2027 Registration
We hope you had a great summer at the YMCA. Registration opens in early 2027 for next summer.
Sign up for registration information and reminders.
Camp Outer Limits
Camp Outer Limits is packed with activities, games and fun. Campers spend the day swimming, creating crafts, playing kickball, pickup basketball and soccer and enjoying games like gaga ball and capture the flag.
Camp Outer Limits Camp Sessions
2027 YMCA Summer Day Camp locations, themes and session dates will be confirmed in December.
YMCA Day Camp Experience
From preparation to programming, these are the essentials that shape each camp day.
Counselors & Staff
YMCA Day Camp operates with a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio. We hire high schoolers, college students and teachers to lead activities, drive buses and facilitate summer camp. Each staff member undergoes extensive training - from CPR and First Aid to leading assemblies. Many staff are former campers and return summer after summer.
Swimming at Day Camp
Almost all YMCA Day Camps offer free swim times or water play (for younger campers). Each camper is assessed for their swim ability on the first swim day of the session. Campers are issued swim bands that identify their swim levels. Swim bands also help lifeguards and counselors identify which areas of the pool are appropriate for each camper.
Weather Management
From outdoor games to water play, day camp is designed to keep kids moving, learning and connecting. But when the heat index rises, so does our responsibility to make smart, timely adjustments that protect campers and staff.
Huddles
Huddles are small groups of campers of similar age and grade who are grouped together at day camp. Typically, huddles move together throughout the day to difference activities. Each huddle is accompanied by two or more counselors.
Character Traits
Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Honesty, and Faith are the character traits the YMCA uses to reinforce positive behavior. Campers can earn beads by demonstrating these traits. Each camper (ages 5 and older) receives a necklace on the first day camp for their beads.
Camp Outer Limits FAQs
Weeks 1, 9, and 10 (June 15 - 19 and Aug. 10 - 21) will be held at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
Weeks 2 - 8 (June 22 - Aug. 7) will be held at Mills Park Middle School.
Rides In
Our Rides In period is from 7 - 8:45 a.m. Please follow the purple signs beginning on Mills Park Drive to the back bus loop entrance of Mills Park Middle School.
When you arrive for drop off, if your camper has medicine, please have the medicine ready in a gallon Ziploc bag with your campers name on it and a YMCA medicine form inside the bag.
If you need to drop off or pick up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. please give us a text or call at 919-815-9107. If you would like to get a jump start on the process, please send a quick text 15 minutes ahead of time so we can have your camper ready for you.
Rides Out
Our Rides Out pickup period is from 4:30 - 6 p.m. and follows the same traffic pattern as morning drop off. Please have your green 2025 pick-up card ready. If you do not yet have a pick-up card, please be ready to show a form of ID to our office managers.
Traffic Pattern
Follow the magical rainbow path to Camp Outer Limits drop-off at Mills Park Middle School. At the red star, please stop and check in with our office managers to get your camper checked in. Then please proceed to the green star where our counselors will be waiting to greet you and bring your camper inside. Please follow the same pattern for pick up.
Family Nights
Join us for a fun evening for the whole family to get a glimpse into our camp day, meet your campers favorite counselors and their friends! Campers & their families will have the opportunity to participate in an open programming session and a daily assembly.
Mark you calendars to join us for either of these Family Night dates. Families are welcome to attend even if your child is not registered for camp that week.
July 9, 6:45 - 8 p.m.
July 30, 6:45 - 8 p.m.
Camp Outer Limits campers swim every day. Campers ride a YMCA bus from Mills Park Middle School to the Northwest Cary YMCA to swim.
Camp K - rising Kindergarteners
Camp 1 - grades rising 1 - 2
Camp 2 - grades rising 3 - 5
Camp 3 - grades rising 6 - 8
SWIM TIMES
Camp 3 & Extras: 10:20 - 11:45 a.m.
Camp K & 1: 11:10 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.
Camp 2: noon - 1:25 p.m.
Please note, that campers may not be picked up during swim times. If you need to pickup during swim times please let us know at the beginning of the day in writing, so we may hold them back from going to the pool.
Additionally, all campers are required to wear a life vest, provided by the Y, unless they have completed the Y's swim band evaluation. Swim evaluations are offered at camp on Mondays and during family swim times in the evenings and weekends.
All swim evaluation decisions are at the discretion of our lifeguard team; if they do not feel a camper is ready for a yellow band, the camper will need to wear a life jacket while swimming at camp.
Campers are asked to bring a change of clothes, a swimsuit, a towel, lunch, two snacks, and a refillable water bottle. Most campers pack everything in a backpack.
Kona Ice
On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Kona Ice visits our camp. If your camper wishes to purchase Kona Ice, please send them with $4, $5 or $6 on their designated Kona Ice day.
Tuesdays: Camp K, 1, Extras & CILTs
Thursdays: Camp 2, Camp 3, & CILTs
Wacky Wednesday
On Wednesdays, we invite campers to dress up around our theme for the week. The best dressed campers will get to participate in our weekly Wacky Wednesday fashion show and will earn their Wacky Wednesday bead.
Ranks
Campers can choose to develop their skills in a variety of areas during camp. As they demonstrate skill acquisition, campers can rank up in the following areas:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- STEM
- Fitness
- Cheer & Dance
- Creative Arts
- Archery
Bead Necklaces
Each week our camp will focus on one character trait for youth development. Campers can earn a bead of various colors for exhibiting each week's character trait.
Caring = Red
Respect = Yellow
Responsibility = Green
Honesty & Teamwork = Blue
Faith = Purple
Camper of the Day = Orange
Phenomenal = Black
Spirit = Pink
Field Trips
Check your weekly newsletter to see where your camper will be venturing to this week! Field trips occur from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for CILTS, Camp 3 and Camp Extras. Campers may not be picked up during field trips.
Tuesdays: CILTs
Wednesday: Camp 3
Thursdays: Camp Extras
Below is an approximate daily schedule for our camp. Activity blocks may include sports, crafts, archery, outside time, etc.
This is provided to help families plan for appointments outside of day camp. Times are subject to change based on weather and special activities.
CAMP SCHEDULE
7 - 8:45 a.m. Rides In and Counselor Led Games
8:45 - 9:05 a.m. Morning Meeting and Snack
9:10 - 9:35 a.m. Large Group Assembly Time
9:35 - 11:10 a.m. Activity 1, Ranks, Games
10:30 a.m. - 1:35 p.m. Swimming and Lunch (See swim times for your camper under Pool Time Section)
12:40 - 2:30 p.m. Activity 2, Ranks, Cloud Time & Story Time for younger campers and Teen Time for older campers
2:40 - 3:30 p.m. Activity 3 (May include Huddle time, Choices, Kona Ice, Wacky Wednesday or Camp Time)
3:30 -3:50 p.m. Bead Time and Character Trait Discussion
3:50 - 4:05 p.m. Snack & Pack
4:15 - 6 p.m. Rides Out and Counselor Led Games
Other Day Camps
Offered by the Northwest Cary YMCA
