As more local parents return to work, the Y’s summer day camps will begin to operate on June 1, Monday through Friday, with full- or part-time options for children to participate in curriculum-based activities (including STEAM), outdoor play and more. Kindergarten through eighth-grade campers are welcome, and support for special needs children is readily available. The organization has already implemented strict safety and hygiene protocols and is working hand-in-hand with the Orange County Health Care Agency to ensure the utmost levels of precaution and physical distancing.

NBC 4’s Vikki Vargas visited one of the summer day camp locations to show just what the Y is doing to keep kids safe and active this summer. Click to watch video.

While much of the summer day camps will offer outdoor activities whenever possible, YMCAOC teams are remaining vigilant while providing indoor activities. As it had when providing child care for all essential workers during the height of stay-at-home orders and school closures, YMCAOC’s Child and Youth Development staff is maintaining its increased frequency and intensified cleaning protocols to ensure that all door handles, surfaces, supplies, books and other areas are sanitized throughout the day and overnight. Staff also educates and supervises children to impart proper hygiene measures, including reminders about thorough and frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding touching eyes, noses or mouths with unwashed hands. Parents or guardians will check in and pick up children outside child care rooms, confirm health statements prior to daily sign-in and to take other precautionary steps. Children exhibiting any signs of illness cannot be accepted.

Additionally, special room dividers allow for stable groups of 10 children to be in a room while maintaining safe physical distancing.

“We’ve stayed in close communication with our members to accurately assess their needs and the timing of those needs,” said Jeff McBride, CEO of YMCAOC. “As parents go back to work and kids are officially out of school for the summer, we’re providing safe spaces for children to socialize through enrichment activities and interactive learning,” he continued. “We are committed to meeting the overwhelming needs of the community, remaining proactive and innovative with our safety measures and are happy to give parents the peace of mind our summer day camps afford,” McBride noted.

Summer day camps will include STEAM curriculum, indoor and outdoor activities and play, service learning projects, and clubs like cooking, gardening, esports, and more. Children will also have the opportunity to experience onsite special events instead of taking them offsite for field trips as have occurred in the past.

Full-time and part-time options available; Cost of services will vary depending on need and financial assistance is available. Visit ymcaoc.org today to find nearest locations. For more information about summer day camps, please visit ymcaoc.org/summer-day-camp.