Indian Valley Family YMCA: Camp Indian Valley

11 Pinney Street Ellington, CT 06029
Unleash Summer Fun at Camp Indian Valley! Designed for children ages 5-13, our camp offers action-packed outdoor adventures and creative indoor activities—something for every child!

What to Expect:
•    Outdoor Fun: Explore nature in the wooded wetland nature preserve, sports, archery, low ropes course, and team-building challenges.
•    Creative Activities: Dive into arts and crafts, music, and drama for a creative spark.
•    Learning Made Fun: STEM projects and interactive games to inspire curiosity and problem-solving skills.
•    Water Play: Splash into summer with supervised swimming, swim instruction, and water-based activities.
•    Friendship & Teamwork: Connect with new friends through group activities and fun competitions.
•    Weekly Special Events/Guest Visitors: From talent shows & theme days, to scavenger hunts and field days. Meet special guests like wildlife educators, magicians, and traveling science shows. Every week brings new surprises and fun-filled activities!

Our dedicated and experienced staff create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where kids can grow, explore, and thrive. Whether your child loves the great outdoors, hands-on experiments, or imaginative play, our camp provides the perfect balance of learning and fun to make every day memorable.

Register today and let your child embark on a summer adventure they’ll never forget!

Camp Indian Valley

Day Camp

Schedule: 9am - 4pm
Traditional camp program at the Indian Valley Family YMCA with crafts, sports, nature, and STEM activities. There will be a weekly theme that will change each week of the summer. AM and PM Care provided at no additional coast. Each week campers will either have a field trip or have a special guest come to camp.

Member Pricing: $347/Week, (Week of July 4th $277/Week)
Program Participant: $427/Week (Week of July 4th $341/Week)

REGISTER HERE

Registration Opens January 1st!

2025 Camp Weeks and Themes
Week 1:  
Paws, Wings, and Scaly Things
June 16-20Embark on an adventure to discover amazing animals, their habitats, and how to protect them! Through hands-on activities, games, and eco-crafts, campers will connect with nature and learn the importance of conservation. It’s a wild week of fun and exploration!
Week 2:  
Jurassic Journey 
 
June 23-27Travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs! Campers will dig for fossils, learn about prehistoric creatures, and create dino-themed crafts. With exciting games and hands-on activities, it’s a week of Jurassic-sized fun and discovery!
Week 3:  
May the 4th Be With You
 
June 30-July 3
(No Camp July 4th)
Blast off into a universe of fun! Campers will explore the ways of the Jedi, create galactic crafts, and take on thrilling space-themed challenges. It’s a week of teamwork, imagination, and epic Star Wars adventures!
Week 4: 
To the Moon and Beyond
July 7-11Embark on an exciting journey through the cosmos! Campers will discover planets, stars, and galaxies while creating space-inspired crafts and tackling fun astronaut challenges. It’s a week of stellar adventures and endless discovery!
Week 5: 
Wizards and Wands
July 14-18Grab your wand and prepare for an enchanting adventure! Campers will create their own magical potions, explore the world of mystical creatures, and take on exciting wizard challenges. With fun activities and magical crafts, it’s a week full of wonder and wizardry!
Week 6: 
Sports of All Sorts
July 21-25Get ready for a week of non-stop action! Campers will try out a variety of sports, from soccer to basketball to relay races, while learning new skills and teamwork. With games, friendly competitions, and tons of fun, it’s the ultimate sports adventure!
Week 7: 
Waves and Wonders
July 28-August 1Take a plunge into the wonders of the ocean! Campers will explore marine life, create sea-inspired crafts, and uncover the mysteries of the deep. From ocean games to underwater adventures, it’s a week full of discovery and aquatic fun!
Week 8: 
Superhero's Unite!
August 4-8Calling all heroes! Join us for an action-packed week of adventure, teamwork, and fun. Campers will discover their own “superpowers,” complete hero training challenges, and create epic costumes. Get ready to save the day with creativity, courage, and teamwork!
Week 9: 
Mission STEM Possible
August 11-15Dive into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math! Campers will build, experiment, and problem-solve through hands-on activities, coding challenges, and creative projects. It’s a week of discovery, innovation, and endless possibilities!
Week 10: 
Carnival Extravaganza 
 
August 18-25Step right up for a week full of excitement and thrills! Campers will enjoy carnival games, create their own funfair crafts, and take part in classic carnival activities like ring toss and face painting. It’s a week of laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable memories!

 

 

Schedule

Before Camp: 7 - 9 am
Camp Day: 9 am - 4 pm
After Camp: 4 - 6 pm

Campers should be dropped off and picked up at the Indian Valley YMCA. There is no bussing for Camp Indian Valley.

