Hamilton Area YMCA

FIND YOUR ADVENTURE at Sawmill Summer Camp 2023!

At Sawmill Summer Day Camp we have 50 acres of outdoor space, the largest pool in Mercer County, fun activities ranging from sports to crafts and STEM, youth programming, special events, themes and traditions.  5 fun-filled days for campers to find their spark, find their sense of wonder, find their friends and FIND THEIR ADVENTURE!

Click here to learn about camp

Click here to learn what makes our camp special

Click here to have a Camp Specialist answer your questions to to schedule a camp tour

Click here to register for our open house and information sessions



REGISTER NOW!

Register by March 31 and a CAMP20 coupon code will automatically be applied to your cart.  That’s a savings of up to $220!

*Coupon code does not apply for CIT, Speciality Camps and Swim Lessons 


Click here to register for Day Camp

Click here to register for Diverse Abilities (SKOR) Camp

Click here to register for Counselor in Training Camp

Click here to register for Specialty Camps

Click here to register for Camp Swim Lessons




 

Dates & Rates

Camp Dates
June 21 - August 30

2023 Camp Rates
5 day per week options:
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$406 per week 

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Pre Camp
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. - $40 per week

Post Camp
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - $50 per week

CIT Program
Train to be a future counselor in our Counselor In Training (CIT) Program.  Candidates must go through an interview process with the Camp 
Director.  Apply early!  Limited space available.

•  Offered July 10- August 11
•  Ages 14-15
•  $226 per week

No Membership Required
Simply pay a $35 registration fee

Online Registration
Register, make payments, complete medical information, sign waivers, submit immunization records all online. 
 
Phone app
The CampSpace app allows parents to receive camp communication, check their child’s daily schedule, update the pick up list, electronically sign in and out their child.

Specialty Camps & Swim Lessons

NEW THIS SUMMER! 
Specialty Camps 


The goal of specialty camp is to gain new skills in select areas.  Campers will have the opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned to the Day Camp at the end of each week. Each specialty camp is carefully planned by the Camp Director and Camp Specialists and has a unique curriculum in place.  

Art camp •  June 26 – July 14
Our art camp is designed to stimulate creative 
expression through projects and activities that change each week. Campers have fun, develop important artistic techniques and learn about the principles of visual art and historical periods through a variety of projects that utilize an assortment of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics.

Dance Camp  •   July 17- August 4
This is a high energy camp that emphasizes rhythm, style, and personal expression through freestyle dance and choreography. This camp is the perfect way for campers to learn about dance, make new friends, and create lasting memories.

Sports Camp  •  August 7 - August 25
Join us for a fun, jam-packed week of sports and team building! This camp offers a multi-sport experience with team building games. Your camper will engage in a variety of sports activities that will develop confidence, promote social and interpersonal skills, keep them active and healthy, and challenge them to try new things – all in a safe environment led by positive adult role models. 

Limited space is available!

Swim Lessons
Nurturing skills and building confidence in the water!  In each 
community, the Y is in the service of building a better us. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to teach youth and teens to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit to stay healthy! 

Swim Basic Stage 1-3 (Acclimation, Movement, Stamina): Students learn personal water safety and achieve basic swimming competency by learning two benchmark skills: swim, float, swim—sequencing front glide, roll, back float, roll, front glide and exit—and jump, push, turn, grab.

Swim Stroke Stage 4-6 (Introduction, Development, Mechanics): Students work on refining stroke technique and learning all major competitive strokes in swimming lessons. The emphasis on water safety continues through treading water and sidestroke.

Diverse Abilities Camp
We encourage and support the participation of individuals with 
diverse abilities in all programs and services. During the camp 
day opportunities are created for children to enhance their 
self-esteem, build friendships, develop greater independence and give campers a sense of their creative potential in a safe, fun and nurturing environment. Volunteers ages 13+ will be paired with campers and participate in activities throughout the day.  One on one is NOT provided. 

Diverse Abilities Camp Dates:
June 26 - 30
July 3 - 7
August 14 - 18
August 21 - 25 

Typical Camp Day

Camp day schedule and activities will vary

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Pre Camp*
9:00 a.m. - Morning Meeting
9:15 a.m. - Sports Activity 
10:00 a.m. - Morning Swim (2 swims each day!)
10:45 a.m. - Arts and Crafts Activity
11:30 a.m. - Lunch
12:15 p.m. - STEM Activity 
1:00 p.m. - Afternoon Swim
1:45 p.m. - Specialty Program
2:30 p.m. - Group Game/Choice
3:15 p.m. - Afternoon Meeting
3:45 - 4:30 p.m. - Camp Clubs
3:45 - 4:30 p.m. - Prepare for Departures
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. - Post Camp*

*Campers enrolled in pre and post camp will participate in camp structured activities.  

