Greater Portland
In-Town Day Camp

Click here for complete information on how to register for Greater Portland In-Town Day Camp.

Registrations will be taken in person and online. Online registrations must be completed prior to the Wednesday before camp begins. After that time you will have to register in person.

About the Greater Portland YMCA In-town Camp

Campers, we invite you to hop on the train at In-Town Camp’s IMAGINATION STATION and join us as we travel through summer to weekly stops full of marvelous make- believe and fantastic fun!

Come for one week, a few weeks, or the whole summer! Activities and excitement will fill each day as campers make new friends, get to know their great counselors, and enjoy their summer with the Y! Our full-day state licensed day camp will take advantage of the great resources Cumberland County has to offer.

Each week, campers will take field trips to local parks, beaches, and area attractions; do arts and crafts projects; get active; engage in team-building; and participate in swim lessons. Camp is based at the Greater Portland YMCA where we use the gym, pool, art studio, and outdoor playground.

In addition to In-Town Camp, the Greater Portland Y will also offer Art Camp, Swim, Camp, Saddles & Swim, and teen leadership opportunities (CIT and LIT programs) during select weeks.

Our Camp Philosophy

We believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life. With the help of the Y community, kids in our neighborhoods are taking more interest in learning and making smarter life choices.  At our day camps, kids learn to share, learn about sportsmanship and, most importantly, learn how to be themselves. These skills make for confident kids today and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

Our focus is on youth development.  Our day camps nurture the potential of every child. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  All kids deserve the chance to discover who they are and what they can achieve.  That’s why, through YMCA camp, youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

Why Parents & Kids Love Y Camps

We draw on nearly 80 years of success in providing summer camps in the Cumberland County community and 150 years of YMCA camping experience around the country. We know camp!

More specifically:

• Parents trust us to take care of their kids.
• We are positive role models for your children.
• We teach kids to be good friends and good citizens.
• We nurture independent thinking and creativity and expand kids' horizons through exploration.
• We bring smiles to your child's face!

Summer Camp Staff

The Cumberland County YMCA prides itself on the quality and commitment of our staff. These individuals are caring, fun, energetic and responsible people who participate in a comprehensive training program. As a result, 97% of families believe our staff members are good mentors to their children.

We perform criminal background checks on all of our staff over the age of 18. Staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. Staff members largely consist of college or high school students, teachers and parents.

Extended Care

Camp hours are 9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. Extended care is provided at no additional charge from 7:30 – 9:00 am and 4:00 – 5:30 pm each day.

In-Town Camp Sessions, Summer 2011

Session 1 :: June 20 - 24
Spectacular Superheroes

Do you wish you had a super power? Well, this week you can! Campers will create their own superhero and make crafts to help them fight the battle against evil. We’ll learn about local heroes like police officers and firefighters too!

Session 2 :: June 27 - July 1)
Monsters, Myths and Legends

Have you heard of Bigfoot? The Loch Ness Monster? This week we’ll explore myths and legends from around the world and even come up with some of our own! We’ll also take a trip to the Children’s Museum of Maine.

Session 3 :: July 5 - 8
Color My World

Each day, campers will do activities based on a different color of the rainbow. We’ll “go green,” play pass the orange, and make a special rainbow themed snack. This week will also include a trip to Willard Beach.

Session 4 :: July 11 - 15
Magic and Wizardry

Spend a week at the Y’s version of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Campers will leave having learned about charms, potions, and magic tricks!

Session 5 :: July 18-22
Under the Sea

If you were a sea creature, what would you be? What else can you find under the sea? We’ll explore ocean creatures, do sand art, and take a trip to Aquaboggan.

Session 6 :: July 25-29
A Pirate’s Life for Me

Ahoy, matey! This week we’ll go on a local Casco Bay sea adventure, make our own maps, and search for lost treasure.

Session 7 :: August 1-5
Knights and Princesses

Gather round ye knights and ladies, its time to celebrate like royalty this week. From castles and crowns to dragons and unicorns, campers will enjoy many crafts and games this week, including feats of sportsmanship, courage and strength on a field trip to Otter Pond Outdoor Adventure Camp.

