The safety and well-being of your child are our highest priorities. We have multiple safety protocols and layers of supervision in place to support and protect our camp community.

Before the camp season begins, all staff complete a comprehensive screening process and participate in an in-depth training program.

Throughout the day, front-line counselors are supported and supervised by experienced leadership staff. Depending on the camp and program model, this may include unit directors, program leads, and senior staff who are actively present, observing programs, providing guidance, and supporting counselors as needed.

To ensure our staff is fully equipped to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all campers, all counselors receive training in:

• CPR & First Aid
• Youth development
• Child safety and guidance (informed by Praesidium standards)
• Activity planning
• Youth Mental Health & Inclusion Certification
   

At least two staff members on-site at all times are certified in CPR and First Aid.

In addition, our Executive Leadership Team brings more than 40 years of combined camp experience and advanced degrees in youth and leadership development, providing ongoing oversight, coaching, and support across all camp programs.

Staff-to-camper ratio: Our staff to camper ratio is 1:5 (younger campers) and 1:10 (older campers) for our camps licensed following the Department of Public Health Regulations. Camps licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care are staffed based on a 1:10 ratio and include certified teachers/educators in the groups.

Health Forms: Massachusetts State Law requires each camper to have a physical examination and current record of immunization signed by his/her physician within 18 months of arrival at camp. Our camp follows all DPH and EEC regulations. If your child will need medication at camp, further documents and authorizations are required from your child's physician. If your child has a chronic, medical condition, please also complete the Individual Health Care Plan (located in the sidebar). This information will be shared with us via required paperwork on the DocNetwork site.

Pool Regulations: On the first day of each session, the children will take a swim evaluation, and their swimming level will be recorded by their counselor and the lifeguard. All swimmers who are identified as a red-neckband swimmer based on swim evaluations must wear a coast guard approved floatation device during camp open swim.

The YMCA uses “Test. Evaluate. Protect.” for pool access testing. These evaluations are held every Monday for new campers. A camper may be retested on Friday throughout the summer or upon request. Campers will be assigned necklaces based on this evaluation, which indicate with areas of the pool and pool complex they may enjoy.

Each day, campers enjoy a balance of physical activity, creative time, structured programs, rest, meals, swim, and free play. You will find an example of a daily schedule on the page above. Additionally, your Camp Director will email you a schedule a few days before each session.

While activities may vary by camp, all camps offer traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, sports (age-appropriate), water play, gaga ball, field games, and lots of outdoor fun! Refer to the camp website for more specialized information. All YMCA camps include a focus on youth development and character. All camps (except Stepping Stones) include YMCA swim lessons and recreational swim. 

Yes! We offer AM and PM care from 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 4:15 PM - 6:00 PM (snack included)

Camp staff organize campers into smaller groups based on age and lead them through developmentally appropriate activities. 

Our staff-to-camper ratio is 1:5 (younger campers) and 1:10 (older campers) for our camps licensed following the Department of Public Health Regulations. Camps licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care are staffed based on a 1:10 ratio and include certified teachers/educators in the groups.

Some camps offer a "friend request" service. If your child is attending camp with a sibling or friend and would like to be in the same group, please contact your Camp Director for more information.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

The MetroWest YMCA is an organization that seeks to make our programs and services accessible to all, including those children who may need some accommodations and an extra level of support to be successful. When we know in advance about any challenges a child may have or any accommodations they may need, we are better able to make a plan for that child and improve their chances of success in our programs. Therefore, we strongly encourage families to be transparent about their child’s needs or challenges. While we do our best to support all children, the MetroWest YMCA is not a therapeutic or special needs organization and will not be able to provide the level of intervention and support that these specialized programs can offer.

