YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
A Branch of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Camp with Character, Programs with Purpose since 1948

Registration forms are now available for the summer of 2010 -
sign up now!

Since 1948, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock has served youth with its resident camping programs.
Now, day campers can experience that unique camp life, with one exception:
they get to sleep at home in their own beds at night!

Each day, the caring and creative Day Camp staff provide a safe and enriching program for 5 - 12 year olds on our beautiful mountain site! The fun begins at 9:00 AM and continues until 4:00 PM. With field games, arts and crafts, swimming, and more, the summer will fly by. A constantly changing program and options for camper choice keep our Day Camp exciting, whether your camper comes for a week or for the entire summer. Campers 8 years and older have the opportunity to participate in some Resident Camp activities, and may attend an optional overnight every two weeks to add to the fun! Additional information for parents may be found on the Parent Info page.

SUMMER 2010 SCHEDULE
2-week Sessions: $450
Individual Weeks: $265

Session 1: June 28 - July 9 (Individual weeks available)
Session 2: July 12 - July 23 (Individual weeks available)
Session 3: July 26 - August 6 (Individual weeks available)
Session 4: August 9 - August 20 (Individual weeks available)

Day Camp at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock

Days chock full of fun and friends await campers at YMCA Hi-Rock Day Camp. Each day’s activities build spirit and help develop skills. Campers choose from a wide variety of land and water sports. We group children by age and grade to give them the special attention needed at their level of development.

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Day Camp Daily Schedule

9:00 Campers Arrive
9:15 Attendance; Session Theme Activities; Falcons: Coaching Period (T-F)
10:00 Chipmunks: Morning Activity; Bobcats/Falcons: Coaching Period
11:00 Unit Activities
11:30 Lunch
12:15 Instructional Swim
1:15 Free Swim and Waterfront Time
2:00 Chipmunks/Bobcats: Afternoon Activity; Falcons: Coaching Period
3:00 Field and Spirit Games; Snack Time
3:25 Reflections; Camp Store Visit
3:50 Campers Depart

Each two-week session will have its own theme, which will be selected and planned during Staff Training, and will take into account programming needs and staff skills. Previous themes have involved emphases on "green" themes, science and discovery, arts and crafts expositions, and character values.
Morning and afternoon activities will vary throughout the summer, and will depend on program availability and camper interest.
Once every two weeks, the schedule will be modified to accommodate the Parent's Night and Overnight experience. On these evenings, parents will get to see how that week's theme has been a part of their campers' Day Camp experience, and campers 8 years old and older will get to experience part of what sleep-away camp is like.

Please prepare your campers to expect a full day of busy activity!

During brief periods of light rain, camp still runs normally, and rain offers a chance for creativity and fun. In the case of heavy rain, thunder, or lightning, the daily schedule will be modified accordingly. Waterfront activities are cancelled under any potentially unsafe weather conditions. Campers will participate in alternate indoor programs that include a variety of fun games and activities. Please make sure your camper comes to camp equipped with appropriate rain gear.

Coaching Periods

Older day campers will join our overnight campers in daily, one-hour "Coaching Periods," in which they will take part each week. Campers in the Bobcat Unit participate in one coaching period each morning, while campers in the Falcon Unit participate in two morning coaching periods and one in the afternoon. In order to help us accommodate your camper's interests, please fill out a Coaching Period Request Form and submit it to the office well in advance of your camper's arrival. Campers who do not submit a Coaching Period Request Form will be given the opportunity to sign up for coaching periods on their first day at camp. We will do our best to help campers get at least one of their most desired coaching periods every session. However, please understand that the availability of coaching periods will vary throughout the summer, based on our staff's specialties, scheduling, and overall camper interest. Please encourage your camper to approach new activities with a positive attitude. Information on our daily activities can be found here.

Special Activities

The spring fed water and sandy waterfront of Plantain Pond serve as the center of fun for swim instruction, wind surfing, canoeing, boating, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling. On land, there is soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, and more. Archery and target sports are traditional camp sports, while aerobics, writing, drama and dance classes excite every camper. Our fully staffed arts and crafts lodge allows campers to design handicrafts that parents cherish. The low ropes course and water skiing are available to day campers, provided there is space available and campers meet relevant age and swim level requirements as noted on the registration form. Day Campers must be at least 8 years old to participate in Resident Camp activities. Campers who are less than 8 will take part in age-appropriate events designed by the Day Camp staff.

