Our Traditional Camps thrill campers and spark a sense of wonder with classic outdoor games, inspired arts and crafts, and inventive STEM activities all day long. Water days and/or pool time ensure campers can beat the heat or build their aquatics skills. And every Friday, campers and their families can look forward to an exciting celebration of kids’ achievements that week!
YMCA Silver Spring Traditional Camps
MINI SESSION: Y-SPIRIT WEEK
Campers will have a blast in earning points for their group through friendly competitions, games, activities, and songs to prove who has the most camp spirit. During the week there will be a Crazy Hat Day, a t-shirt Tie Dye Day, “Twins” Day, a Backwards Day, and more! End the week with a huge celebration and a dunk tank for the camp staff.
WEEK 1: SUMMER CELEBRATION
Its summer time and that means it is time to celebrate! Come have a summer bash at the Y during this week of party games, water fun, and activities. End the week with a huge party to celebrate the start of summer!
WEEK 2: TREASURE ISLAND
Scavenger hunt and look for clues to solve where the treasure lies. Campers will create their own treasure maps, go on a treasure hunt, and build their own pirate ship in this exciting camp. Campers will create their own sea shanty to sing at camp opening at the end of the week.
WEEK 3: ONE IF BY LAND, FUN IF BY SEA
Life underwater can be a good thing. How is life down there? Campers will explore life under the sea by creating their own mini aquariums to explore how sea creatures live. Invited guests will be local pet stores to share how to care for aquatic animals and a local marine specialist. Throughout the week, campers will learn how to respect water and create a campaign to teach people how to protect the ocean.
WEEK 4 & 5: IT’S A THINGAMAJIG
STEM shapes our everyday experiences and is designs our future. Our Thingamajig camp opens doors to strategic thinking and creative expression by challenging children to invent solutions to everyday problems using only what can be re-purposed around them. This is a very special week as our Junior and Senior campers will be invited to attend the Annual YMCA Thingamajig Invention Convention—a one of a kind STEM-based gathering where youth and community partners come together to learn, explore, experiment, and discover.
WEEK 6: ALOHA SPLASH
Dive into the spirit of island life and Hawaiian culture! Campers will create vibrant, tropical-inspired arts and crafts, explore STEM activities connected to ocean life and island ecosystems. Through character development, they’ll embrace the values of aloha—kindness, community, and respect—while making new friends and unforgettable memories.
WEEK 7: SUPERHEROES
What makes a hero SUPER? Well, of course, it’s YOU. Campers will create their own super-alter ego describing their super power, create a costume, and engage and play your favorite camp games with a super twist. Learn how you can be a superhero for others to look up to. A super hero museum will be presented at the end of the week.
WEEK 8: JUNGLE SAFARI
What’s that hiding behind the bush that is so cleverly camouflaged? What’s that sound? Come learn about the cool animals that make the jungle their habitat and, these creatures need to eat. The jungle habitat is an awesome place with many ecosystems coexisting. Using animal crafts, jungle–themed games and other resources, campers will learn about animal conservation, ecosystems and habitats.
WEEK 9: DECADES OF FUN
Lava lamps, tie-dye, sock hops and cassettes! Get groovy with this camp that is all that and a bag of chips! Maybe you’ll learn to dance like Elvis, construct your own disco ball or even design a new video game like Pac-Man.
WEEK 10: UNDER THE BIG TOP
Come one, come all, it is circus week! Whether it Circ de Solei or Ringling Brothers, the Big Top and the 3 rings are in full effect. From practicing juggling or learning a few magic tricks, campers will plan a circus. They will transform into clowns, Ring Masters, and more! Campers will create carnival games, practice face painting. They will end the week with a circus show for families.