Summer Starts With Us
Where every day is packed with fun and discovery!
Join us for 11 weeks of fun at Monroe County YMCA - HTC Center's Summer Day Camp, running from May 28-August 9. Our age-specific adventures, for kids ages 3-15, include daily activities from 9 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday - like swimming, games, nature exploration, arts and crafts, plus more!
Registration is open - secure your child's spot in YMCA Summer Day Camp 2024.
Summer Day Camp Offerings by Age
Traditional Summer Camp (Ages 6-12)
Offered throughout the summer, Traditional Camps are designed for a wide variety of conventional interests that may include arts & crafts, group games, nature exploration, swimming, field trips and more. Camps are themed weekly. Most activities are held outdoors with indoor activities provided based on the day and theme. Campers are divided into groups by grade level or age.
Sign up for Traditional Camp
Preschool (Ages 3-5)
Our trained counselors guide our youngest campers through a typical camp day. Activities may be indoors or outdoors depending on the activity, and may include crafts, weekly swimming, outdoor play, games and other fun activities.
Learn More
Special Interest Camps (Ages 6-12)
Special Interest Camps are designed to offer activities focused on a particular interest while incorporating traditional Y camp principles. Camp size may be smaller and may be offered indoors or outdoors based on activities. From 9 am - noon, campers participate in their special interest camp. From noon - 4 pm, campers participate in traditional camp activities.
- Arts & Humanities
- Sports
Fun Club Before & After Camp Care (Ages 3-12)
Fun Club, the Y's Before & After Camp Care, is available as an add-on to all camps at an additional fee. Fun Club allows campers to arrive as early as 7 am and/or stay as late as 6 pm. Fun Club is available for campers ages 5-12.
- Before Care: 7 - 9 am
- After Care: 4 - 6 pm
Counselor in Training (Ages 13-15)
The CIT program offers teens ages 13-15 the opportunity to gain practical experience working with campers while cultivating essential skills and knowledge. The program's primary goal is to empower teens with leadership abilities that extend to their school, home, and community life. Applications should be submitted by April 12, 2024. Applicants undergo an interview and screening process.
Apply for CITAdditional Camp Information
Welcome to the world of YMCA Summer Day Camp, where each day promises a new adventure! We are devoted to creating unforgettable camping experiences, and we have designed our Camp Parent Handbook to be a helpful guide for you.
Contact Us:
Kris Fulford, Executive Director
618-281-9622
Click here for directions to Monroe County YMCA - HTC Center.
9514 Caring Way,
Columbia, IL 62236
Welcome to Inclusion & Adaptive Support Services, whether you're a returning or first-time Summer Day Camp participant. Fostering a supportive and enriching environment for children with diverse abilities is the primary focus of inclusive and adaptive programs. The Gateway Region YMCA provides trained staff and accessible spaces to help ensure camp opportunities for every child. When you register online for Summer Day Camp, indicate any needs your child may have and the branch will email you more information and the required forms.
Key Points to Note:
- Registrations are processed based on the order of receipt at the branch and subsequently by the organization's Inclusion & Adaptive Support Services department
- To avoid delay in the registration process, fully complete and provide all requested documents.
- Please allow at least two weeks for processing, especially during peak Summer Day Camp enrollment times.
- Your child's start date depends on the staffing and capacity situation at the branch, regardless of their support needs.
- We ensure information is securely handled per HIPAA guidelines.
- Additional information may be requested.
The Gateway Region YMCA is committed to serving individuals without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected factor. Our goal is to provide inclusive opportunities for all community members in our programs. While we make every effort to accommodate, there may be situations where a child's needs exceed the scope of our recreational, non-therapeutic programs.
At the Y, we stand by the belief that everyone should have the chance to be part of the Y, irrespective of their financial means. To make this possible, we offer financial assistance to those who qualify, supported by the generous contributions to our Annual Campaign. Access the application below. We encourage you to apply early to allow processing time. Following processing, we communicate the approved amount to applicants, which is then applied to their accounts.
Give every child the gift of Y Summer Camp. Make a meaningful difference in a child's life with your tax-deductible donation.
2024 Camp Offerings by Week
May 28-31*
No camp on Memorial Day. Fees are prorated.
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
June 3-7
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages 3-5)
Gardening @ Stuckmeyer's (Ages 6-12)
Baseball & Softball (Ages 6-12)
June 10-14
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Block Construction @ The Way Church (Ages 6-12)
Baseball & Softball (Ages 6-12)
June 17-21
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Art @ Bethany Church (Ages 6-12)
Cheer (Ages 6-12)
June 24-28
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
July 1-5*
*No Camp on July 4. Fees will be prorated.
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
July 8-12
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
World Explorers @ The Way Church (Ages 6-12)
Baseball & Softball (Ages 6-12)
July 15-19
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Cooking (Ages 6-12)
Baseball & Softball (Ages 6-12)
July 22-26
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Basketball (Ages 6-12)
July 29-Aug 2
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Wizards @ Columbia Public Library (Ages 6-12)
Volleyball (Ages 6-12)
Aug 5-9
Traditional (Ages 6-12)
Preschool (Ages (3-5)
Soccer (Ages 6-12)
See what our camper parents say!
She has been happily at camp for four summers now! Not only has she made new friends, she has learned new skills and has a boosted confidence with all of the YMCA skills she has learned throughout the years.
— YMCA Camp Parent
All of the counselors over the years have been wonderful to my daughter and have made a big impact on her life from an early start. It really does take a village and the YMCA is a big help.
— YMCA Camp Parent
I am a single mom and the YMCA helped me with Summer Camp costs for several summers. My son had fantastic, fun-filled summers!
— YMCA Camp Parent
Overnight YMCA Camp Lakewood
The Y's overnight summer camp in Potosi, MO is an experience like no other. YMCA Camp Lakewood brings kids ages 6-17 from all walks of life together to try new things without judgment. With a sprawling 5,000 acre campus and a private 360-acre lake, Camp Lakewood becomes a summer sanctuary accommodating various interests, ranging from paddle boarding to horseback riding to campfires and more.
Become a Counselor
If you have talend, knowledge, and passion for working with children - and you want to work in an organization where you will be rewarded with opportunities to serve, it's time to learn more about what the Gateway Region YMCA has to offer. We offer a variety of excellent opportunities in Early Childhood Education, Y Club Before & After School Enrichment, and Summer Camp.