South Mountain YMCA

• Text Size:
• [+]
• [+]

Y Knots Camp

At Y Knots Camp, we are intentional about everything that we do.  From the moment that campers arrive at camp in the morning, they are immersed in activities that will help them throughout their lifetime.  Singing camp songs helps build their confidence and form strong connections with their camp group, pairing up with different partners promotes new friendships and makes them more socially confident, encouraging independence nourishes their self esteem, and  developing a love of nature stimulates their desire to make the world a better place. 

Educational entertainers, special event days and field trips are scheduled each session to coordinate with our weekly camp themes- such as Think Green!, Ocean Commotion and Once Upon a Kingdom. Daily activities are run by Camp Specialists and may include: Cooking, Sports, Nature, Crafts, Reading, Drama and World Life. During daily swim instruction, the children are placed into level-appropriate groups and are taken one at a time for individual swim lessons.  Where as all other activities are age-appropriate, swim lessons are based on the campers’ individual skill level. 

Many Senior Staff are year round employees at the South Mountain Y Child Care Center or local teachers.  All of the staff is well trained and qualified, serving as positive role models for the campers. Your child will love our kid-friendly and creative program - you’ll love hearing about all of their adventures at the end of each day!

MINI Y KNOTS CAMP

This half-day camp is for children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years old and is the first step in our progressive camp experience at our Y. While at this half day camp, your child will gain socialization, confidence and independence skills while participating in swim lessons, playground time, arts and craft projects and story time. The staff is year round early childhood learning center employees who will provide a safe and nurturing environment for your little one as they dive into the camp world!

Camp Dates: July 1 - August 9 -  2, 3-week sessions 
Camp Hours: 9:00am - Noon
Camp Location: South Mountain YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center, 10 W. Parker Ave., Maplewood
Camper-to-Staff Ratio: 5 to 1
Camp 2013 Fees: $450 each 3-week session. No single week registrations.
Before and After Camp Care is not available for the Mini-Yknots camp.

Y KNOTS CAMP

For children in or entering pre-schoolers (3 1/2 years and up), this camp is designed to help campers learn group skills and develop self-confidence through safe, fun and educational activities. Campers must be potty-trained and accustomed to a short nap time.  
Sample of Daily Schedule for YKnots 1

Camp Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm*
Camper-to-Staff Ratio: 6 to 1
Camp 2013 Fees: $882 each 3-Week Session

Y KNOTS 2 CAMP

For children entering Kindergarten and 1st Grades, the YKnots 2 camp provides a separate, structured, developmentally progressive environment that is an intermediate step between Y Knots and one of the 13 other camps offered here at the South Mountain Y.  Sample of Daily Schedule for YKnots 2

Camp Hours: 9:30am - 3:30pm*
Camper-to-Staff Ratio: 8 to 1
Camp 2013 Fees: $882 each 3-Week Session
Camp Location: YMCA, 13 Jefferson Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
Before and After Camp Care is available for the Y Knots & Y KNots 2 camps and is held at the South Mountain YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center at 10 West Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ.
Y Knots Camp Director: Jennifer MacAfee, Assistant Director, Early Childhood Learning Center
*Siblings can be accommodated with drop-off and pick-up times.

Both Y Knots 1 and Y Knots 2 camps are accredited by the American Camp Association

Parent Testimonies

“The counselors are wonderful, the camp has lots of fun activities to keep the kids entertained, the pick-up/drop off is so well coordinated and I am very impressed with by the planning (including back up plans for rainy days).  The camp is very well run.  We love our Y Knots!”

“The YKnots staff blew me away this year!  What a committed, enthusiastic and engaged bunch of counselors, an amazing group!”

“The people- camp counselors make all the difference.  It’s amazing how they get to know each child and their parents.  It makes you and your child very special- like it’s all about you!”

“My son had a great experience.  He really loved camp- especially swimming.  He was afraid of the water before starting and now he loves it!”