Summer is the time to hike, swim, and explore. Here on the peninsula, we’re endlessly fortunate to hear the joyous laughter from campers at Camp Knickerbocker, or perhaps enjoy youth-filled performances cultivated out of the fabulous Y-ARTS program. But did you know the Y offers a “Summer Discovery” camp that’s designed specifically for three- and four-year-olds? This ten-week program spans the full length of summer and offers hands-on, experiential camper experiences for emerging minds. To many of us, it seems logical that summers and camps go hand-in-hand, but for the majority of working families, camp experiences are nearly impossible to come by for younger children.

“It’s something we’re really proud of,” said Hannah Joule Wayda, director of the child enrichment center, “families can sign up for one week or several. The whole program is designed to keep kids learning and growing throughout the summer by bolstering childcare options for families.” With a schedule of 7:30 am-5:00 pm Mondays-Thursdays and 7:30-4:30 on Fridays, the Y’s Summer Discovery camp is a perfect option for families with daily work commitments.   

“Not only do we have fun at our Child Enrichment Center, but we take kids to trips out into the community,” Joule Wayda added. Last year, the young campers discovered swimming at Hendricks Head, and took a ride on the train at the Boothbay Railway Village. They even got a chance to visit the Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm in Southport. The program has plans to accomplish all this and more in 2024. 

Joule Wayda’s dedication to enriching expeditionary experiences for young children is inspired. In 2023, she earned her lifeguard certification for the sole purpose of taking young kids at the Y’s Child Enrichment Center to the waterways of Maine. Joule Wayda is committed to lifelong learning, but doesn’t call the youth in her program students or even participants; to Joule Wayda and her staff, the Y’s young ones are “friends.” There’s a lot of excitement for summer field trips because “our young friends get to experience what our amazing community has to offer,” Joule Wayda said. “Our friends get a huge kick out of riding our YMCA bus anywhere,” she added. They gain a love of community, nature and working as a team while they venture beyond their center—life skills that will support the spark of lifelong curiosity.

Summer Discovery Camp is offered at the Y’s Child Enrichment Center, which is the perfect place for play, experimentation, peer socializing, and adventure—all cultivated to align with young children’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. Year-round outdoor time is a staple in the program, and children participate in field trips arts curriculum throughout the year. Weekly swim lessons and music & movement classes come standard as part of the program’s adventures.  

For more information about this program contact Hannah Joule Wayda at hwayda@brymca.org. If your child is four or five, the Y’s “SPROUTS” camp might be a great fit, too! The vision of the Boothbay Region YMCA is “to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living for all, and foster social responsibility,” and helping young “friends” flourish is a key focus of our work. Widening horizons is what the Y is all about, for those of any age.