Information for Parents
2010 Session Dates & Rates
| Session | Dates | Cost* |
|
Session 1: Campers (ages 7-15) |
June 27 - July 10 | $1445 |
|
Session 1: LITs (age 16) |
June 27 - July 10 | $725 |
|
Session 1A: Campers (ages 7-15) |
June 27 - July 3 (one-week) | $760 |
|
Session 1B: Campers (ages 7-15) |
July 4 - 10 (one-week) | $760 |
|
Session 2: Campers (ages 7-15) |
July 11 - 24 | $1445 |
|
Session 2: LITs (age 16) |
July 11 - 24 | $725 |
|
Session 3: Campers (ages 7-15) |
July 25 - August 7 | $1445 |
|
Session 3: LITs (age 16) |
July 25 - August 7 | $725 |
|
Adventure Camp (ages 12-15) |
August 8 - 14 | $800 |
*YMCA Recession Pledge
At the West Suburban YMCA, we have been caring for our community for 132 years, in both good times and bad. While no one can predict tomorrow, we can help you feel safe and secure.
If you register for one of our YMCA camps and you lose your job, we will refund 100% of your deposit, program or registration fee that you have paid to us. We can also help supplement your YMCA fees until you get back on your feet.*
*To learn of the few restrictions that apply, please speak with a Camping Services representative.
Registration
Registration is currently open. You may register online or complete a registration form and submit it to Camping Services.
Financial Aid
A limited number of partial camp scholarships are made possible by our annual Partners with Youth campaign. All applications are kept strictly confidential. Financial aid applications can be downloaded from this page starting in mid-January and are due no later than March 1st.
Open Houses
The next camp tour will be on Saturday, February 27 at 11am, but our door is always open! To schedule a tour of camp, please contact us at campingservices@westsuburbanymca.org or 617-244-6050 ext 3008.
Camp Director
Our camp director is Leah Zippin. Here is her brief introduction: "I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself and my family. I grew up in Swampscott, Massachusetts, a suburb north of Boston. Currently, I live in Monson, MA which is just about 25 minutes west of Camp Frank A. Day. My Bachelor's Degree is in Geological Sciences and my Master's Degree is in Education. During the year, I am the seventh grade math teacher and team leader in Monson. During my summers, I have spent time at camps in Maine and the Berkshires. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, collecting rocks and fossils and spending time with my family, who will be joining me this summer. My daughter, Tamra, is ten years old and my son, Gabriel, is six. My children and husband, Mark are very excited to be part of the Camp Frank A. Day family. We look forward to meeting all of you and can't wait for the summer to begin." You can contact Leah at leahz@westsuburbanymca.org.
Staff
A mature, dedicated staff of approximately 65 men and women serve your campers while they are in our care. Most are counselors, some are administrators, several are nurses, a few work in maintenance and a handful work in the kitchen. Safety is our top priority! We always maintain a staff to camper ratio of 1:10, but often this is much lower. Most of the staff members are educators and former Camp Day campers. All staff are trained in CPR and First Aid.
Traditional Camp Program
Campers participate in a variety of activities during each session. A typical day consists of six activity periods: swim lessons (unless the camper has passed out of all levels at camp), two periods where the camper chooses the "camptivity" to focus on for the week, time to do an activity with the campers and counselors in their cabin or tent, one athletics period to earn points toward our traditional Plaque Race competition and one period of the day allows campers to try different activities for just the day. The schedule allows the campers plenty of time to learn new skills and simply have fun with their friends! Not every day is the same though. Each session has a special event day, and the campers take a field trip to an exciting New England destination.
Adventure Camp
Our experienced staff will teach your camper (ages 12-15) basic wilderness survival skills and provide supervised high-energy expeditions with adrenaline rushes that will be talked about for years to come! check out the sample schedule for the one-week camp, held August 8-14, in the sidebar on the right.
Leaders-in-Training
To assist with the transition from camper to staff member, we offer 16 year olds the opportunity to learn more about leadership and responsibility while mentoring young campers and serving as a positive role model. LITs may register for a maximum of two sessions.
Activities
Here is a sampling of the activities that are offered at camp.
| Water Choices |
Land Sports |
Creative Activities |
|
waterskiing |
horseback riding* | arts & crafts |
| sailing | climbing wall | drama |
| kayaking | archery | dance |
| canoeing | golf** | music |
| fishing | basketball | cooking |
| snorkling | volleyball | camp newspaper |
| soccer | ||
| tennis | ||
| street hockey | ||
| wrestling |
*Horseback Riding Program
For campers wanting to learn or enhance their riding skills, we offer a horseback riding program in partnership with Fairview Farms in Brimfield, MA. Through eight 1½ hour lessons that are a combination of instruction, tack-up and English riding, campers will learn horse safety, leading, grooming, horse anatomy, tack, feeding and stable management. The horseback riding program is two activity periods long so campers, depending on their unit, may not have the option to select other camptivities but will have the option to participate in other activities each afternoon. This program is specifically designed for campers entering 7th grade and up (juniors and seniors). Space is limited so pre-registration is required; the additional cost is $300/session.
**Golf Program
In partnership with Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton, MA, campers can learn the fundamentals of golf, including driving, putting, chipping and pitching. The golf program is two activity periods long so campers, depending on their unit, may not have the option to select other camptivities but will have the option to participate in other activities each afternoon. This program is specifically designed for campers entering 7th grade and up (juniors and seniors). Campers can bring their own golf clubs or borrow ones from Blackstone for no charge. Space is limited so pre-registration is required; the additional cost is $125/session.
Facilities
Set on 52 beautiful acres along the shore of Lake Quacumquasitt, Camp Frank A. Day is a traditional rustic New England overnight camp. Campers sleep in one-room cabins with wooden bunk beds and electricity, except for the senior boys (those entering 9th and 10th grade in the fall) who sleep in platform tents. Just steps away from the cabins and tents are modern bathhouses with flushing toilets and hot showers. All campers and staff enjoy three healthy meals each day in our historic McKnight Dining Hall. The nurses are waiting in the infirmary 24-hours/day to tend to any medical needs. For the enjoyment of all, we have several athletic fields, sand volleyball pit, tennis court, 40ft. climbing tower, arts and crafts building, archery range, 1000 feet of waterfront (watched by our lifeguards, of course), campfire circles and so much more!
Camp Location
Physical address:
125 South Pond Road
East Brookfield, MA 01515
Map of 125 S Pond Rd East Brookfield, MA 01515-2008, US
Mailing address for camper mail:
P.O. Box 367
East Brookfield, MA 01515
Summer Phone: (508) 867-3780
Winter Phone: (617) 244-6050, ext. 3008
Directions
From Massachusetts:
Take the Mass Pike to exit 9, Sturbridge. Take the first right after the toll booth, which is Rte. 20 West.
Turn right just before the American Motor Lodge onto New Boston Rd. Clock 4.8 miles, always bearing right at forks until 4.8 miles, at which point take two lefts and you will be in camp. Signs are posted.
From New York and Connecticut:
Take Rte. 84 to the last exit before the Mass Pike, which is Rte. 20 West. Follow directions above beginning with "Turn right just before the American Motor Lodge."
Additional Information
If you have questions or would like more specific information, you may download the Family Handbook from the right sidebar to learn more or contact us at campingservices@westsuburbanymca.org or 617-244-6050 ext 3008.
"Frank A. Day is our son's favorite place on earth. He comes home happy and confident and who could ask for more than that." -Parent of a Camp Frank A. Day camper
