Day Camp

How much does Summer Day Camp cost?

• Weekly tuition for the 2026 season is $175 per child for YMCA members and $190 per child for non members.
• Each week requires a $20 deposit, and families who are not YMCA members pay a $50 one time registration fee.
• Optional fees include a $10 field trip fee (for campers age 7 and older) and a $15 camp shirt. The registration fee, weekly deposit, field trip fee and shirt fee are non refundable.

What is included in the camp fee?

YMCA Summer Camp gives children a place to make new friends, unplug from screens, learn new skills, and be active and have fun. Your tuition covers daily swim time, outdoor play, STEM activities, crafts and other fun programming. Field trips and camp shirts are extra.

Does Summer Day Camp provide lunch or snacks?

• Our Cumberland County camps work with CCS to provide daily lunches from June until the first week of August.
• Our Harnett County camps do not have lunches provided, but we do operate a meal site for children 18 and under that runs Thursdays from 4pm-6pm and has 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches.
• YMCA of the Sandhills camps are nut-free; dispose of any nut products brought to camp.

Are discounts available for Summer Day Camp?

• We have financial assistance for those who qualify for our Open Doors program that could result in up to a 50% discount on all program fees and memberships.
• Families who are YMCA members pay a discounted weekly tuition of $175 compared to $190 for nonmembers.

Are sibling discounts available for Summer Day Camp? We do not have discounts for siblings.

Is financial assistance or a scholarship available for Summer Day Camp? YMCA of the Sandhills offers a BRIDGE Program for single parents attending school full time. Eligible families may apply for free childcare services using the downloadable application.

What dates or weeks is Summer Day Camp offered?

• The camp season runs throughout the summer.
• Cumberland County camps operate from June 1 – August 14, 2026.
• Harnett County camps run from June 1 – August 7, 2026.

When does Summer Day Camp start and end each day?

• Cumberland County camps (Hope Mills and Fayetteville) run Monday–Friday from 7 am to 6 pm.
• Harnett County camps (Saleeby Day Camp and Saleeby Outdoor Camp) run Monday–Friday from 6:30 am to 6 pm.
• Within these hours, families must follow the designated drop off and pick up windows described below.

Are half day or full day Summer Day Camp options available? Camp is a full-day; we do not have half-day camps.

Can I register for Summer Day Camp one week at a time? Yes. Families register by the week. Each week requires a $20 deposit, and registration, field trip and shirt fees are non refundable.

Is Summer Day Camp open on holidays? Our camp will operate all weekdays during the summer session.

What are Summer Day Camp hours each day?

• During the summer, Cumberland County camps operate from 7 am to 6 pm.
• Harnett County camps operate from 6:30 am to 6 pm.

Spring Break camps run 8 am – 6 pm.

What are the drop off and pick up times for Summer Day Camp?

Saleeby Day Camp (Harnett County):

• Drop off 6:30 am – 8:00 am; a $1 per minute fee applies after 8:00 am and children cannot enter after 8:30 am.
• Pick up 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm; a $1 per minute fee applies after 6:00 pm and the sheriff’s department will be notified after 6:30 pm.

Hope Mills/Fayetteville Day Camp (Cumberland County):

• Drop off 7:00 am – 8:00 am; there is no entry after 8:30 am.
• Pick up 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm; a $1 per minute fee applies after 6:00 pm and the sheriff’s department will be notified after 6:30 pm.

Is early drop off available for Summer Day Camp?

The earliest drop off times are:

• 6:30 am at Saleeby Day Camp
• 7:00 am at Hope Mills/Fayetteville.
• Earlier drop off is not offered.

Is transportation or bus service provided for Summer Day Camp? 

• Families should arrange their own transportation to and from camp.
• The Y will transport children to planned activities as appropriate, but families will need to drop off kids at camp in the morning and pick them up from camp in the afternoon.

When does registration open for Summer Day Camp? Registration opened for Summer Camp on March 3, 2026.

How do I register for Summer Day Camp? You can register online through the YMCA’s registration portal. The camp page also provides a “Click here to register” link that directs you to the enrollment site. Contact information for Saleeby and Fayetteville youth staff is also provided if you have questions.

What ages can attend Summer Day Camp? 

• The camps serve children ages 5 – 11.
• Saleeby Outdoor Camp is for ages 7 – 11.

How are campers grouped by age? Campers are organized by age or grade in groups of about 15 with their camp counselor.

Are there Summer Day Camp options for children with special needs? While our camp staff do not have any special training for special needs, we remain open to all and can discuss our programs and what accommodations can be met with any family interested in our programs.

What activities are offered at Summer Day Camp? 

• Summer Camp includes swim time, outdoor play, STEM projects, crafts and other fun activities.
• The handbook adds organized team building, sports, educational activities, challenges, park visits and water games.
• Daily prayer or scripture and YMCA core values (caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, faith) are part of the program; families may request that their child opt out of faith-based activities.
• Field trips occur mid week; 5 year old campers stay on site with alternative activities.

Are there swimming activities or lessons at Summer Day Camp? Yes. Swim days occur twice a week.

• At Saleeby Day Camp, swim days are Wednesday and Thursday.
• At Hope Mills/Fayetteville Day Camp, swim days are Monday and Thursday.
• Pack a swimsuit and towel and label all items.
• Lifeguards are on duty and flotation devices are provided for children who cannot swim.

Swim lessons are not offered during camp, but families may register children for swim lessons at the Y.

What is the staff to camper ratio at Summer Day Camp? Campers are grouped in clusters of about 15 with their counselor.

Where is Summer Day Camp located? YMCA of the Sandhills operates camp at four locations:

• Hope Mills Day Camp at 4028 Legion Rd., Hope Mills
• Fayetteville Day Camp at the Fayetteville YMCA, 2717 Ft. Bragg Rd., Fayetteville
• Saleeby Day Camp at the Saleeby Family YMCA on Carletta Cagle Dr., Cameron
• Saleeby Outdoor Camp at 80 Word Church Ln., Lillington

Can I visit my child or volunteer at Summer Day Camp? No, we’re sorry, but it’s disruptive for parents to visit their children during camp. We do not have volunteer opportunities for day camp at this time, but we are looking for volunteers for our food program distribution and teen programs.

What is the cancellation or refund policy for Summer Day Camp? 

• Registration, weekly deposit, field trip and shirt fees are non refundable.
• To cancel a week, you must provide written notice via email at least seven days before the scheduled week.
• If your child is signed out early for the day, they cannot return that day.

What should my child bring to Summer Day Camp? Pack the following for your child:

• Dress code: Send your child in active clothing that can get messy. Avoid crop tops or dresses/skirts without shorts. Closed toe athletic shoes are required; sandals, Crocs, boots and flip flops are not permitted.
• Camp shirt/field trip attire: On field trip days, campers should wear their YMCA camp shirt or a yellow/green shirt so they are easy to spot.
• Extra clothes: Pack extra clothes because campers will be active and may get wet.
• Swimsuit & towel: On swim days, pack a swimsuit and towel; label all items.
• Water games/field trips: Provide a towel and extra clothes when water games or field trips are scheduled.
• Sunscreen: Bring sunscreen. Staff can only assist with spray application and are not responsible if protection is lost or forgotten.
• Medication: Place any medications (epi pen, inhaler, etc.) in their original container with instructions from a doctor. Refrigeration is available and medications are returned on Friday when the camp week ends. Children should not carry medication in their bag or pocket.
• Nut free environment: Do not send any nut products; the camp is nut free and will dispose of nut items.