Day Camp allows children 6-12 years old to experience a wide variety of activities and adventures. These are used as tools to enhance a camper’s self esteem, confidence, and ability to interact with others. Children will be placed in appropriate age groups where they will play and work together in a positive atmosphere. Well-trained staff members will stay with the children and provide them with adult role models throughout the week. Day Camp is designed to offer a well-balanced variety of activities to suit the interest and needs of all ages. Our goal is to ensure a safe, positive environment where your child will continue to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually all summer long.
Day Camp is $395 for members and $415 for potential members (week-long session), and includes all activities, breakfast, lunch, snack, and transportation to and from the Y.
Questions? Contact Riley Crisp at r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org
CILT (Campers in Leadership Training) previously Teen Leadership Program
Previously known as the Teen Leadership Program this updated two week program is designed for 13-15 year old's who are looking to learn leadership skills and give back to Camp Hanes. They will engage in leadership training, team building initiatives, and challenge course activities designed to explore their leadership skills and abilities. They will participate in an off-site service project, do a day of hiking in Hanging Rock State Park, and get the opportunity to spend time shadowing counselors and helping with campers during the second week.
Campers in Leadership Training is 2 weeks long and excludes weekends. It will be offered 4 times this summer during sessions 1- 2, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9. Campers may register for one session, and may waitlist for additional sessions. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and transportation is included. CILT is $430 for members and $450 for potential members.
Please contact Riley Crisp at r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org with questions.
Day Camp Activities
Age requirements on some activities
- Archery
- Riflery
- Canoeing
- Diving
- Lake Slide
- Water Zipline
- Hiking
- Field Games
- Sports
- Nature Fun
- Reading/Writing
- V-Swing
- Climbing*
- Blob*
- Pool Slides
- Water Sports
Transportation 2025
Camp buses will pick up/drop-off at Jefferson Middle School Monday-Friday. Day campers must be signed in and out everyday by a parent or guardian. Camp Hanes staff will be on the buses to ensure safety of all day campers. There is a snack mid afternoon at 3pm. Our back up location in case we cannot be at Jefferson Middle School will be the back parking lot of Robinhood Family YMCA.
All buses depart promptly at their designated time, so please arrive on time. If you miss the bus you are able to drop your child off at camp, or pick them up at your convenience.
Jefferson Middle School: The bus will arrive at 6:45am and depart by 7:00am each morning. Buses will return to Jefferson Middle at 5:30-6:00pm for drop off.
At YMCA Camp Hanes: Drop-off is between 7:30-7:55am and pick-up is between 4:45-5:30pm.
Please note that we will do our best to honor requests to change transportation, however due to limited capacities on buses we can only promise transportation to and from the location selected during registration.
Swim Assessment
The first time a participant visits the pool they are asked to take a swim test. Participants may not re-test in the same week.*
a. The swim test consists of:
- Jumping into the pool at the 6ft end.
- Swimming to the shallow end then back to the deep end. Preferably on their stomach with their head near the surface.
- Pulling themselves out of the pool without the use of a ladder.
- Jumping back into the deep end of the pool and treading water for 30 seconds with their head above water.
Participants are not forced to take the swim test. If a participant does not feel comfortable taking the swim test and opts not to, they will receive a red band. If the bottom of their chin is 4.5 feet tall, they automatically receive a yellow band; this height is marked by a piece of tape at the pool. Their chin must be above this piece of tape to qualify for a yellow band.
b. Once participants have finished their swim test, their swimming ability is identified by a colored swim-band. These swim-bands are to be worn every time a camper enters the pool and are to be returned at the end of each pool session.
- A GREEN band is given to those who complete the entire swim test without assistance. They may use the entire area of the pool without a life jacket.
- A YELLOW band is given to those who are able to complete the swimming portion of the test, but, are unable to pull themselves out of the pool without using the wall. If they cannot tread water for 30 seconds they receive a yellow band. If they choose to go into the deep end of the pool, marked by the lane lines, they must wear a life jacket.
- A RED band is given to those who are unable to complete the swim test, complete it with assistance, or those the lifeguards on duty feel are not a strong enough swimmer. They may use the entire area of the pool only while wearing a life jacket.
All campers and staff, regardless of swimming level, must wear a life jacket when participating in lake activities, except for the water zip line.
*If a camper attends multiple session in a summer they are allowed to retake at the beginning of the next session or keep the swim band level that they have already achieved for that summer season.