DAY CAMP INFORMATION
SUMMER CAMP START & END TIMES
Day Camp runs Monday through Friday, beginning at 9:00 am and ending at 4:30 pm.
TRANSPORTATION
Day Campers may be dropped off directly at Sherman Lake YMCA Camp or ride on a bus from from one of our transportation sites at a cost of $35 per session.
Check In: An authorized adult must sign in their camper(s) daily. After check-in, campers will immediately get on the bus until it’s time to depart. We recommend packing a non-electronic book or activity for your child for the bus.
Check Out: An authorized adult from your campers account must sign campers out daily, along with a photo ID.
| Location | Check In Time | Bus Departs | Bus Arrives | Check Out Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Kalamazoo YMCA - Portage 2900 W. Centre Ave. Portage, MI 49024 |
7:40am-7:55am | 8:00am | 5:00pm | 5:00pm-5:15pm | SLY staff will be at the side door of the building. When entering the parking lot, use the lot to the far left (East) and walk to the door on the lower level. |
| Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts 922 W. Maple Street Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
7:40am-7:55am | 8:00am | 5:00pm | 5:00pm-5:15pm | SLY camp staff will be available at the front of the building. For emergency restroom needs and weather, we will utilize the YMCA across the street. |
| Westlake Elementary 1184 S. 24th Street Bttle Creek, MI 49015 |
7:40am-7:55am | 8:00am | 5:00pm | 5:00pm-5:15pm | SLY camp staff will be available at the front of the building. For emergency restroom needs and weather, we will utilize the school. |
| Battle Creek Family YMCA - Multi Sports Complex *Quick Stop* 86 Cherry Street Battle Creek, MI 49017 |
8:10am-8:15am | 8:15am | 4:45pm | 4:45pm-4:50pm | The Westlake bus will briefly stop at the Battle Creek Y's Multi Sports Complex parking lot to pickup and drop off campers. Families are asked to be prompt as no SLY staff stay at this location. |
| Sherman Lake YMCA 6225 North 39th St.Augusta, MI 49012 |
8:30am-9:00am | N/A | N/A | 4:30pm-4:50pm | When you arrive on camp, you will be directed to the Day Camp Drop Off circle driveway (second circle). |
LATE PICK UP FEES
Please arrange your schedule so that you can pick up your child at the designated time. Failure to pick up your camper on time may result in an additional fee.
LUNCH OPTIONS
Sack lunches are available for day campers for $30 per week and may be chosen as an option during the registration process. Bagged lunches will be delivered fresh to campers at lunchtime and will include a sandwich, drink, fruit, and dessert. Meals must be ordered for the full week. No refunds or cancellations can be given for missed meals.
Special dietary needs and allergies can not be accommodated.
WEEKLY THEMES*
*The themes below are from 2024 - stay tuned for our 2025 themes!
Session 1 - Superheroes - Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Sherman Lake Avengers! Join the team as we fly into our first week of summer fun!
Session 2 - Storybook - This week will bring your favorite book to life, from Mother Goose to Dr Seuss, to Roald Dahl to Harry Potter (and anything in between)! Put on your armor or tiara, jump on your dragon, and explore the magic of your imagination!
Session 3 - Disney - Get into character as we explore everything Disney, from the classics to live-action remakes. Grab your crown or your lightsaber, warm up your singing voice, and get ready because ‘Adventure is out there’!
Session 4 - Around the World - Prepare to explore the world as we try different activities from various countries. We’ll host the Sherman Lake Olympics, where we will be celebrating sportsmanship, and good old-fashioned summer fun as we compete in awesome activities.
Session 5 - Game On - Get your game faces on, as all our favorite games come to life! You might have to “catch them all”, trek through Gumdrop Mountains, and solve whodunits during this exciting week of Camp!
Session 6 - Time Warp - Buckle up for this week as we prepare for a wild ride through the time warp! You might see anything from dinosaurs to knights in shining armor to hippies in tie-dye as we travel back through time to visit different eras in history.
Session 7 - Holidays - Tired of waiting all year for Christmas to roll around again? Get ready to celebrate your favorite holidays all together in one amazing week! We will also be celebrating Christmas in July with our classic holiday toy drive.
Session 8 - Color Games - This week is a friendly and spirited all-camp game, where campers will get assigned to a color and participate in challenges and games to earn points for their team!
Session 9 - Animal Planet - The world is home to so many more creatures than just us! Let’s learn and share about our favorite animals and explore the camp from their view.
Session 10 - Carnival - Get ready for everyone’s favorite carnival blowout! We will celebrate another amazing summer of Sherman Lake YMCA Camp fun with our tradition of an end-of-summer carnival!
SAFETY
Safety is our #1 priority. Camp staff are carefully screened during a character-based hiring process and are selected for their skills and concern for the well-being of children. Professional program staff work directly with counselors to provide guidance and support. Staff are certified in first aid and CPR and have been screened through the highest standards of child safety practices, including background checks. The Sherman Lake YMCA is accredited by the American Camp Association and Praesidium.
ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s commitment to the well-being of campers and staff. Praesidium Accreditation® publicly demonstrates to consumers that Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center has achieved the highest industry standards in abuse prevention. Our Summer Camp Director is certified as a Praesidium Guardian to ensure all abuse prevention strategies are implemented within our organization.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
It is our belief that no child shall be turned away due to an inability to pay. Each year, we raise funds to help parents send their kids to camp. If the camp fees are just not possible for you right now, we urge you to apply for a camp scholarship. Please feel free to call our camp office at 269.731.3030 or click here for more information.