YMCA Summer Day and Resident Camps Create Lifelong Memories

Conejo Valley and Simi Valley kids have been experiencing YMCA summer day camp and resident camps since the original Conejo Valley YMCA opened its doors in the 1960s on land donated by movie star Joel McCrea. Today, multiple generations have memories of summers at a local YMCA.

More memories will be made this summer. Signups are underway for day camps and resident camps through the four branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA: Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and the Santa Rosa Valley), Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park, Triunfo YMCA (serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park) and Simi Valley Family YMCA.

Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can attend day camps part time (one to three days a week) or full time (four to five days a week). Counselor-in-Training programs are available for teens in 9th and 10th grade. Camp activities are based on age group. Day camps include swimming, (including opportunities to work on swimming skills), games, age-appropriate field trips and activities where campers explore and appreciate the outdoors.

“The Y’s time-tested approach to everything we do is to emphasize personal growth, self-respect, character building and values such as caring, honesty, respect for others and responsibility,” says Chrissy Withers, Triunfo YMCA senior program director. “We show children that there is much more to life than electronic gadgets, where they can learn, challenge themselves and build lifelong friendships. We designed our programs to fit the needs of parents and the interests of children.”

Signups are also being accepted for weeklong resident camps. Camp Sequoia Lake near Sequoia National Park (www.conejoycamp.com/home) is from July 30 through August 6 and Camp Oakes in Big Bear (www.sevymca.org/simivalley/) is being held July 9 through July 16.

“Resident camps are big family traditions. Parents have attended when they were kids and they now want their own children to experience the same fun,” says Withers. Campers will participate in activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, archery, high and low-rope challenge courses, swimming, disc golf and hiking. Traditional evening camp activities include stargazing, night hikes, campfires and dances.

To ensure that every child and teen has the chance to go to camp, the Y offers financial assistance to those in need.

For more information on YMCA summer camps, go to http://www.sevymca.org or contact YMCA branches directly: Conejo Valley YMCA, (805-523-7613), Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park (805-480-0309), Triunfo YMCA, (818-707-9622) and Simi Valley Family YMCA, (805-583-5338).