Northwest Family Y 2026 Summer Day Camp

Camp Drop-Off from 7:30am-9:00am. 

Regular Camp Hours are 9:00am-4:00pm

Camp Pick-up is 4:00pm-6:00pm

Drop-off and Pick-up is in the car line from 7:30-9:00 am and 4:00pm-6:00pm at the library parking lot. 

To access the library car line, use the entrance to the West Cobb Regional Library, one driveway down from the YMCA. Once you enter the Library parking lot follow signs for the car line.

Appropriate footwear (closed toed shoes or securely secured sandals with a backstrap - Campers may not be able to participate in some activities such as Archery or Rockwall if wearing open toed shoes) 

Sack lunch, refillable water bottle, 2-3 snacks packed separately from their lunch, sunscreen and bug spray.

Swimsuit & towel: Please have your camper come to camp already dressed in their swimsuit with a towel in their book bag.

Electronics including smart watches, smart glasses, and phones (Phones, tablets, gaming devices, will be collected by the counselor and will remain with the Director until camp dismissal)  

Playing cards & Pokémon cards & toys  

Candy and caffeinated drinks  

Valuables, such as money and jewelry  

Library books  

Sports Equipment 

Anything you or your camper would be upset if it got lost

Children will be responsible for changing out of their soiled/dirty clothing and cleaning themselves if an accident occurs. 

Children will be assisted at bathroom time if needed, however, if a child cannot clean themselves adequately or does not have a change of clothes, parents may need to be notified. 

Please be advised that soiled clothing will be placed in a plastic bag and underwear thrown away (BM accidents) unless otherwise directed by the parent. 

YMCA staff cannot wash your child’s soiled clothing. Pack extra clothes, in case of any incident, as camp is held outside. Please also pack personal items such as deodorant, sunscreen, pads, & other feminine items.

Minor Injuries (scrapes, bumps, bruises, etc.) will be cleaned with soap and water and treated with an adhesive bandage and/or ice pack as needed. You will be notified of the injury at pick-up time.

Severe Injuries will result in immediate attempt to reach a parent/guardian before seeking professional medical attention. This includes reaching out to emergency contacts as needed.

Head Injuries will be treated as a serious matter due to the possible implications of these types of injuries. The staff will monitor the child for signs of a concussion and provide ice as needed. Parents/guardians will be notified immediately of a head injury.

Immediate Emergencies will result in the Y calling 911 and the parent/guardian. If the child is transported by ambulance, an adult staff member will accompany them. We will notify the parent/guardian of the hospital location to which the child is being transported.

Head Injuries will be treated as a serious matter due to the possible implications of these types of injuries. The staff will monitor the child for signs of a concussion and provide ice as needed. Parents/guardians will be notified immediately of a head injury.

Immediate Emergencies will result in the Y calling 911 and the parent/guardian. If the child is transported by ambulance, an adult staff member will accompany them. We will notify the parent/guardian of the hospital location to which the child is being transported.

Please clearly indicate any food, environmental, or medication allergies during registration and on your child’s health forms. Be as specific as possible to help us ensure appropriate accommodations

If your child requires emergency medication (such as an EpiPen or inhaler), it must be provided to camp staff in its original container, clearly labeled with your child’s name and usage instructions. An Allergy Action Plan or other relevant medical documentation must also be submitted.

YMCA staff can administer prescription medication when we receive all appropriate medical forms. All prescription medications must be in the original container with the pharmacy label. All over-the-counter medication must be in the original packaging, clearly labeled with your camper’s name and accompanied by a doctor’s note.

Sunscreen: Campers are reminded to apply Sunscreen at the change of every Activity.

Please plan for sunshine and rain. We will continue our outdoor activities as long as there is no thunder or lightning. 

Should there be thunder or lightning, we will move the children into the facility until the weather is safe to move back outdoors. The safety and well-being of our campers and staff is always our priority.

All Campers must pack their own Lunch and Snacks. Campers are not allowed to share food.

Campers are typically split by age. No day at camp is the same however we stick to a similar schedule. 

Check-in, camp opening, snack, morning activity rotations, lunch, pool, SEL or summer learning loss time, snack, afternoon rotations, camp closing, pick-up.

Yes, in Traditional Camp, campers swim every day. We at times will set up slip and slides or sprinklers as an activity area to try to help keep kids cool and having fun. 

Campers attending Camp High Harbor at Lake Allatoona will have the opportunity to participate in lake activities.

Campers are expected to learn and implement the YMCA's Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. 

We will not tolerate aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is defined as any action or words that may cause harm, fear, or discomfort to another person. This includes but is not limited to:  

• Verbal Aggression: Insults, threats, name-calling, or use of inappropriate or offensive language.
• Physical Aggression: Pushing, hitting, kicking, or any form of physical violence.
• Emotional Aggression: Bullying, intimidation, exclusion, or actions that affect the emotional well-being of another person. 

Any behavior deemed aggressive or harmful will result in immediate action by camp staff. This may include but is not limited to:  

• Separation from the group for a cooling-off period.
• Parent/guardian notification of the incident.
• A meeting with camp leadership to discuss the behavior.

Families will receive general camp updates through email. 

They may receive a phone call for individual camper updates such as a behavior incident, Injury or Illness. 

Parents may contact the Youth Development Director by email for non-emergancys and the front desk for urgent matters.

Make sure to put multiple Authorized pick-ups on your list, you never know what may happen. Start going over the YMCA behavior policy and camp expectations with your camper early. 

Double check your campers bookbag before leaving in the morning make sure they have what they need and leave valubles at home. 

Many Campers enjoy haveing portable fans and hats to help stay cool in the sun. These are not required but a great bonus item for kids.

 If your child has or may have any needs while at camp please let us know as camp is loud and fast paced. We want to take the time to chat with you about how to make your camper successful while in our program.

Jennifer Nyrek: 

I grew up going to summer camp. I believe Camp is more than just fun it's an intentional experience to create connection, discover interests, try new things, make friends, grow confidence, and so much more. I believe going to camp can have a huge impact on their development. I started off my camp career in 2012 as a Jr Camp Counselor at Girl Scout Overnight Camp. I eventually made my way to becoming a Camp Director and absolutely loved it. In November of 2024 I moved to the Y for a new adventure where I could experience Co-Ed Day Camp. Summer 2025 was my first summer in the role and I absolutely loved it. The Y's core values of Caring, Honesty, respect, and responsibility mean a lot to me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share those values with Campers, Families, and Staff.

Some Fun Facts about Me:

I went to Clown School and worked as a clown

I have a mini-Zoo at my home. Three Dogs, a Bird, and a Fish Tank

You are most likely to find me hiking at a state park on the weekends

I grew up in Michigan (Don't worry, I've been living in the south since 2021)