Quest

Ages 10 - 12 (Entering Grades 5 – 7 )

Camp offered: Weeks 1 - 8. Two-week sessions.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Watchung Reservation.
Counselor to camper ratio: 1: 10

Embark on a quest for something more this summer. Step up from our younger traditional camps with a season of exhilarating opportunities geared toward the unique interests and needs of pre-teen campers. Each week features a community service project, special activity or group trip within the Summit area. With more challenging adventures, Quest fosters independence and initiative, encouraging campers to live life more courageously and genuinely. Activities and trips are based on evolving weekly themes, including:

Session 1 Here Comes the Sun/ Heroes
June 23rd – July 3rd

Session 2 In the Fitness Zone / Comic Relief
July 7th – 18th

Session 3 The Amazing Y Challenge / Professional Sports
July 21st - August 1st

Session 4 Movie Makers / Summer Rewind
August 4th – 15th

 CAMP STRUCTURE

The Summit Area YMCA is committed to providing campers with opportunities to develop new skills in a safe environment where they have support and are encouraged to succeed.  Our Quest Camp is an ideal medium to meet these goals!  The activities at Quest are designed to cultivate the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.  If you have any questions please call Joseph Marciszyn, Youth & Teen Program Director at 908.273.3330 x 148.

Quest Camp is structured to allow camper input as to the specifics of programming each week.  They will be able to help build the camp program that THEY want to participate in.  Part of the opening session each Monday will be spent planning on finalizing set activities and plans for the rest of the week.  Activity ideas for each week include nature, values, games, swimming, service projects, crafts, and special trips or events.

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 TRANSPORTATION

We bus campers daily from the YMCA to the Loop Area of the Watchung Reservation, a great place for exploration and discovery!  The campers utilize portable bathroom facilities and the YMCA brings fresh drinking water to the site each day. As this is a natural outdoor setting, we are affected by the weather.  On rainy days, camp will be held at our rain site.

If your child will be absent from camp, please call the YMCA no later than 8:15am at 908.273.3330.

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 DROP-OFF / PICK-UP PROCEDURES:

Regular drop off at the YMCA is between 8:30 and 8:45am.   Upon arrival, all campers must check in with the Teen Camp staff in the back parking lot area of the building.  

Pick up at the YMCA is between 4:00-4:10pm.  Please do not park directly in front of the back driveway of the YMCA as the busses unload there.  All campers must be signed out by a parent or authorized person.  For the safety of all our campers.

If your camper is not picked up by 4:10 PM, the YMCA reserves the right to place your child in Post Camp at your expense.

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 PRE/POST CAMP EXTENDED CARE:

Pre-Camp and Post-Camp are available for an additional fee.  You must sign-up for this option with the Camp Registrar BEFORE your child attends camp.  Pre-Camp runs from 7:30 AM until the start of camp.  Post-Camp runs from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Campers who are pre-registered for Pre-Camp and/or Post-Camp will meet in the gym. Post-Campers will receive a snack and have the opportunity to participate in recreational swim (Summit YMCA only). Parents who pick up their children later than 6:00 PM will be charged a late fee of $2 per minute.

Campers who want to be dropped off between 7:30 and 8:30 must register for Pre Camp. There is a fee of $35 for this service, campers must be pre-registered. 

Post camp begins when camp is over and runs until 6: 00 PM.  The fee for post camp is $65 a week for: Weeks 1-8. Campers must be pre-registered for Post Camp, and will have a snack, participate in gym games, and swim. 

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 SWIMMING

On designated swim days, campers should bring a bag with bathing suit and towel labeled with their name. Please bring swimming gear on Mondays.  Additional swim days will be announced at the beginning of the week.

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 RAINY DAYS (Extreme Weather)

As this is a natural outdoor setting, we are affected by the weather.  On rainy days, camp will be held in the Teen Center at Summit YMCA. Do not drop your child off at Franklin School.  On rainy days the Camp Director will make a decision at the YMCA as to where the buses will go.

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 FIELD TRIPS & WEEKLY EVENTS

Each week will feature a community service project, special activity, or group trip throughout the summit area.  Information for each week's events will be sent home on Mondays and will be available right here on this webpage.   Weekly Information Sheet

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 WHAT TO WEAR

 Campers should dress for camp activities in shorts, t-shirt socks and sneakers or sturdy shoes. Sandals and flip flops are inappropriate for camp activities. Campers should expect to get dirty while enjoying camp.  Each camper will receive one camp t-shirt to be worn for trips or special events.

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 WHAT TO BRING

Campers should bring a lunch every day and a swim bag on swim days (see Swimming section above).  What NOT TO BRING: toys, valuables, money, Cd/Mp3 players, water guns, video games, knives etc. Throughout the summer we will be having some special events and themes, and the camp staff may request that certain items be brought to camp.  This will be done in writing and in advance.  Any personal items should be labeled with the camper’s name.  Children should not bring money to camp on regular days.  They are not permitted to use the YMCA vending machines during the camp day. 

THE YMCA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN MONEY, TOYS, ELECTRONICS, OR OTHER ITEMS THAT CAMPERS BRING TO CAMP.

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 LUNCH

Campers should bring a non-perishable lunch and drink (no glass!) to camp each day. An insulated lunch bag is recommended, as there are no refrigeration facilities at the Reservation. Water is available for campers throughout the day.

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 MEDICAL FORMS

State law requires that all campers have a current Medical Form on file BEFORE attending camp.  The YMCA must receive the completed form with your FIRST payment. PLEASE SEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE.  The form does not need to be completed by a doctor.  Camper safety is a main priority and all of our staff are trained in emergency procedures. 

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 MEDICATIONS

If your child will be taking medication during camp, the camp must have written permission from the child’s doctor about the medication in addition to our Camp’s Medication Form. This includes any over the counter medications. The medication form must be turned in to the director a month prior to your child’s first week of camp.

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 CARING STAFF

We carefully select counselors that have a genuine interest in children, enjoy being with children, and have the ability to interact in a positive and caring way with your child. All of our counselors have certification in First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. They receive training in YMCA leadership skills, safety and emergency procedures, and the principles of healthy child development. All staff members and volunteers go through criminal background and drug tests prior to the start of camp.

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 DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES