​

discovery day camp - west REGION

MADISON SCHOOL FOREST
 

Explore the Outdoors!

Discovery Day Camp (DDC) is about learning skills, developing character and making friends with a focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. DDC is the true outdoor experience, that allows children to explore what nature has to offer. Rain or shine children engage in hiking, fishing, archery, and many other camp activities. Our summer day camps teach independence, responsibility, environmental respect and the passion for nature.

*Drop off and pickup for Discovery Day Camp-West Region is Lussier Family West YMCA - 5515 Medical Circle, Madison. Campers will be transported daily to Madison School Forest for activities, at 1577 Fritz Rd, Verona.

 

Daily Schedule: 7am - 6pm

7:00 - 9:00 am Campers are offered a choice of structured activities and snack in Before Camp care. At 8:30am campers are transported to the Madison School Forest.
9:00 - 9:15 am The day kicks off with an opening ceremony. Your camper will sing their hearts out, join in a camp-wide game, giggle at a staff skit, test their brain with food for thought or even give their staff messy treat!
9:15 - 3:45 pm After opening ceremony, campers will start their days activities centered around the weeks theme. One to two times a week, your camper will cool off while swimming. Times and days differ by site. We designate some time for our campers to take a break and enjoy some quiet cool-down time. Campers can read a book as part of our "Camp Readers" program, play board games, take on an art project or participate in spirit-mind-body talks.
3:30 - 4:00 pm After an exciting day filled with amazing activities, groups will gather for their afternoon snack. Similar to the morning, groups will enjoy their snack and prepare for the day’s closing ceremonies. At 4:00pm, campers are transported back to Lussier Family West YMCA.
4:30 - 6:00 pm Following the Closing Ceremony, a widerange of camper choice activities are set up offering different choices for different ages. Campers have time to catch up with each other and play games before they are picked up, head home, and are ready to return for another great day!

 

  

 

 

Your Week, Your Way

Week Dates Themes
June 15 - 19 Camp Life 101
We will explore our camp, trails, and pine forest and learn wilderness survival skills. We will establish our cabins and begin sharing and adding to our camp traditions. 
June 22 - 27 Mystical Adventure
​Experience the magic of camp with storytelling, card tricks, DDC Quidditch, camp follies and more! Earn cabin points, and help your cabin win by showcasing our Y’s 4 Core Values. Share your camp magic! 
June 29 - July 3 Red, White and Boom!!
This week we do all things American: from baseball to s’mores and puppies to apple pie! Before you celebrate the 4th, you have to experience our camp’s celebration first!
July 6 - 10 Super Heroes
Bring your imagination this week as we create costumes, stories and accessories to become your very own superhero. You will go through a rigorous week long superhero academy in which you’ll create your secret identity, test your skills and build your self confidence.
July 13 - 17 Nature's Playground
Come explore the wonders of the 4 natural elements, develop your camouflage abilities during capture the flag, and be ready to play hard all week in Nature’s Playground! 
July 20 - 24 Festivities and Melodies in the Woods
We will host Camp Carnival at DDC again this year. Campers will create their own carnival and group games, decorations, and a treasure hunt. Face painting and costume designs will also set the tone. Let the festivities commence!
July 27 - 31 Fantasy Factory
Imaginations are running wild in the forest as cabins are given story prompts and campers choose their own adventures all week long. 
August 3 - 7 Forest Ninjas
Like Aldo Leopold, our fellow forest ninjas will discover through fun and exciting activities how our actions have an effect on the environment. 
August 10 - 14 H2Olympics
In the heat of summer, when you want to play harder and keep it cool, come join in the fun! Superstar athletes from all corners of our Y Camps will travel to compete with us in the 2015 West Y Camp Olympics. Come along and get wet and wild with us. 
August 17 - 21 Oh, The Places You'll Go
Have you ever wanted to be the speaker of the trees or eat green eggs and ham? This week we will mix our own gak (we hope it won’t attack!) We will twist our tongues from so much rhyming and have a think you thunk up. Welcome to the imagination of Dr. Suess! 
August 24 - 28 Best Week of the Summer!
​Join us as we enjoy everything that is the YMCA this week. Now that the campers have mastered forest ninja skills we will put them to the test in our favorite activities. Challenges of storytelling, archery, dance and ga-ga will be issued, and talents and improved skills recognized. Don’t miss the best week EVER! 

 

WHAT TO WEAR

  • Tennis shoes/hiking boots with socks
  • Please do not wear sandals or open-toed shoes
  • Comfortable clothes for movement and play. Clothes that can stand to get messy and are easily cleaned.
  • If wet or rainy, prepare with a poncho or rain jacket and light boots.

 

DAILY BACK PACK ITEMS

  • Extra clothing
  • Water Bottle
  • Bag Lunch
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • *Optional Items - Plastic Bag for wet suit and towel, comb/brush, goggles, ear or nose plugs
  • ​*Label items with a permanent marker

 

​REGISTRATION INFORMATION

  • Recommended age: 5 - 13 years old
    * Must have completed Kindergarten
  • Facility Member: $205/Week
  • Program Member: $255/Week
  • $25 Registration Fee per child
  • $10 Deposit per week
  • ​Registration Opens March 1

​

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

  • YMCA Camp FAQ
  • "It Shouldn't Hurt to Be A Child"
  • Licensing Rules
  • City of Madison Accreditation Standards
  • Wisconsin Shares
  • City of Madison Child Care Assistance Program
  • Contact Stephanie Murphy for questions about West Day Camp via  or phone at 608 276 6606 ext 4022
 

*YMCA Summer Camps is NOT a school sponsored activity. The DeForest, Madison Metropolitan, Middleton/Cross Plains, Monona Grove, Oregon, Sun Prairie, Verona and Windsor School Districts do not approve, support, supervise or endorse this program/activity.