Facility Features

•  50 acres of outdoor recreation
•  Large L-Shaped pool - largest in Mercer County!
•  Small Wading Pool
•  3 pavilions each with picnic tables, water fountains and restrooms
•  Big top tents each with picnic tables and water stations
•  Climate controlled indoor gymnasium
•  Outdoor basketball courts
•  Sand volleyball courts
•  Gaga Courts
•  Quoit Pits
•  Human foosball court
•  Traversing Wall
•  Playground 
•  Soccer fields
•  Baseball fields
•  Water tag course
•  Misting and sprinkler stations
•  Foot and Disc Golf Course

Why Choose Our Camp

Caring & Well Trained Staff
Each of our staff undergoes a series of interviews, reference checks and a complete background/criminal history check. Our leadership team are college graduates who are working professionals in the fields of education and child development with more than 40 years of camp experience. Our senior counselors are at least 18 years of age with prior experience working with children. Many of our staff have been former campers and have gone through our counselor in training program. All staff participate in over 25 hours of YMCA pre camp training, and 10 hours of New Jersey State led health and safety training, including child abuse prevention.  All staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. There is a camp nurse on-site each day.  

Parents Trust Us
When you drop your child off at camp, we know that you are trusting us to provide high-quality care. With a low, camper-to-staff ratio, each child receives the attention they need to grow in a safe, supportive environment. Our on-site, full-time nurse provides additional support.  The Hamilton Area YMCA has been proudly serving the Community for more than 70 years and over two decades at our Sawmill Branch. 

Everyone belongs at the Y. 

We believe in serving the needs of all members of our community including those who may be unable to pay the full cost of membership or programs.  

We are an approved summer camp for State Subsidies such as Child Care Connection. For more information visit www.childcareconnection-nj.org Financial assistance is available for those denied subsidy from Child Care Connection.  Assistance based on a number of factors including total household income and number of dependents in the household.  

Financial assistance applications are required and are due by May 1. The process is confidential.  E-mail application to: ryanyoung@hamiltonymca.org for more information.

We encourage and support the participation of individuals with diverse abilities in all programs and services. During the camp day opportunities are created for children to enhance their self-esteem, build friendship skills, develop greater independence and give them a sense of their creative potential in a safe, fun and nurturing environment. 

What Makes Us Special

In-house Experiences
These fun experiences are theme related activities that will be brought to camp from an outside groups. Some of the groups we are hoping to host will be Yoyo Champion, NJ State Museum, Fireball Mountain, Philadelphia Insectarium and much more.   

Youth Programming
At the YMCA we believe positive youth development programs strengthen our camper’s sense of identity, belief in the future, self-regulation, and self-efficacy as well as their social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral competence. These programs that we’re offering this summer will add to our camper’s development.  Some of these weekly programs include Girl Scouts, First Tee Golf, Zumba, Yoga, and so much more. 

Four Core Values Initiative
Our four core values at the YMCA are Honesty, Respect, Caring, and Responsibility. Campers who consistently display our values in action will be rewarded at closing award ceremonies each week. We encourage a positive, friendly environment and culture with campers, a goal for campers to work towards, incorporating our values into our program

Theme Weeks
Each week of camp is special so we have theme for each one. In addition to all the fun campers will have throughout the day, all campers will have the opportunity to participate in all theme weeks!  Below is the list of themes:

Week 1:
Aloha Summer 

Week 2:
Paint me Crazy 

Week 3:
Holiday Extravaganza 

Week 4:
Color Wars 

Week 5:
Y’s Got Talent 

Week 6:
Superhero Week 

Week 7:
Wet and Wild 

Week 8:
I love the 90’s 

Week 9: Sports
Extravaganza 

Week 10:
Safari Party 

Week 11:
Summer’s End 

Exciting Special Events & Activities
In addition to all the fun campers will have throughout the day, all campers will have the opportunity to participate in exciting special events and activities.  Visit our website for the full list of all the ways we’re going to find adventure this summer!

Follow us on Facebook for additional information on In-house Experiences, Special Events and Activities.

What To Bring To Camp

Please click here to view our handy graphic on what campers should bring to camp and what should stay at home.  


Follow us on Facebook! 

Click here for the Camp Facebook page 

Visit
We’re just minutes from the Hamilton Market Place. Click here for directions!

View
Click here for a bird's eye view our Sawmill Branch!