For more information, contact our Director of Inclusion, Laina Abolfazli -508-876-6072 - labolfazli@metrowestymca.org

Nutritional well-being is a priority at the MetroWest YMCA. The following procedures and policies have been developed:

All food provided by MetroWest YMCA Summer Camps is prepared, served, and stored in accordance with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) guidelines. Additionally, HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) guidelines are followed. All provided snacks contain a fruit or vegetable, and another food group component.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider. Water and low-fat milk are served with every meal. The menu is subject to change based on availability. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to make us aware of any food allergies, please contact Maggie Lynch, RDN, LDN, at: MLynch2@metrowestymca.org

If your child has allergies, be sure to fill out an Individual Health Care Plan form and a Medical Consent form.

We've streamlined our pick-up and drop-off procedures, and there is ample parking at all four of our camp locations. 

The Hopkinton Summer Day Camp at the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center offers transportation by bus from 18 stops throughout the MetroWest region - perfect for parents who need a little more time on each end of the day for their commute to work!

Before each session week, Camp Directors will email you a weekly and daily schedule, a camp menu, and other logistics. You will have direct email access to your Camp Director, as well as the Business Office for each camp. 

You will receive a "camper card" with information about your child's swim level and counselor on Mondays, as well as an informal "wrap-up" on Fridays. 

Camp parents are encouraged to download our BAND app to see daily photos, videos, and stories. You may also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly wrap-up posts.

Yes! We recognize families have different abilities to pay. To keep camps and programs accessible to all, the Y allows families to choose a membership that best reflects the rate they wish to pay for camp. If you feel you still need help affording summer camp, the MetroWest YMCA can help. Within its available resources, the MetroWest YMCA will provide camp and membership regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Partial financial assistance through our Y-Assist program will be awarded to those who can demonstrate their inability to pay the full fee. Funds for the Y-Assist program are raised through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign. Visit member services or download an application online.

For information about Massachusetts childcare financial assistance programs, click here.

Additionally, the MetroWest YMCA provides free meals to campers in the Framingham-based camps: Camp Clearbrook, Ninja Sports Camp, Camp OCP, and the Stepping Stones Camp. Lunch may be purchased at the Hopkinton Summer Camps and the Y STEAM Camp in Natick for a weekly cost of $30. If you are concerned about how your financial situation may impact your children at camp, please contact your camp registrar to have a confidential conversation regarding financial assistance for meals.

No, you do not have to be a member to purchase summer camp. However, if you were to become a member, you would get all of the benefits of membership, plus a member rate on camp and other programs.

To receive any member rate for camp sessions, you must have an active membership with the MetroWest YMCA at the Framingham Branch or the Outdoor Center from the time of registration through the end of the month that your children are participating in camp. Memberships that are canceled or placed on hold prior to this date will be charged the non-member rate.

To take advantage of member rates and all of our membership benefits, join as a member today!

The MetroWest YMCA summer learning programs are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. All other MetroWest YMCA Camp programs comply with the regulations of the MA Department of Public Health and are licensed by the local Board of Health. Parents may call the camp to request copies of policies regarding background checks, health care, and discipline, as well as procedures for filing grievances. All staff and volunteers, ages 17 and older are subject to SORI and CORI checks by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To get the member rate, JOIN AS A MEMBER first and then register for camp.

You have several membership options:

Framingham Family Memberships: (Best Value!) You receive the family rate on all camps and priority registration. You have access to the Framingham Branch facility and the Outdoor Center in Hopkinton. Benefits of membership include:

• Priority registration on camps and seasonal programs (swim lessons, water aerobics, youth enrichment, and youth sports, etc.)
• More than 65 in-person and virtual small-group exercise classes per week, including Cycle, Pilates, Yoga, Strength training, and more
• Free childcare while you exercise
• Members-only open swim and open gym
• Free weekly archery and indoor rock climbing at the Outdoor Center
• Discounts on Kids' Vacation Weeks and Parents' Nights Out events
• Discounts on seasonal special events at the YMCA 
• Access to other Ys nationwide (call ahead to check)

and more!

Youth/Teen Memberships: If you have a youth membership through the Framingham Branch, you will receive the youth/teen rate for summer camps and session programs at the Framingham Branch and Hopkinton Outdoor Center. However, Outdoor Center Swim Club and Outdoor Center Member benefits are not included.

