Cross Island YMCA

Early Bird Deadline and Camp Open House
Early Bird Deadline: April 29, 2023
Learn more about summer camp and visit with camp staff at our Open Houses on February 11, March 11, April 29, and May 13.
YMCA Location
238-10 Hillside Ave, Bellerose, NY 11426
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM
Extended Day Hours: 8-9 AM & 5-6 PM
Dates: July 5-August 26
Byresha Waithe, Camp Director
718-551-9320
crossislandycamp@ymcanyc.org
Summer Camp at the Cross Island YMCA is a Lisa Beth Gerstman Inclusion Camp.
A fun summer is a springboard for an amazing school year! Kinder Camp is designed for children entering kindergarten in September 2022. Structured Day Camp activities support the transition to kindergarten by building social and emotional skills in a fun and nurturing environment, including a focus on classroom structure, transitional activities, and group play. Staff members experienced in engaging with this age group understand the importance of rich adult-child interactions and focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Campers participate in physical fitness, interactive science, literacy activities, and theme-based arts and crafts. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $850
Community: $927
*Financial assistance is available
There is an energy and magic to summer camp that cannot be replicated! Friends, experiences, and memories to last a lifetime! At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, each day is a fun new adventure. Campers participate in traditional camp activities that get them active in physical fitness, get them creative in arts and crafts, get them to experiment in exciting science activities, and get them silly in theme day activities. Camp offers a unique experience that includes time for children to build social and emotional skills in a fun and inclusive environment. This environment creates an atmosphere of family and community that includes a focus on classroom structure, transitional activities, group play, and team building. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $773
Community: $850
*Financial assistance is available
Summer is amazing when you are active and have friends and coaches cheering you on! Kids have been stuck indoors for too long! At the Y, they'll have the chance to be active while having fun playing different sports. Campers will explore the world of sports, the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and motivating each other to succeed, while strengthening their appreciation for health and fitness. When campers are not playing a sport, they participate in traditional camp activities which include getting creative in arts and crafts, experimenting in fun science activities, and taking part in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $824
Community: $901
*Financial assistance is available
Curious campers can explore new areas in this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) themed camp. Campers will participate in innovative and imaginative activities that will take them on a new fun fun new adventure every day! All our camp activities are designed to keep campers engaged and develop problem solving skills. When campers are not engaged in STEAM, they participate in traditional camp activities that get them active in physical fitness, get them creative in arts and crafts, and get them silly in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $850
Community: $927
*Financial assistance is available
Can you feel the rhythm? Dance Camp is for all youth who have a passion for the art of dance. Our skilled instructors work with all different levels of dancers, from beginner to advanced, and start each session with warm-ups to get the body ready for technical skills being taught. Dance types include: Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, and Musical Theater. Proper attire is required to make sure each dancer is equipped and ready to learn to the best of their ability. When campers are not dancing, they engage in Day Camp activities including arts and crafts and swimming.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $824
Community: $901
*Financial assistance is available
Freestyle! Butterfly! Backstroke! Cannonball!
YMCA Swim Camp combines the traditional fun of Day Camp with a specialized focus on skills and learning related to aquatic activities. Our campers develop a lifetime love for the water, and a deep understanding of water safety and responsibility. All swimmers are individually tested, and instruction is tailored to meet them at their age and skill level. All aquatic activities are supervised, and instruction provided by experienced certified water safety instructors and lifeguards. When campers are not in the pool, they participate in traditional camp activities that get them creative in arts and crafts, get them to experiment in exciting science activities, and get them silly in theme day activities. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $876
Community: $953
*Financial assistance is available
Teen camp is for campers currently enrolled in middle school or high school and is designed to immerse campers in a variety of fun and inclusive activities tailored specifically to their ages and interests. Campers explore and partake in the arts, sports, and science, all with a focus on building confidence and strong peer relationships. Each session campers participate in project-based learning designed to foster growth in social emotional learning and leadership development skills. All camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $773
Community: $850
*Financial assistance is available
Early Childhood Camp is for children from ages 2 to 4 years old. Campers have the same fun as the big kids, but they stay closer to home. Early Childhood Camp provides our youngest campers with hands-on, experiential, fun activities that support each child’s social, physical, and cognitive skill development, preparing them for upcoming PreK For All (or other full-day) programming. Activities include outdoor play, music and movement, and interactive science, language, and literacy activities, with each session having a separate theme. Staff members experienced in engaging with preschoolers understand the importance of productive adult-child interactions and focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Early Childhood campers enjoy campsite-based collaborations with child-friendly organizations and go on excursions within walking distance in their communities. Campers also enjoy our cool, air-conditioned classrooms and peanut/tree nut-sensitive facility. Children must be toilet trained prior to the start of camp, as per our DOH licensing.
