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Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camps

We believe that the camp experience is transformational for all ages.

Serving hundreds of thousands of kids, the Y offers a variety of programs from Preschool and School-Age to Overnight camps. Camps give kids the chance to make new friends, learn new skills and engage in indoor and outdoor adventures. We utilize the YMCA core values to teach campers how to be more independent and contribute to a group through physical, social and educational activities.

Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Camp

Under the care of our nurturing preschool staff, campers will enjoy theme related games, art, music, and stories; plus swimming, snacks, playtime, and outdoor play! Kindergarten Prep goes a step further to focus on Kindergarten readiness. Come explore and enjoy our YMCA Preschool & Kindergarten Prep Camps!

School-Age & Specialty Camps

Join us for fun and adventure at the Mankato Family YMCA Summer Day Camps! Each week is filled with action-packed days full of activities focused on our core values: Caring, Honesty, Responsibility, Respect and Faith. Campers will learn through ways of discovery, exploration and community involvement on how to make friends, gain independence and experience new adventures. Specialty camps include Chesley Skate Park Camp, Sports Camp, and Pathfinders Day Camp.

Overnight & Teen Leadership Camps

Camp Patterson is nestled on 19 acres off the shores of Lake Washington in Southern Minnesota. Utilizing our core values of Caring, Honesty, Responsibility, Respect, & Faith- adventure awaits! At YMCA Overnight Camp, we are committed to ensuring campers will have a safe, fun, and inclusive environment where they can be themselves and develop independence. With activities like archery, canoeing, Outdoor Education, arts & crafts, and large group games- campers are sure to make memories that last a lifetime. Camps include Traditional, Leaders in Training (LIT), Counselors in Training (CIT), and Junior Counselor (JC).

FAQs

Payment & Registration

Member Registration: February 14
Non-Member Registration: February 28
A $25 non-refundable deposit per session is required to reserve camper’s spot. Deposit is applied to the final balance.

A non-refundable deposit of $25 is required for each week your camper plans to attend. This deposit will be deducted from the overall weekly fee and secures your spot unless the remaining balance is not received by the 15th of the month prior to attending.

Full camp payment is due on the 15th of the month prior to the month of camp. For example, if your camper is signed up for camp(s) in June, full payment of all June camps would be due May 15th.

Yes, click the “Register” icon at the top of the website homepage. Click “log in / register online”. On the left side you will see “My Programs and Balances”.

We do offer financial assistance for those in need. Download our financial assistance application and return it to the Y with the necessary documents.

The Mankato Family YMCA has also been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Y of the USA to offer scholarships for first-time and diverse campers for overnight camps. All funds will be applied to the 2025 camp season. Don’t miss this opportunity—apply now to see if you qualify!

If you have questions, contact our Director of Youth Development, Dustin at [email protected]

Those who wish to withdraw their registration for a camp must do so no later than two (2) full weeks before the camp is scheduled to start. The initial $25 deposit used to register for a camp session is non-refundable and non-transferable. No refunds will be given after the two (2) week policy prior to the start of camp. If you are registered for a program and you cancel your membership, you will be billed for the non-member rate of the program.

Planning for School-Age Camp

Our counselors are trained in CPR, First Aid, child abuse prevention, bloodborne pathogens, emergency procedures, water safety, and our camp curriculum including songs and games that incorporate values and education. All counselors must pass a background check prior to employment.

We have a Youth Facebook page called Mankato Family YMCA Youth (@YMCAMankatoYouth) and a Youth Instagram account (@mankatoymcayouth) for promotional purposes. We also use the REMIND app to communicate with parents during camp. A REMIND code will be provided once registration is complete.

  • Water Bottle
  • Sunscreen (not provided)
  • Bug Spray (not provided)
  • Backpack
  • Tennis Shoes
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Cold Lunch
  • We encourage all items be labeled with the camper’s name

  • Electronic Devices (Phones, Smart Watches, Tablets, etc.)
  • Toys/Trading Cards
  • Drugs, Tobacco, Vapes
  • Weapons
  • Alcohol
  • Money
  • Inappropriate Clothing

Due to construction beginning, Mankato West High School will be unable to assist with providing lunch for the Mankato Family YMCA summer camp program this year. Additionally, we unfortunately do not have the resources to provide transportation to other schools. As a result, we kindly ask that all campers bring a packed cold lunch each day for summer 2025. The YMCA will provide an afternoon snack to all campers.

If your camper has food allergies, note them on the camper’s health form. We work as diligently as possible to ensure all needs are met. The YMCA will provide snack options to accommodate your camper’s needs. Contact the Director of Youth Development for assistance.

Campers should come to camp dressed in their provided field trip shirt for identification purposes. They should pack a lunch, water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen, swimsuit and towel for water trips, and an individual activity to do on the bus (books, fidget toys, etc.). Electronics such as phones, smart watches, tablets, etc. are not permitted on field trip days. If found, staff will confiscate and return them upon pick up. The YMCA is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

The Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camp program uses best-practices for our readiness standards. Campers should be developing social-emotional learning skills through self-management, social awareness, relationship building, self-awareness, and responsible decision making. YMCA school-age child care programs are not designed for one-on-one care. Therefore, evaluate if the program is appropriate for your camper.

