Become a part of the continuing summer tradition at the La Porte County Family YMCA. The Summer Adventure Camp program begins on June 10 and runs through August 12. Children will be given the opportunity to learn, explore and discover themselves at the YMCA’s outdoor education/recreation center (Andrew Avenue).
Daily excursions will include a visit to the campsite, swimming, games, archery, sports, arts/crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), summer reading program, Kids Club Fitness, library activities, and leadership development. Under the guidance of trained camp counselors, campers will also be treated to weekly field trips to exciting locations including Deep River Water Park, Warren Dunes and the La Porte County Fair.
Camp Basics
Summer Adventure Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, with before and after care available at 6:30 am until 6:00 pm. For families needing transportation to and from camp, the YMCA is conveniently offering two separate locations within your community for extended care and transportation to the YMCA campsite. For campers from the Michigan City area, drop off and care begins at 6:30 am at our new Michigan City Elston Branch (317 Detroit St, Door K) and after care will be provided until 6:00 pm. For other La Porte County residents, extended care is available at the La Porte YMCA (901 Michigan Ave).
Camp is for children entering Kindergarten through eighth grade. Leaders In Training (L.I.T.) program includes ages 12-15. Campers are split into groups, or “tribes,” according to their grade this coming fall.
Camp is $95.00 per week for members. For those who are not YMCA members, camp is $125.00 a week. For those who qualify, CCDF vouchers are accepted. To register your child for this fun and character building experience contact the membership service desk at either the Michigan City, Long Beach, or La Porte Country Family YMCA branches. If you have questions, please contact Reece Arthur at 219-325-9622. At the YMCA we are for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
Staff
The Y welcomes Reece “Shark Bait” Arthur as the new Camp Coordinator. This is Reece’s first summer camp with the Y and he has a lot of fun activities planned! Shark Bait recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Movement and Sports Sciences. With plenty of experience under his belt, like being Vice President of College Mentors for Kids at Purdue University, Shark Bait is sure to make this year of camp an unforgettable experience for all campers!
YMCA camps provide you peace of mind while you are at work. Each camp staff member is certified in CPR/First Aid and spends many hours in training on topics such as group management, camper discipline and risk management.
Activities
Classic summer fun for all! From swimming and sports to craft projects and outdoor education, our Summer Adventure Camp offers a day full of “traditional” camping activities – including songs, games and lots of outdoor fun and adventure. Campers will have the opportunity to build self-confidence, discover new skills, develop a respect for the outdoors and make lots of new friends. Best of all, you can be assured that while your kids are exploring new ways to have fun, they are being well cared for in a friendly, safe environment.
At the Summer Adventure Camp there is never a dull moment. Campers will spend their days canoeing, learning archery, playing sports, building forts, creating arts & crafts, exploring nature and so much more! Twice a week each tribe of campers will also enjoy swimming at the Jones Family Pool located at the La Porte YMCA branch.
Character Development
Live, Learn, Pass it On! With every new experience comes a chance to learn and grow. At the Y, we strive to give every child and teen opportunities to test their own limits and explore their potential. Every summer, YMCA camps are home to thousands of kids, building leadership skills, taking on new responsibilities and experiencing independence. In fact, all Y youth programs work to develop leaders and pave the way for future generations.
The activities your child will participate in this summer are designed to keep your child’s mind and body active while nurturing the Y’s core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Not only will they keep moving, but they will have learned important life lessons. Camp. It’s with you for life!
Camp Traditions “Y Buck” Program: The La Porte County Family YMCA uses the YMCA of the USA’s “Character Counts” program to teach children about the four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. A “Y Buck” is the token “funny” money that is given to campers who exemplify these core values through their actions. At the end of each week, each group of campers will have an opportunity to visit the Y-Store to purchase this-and-that’s with “Y Bucks.”
L.I.T. Program: The Leaders In Training program, for ages 12-15, prepares teens to work with children by giving them important responsibilities in the camp environment. During this volunteer program, part of the day is spent helping the camp counselors and the rest is dedicated to doing various assignments, service projects and other activities. Past projects have included a camp carnival, car washes, camp newsletter and bake sales.
Camp Songs on the Bus: Campers love crazy songs to sing on the ride to our outdoor education/ recreation facility (Andrew Avenue) or even on field trips. Our counselors know these songs by heart, and by the end of the summer you will too!
Corporal Harvey B. Shick, Jr. Memorial Trust Scholarship Fund
In 1944, a 19-year-old La Porte soldier was killed in a battle of the Second World War. His family established a Memorial Fund in 1945, to assist the children of La Porte to attend summer camp. Because the Shick family created this memorial for their son and brother, the children of La Porte will continue to benefit from his legacy.
In 2005, the fund’s trustees decided to use the income from his fund to offer scholarships to children that would otherwise be unable to afford the La Porte YMCA summer camp program. If you would like financial assistance with camp, please call the YMCA at (219) 325-9622.
Because the Shick Family set aside this memorial for their son and brother in 1945, the children of La Porte will continue to benefit from the legacy for many years to come. This long-lasting gift to the community and fitting honor to Cpl. Harvey B. Shick, Jr., is truly an outstanding success story of what can happen when a permanent endowment fund is created. We thank the members of the Shick Family and truly appreciate their generosity.