Cost per two week session:
Member: $927
Community: $1,005
*Financial assistance is available
Everything you need to know about registration, camp policies, how to get ready for camp, and more. For additional information, visit our Camp FAQ.
Need help with signing up? Read our guides for "How to Complete Registration Forms" and "How to Complete Online Payments".
Register(Submit a deposit for each session you would like your child to attend)
Complete the Camper Information Form and Camper Medical Form.
Other important information you should know:
Take advantage of our discounts
Note on payments:
Registration is a 2-step process:
Once you’ve registered and submitted payment online, you’ll receive an email with the Camper Information Form and Camper Medical Form that must be completed and submitted to the Camp Director before the start of camp.
Your child’s full application packet, including medical form, is due to finalize registration. The Camper Medical Form must be completed, stamped by a doctor and dated within 12 months of your child’s last day of camp. Note: if your child has a current medical (including immunizations), you may submit this instead of completing a new form. If the 12-month mark comes up during camp, an updated form must be submitted.
If you wish to sign up for camp in person, come to our YMCA branch and we will be happy to assist you.
Learn more about summer camp and visit with camp staff at our Open Houses. Check with your local branch for the specific time of their open house.
Camp | Member | Community |
---|---|---|
Kinder Camp | $850 | $927 |
Traditional Day Camp | $773 | $850 |
Sports Camp | $824 | $901 |
STEAM Camp | $850 | $927 |
Dance Camp | $824 | $901 |
Swim Camp | $876 | $953 |
Teen Camp | $773 | $850 |
Early Childhood Camp | $927 | $1,005 |
AM Extended Hours (8-9am) | $155 | $232 |
PM Extended Hours (5-6pm) | $155 | $232 |
Take advantage of our discounts
Note: Early Bird and Sibling Discounts cannot be combined.
The YMCA of Greater New York awards financial aid to campers based on the family’s annual income. Download an application and bring it to your branch to explore scholarship options.
All refund requests related to medical or health emergencies will be honored. All requests for credits or refunds not due to medical or health reasons must be submitted in advance of program start.
According to the NYC Department of Health, all participants must have a completed medical form on file prior to the start of summer camp. Please submit your child’s complete medical information form. It’s also a good idea to keep extra copies of the medical form for your records. If your child does not have complete medical forms along with immunization records, they may not attend camp.
During the registration process, it is extremely important that families notify the camp if the child has any medical conditions such as, but not limited to, allergies, asthma, diabetes or other conditions.
Additionally, campers must submit all necessary consent forms, including but not limited to:
Prior to your child attending camp, we require all families to attend our orientation. You will receive more information on this in your welcome email from the camp director.
Y campers stretch themselves physically and creatively. They play games, read, create books, and write poetry. They participate in science experiments, solve puzzles, craft art, and perform music and shows. Parents say their children come home tired, smiling, and frequently humming a new camp cheer.
Weekly schedules for each age group are provided to families at the beginning of each session. They can be obtained from the camp office. Families are encouraged to review the weekly schedule with their child. Weekly activities that are planned and scheduled are age-appropriate, recreational, challenging, and fun. If there are any questions about the activities or events, please speak to the Camp Director.
Each camper will receive two t-shirts and a camp bag. Camp t-shirts must be worn every day. Additional camp t-shirts may be purchased with the camp director.
The YMCA is a peanut- and nut-free environment.
During the registration process, it is extremely important that families notify the camp if the child has any medical conditions such as, but not limited to, allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other conditions.
Y Camp is Fun
Y Camp is Enriching
Y Camp is the Highest Quality
Interested in going to a Sleepaway Camp? Check out our YMCA partners in the NY region. Scholarships to these camps are available thanks to funding from the YMCA of Greater New York and our generous partners (for up to 95% off). For more information, or to start your registration process, contact sleepawaycamp@ymcanyc.org
Camp partners: Frost Valley YMCA | YMCA Camp Mohawk | Fairview Lakes YMCA Camps