Cortland YMCA Summer Day Camp Program

Join the YMCA for our summer day camp for youth entering kindergarten through 6th grade (must be toilet trained.) We run all 10 weeks of summer.

Registration will open in February. Click here to register!

Camp activities include swimming, weekly walking field trips, arts and crafts, gym games and active play, and more! There are also field trips during select weeks.

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

Early Drop Off: 7:00am-9:00am

Late Pick Up: 4:00pm-6:00pm

Add early OR late pickup for each week.

Family Member registration starts February 1st!

Youth member registration starts February 5th!

Non-member registration starts February 8th!

Important Camp Information:

Camp Times and Dates
If your camper is enrolled in AM camp care, you can drop your camper off between the hours of 7:00am-9:00am. Please note that AM camp care does not start before 7:00am.
Camp runs from 9:00am-4:00pm.
PM camp care runs from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Please note, there will be a late fee if your camper is not picked up by 6:00pm
Where to drop off
Camp will be held downstairs at the Cortland YMCA. Once you enter the building, tell the desk staff you’re here for camp and they can direct you to our camp’s location. Please make sure you check in with a counselor AND sign your camper in for camp.
Where to pick up
You’ll likely find us downstairs or on the playground. Please make sure you check in with a counselor and sign your camper out every day.
Special Supports
The Cortland YMCA follows the 10:1 ratio put in place by NY OCFS. If your child receives additional supports from school, has an IEP/504, please reach out to Gina at programs@cortlandymca.org so we can discuss if our camp is a good fit for your child before registering.
What to send to camp
Camp success comes from being prepared! Please make sure your camper has:
  • A refillable water bottle
  • Lunch and snacks (we will have a peanut free table)
  • Swim suit
  • Towel
  • Backpack
  • Change of clothes (accidents happen!)
  • Sunscreen (and apply it before arrive at camp)
DO NOT SEND YOUR CAMPER TO CAMP WITH ELETRONIC GAMES OR ANYTHING THAT THEY WILL BE SAD ABOUT IF THEY LOSE.
Late/Absent
If your camper will be arriving after 10:00am or will be absent, please give the YMCA a call at (607)756-2893. If you need to reach us during this day, this is the best line to reach us at. Camp days are hectic and email doesn’t often get checked.
Camp Handbooks
Will get emailed out one week before each session.
A few reminders
If you have applied for DSS, please let us know. If you need help with your child profile, you can stop by the Y or give us a call and we can complete it over the phone for you.

Summer 2026 prices:

A one-time non refundable deposit of $25 per camper is due at time of sign up (regardless of scholarship/DSS status unless otherwise pre-approved.)

Camp rates:
Family Members: $250/week
Youth Members: $300/week
Non Members: $350/week

Before Care:
Family Members: $30/week
Youth Members: $45/week
Non Members: $60/week

After Care:
Family Members: $30/week
Youth Members: $45/week
Non Members: $60/week

Financial Aid Is Available

For us, welcoming everyone means that we do our best to make membership and programs affordable for every family and individual, no matter what their financial situation is. Thanks to community support, we’re able to offer discounted summer camp rates to families that qualify. Must provide a letter from DSS denying support.  Learn more here or stop by the front desk to pick up the required paperwork.

2026 Summer Camp Weekly Themes

Week 1: June 29th-July 3rd: Backyard Biologists
Join us as we explore local plants, animals and eco systems, right in our own backyard!

Week 2: July 6th-10th: Wonderful Water
Travel under the sea with a fun filled week full of fish, mermaids, and all things sea.

Week 3: July 13th-17th: Amazing Animals
We’ll learn about animals and how amazing they can be! We’ll have a visit by some furry freinds as well!

Week 4: July 20th-24th: Space Odyssey
Come learn all about space with us, from making our own comet to visiting a planetarium.

Week 5: July 27th-July 31st: New York State Adventures
We’re going to learn about New York history, sample some staple New York foods and check out the 1890’s house.

Week 6: August 3rd-August 7th: Super Heroes
Find out what your super powers are with us this week! Make a cape, compete in an obstacle course, and save the day!

Week 7: August 10th-14th: Wizard’s Unite
Hogwarts is coming to Cortland! Gather up your wand and bubble up some potions, care for magical creatures and find the golden snitch.

Week 8: August 17th-21st: STEM
Calling all scientists! Explore states of matter, gravity and more as we perform all kinds of science experiments!

Week 9: August 24th-28th: Sports Spectacular
Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Pickleball: Come learn about them all and join us for an active week of sportacular fun!

Week 10: August 31st-September 4th: End of Summer Carnival
The best way to say goodbye to summer is with a carnival. Complete with carnival games and cotton candy, we’ll make sure summer 2026 was one for the books!