line, helping maintain order. 
  • Both Counselors count to make sure they have all of their Campers. 
  • After a proper count, the Counselors will raise their hands in the air. 
  • After all Counselors have raised their hands, indicating that no Camper is missing, Lifeguard will announce Campers walk back into the Lake. 

Drop Off and Pick-Up:

Camp Drop Off: 8:20-9am

Camp Pick-Up: 12pm 

Camp Pick-Up: 1pm (if you purchased Lunch Bunch)

Little Explorers Drop Off Route - Lower Corral:

  • Please enter the parking lot via Wyckoff Avenue only down the Main Entrance Driveway.
  • Please stay in the LEFT lane until signs direct you to Lower Corral.
  • Staff will merge you into left lane in front of Main Corral Drop Off.
  • Our Homebase Tent is in the Lower Corral. Proceed to the designated Corral – There will be signs and staff to assist you.
  • Carseats need to be placed on the PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
    • This ensures a safe Drop Off/Pick-up procedure for our Campers and Staff, plus expedites the process.
  • Please DO NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. Counselor will receive and deliver your Camper to the correct group.
  • You will loop around the lower parking lot.
  • Exit via Spring Meadow Drive.