Our Traditional Camps thrill campers and spark a sense of wonder with classic outdoor games, inspired arts and crafts, and inventive STEM activities all day long. Water days and/or pool time ensure campers can beat the heat or build their aquatics skills. And every Friday, campers and their families can look forward to an exciting celebration of kids’ achievements that week!
YMCA Arlington Traditional Camps
WEEK 1: WORLD TRAVELER
Around the world in 5 days! Campers are immersed in different cultures and customs as they explore games and crafts from other countries, and meet new friends around the globe in a virtual cultural exchange.
WEEK 2: JUNGLE SAFARI
Put on your safari hat and grab your binoculars because it’s about to get wild in here! For budding zoologists and naturalists, this camp lets kids take a walk on the wild side while learning about different animals’ habitats eco-systems, and conservation efforts.
WEEK 3: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
Discover the land we call home! We will celebrate everything red, white and blue, from hometown heroes to exploring the American frontier. The United States boasts a rich tapestry of peoples, cultures and regions that makes it unique and spectacular! Not only will kids explore different aspects of our country from coast to coast, they’ll also meet up virtually with campers from other YMCAs who’ll share what life is like in their corner of the nation.
WEEK 4: IT’S A THINGAMAJIG
Got a kid who’s excited about science, technology, engineering and math? Unleash their inner innovator so they can conduct hands-on experiments, make mechanisms and create concoctions to better understand the world around us. The Y’s annual Thingamajig challenges children to build their S.T.E.A.M. skills as they invent solutions to everyday problems using only what can be re-purposed around them. Junior and Senior campers can even attend and compete in the 29th Annual YMCA Thingamajig Invention Convention.
WEEK 5: UNDER THE BIG TOP
Come one, come all, the circus is in town! Campers can step right up and try their hand at being a clown, magician, or ringmaster. Imagination, creativity, and take the center ring as kids fun creating carnival games, face-painting, juggling, and more, and at the end of the week, they’ll put on a big-top-style show!
WEEK 6: LUNAR MISSION
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! Explore the solar system and beyond learn about the universe around us and enjoy some fictional fun too! Future astronauts and astronomers blast off on a mission to star systems unknown as they learn the constellations and find planets with the naked eye. Kids think through what life on other planets might look like, and different ways the human race can explore the universe.
WEEK 7: UNDER THE SEA
Sabastian new what he meant when he said…”Look at the world around you… right here on the ocean floor!” Kids can dive in to their love of sea animals and plants, while learning about how they can help protect the oceans.
WEEK 8: Y-SPIRIT WEEK
We have spirit! Yes we do! We have spirit! How ‘bout you? Spirit week is an iconic camp experience, where teams compete in friendly games, challenges, activities, and songs to prove who has the most camp spirit. Campers will build their teamwork skills while pushing themselves to earn points that take their team to victory! The week ends with a huge celebration that lifts up all campers’ spirits as they come up with ways to one-up the counselors.
WEEK 9: SUMMER CELEBRATION
Celebrate summer with these exciting kickoff and closing activities! Days of fun field games, playing in the pool, and camp activities culminate in a big party to celebrate summer!