Explorer Camp
Ages: 6-12 years
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
(Before and After Camp Care Available)

Explorer Camp is for Day Campers who want a full day of fun and exciting adventure activities. This isn't stay at home on the couch all day! This is get out there and go swimming, canoeing, climbing, hiking, play volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee. Then go on a nature hike. Then be artistic - paint, draw, create. Then go play on the swings, then go shoot some hoops, then hang out in The Grove and chill with friends and eat lunch.

Explorer Camp is about trying new things - things you can't do at school or at home. It's about making new friends. It's about hanging out on the swings and chatting. It's about being in the woods, in nature. But most of all, it's about having fun - that's how summer should be!

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Our Philosophy

Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA Day Camp encourages children to grow socially, physically and intellectually. Our programs are 'camper-centered' and focus on the small group interactions that occur as a result of the program. These small groups work together with counselors & a CIT, and participate in fun Day Camp activities that encourage them to grow together.

The emphasis at Day Camp is on having fun in a safe environment. It's not a competitive place, there are no trophies and prizes. It's just good old-fashioned summer fun for kids. There is a significant amount of skill development through organized activities, and obviously character development through playing together in small groups, but the focus is for the kids to have a great time.

Importantly, Day Camp is about trying new things, and taking risks in trying something new in a safe and nurturing environment.

Day Camp Bus Service

Becket Day Camp has a Bus Service from four locations throughout the Berkshires: Lee, Dalton and 2 in Pittsfield.

Lee: Pick-Up 8:20am, Drop-off 4:30pm. Lee High School (Greylock Street, Lee).

Dalton: Pick-up 8:00am, Drop-off: 4:50pm. Craneville Elementary School (Park Avenue, Dalton).

Pittsfield (East): Pick-up 8:20am, Drop-off: 4:30pm. Williams Elementary School (50 Bushey Rd, Pittsfield).

Pittsfield (West/Central): Pick-up 7:45am, drop-off: 5:00pm. Crosby Elementary School (517 West St, Pittsfield).

Bus Service Pick-up Points

Before and After Camp Care

Before and After Camp Care is available to all Explorer Campers (aged 6-12). Before camp care begins at 7:30am and After Camp Care runs until 5:30pm. Registration is necessary and must be made in advance. Discovery Camp kids (ages 3-5) are welcome at the Before Camp Care as well.

Campers in Before and After Camp Care will be able to participate in organized games and activities similar to those on offer throughout the day. A healthy mix of indoor and outdoor activities will keep campers active and excited.

Day Camp Regular Rates and Extras

Explorer Camp (ages 6-12) (2008): $189 per session.

Discovery Camp (ages 3-5) (2008): $104 per session.

Bus Service (All Stops): $40 per session.

Before Camp Care (7:30-8:45am): $10 per day.

After Camp Care (4:15-5:30pm): $10 per day.

Day Camp T-Shirt: 1 free per child, additional t-shirts $10

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Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance is available to those with financial need. We realize that the costs of programs are not always affordable to all of our camper families. We believe that our Day Camp should reflect the socioeconomic diversity of the Berkshires, and by providing financial assistance to those in need, we are able to keep our Day Camp accessible to all.

Financial assistance is made possible by funds collected in our White Birch Annual Fund. These dollars come from generous camp families who believe in our programs and would like to share the opportunities with others.

Our financial assistance is somewhat limited, so the amount we can afford to give is also limited, and we ask that you only request financial assistance if you absolutely need it. Financial Assistance (Campership) Application (pdf)

CIT and Internship Program

CITs (Counselors in Training) are usually our Day Campers who love the place so much, but who have gotten too old for our programs! CITs can also be new-comers to our programs, that did not participate in Day Camp. Selected by our Day Camp Director, CITs are invited to Day Camp and begin learning how to work with children in the camp environment. Being a Day Camp CIT or Intern is a valuable opportunity to gain practical and personal skills when working with children. Learning to speak in front of an audience, learning to provide meaningful instruction in activities, gaining skills of teaching and behavior management, and building self-confidence, are wonderful opportunities for young adults. All CITs/Interns are guided carefully by our Staff and always work in conjunction with our Staff. CITs/Interns are never asked to manage children on their own or without direct supervision and consultation by staff.

More information about the Day Camp CIT/Intern program can be obtained by calling BCCYMCA on 413.623.8991.

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Parental Involvement - Family Night

OK, so sometimes we want to have Day Camp parents get involved too! Why should the kids have all the fun? All camper parents are invited to our Family Night - on the Thursday afternoon/evening of each session. The kids get to show their parents around the camp, get the parents involved in some of the activities, and just hang out together.

Got to go to work? That's OK, it's not compulsory. But it is a wonderful chance to spend a couple of hours with the kids at a fantastic, fun-filled pace. Go on, be a kid again, your kids will love it!

Future Opportunities for Campers

We have had day campers spend one session of one summer with us, and we have had day campers spend every session, every summer. Most of our Day Campers return year after year (our retention rate is higher than 80%!). But sometimes day campers want to try our residential summer camps, spending 4 weeks away from home, up here in Becket. Our residential camps - Camp Becket for Boys and Chimney Corners Camp for Girls, have been in operation for over 100 years, and are great opportunities for kids that want the traditional overnight camp experience.

And sometimes Day Campers just get too old for Day Camp! Retirement age is 12, and these campers either stay with us as CITs (Counselors in Training) or Interns, and then they leave us and participate in our Youth Travel Programs - heading across the country and around the world for cultural exchange, travel and to help provide meaningful service to national and international communities.

More Information for Parents

Day Campers are divided into activity groups by age. Almost always, the Day Camper is surrounded by other Day Campers of the same age.

Day Campers also bring their own lunch from home. BCCYMCA Day Camp provides either a morning or afternoon snack, with milk.

For more information, Download Parent Guide (pdf)

For even more information, call BCCYMCA on 413.623.8991.

Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA's Day Camp is located on Lane Road, Becket (just off Route 8). For accurate directions, visit www.maps.google.com and type: 'lane road becket ma'. It will draw you a map to Day Camp! For directions to the Admin building and the rest of camp, click here.

Other Day Camp Programs

If you loved Day Camp, you should come to our week-long Winter Day Camp (during February School Vacation) and Spring Day Camp (during April School Vacation). Both of these week-long Day Camps are run from our Chimney Corners Camp, right here in Becket, and they also have a school bus service, and Before and After Camp Care. For more information, visit the Winter Schools Out Program or Spring School's Out Program pages!

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