Summer Camp
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SUMMER CAMP AT THE DUNELAND YMCA

At the YMCA, we challenge children to grow in imagination, creativity, confidence, self-directed initiative, and leadership.

SUMMER FUN STARTS HERE

Summer is a time for kids to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination! At our YMCA Summer Camp your child will create lifelong memories while participating in enriching, age-appropriate, fun activities! Campers entering first grade (must be potty-trained) through 8th grade will experience a Summer of Swimming (and even Swim Lessons), educational STEAM and literacy activities, special events and presentations, arts & crafts, games, sports and so much more! Your child will make new friends, experience new things and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day!

Campers are separated into age-appropriate groups, giving us the ability to nurture every child’s full potential!  Camp includes a balance of indoor and outdoor activities, giving all campers the opportunity to explore, grow and develop in a healthy and safe environment. 

Y Summer Camp registration for 2025 IS OPEN NOW! We’re excited to start planning for another action-packed summer, taking place at a Y near you. If you have any questions, please contact us using the form at the bottom of this page, and our friendly Youth Program Director will be in touch with you.

REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP

Links

Weekly Themes & Field Trips
Registration Information
Camp Information
Parent Handbook
Request Enrollment Form

USEFUL INFO

An 11-week program that runs five days per week, June to August, for rising 1st-8th grade.

Register here. Call (219) 926-4204 or email [email protected] with any questions.

Please mark all of your child’s belongings with their full name! Items for your child to bring to camp include:

  • Camp shirt (on field trip days)
  • Backpack
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Sneakers
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+, spray preferred)
  • Swimsuit and towel (except for field trip days)

We also recommend packing sunglasses, a hat, and a book for your child. Do not send your child to camp with electronics, a phone, or other toys.

The YMCA will not be held responsible for any lost, stolen, or broken items.

Individuals and families may apply for financial assistance for membership or programs, such as Summer Day Camp. Assistance is based upon a number of factors, including total household income and number of dependents. The process is confidential. Application forms and information about the program are available online or at the Duneland Family YMCA.

How old does my child have to be to attend camp?
Camps are intended for children entering grades 1–8. Students must be currently attending or have completed their kindergarten year. 

What are my payment options?
You can pay in full with a credit card or check, or pay on a weekly basis by keeping a credit card on file. Payments must be made the Friday prior to the start of the selected camp week.

What should campers wear to camp?
Campers should wear comfortable clothing that’s okay to get messy, and closed-toe shoes.

What is the camper-to-staff ratio?
The counselor to camper ratio is 1:18 or 1:20.

Does the Y offer financial assistance?
Yes! As a nonprofit organization, financial assistance is made possible through charitable donations to our Annual Support Campaign.

Does the Y offer any type of educational enrichment?
Yes! In addition to having fun at camp, your child will also learn valuable skills! The Y has a daily, designated quiet time to read in order to help prevent summer learning loss.

Regular camp hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Before camp care hours: 6:00 am – 9:00 am
After camp care hours: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

*Field trips (Fridays) depart and arrival times will be shared with guardians each week.

All field trip time, dates, and locations are subject to change.

Weekly Themes & Field Trips

Weekly themes & field trips add something special woven throughout the camp week. For 2025, campers can look forward to the following camp theme weeks & field trips at Camp Shorwau:

WELCOME TO CAMP

Week 1: June 2 – June 6, 2025

Kick off summer with Camp Shorwau’s welcome week! Get ready to explore, learn, and play as we dive into an unforgettable season of fun and friendship. From exciting activities to new adventures, it is the perfect start to a summer full of memories!

Field Trip: Dog Days Ice Cream (walking field trip)

ANIMALS AROUND THE WORLD

Week 2: June 9 – June 13, 2025

Join us for an exciting adventure as we take a trip to the zoo! This field trip offers a wild opportunity to get up close with amazing animals from around the world. Participants will explore exhibits, learn fascinating facts from zookeepers, and discover the importance of wildlife conservation.

Field Trip: Washington Park Zoo

NATURE AND ADVENTURE

Week 3: June 16 – June 20, 2025

Get ready to explore the great outdoors and awaken your sense of adventure! Our Nature & Adventure themes are designed to connect participants with the natural world through exciting, hands-on experiences.

Field Trip: Camp Triangle Hills

UNDER THE MOON & STARS

Week 4: June 23 – June 27, 2025

Pitch a tent and get out your binoculars as we explore the great outdoors. This week we will learn about wilderness life and safety. Imaginations will come alive as we pitch a tent, go on a scavenger hunt, write ghost stories and enjoy campfire cuisine.

Field Trip: Indiana Dunes National Park Bailly Homestead (Chellberg Farm) 

TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS

Week 5: June 30 – July 3, 2024

*No camp on July 4*

Food, culture, music, and games from countries near and far will tickle your taste buds and have you asking for more.

