Camp FAQ’s
To ensure camper safety and quality supervision, we adhere to all Texas Health and Human Services (THHS) and Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) licensing standards at all times:
School-Age Camps (THHS Licensed):
On-Site: 1 staff to 15 children
Field Trips & Swimming: 1 staff to 10 children
Pre-K Camps:
All Activities: 1 staff to 10 children
TDSHS Licensed Camps:
All Activities: 1 staff to 10 children
Camp Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Extended Care: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Express Drop-Off: 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Express Pick-Up: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Upon arrival, please call the camp phone and a team member will greet you at the camp entrance.
Arrive by 8:30 AM so campers are ready to begin daily activities.
If arriving after 8:30 AM, please call the camp phone.
Late pick-up fees of $2 per minute, per child, apply after closing.
Allow up to 10 minutes for pick-up processing.
Have a valid photo ID ready for verification.
Ensure all authorized pick-up individuals are listed in advance.
Yes. Minors ages 14–17 may pick up a child if a completed and notarized authorization form is on file. (Click here for Release to Minor Form.)
What to bring/What NOT to bring
Children should arrive with a labeled backpack containing a water bottle, lunch (if needed), sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a change of clothes, a towel, swimwear, and a plastic bag for wet items.
Please do not send your child with electronics (such as cell phones or iPads), toys, money, or other non-essential personal items.
Items brought outside of the approved list are strongly discouraged, as the camp is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
Our Lost and Found is located in the check-in area and clearly labeled.
Items that remain unclaimed will be donated to charity on the Tuesday of the following week. To help prevent lost items, please label all belongings with your child’s name.
Food at Camp
The YMCA partners with contracted meal vendors to provide meals at no additional cost at select locations. Please refer to your specific camp for more information regarding meal service.
To see what’s being served, review your camp’s weekly menu.
We are a nut-free facility
Camp does not have access to microwaves or refrigerators
Please pack items that can be safely stored in a lunch bag
Health & Safety Information
Emergency medications must be in original containers with prescription labels and accompanied by a completed medication form with clear emergency instructions (click here for forms):
Campers with food allergies must submit a Physician-Signed Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan prior to the first day of camp (click here for forms)
Over-the-counter medications for allergic reactions require a physician’s prescription
Immunization records are required for all campers and must be submitted before the first day of camp
Inclusion support requests must be completed using the Inclusion Form (click here for form)
A doctor’s note and parent consent form are required for staff to apply calamine lotion or aloe
Parents should apply sunscreen (minimum SPF 50, waterproof) prior to drop-off
Spray sunscreen is recommended for easier self-application
Campers will have scheduled opportunities to reapply sunscreen, with staff providing reminders to cover all exposed areas, including ears and neck
Business Services
All registrations are set up on our automated draft that occurs the Wednesday before your registered week(s) of camp. You can view your scheduled payments and change the preferred draft payment method from your "Unpaid" tab of your account: YMCA Account. We also have the draft schedule written out here: Summer Camp 2026 Draft Schedule.
If your account was not successfully auto-drafted, you can make a payment using one of the following options to avoid cancellation on Friday at 12pm:
• Phone: Call your Customer Support Representative found here: Summer Camp How-To Form.
• Online: Log in to your YMCA account: YMCA Account. If you haven’t set up online access, you will do so using the email provided during registration.
• In Person: Payments are not accepted at camp sites; visit a local YMCA branch to pay by credit/debit card, pre-paid card, or cash.
Ensure your payments are timely to secure your child's spot in camp and avoid any late fees or cancellations.
Member Pricing: YMCA member rates apply only with an active family membership that includes dependents during the registered camp weeks. If your membership is termed, remaining camp payments will be adjusted to the non-member rate.
Sibling Discount: The sibling discount is a flat $10 a week for any additional child after the first enrolled. The guardian must email their Customer Support Rep or Tirzah Anderson to have their account reviewed. This discount is NOT automatic.
ISD Discount: The ISD discount is available when camp is hosted at an elementary school and the primary guardian is employed by that same school district. Employment verification is required before the discount can be applied.
Discounts cannot be combined. For example, families eligible for the ISD discount will not also receive the sibling discount.
Customer Support Business Hours: Our team is available Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. During the summer season, please allow up to 3 business days for a response due to increased inquiry volume.
Space Limitations: Camp space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not maintain a waitlist. If a week is full, please check back periodically, as spots may reopen if cancellations occur.
Cancellation Policy: A two-week notice is required through our Cancellation Link. A $50 fee/child applies without proper notice. Cancellations after the camp week begins, with no attendance, will be charged 50% of the weekly rate. No refunds are provided once camp has been attended for any duration of the week.
Non-payment cancellations: Accounts not paid by 12:00 PM on the Friday following the weekly draft will be removed from the roster and charged a $50 late cancellation fee per child. Parents may re-enroll before the Sunday midnight deadline if space is still available.
Camp Changes: To change your registration, including switching camp locations or weeks, add the new camp selection through your YMCA Account first. You would then submit a Cancellation request to remove the unwanted location/week(s).
Child Care Assistance Programs help families afford after-school programs like ours. If you are eligible, the assistance can pay some or all of your tuition fees. Click HERE for more eligibility information.
We partner with CCA at select camp locations only listed below. Due to licensing and program requirements during the summer, several camps, including indoor camps at YMCA branches, are not CCA partnered or eligible for assistance.
Please note, a registration, per child, is required after you are approved to start care in our program. Parent will also be required to pay out of pocket until the agency authorizes care.
Childcare Group Camps:
- Camp Ohana and Doodlebug (Irving - Townsell Elementary)
- Camp Oso (Park South)
- Urban Adventure (Downtown Dallas)
Texas Workforce Camps:
- Camp Echo (McKinney - Comstock Elementary)
Parent Handbook PDF