Outdoor Center Memberships: if you have a Hopkinton Outdoor Center Membership, you will receive the youth/teen rate for summer camps. Your family will also enjoy member benefits at the Hopkinton Outdoor Center, which include access to the facility, participation in free member events, and the member rate for session programs at the Outdoor Center.

JOIN TODAY

You can register for camp in-person at the Framingham Branch or Outdoor Center during business hours, or online. 

Review policies. Please review payment options, expectations, and policies prior to registering for camp. You will be asked to agree to the "payment and cancellation policy" listed below during registration.

To Register, visit the webpage of the camp you want to purchase, or search for it here:

Program Search

Complete the registration by following the on-page prompts. You can pay deposits only or choose to pay in full. Once registered, you will receive a receipt by email.

We will send you information about how to access our camper portal, DocNetwork, to upload the required information.

If your child is wait-listed, we will contact you if an opening is available. Full tuition will be due at the time of enrollment. Wait-lists are monitored regularly. Being on a Hopkinton specialty camp wait-list does not mean your child has a spot in a traditional camp. You must register for an available camp for a spot to be held. If a wait-listed spot opens, we will transfer your child to that spot and cancel the other camp with no penalties.

All options require a $50/week non-refundable deposit at time of registration. Extended care and busing are paid in full at time of registration.

1) Pay in full at time of purchase.

2) Have a draft pay schedule in place as follows: June camp balances are automatically charged on May 15, July camps are charged June 15 and August camps are charged July 15 – this is the default plan when registering.

3) Log into your MetroWest Y account at any time to pay camp balances by accessing the future payments tab – any unpaid balances in accordance with option 2 will be charged on those dates as specified.

• Families are charged a non-refundable deposit of $50 per week, per child.
• If applicable, busing and extended care fees are paid at time of registration.
• You may transfer your deposit to other camp programs before April 1. However, deposits are non-transferrable after April 1. 
• If an automatic payment is declined or an expected payment is not received, we will reach out to collect payment or develop a payment plan. Failure to respond or make payment will exclude your child from attending unpaid weeks and may lead to unenrollment. A late payment fee of $15 is charged when payment is one week late.
• All previous Y balances must be paid prior to camp registration. If any past due balance is unpaid, your child will be unenrolled from camp and cannot attend. There will be no refunds, credits, or pro-rating for missed days.
• Families registered at a membership rate must keep that membership active from time of registration to the end of the month their children are participating in camp. Memberships may not be placed on hold. Failure to keep membership active will result in a camp price change to reflect the non-member price.
• There is a $10 late pick-up fee per child for the first 10 minutes late. You will be charged $5 for every 5 minutes after.
• All information collected when registering online is kept securely by the YMCA. Credit/Debit card information is not accessible by YMCA staff and is kept in a secure system.
• The Y does not automatically send out invoices regarding camp charges. Families can access statements online by logging into their MetroWest Y account at metrowestymca.org

1) Families are charged a non-refundable deposit of $50 per week, per child.

2) If applicable, busing and extended care fees are paid at time of registration.

3) Prior to April 1, you may transfer your deposit to other camp programs. After April 1, deposits are non-transferrable.

4) The cancellation deadline is May 31. After May 31 there will be no refunds, credits, or money transfers of any kind for withdrawal, failure to attend registered sessions, or partial attendance. Balances owed on any camp weeks after the cancellation deadline are the responsibility of the billed party. Balances owed for any weeks registered for after the cancellation deadline are the responsibility of the billed party.

5) Transfer requests must also must also be made by May 31.

6) All requests for changes/transfers or cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to the correct camp office. No changes or cancellations are accepted over the phone.

7) A YMCA credit or refund without deposit may be issued if a participant is unable to attend camp due to a prolonged illness/injury lasting 3 days or more. This request must be made prior to the end of the camp session and must include a doctor’s note.