Overnights

Some campers will go on an overnight campout once during a two-week session, provided the weather cooperates. Overnights are available to resident campers and day campers who are at least 8 years old. All overnights take place at various sites on or adjacent to camp property. The staff and campers cook their dinner, take part in some evening camp activities (campfire songs and skits, s'mores, etc), sleep under the stars, and return in time for breakfast. Campers will need an appropriate sleeping bag for their overnight. Overnights are rescheduled, if possible, if the weather does not cooperate.

Unit Assignments

Campers will generally be placed into Units according to age and grade. These age groupings are meant to provide a more developmentally appropriate experience throughout your camper's time at Hi-Rock. All of our Units are coeducational. Campers in our two older Units, the Bobcats and the Falcons, will have the opportunity to interact with similarly-aged overnight campers at various points in the camp schedule. Campers should not come to camp expecting to be in a particular unit since the makeup of each unit changes from year to year, and from session to session, based on total camp enrollment. The unit names are:

Transportation

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock provides transportation both to and from camp. All transportation fees are built into the overall Day Camp session fees. Please note that we will send you a schedule listing stops and approximate times closer to the start of summer camp. If you have not received a schedule one week prior to the beginning of the session, please contact our camp office. Campers will be dropped off at the stop agreed upon by the parent or guardian. No camper will be left unattended by our staff and we ask that no camper be left on their own in the mornings while waiting to be picked up. All camp buses operate with two staff members. Attendance will be taken at each pickup point. With pick-up times between 8:00-9:00 AM and drop-off times between 4:00-5:00 PM, Hi-Rock Day Camp offers campers and parents a solid, full day of quality supervision and fun.

Lunch and Snacks

Campers are welcome to enjoy a hot meal, provided by our camp chefs and kitchen staff. Please contact our office before the start of the session to sign up for meals. Alternatively, you may pack a lunch for your campers, but please be aware that refrigeration is generally not available for bag lunches. YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is a nut-free facility; please do not send any food containing either peanuts or tree nuts to avoid endangering the health of campers with nut allergies. If you have questions about the food service program at Camp Hi-Rock, or would like to hear from our food service coordinator, feel free to call us at (413) 528-1227.

Campers will receive a light snack in the afternoon before leaving camp. As part of Activate America, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock is committed to promoting healthy living and nutrition, and will be providing day campers with snacks which meet standards set by the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. For more information on Activate America, please visit the Activate America website.

What to Wear and Bring to Camp

Campers should wear comfortable, washable play clothes and bring a bathing suit and towel to camp. Socks and sneakers are recommended for every day. Please mark your child’s name on all items brought to camp. There may be days when your child will be asked to bring or wear something that reflects a themed event. You will be notified in the Day Camp Newsletter about upcoming events. To make the experience more pleasurable, please help your child to get pumped and excited about that day's event. Campers may not bring valuables, toys, pets, matches, knives, or candy.

If Your Child is Going to be Absent

Please let the camp staff know, in writing, of any planned absences. Please call our office and leave a message if your child is ill and will not be attending camp. Unfortunately, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock will not reimburse parents on a pro rata basis for sick days or absences. If you have any specific questions about partial refunds, please contact our Executive Director.

Personal Property

All of your camper's belongings should fit in and be packed in a labeled backpack or bag. We will do our best to collect all lost and found each day and distribute it accordingly. Since kids are forgetful, we ask you to please not send items of value to camp that may get wrecked, ruined, lost or stolen. Because of the large volume and turnover of campers and property, Camp Hi-Rock cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property.

Day Camp Health and Safety

Licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, YMCA Camp Hi-Rock takes every precaution to ensure the health and safety of each camper. At least one of our medical staff is on duty at all times. Our consulting pediatricians and local hospitals are close by and on call 24 hours a day. Parents of day campers will be contacted immediately if their camper requires any medical attention. All participants who come to Camp Hi-Rock are required to have a physical exam within 24 months of their arrival at camp. Each counselor receives pre-camp training on group living and safety concerns. We also require all our staff to be trained in CPR and First Aid.

Visit the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA,
an Activate America YMCA

Welcome! We hope you will spend some time exploring our website. Camper forms and staff forms are available for downloading. We welcome any comments or questions you may have.
Emails can be sent to info@camphirock.org
We add new materials often, so please bookmark us and check back soon!

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health.