Session 8 :: August 8-12
Think Big!

How creative and silly can you be? Campers will put their creativity to the test as they design a new candy for Willy Wonka, create a personal logo, perform in our TALENT SHOW, and more!

Session 9 :: August 15-19
Time Travelers

Have you ever wondered what the world was like long ago or what it will look like 1,000 years from now? We’ll make time machines and each day, campers will travel through time – from the age of the dinosaurs to life in the future. We’ll also visit Willard Beach for a day.

Session 10 :: August 22-26
Wacky Sports & Games

Go bananas playing old favorites and learning lots of new activities and games! This fun week will also include ice skating and our annual Camp Olympics.

In-Town Specialty Camps

Art Camp

Campers will be immersed in a variety of fun art activities in the Y’s art studio. Drawing, painting, and other projects will allow students to put their creativity to the test this summer. Campers will take a trip to the Portland Art Museum and have the opportunity to swim while at camp too!

Ages:    5-12
Dates:    Session 6 (July 25 – 29) for ages 5-8
              Session 7 (August 1-5) for ages 9-12
Cost:     $190 per one-week session

Saddles & Swim

Do you love horses? Then this is the camp for you! Each morning you will spend time with and learn about horses while improving your riding skills at the Hearts & Horses Farm in Buxton.

Then, in the afternoon you will return to the Portland YMCA or go to area beaches for swimming. This horsemanship camp is for all levels from beginner to experienced riders. Campers will be divided into skill groups upon arrival at the farm.

Ages:   7-12 years
Dates:  Session 4 (July 11 - 15) enrollment for this session is closed
           Session 5 (July 18 - 22) enrollment for this session is closed
           Session 6 (July 25 - 29)
           Session 7 (August 1 - 5)
           Session 8 (August 8 - 12) enrollment for this session is closed
           Session 9 (August 15 - 19)
Cost:   $350 per one-week session

Swim Camp

This camp is for swimmers interested in continuing their training and improving stroke technique.

Camp will include cardio training, structured in-water technique instruction, water safety, and more. Some traditional camp activities will be included as well. All swim levels welcome.

Ages:    7-14 years
Dates:  Session 5 (July 18-22)
           Session 8 (August 8-12)
           Session 9 (August 15-19)
Cost:   $190 per one-week session

Teen Leadership Opportunities

Through our Teen Leadership Programs (LIT and CIT), we develop leadership skills that young people can use throughout their lives to help others and themselves in identifying and achieving goals.  In addition, in our Counselors in Training (CIT) program, we help young people learn how to effectively lead children. There are three components to our skill-based, leadership training process:

1. We help young people figure out what good leaders do and say.

2. We give them lots of opportunities to practice doing and saying these things.

3. We make it fun!

Ages: 13-15
Dates:  LIT:  Sessions 2-4 (June 27 – July 15)
           CIT:  Sessions 5-7 (July 18 – August 5)
Cost: $270 for each three-week session

Camp Fees

Camp Fee: $190 per session per child

One-Time Registration Fee: $15 per child (This fee is waived for Cumberland County YMCA members.)

Early-Bird Incentive! Register by May 1st and pay only $180 per session.

Multiple Session Incentive! Register by May 1st for 7 weeks or more and pay only $170 per session.

Sibling Incentive: $10 per session per child for the second and every subsequent child from the same family attending the same camp session.

Financial Assistance

The Cumberland County YMCA strives to serve the entire community, regardless of ability to pay. We do this by providing need-based financial assistance, made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the area. The Y also accepts Aspire, Child Care Connections, and other vouchers. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about financial assistance.

Special Needs

We want to best serve your child and to make his or her camp experience enjoyable. Communication is a key component of this and critical to a successful relationship. Therefore, if your child has any behavioral or medical challenges (including allergies), please speak with our Camp Director to determine if we can safely accommodate his/her needs.

For More Information

For questions about Greater Portland In-Town Camps, please contact:

Kerry Salvo, Camp Director
Phone: 207-874-1111 x 116
E-Mail: ksalvo@cumberlandcountyymca.org