Preschool Camp
New experiences, playful days, and endless smiles — that’s what summer’s all about at Crossroads YMCA Preschool Camp. Designed for children age 3 (by March 1, 2024) through 5 preschool camp can be the perfect way to transition to school in the fall or avoid the summer slide between school years. Many preschoolers over the last few years have had limited opportunities to be away from their primary grownups. Preschool camp is a great way of transitioning to and getting acclimated a world with peers, grownups that are not related to them, and potties outside of their own home.
Each week we offer preschool campers engaging, developmentally appropriate theme-based activities in our safe environment, that will give you the peace of mind you need when sending your preschoolers to our camp!
- Registration fee: $25 (must be paid up-front, one-time/summer fee, non-refundable)
- 2 days a week**: $105 members; $135 guests
- 3 days a week**: $120 members; $180 guests
- 5 days a week: $155 members; $235 guests
*Must have payment prearranged in DAXKO.
**For 2 Day and 3 Day options, families must choose days they need care by the previous Tuesday.
Preschool Camp not offered at Griffith, Hammond, Schererville in 2024.
Typical Day
Our preschool campers enjoy loads of summer fun and sneak in some learning too with experienced early childhood staff members who give each child individualized attention and care. In a typical day at Crossroads Preschool Summer Camp, campers might learn about the world around them through scavenger hunts, create a finger paint masterpiece, learn a new song in circle time, meet their new bestie and soak up the summer sun through a variety of outdoor activities and play.
Crossroads YMCA Preschool Camp highlights different theme weeks that deepen learning enrichment, making each week unique and special. For example, during Safari Week, we learn about how tall giraffes, elephants, and lions are and practice counting math skills. Each day features special themed activities like art projects, sensory play and sing-alongs, along with classic summer camp activities.
A typical preschool camp day includes the following:
- Open Exploration Time in our Classroom Centers: Science, Writing, Art, Alphabet, Fine Motor, Music, Construction/Blocks, Dramatic Play, Reading Corner, Math
- Circle Time
- Story Time
- Music and Movement
- Art & Crafts
- Small Group Literacy and Numeracy
- Sensory Play and Exploration
- Outdoor Play
- Swimming (Hobart excluded)
- End of Day Closing Circle Time
Description of Age Groups and Focus
Campers in this group will enjoy large and small group activities geared toward:
- Introducing self-help skills
- Building confidence and comfort away from primary caregivers
- Stimulating the development of communication skills
- Introduction to shapes, colors, upper case letters, and numbers 1-10
- Setting the foundation for fine motor skills needed in preschool and beyond
- Introduction and exposure to social and emotional skills