Field Trip: Walk to Dairy Queen

WACKY WATER WEEK

Week 6: July 7 – July 11, 2025

Grab your swim suit, sunscreen, and towel! This week is all about staying cool and having fun with wacky water games and slippery slip and slides

Field Trip: Lakeview Park & Pool

CANDYOLOGY

Week 7: July 14 – July 18, 2025

Sweet tooth required! All candy. All fun. All week. Make edible slime, unleash a Mentos geyser, and perform chromatography using Skittles. We will take a tour of a candy company to see how sweet treats are made!

 

Field Trip: South Bend Chocolate Company

SUMMER FEST

Week 8: July 21 – July 25, 2025

Festivals and fun celebrations galore! Dress like a hippy, make a tie-dyed creation, and plan a YMCA camp festival.

Field Trip: Porter County Fair

ISLAND EXPLORERS: THE ZAO ADVENTURE

Week 9: July 28 – August 1, 2025

Campers become bold explorers on a mission to uncover all the fun Zao Island has to offer—from mini golf treasure hunts to arcade challenges. Every day builds excitement for the ultimate island expedition!

Field Trip: Zao Island

MOVIN' & GROOVIN'

Week 10: August 4 – August 8, 2025

This week camp will be non-stop movin and groovin. Join us for lots of outdoor fun, games, and exploration.

Field Trip: West Beach

Leader In Training (LIT) Program

In our LIT program, teens have the opportunity to shadow our Summer Day Camp Counselors and develop their leadership skills through hands-on interactions with children and Summer Day Camp Staff. This is the perfect program for teens that have the desire to become future camp counselors and leaders.

This program is designed for teens ages 13-15 and will provide participants with the training, tools, and experience to become an effective leader, and to develop the skills necessary for a strong work ethic.

Week 1 – 2 

Orientation and Camp Overview

  • Intro to camp philosophy, policies, and procedures
  • Icebreaker activities and team-building exercises
  • Understanding the role of leader, LIT expectations
  • Safety/emergency training (first aid basics)
  • Communication skills development/conflict resolution

Week 3 – 4

Child Development/Behavior Management

  • Understanding child psychology/age-appropriate activities
  • Effective behavior management techniques, positive reinforcement
  • Developing patience, empathy, and active listening skills
  • Creating inclusive and supporting environments for campers
  • Managing group dynamics and fostering a positive camp culture

Week 5 – 6

Leadership and Teamwork

  • Identifying personal strengths and areas for growth as a leader
  • Team-building challenges and group projects to foster collaboration
  • Time management and organizational skills for handling multiple tasks
  • Setting goals and developing a personal leadership action plan

Week 7 – 8

Activity Planning and Implementation

  • Learning how to design engaging and age-appropriate camp activities
  • Incorporating educational elements into recreational programs
  • Adapting activities for campers with diverse abilities and interests
  • Effective presentation and communication techniques during activities
  • Receiving feedback and making necessary adjustments to activities

Week 9 – 10

Reflection and Future Development

  • Reflecting on personal growth and development throughout the program
  • Identifying areas for continued improvement and skill enhancement
  • Building a network and understanding the importance of professional relationships
  • Crafting a personal mission statement for future involvement in camp leadership
  • Graduation ceremony and celebration of achievements

Got questions? Please fill out the form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Register HERE

Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus, 651 W Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN 46360 (Former Chesterton Middle/High School). USE PORTER AVENUE ENTRANCE AND DOOR 11/POOL ENTRANCE.

We provide care from 6:00am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday. Our camp day runs from 9:00am-4:00pm. We ask that campers are not dropped off after 9:30am or picked up before 4:00pm, unless there are special circumstances that have been communicated with our director, due to the complex daily schedules and staffing.

Parents will be asked to list anyone eligible to pick up their child when they register for camp. It is the parent’s responsibility to keep the YMCA informed and up-to-date with the appropriate information, such as who can pick up the child and emergency contact information. Photo identification will be required upon pick-up for the safety of all children and families.

Please bring your child to camp in clothes appropriate for getting dirty, playing games, and having fun. Also consider the weather conditions for the day when choosing attire. We recommend wearing shoes that won’t easily come off. No sandals, please. Remember to include a swimsuit and towel for your camper as well.

Camp shirts are only required on field trip days (Fridays). Camp shirts will be distributed to campers upon their first field trip

All children will be swim tested prior to swimming to be evaluated by our lifeguards. This ensure that all campers remain safe in the pool. Campers are able to swim test once a week, with the approval of a swim instructor.

Yes, parents need to pack a lunch for their camper every day. Please don’t send food that spoils quickly in the heat. We unfortunately do not have the means to refrigerate lunches.

We provide breakfast, a morning snack, and 2 afternoon snacks. Lunch is NOT provided. Campers must bring a nut-free sack lunch each day.

If there is ever a change to your campers schedule, we ask that you contact both our director and billing manager.

Yes. You only register for the weeks of camp you need and you will only pay for the weeks your child attends. 

We ask that you apply the first coat of sunscreen and bug spray at home each morning before coming to camp. Send a bottle of sunscreen and bug spray, labeled with your camper’s name, in your camper’s backpack so they can reapply throughout the day.

Join Our Camp Staff