TimesWhat we're doing
7:00 am - 9:00 amBefore Camp Care/Drop off
9:00 am - 9:30 amDaily Welcome
9:30 am - 12:00 pmMorning Activities
12:00 am - 1:00 pmLunch and Group Time
1:00 pm - 3:30 pmAfternoon Activities
3:30 pm - 4:00 pmAll Camp meeting/ Daily debrief
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmCamper Pick up

*A $100 deposit per week per child is due at time of registration. We accept Care 4 Kids and offer financial assistance. If you would like to make payments early, or schedule a payment plan, please contact us at 860-871-0008 or email indianvalleyy@ghymca.org.

Core Activities at the Camp

Arts & Crafts

Large Group Games

Nature Activities

S.T.E.M

Songs, Skits & Plays

Sports

Team Building

DAY CAMP AMENITIES

Archery
Basketball
Field Spaces
Gaga Pit
Hiking Trails
Low Ropes Course
Pickleball Courts
Swimming
Volleyball Courts

Camp FAQs

  • Backpack to carry all their items (Label all camper items) 
  • Bathing Suit and Towel
  • Healthy Lunch
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunscreen and Bug Spray
  • Complete change of clothes in a Ziplock bag for children under eight in case of accidents
  • Any medications you have paperwork for 
  • Closed toe shoes must be worn except while swimming
  • Electronics - campers will have all electronics confiscated and returned to the parents upon pick up. 
  • Anything that can be considered a weapon
  • Any valuables
  • Juuls or other E-cigarettes - all YMCA camps are smoke and vape free areas. 
  • Camps run an intensive 40 hours or more of Staff orientation before the campers arrive. We cover the basics of our: camp philosophy, behavior management, lesson plans, water safety, climbing safety, and day camp life. However, most importantly we spend time doing the activities that campers will spend their summer taking part in. Counselors learn different adaptations to games like Capture the Flag, Four–Square, and Gods Eyes. In addition, counselors have guest speakers discuss child abuse prevention, emergency action plans, and other integral parts of the camp day.
  • Camp staff older than 18 years old are trained in medication administration by a licensed RN, PA, or MD. 
  • Inhalers, epi-pen, and additional emergency medications are necessary to ensuring your camper is safe. On the first day of each session parents are responsible for dropping of their medication with the following items:
    • Original prescription box with current label
    • Medication that has not expired
    • Medical Authorization form signed by the campers physician and parent
    • Care Plan signed by the campers physician and parent. 
  • If you have any further questions regarding camper medication and forms; please reach out to your camp leadership. 
  • Yes, the State of Connecticut requires a physical examination complete with parent signatures. That form can be found on our website. Physical exams are valid for 3 years from the date of the last exam. However, if there are any pertinent medical conditions that happened during the year, please reach out to the camp staff. A copy of the health form can be found on our website. 
  • LOTS OF THINGS! First of all, a misty or lightly rainy day will not stop us from following our normal schedule (so send your child with a light rain jacket). If it is a steady downpour, we resort to our vast arsenal of indoor activities, including portable teamwork activities, character values lessons, skits, songs, group games, portable sports activities and much more. 
  • Our camp days are filled with a variety of hands-on activities based around each camp’s theme. These activities are designed to be fun and exciting while helping campers to develop skills and positive habits in scientific and critical thinking. Actual schedules may vary, based on weather, preferences of camp groups, and other factors. We design our curricula to include structured activities, and unstructured free-play, taking advantage of both indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate different learning styles and energy levels.

The YMCA follows the State of Connecticut guidelines for camper to counselor ratio. 

  • 1 counselor to 9 campers: Campers 6 years old and under
  • 1 counselor to 12 campers: Campers 7 years old and over

A deposit of $50 per week per child is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot. The remaining balance for each registered week will be drafted 4 weeks prior to the camp session starting. If you register less than 4 weeks prior to the session beginning, full payment will be due at the time of registration. If you would like to set up a payment plan different from above, please reach out to your local branch.

  • Yes, the YMCA provides financial assistance and will assist you in applying for Care4kids. 
  • Deposits are nonrefundable, and only transferable for the current camp year. Refunds will not be given for cancellations within 4 weeks of a session starting. Upon written request, paid fees may be transferred to another camp week if space is available.
  • Registration is completed on the ghymca.org website. The system will walk you through filling out and submitting the registration. The registration and deposits must be submitted at the time of registration. 
  • Yes, you and the other authorized pick ups would need to show an ID during pick up. As the summer goes on, the camp team will begin to remember you and may you sign you out without one. However, always make sure you bring an ID! 
  • Yes, as long as they are within the same age or grade levels the campers can be grouped together. Please reach out to your camp for more information. 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Affordable Care and Financial Assistance

While we try to make our programs affordable for everyone, we understand that cost may be a barrier for some families. We encourage you to apply for financial assistance through our Y if you find that you may have difficulties in paying your program fees.

Financial Assistance CARE4KIDS 

Please return your completed application along with the supporting documents to your local YMCA.

Raising Funds

You are also invited to become a part of the YMCA Annual Campaign, where parents and other volunteers help raise money to provide scholarships for families who would not otherwise be able to participate in our programs.

Donate Now