  • Camper can model independence (transition to and from locations, ability to dress, eat, and maintain hygiene independently).
  • Camper demonstrates the ability to regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
  • Camper can express and recognize their emotions and thoughts.
  • Camper exhibits the ability to empathize and respect others including those of diverse backgrounds.
  • Camper displays the ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. This includes effective communication, listening, cooperation, and resisting inappropriate actions.
  • Camper shows the ability to make safe, healthy, and respectful choices for themselves and others.

At Camp

Mission: To put Christian principals into practice through programs and services that build a healthy spirit, mind, body, and social well-being for all.

Camp Purpose: The purpose of the Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camp program is to create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to develop and feel valued.

Program Goals: Promote a sense of self-confidence, self-efficacy, and independence, build positive relationships with peers and other adults, Provide a variety of activities that develop skills in the fields of arts, STEM, and games, Teach character development using the core values; caring, honesty, responsibility, respect and faith.

If your camper is going to be absent from camp on any given day, please communicate with camp staff via REMIND. If campers arrive late to the YMCA (after 8:30am) and the camp in which the camper is registered for has already departed, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to get their camper to the location of the camp. If a camper needs to be picked up prior to end of day (before 4:30pm), it is the responsibility of the parent/ guardian to meet the camper at the location in which their camp resides.

To minimize the chance of misplaced clothing and other items, please label all clothing and other property clearly. We are not responsible for lost or missing items. There will be a lost and found table at the sign-out station for all misplaced items.

The Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camp program follows the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines and recommends campers be excluded from activities for the following reasons: COVID-19: Camper may return after 5-day quarantine from when symptoms first appear. Camper will be required to wear a mask for 5 days following their quarantine period.  Vomiting, Diarrhea: participants may return 24 hours after their last episode. Fever of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit: participants may return 24 hours after being fever free without the use of medication. Undiagnosed rash: contact your medical provided before sending your camper to camp. Impetigo, Strep Throat, Ringworm: Camper may return 24 hours after treatment. Chicken Pox/Shingles: Camper may return after all blisters have dried into scabs. Head Lice: Camper may return once treatment is received.

Moderate injuries will also be communicated to the parent once proper first aid has taken place. In the case of a severe injury needing professional medical attention, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately.

At the first sign of inclement weather during our outdoor activities, campers will be brought indoors or to the nearest shelter until it is safe to return to the scheduled camp activity. The Camp Administration will send out communication if there is an emergency.

Visiting your camper is not recommended during the camp day. If you feel a visit is necessary, contact the Director of Youth Development to schedule a day and time.

Parents/Guardians are expected to park their vehicle and check in or check out campers from camp staff at Door A between the hours of 7:30-8:30am and 4:30-5:30pm. If campers are arriving late to the YMCA and the camp in which the camper is registered for has already departed, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to get their camper to the location of the camp. If a camper needs to be picked up prior to the dismissal time, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to meet the camper at the location in which their camp resides. A photo ID is required to pick up your camper. Campers will not be released to someone other than the parent/guardian. If someone other than the parent/guardian plans on picking up camper, that person must be listed on the camper’s registration or have written authorization provided from the parent/guardian to the camp after registration.

If your camper brings medications to camp including over the counter medications, it must be in the original container with the original label with their name. Do not pack medications into the camper’s luggage or backpack. Medications must be turned into the Camp Staff upon Check In.

The goal of the Mankato Family YMCA Summer Camp program is to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for its campers and staff. The YMCA teaches the core values of caring, honesty, responsibility, respect, and faith. The campers who attend the program are expected to follow the behavior guidelines and to interact appropriately in a group setting. In the event of a behavior incident, the following behavior management strategies may be used: Redirection- Participant and staff will discuss the behavior and why it is deemed inappropriate. Staff use situations as learning moments for participants to understand the impact of their behavior and healthy ways to react in the future. Modeling- Program staff will model positive behavior, provide praise, and encourage acceptable behavior. If behaviors escalate and camp safety is a concern, parent/guardians will be contacted for an immediate pick-up. Documentation will be collected on the incident. In the event of multiple incidents or extreme circumstances of inappropriate behavior, dismissal from Summer Camp may occur.

Summer Camp participants will get opportunities to swim throughout their camp session. Each camp will be assigned certain days of the week that will be considered their “swim day”. If campers choose not to swim on their swim day, they will be expected to sit on a bench on the pool deck. Swimming occurs in the afternoon of each swim day. Every camper who chooses to swim, will be evaluated on their swim ability on the first trip to the pool. Every camper who plans to swim with us must be swim tested. If campers would like to retest, they can during their next camp session. Campers are separated into beginner/non-swimmer, intermediate, or advanced swim levels and will be restricted based on the level received. Campers are not required to take the swim test, however, it is highly recommended. If they choose not to swim test, they will automatically be given a wristband for our zero-depth swimming area. The Test: In order to get a green (the highest swim level), campers must swim one length (From one end to the other) of the Taylor Pool. Campers that choose not to take the swim test can enjoy swimming and water activities in the zero-depth area. Discoverers do not swim test and are required to stay in the zero-depth area

Reach Out to Learn More

Dustin Slaughter

Director of Youth Development

507.386.2706
[email protected]

Kathy Groebner

Director of Preschool

507.345.9801
[email protected]

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