YMCA Summer Camp | New Jersey
Registration Now Open!
To pay your balance:
- Click here and log into your online account
- Visit your branch’s Welcome Center
- Call our Remote Welcome Center at 973-758-9039
Great Summers Start At The Y!
Choose the YMCA Summer Camp that's right for your child!
YMCA summer camps in New Jersey allow kids to try something new, meet new friends, be active, and have fun all summer long! Our experienced, well-trained staff at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges provides opportunities for campers to develop skills and explore new interests in a safe, supportive environment. All activities are designed to be fun and stimulating to help prevent summer learning loss. Campers will develop teamwork and leadership skills while building lifelong friendships at our YMCA summer camps. Please contact us today to learn how to register your kids for the best summer ever!
What Are the Benefits of Sending Your Kids to Summer Camp?
Millions of American children attend summer camps every year. If your child has never gone away to summer camp before, here are a few of the benefits you should consider:
- A Safe, Supportive Environment - We’re accredited with the American Camp Association (ACA) to ensure all our camp communities are safe and nurturing with caring, competent adult role models supervising our campers. Campers feel independent being away from home and their parents, but they’re also closely monitored for their safety. We typically group campers by age (3-5, 6-10, 11-13, 14-15, etc.), so your child will begin making new friends within their age group in no time. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to knowing when your child is ready to go away for summer camp, as every child’s development is unique. Even if your child is shy, summer camp can help them feel more comfortable around others in a social setting.
- Social Skills Development – Summer camp makes an ideal setting in which children feel self-confident and comfortable enough to develop a variety of social skills, including teamwork, communication, and even conflict resolution skills. Many children experience learning loss during summer vacation because their brains and bodies aren’t being stimulated daily. Avoid summer brain drain by registering your child for YMCA summer camp. We’ll challenge them intellectually, physically, and socially, so they should leave camp with increased self-esteem and the development of new skills outside their comfort zones.
- Fun “Screen-Free” Activities – Today’s youth spend far too much time in front of a screen, whether it’s a television, tablet, or smartphone. Summer camp allows them to escape the doldrums of another summer spent staring at a screen and gives them the opportunity to enjoy daily adventures with other kids their age. Camp fosters an appreciation and connection with nature, as your child will enjoy plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
- Forge Lifelong Friendships – Overnight experiences building campfires, preparing meals, hiking, canoeing, swimming, and sleeping under the stars are memorable shared experiences that bond our campers for life. Campers come from all backgrounds, which teaches children to respect each other and their differences. Camp gives children a sense of purpose and community while forging lifelong friendships with others.
What Types of Camp Does Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges Offer?
At the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, we have different types of camps available to accommodate your child’s needs. We offer summer sleepaway camps, as well as specialty and day camps for campers not quite ready to be away from home for an extended period. Sleepaway camps are fully supervised and available for children and teens of all ages. Nutritious breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are served daily, and day trips are free. Choose the YMCA summer camp that’s right for you and your child.
Not sure where to begin when exploring what our summer camps have to offer? Check out our blog titled “Questions to Ask in Your Summer Camp Search” for tips on finding the right summer camp for your child!
Blue Mountain Day Camp – Day Camp
With on-site tennis and basketball courts, indoor and outdoor climbing, horseback riding stables, archery, and riflery ranges, and access to a lake for swimming, fishing, and sailing, a day spent at Blue Mountain Day Camp is adventure-packed for all ages. Register today, so your child can begin learning and exploring!
East Orange YMCA – Day Camp
Leadership skills begin at East Orange YMCA Day Camps. Choose from our Early Adventures, New Discoveries, Explorers, or Counselor-in-Training programs suitable for day campers of all ages. Campers will love swimming in our on-site indoor, heated pool, not to mention free day trips.
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps – Sleepaway Camp
Located on a private lake in Northwest New Jersey, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps are suitable for campers in grades 2-11. Specialty programs of interest include horseback riding, sailing, farming, and adventure and leadership programs. Register now to discover why we say, “Life is better at the lake!”
New Milford YMCA Program Center Day Camps and Harriman State Sleepaway Camp and Day Camp
Spending time at New Milford YMCA Program Center Camps will allow your child to create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Our programs are suitable for children entering kindergarten through 10th grade and ages 16 and 17 for our Counselor-in-Training program.
Lake in the Woods - Day and Sleepaway Camp
Lake in the Woods serves children in day camp and resident camp on the picturesque 525-acre of Blair Academy. Lake in the Woods is a place where campers build friendships and learn new skills using the state-of-the-art facilities at Blair Academy - including the heated indoor pool, turf fields, tennis courts, a 9-hole golf course, fine arts studios, and more!
Mayor’s Circle of Excellence – Orange Day Camp
Thanks to an exclusive partnership with the City of Orange, our Mayor’s Circle of Excellence – Orange Day Camp is chock-full of weekly themes, sports, and academic STEAM projects. Past day camp adventures have included trips to the Museum of Natural History, Seven Presidents Beach, Turtle Back Zoo, Rebounderz, Yestercades, and Dorney Park.
South Mountain YMCA – Day Camp
Our South Mountain YMCA Day Camps have everything to pique your child’s curiosity. Choose from traditional day camps to specialty camps offering basketball, golf, skateboarding, creative theater, or global arts. Our camps are designed for children to explore, discover, and challenge themselves. We focus on building self-esteem, confidence and social skills while highlighting health and wellness.
Sussex County YMCA – Day Camp
From half-day programs to full-day camp, there is something for everyone at Sussex County YMCA. Choose from our sports specialty camps: basketball, tennis, soccer, flag football, golf, or multi-sport, or enjoy a day of vigorous camp activities including group swim lessons, archery, arts and crafts, cooking, games, and nature/science activities.
West Essex YMCA – Day Camp
Children of all ages, from preschool through their teens, will enjoy a memorable day camp experience at West Essex YMCA. Organized games and crafts keep kids occupied in a supervised environment. Sign up your child today, so they can begin forging lasting friendships with treasured time together.
About the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges & Our Staff
The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social services organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is one of the largest YMCA associations in the state of New Jersey. Our staff is dedicated to enriching the lives of thousands of children and their families through our family-friendly programs, including our summer camps, before-and-after school care, and so much more. YMCA believes in bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together. Our organization is all-inclusive, meaning no one is ever turned away from our programs because they can’t afford to register and participate. Generous donations to our Annual Campaign provide financial assistance to individuals and families in our communities.
How to Register for Our Summer Camps in New Jersey
Are you interested in registering your child for our summer camps in New Jersey? If you have Internet access, we now offer online registration from the convenience of your own home. You must have a valid YMCA membership at the time of registration and while your child is attending camp to receive our exclusive membership rate. Otherwise, you’ll be charged our community member rate. A non-refundable $10 down payment per week of camp is due during registration to guarantee your child’s spot. If your family is on a tight budget, don’t let that deter you from making this summer your child’s best one ever. Check out our blog “Four Options to Make Summer Camp Affordable” to see if your family qualifies for special camp discounts or government assistance.
ALL CAMPS: Starting February 1, a $35 administrative fee will be added for all changes. Straight cancelations that do not involve changing weeks, etc, would not be charged the administrative fee.
