GREAT SUMMERS START AT THE Y
The YMCA of San Francisco is committed to providing quality youth programming and exceptional summer camp experiences to our Bay Area families. At Y day camp, kids can develop skills, self-confidence, new friendships and a sense of belonging – all while having tons of fun.
Health & Safety
Thank you for choosing the YMCA of San Francisco to keep your child(ren) safe and healthy this summer.
COVID INFORMATION - CLICK TO EXPAND
The YMCA of San Francisco prioritizes the health and safety of our youth and staff. Our youth programs abide by all public health guidelines as set by the city, county, and state. Since March 2020, we have been safely running in-person programming and will continue to put the health and safety of youth and staff at the forefront of all our programs. Detailed COVID restrictions and procedures will be distributed to families in the weeks prior the beginning of camp to ensure the most accurate information is being distributed. Any changes to our COVID policies will be communicated in as timely a manner as possible.
Explore Camps
Our traditional camps are age-specific and offers youth greater challenges with every year. Activities include structured and unstructured games, sports, arts and crafts, team building activities, and songs.
GRADES: Incoming Kindergartners-1st
GRADES: Incoming 2nd-3rd
GRADES: Incoming 4th-5th
Camp Sessions
We offer camps for youth entering kindergarten through 5th grade. Buchanan YMCA's traditional summer camp is a fun place for your child to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
ONLINE AND IN-PERSON REGISTRATION OPENS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023.
GRADES: Incoming Kindergarteners-5th
AGES: 5-11
CLICK ON THE + FOR CAMP DESCRIPTIONS
Sessions
SESSION 1: 06/05/23-06/09/23EXPRESS YOURSELFDiscovering ourselves through art!
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SESSION 2: 06/12/23-06/16/23Y OLYMPICSGo for gold and learn games played around the world!
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SESSION 3: 06/20/23-06/23/23*IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALLDiversity
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SESSION 4: 06/26/23-06/30/23LET'S BUILD!Calling all engineers!
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SESSION 5: 07/03/23,07/05-07/07/23NATURE'S BOUNTYAnimal, vegetable, or mineral?
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SESSION 6: 07/10/23-07/14/23SCIENCE AND MAGICWhen science feels like magic.
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SESSION 7: 07/17/23-07/21/23SPACE, THE FINAL FRONTIERLet's explore space!
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*No camp on Monday, June 19th, 2023, and Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
Buchanan YMCA - Camp Deposits and Fees
SESSIONS: 1, 2, 4, 6, & 7 |
SESSIONS: 3 & 5 |
Summer Fun For Everyone
This summer, children can learn, grow and thrive through the exhilarating fun of sports, day and specialty camps at the Y. Amid of all the fun, they’ll explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships
Sample Camp Activity Schedule
Below are sample schedules for our camps. Please keep in mind that these times and activities are examples of a typical camp day and specific details may vary or change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Most camp programs will have at least one off-site field trip per week. Please consult with the branch staff to confirm schedules in the late Spring.
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | |
8:00-8:30 am | Family Group Opening |
Family Group Opening |
Family Group Opening |
Family Group Opening |
8:30-9:30 am | Recreation | Art | STEAM | Outdoor Ed |
9:30-10:30 am | Outdoor Ed | Recreation | Art | STEAM |
10:30-11:30 am | STEAM | Outdoor Ed | Recreation | Art |
11:30-12:30 pm | Art | STEAM | Outdoor Ed | Recreation |
12:30-1:00 pm | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
1:00-1:30 pm | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time |
1:30-3:30 pm | Reading or Additional Activity Block |
Reading or Additional Activity Block |
Reading or Additional Activity Block |
Reading or Additional Activity Block |
3:30-4:00 pm | Staff Choice Activity |
Staff Choice Activity |
Staff Choice Activity |
Staff Choice Activity |
4:00-4:30 pm | Snack | Snack | Snack | Snack |
4:30-5:00 pm | Family Group Closing |
Family Group Closing |
Family Group Closing |
Family Group Closing |
Payment Schedule and Refunds
Please note the following regarding cancellations requests and refunds:
- Deposits are non-refundable
Camp Instance: | Deposit Due: | Payment Draft Due Date: |
Drop Date for Non-Payment: |
Last Day for Refund Less Deposit: |
No Refund: |
06/05/23-06/09/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 05/22/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/20/2023 |
06/12/23-06/16/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 05/30/2023 | 06/02/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 05/27/2023 |
06/19/23-06/23/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/05/2023 | 06/09/2023 | 06/02/2023 | 06/03/2023 |
06/26/23-06/30/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/12/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/09/2023 | 06/10/2023 |
07/03/23-07/07/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/20/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/17/2023 |
07/10/23-07/14/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/26/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/24/2023 |
07/17/23-07/21/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/03/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/01/2023 |
07/24/23-07/28/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/10/2023 | 07/14/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 07/08/2023 |
07/31/23-08/04/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/17/2023 | 07/21/2023 | 07/14/2023 | 07/15/2023 |
08/07/23-08/11/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/24/2023 | 07/28/2023 | 07/21/2023 | 07/22/2023 |
08/14/23-08/18/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/31/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 07/28/2023 | 07/29/2023 |
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is available for families who qualify. Please fill out the attached form here, and send to branchFA@ymcasf.org along with two types of income verification. Families can expect to have award amounts in about 15 business days.
Families who receive Financial Assistance during the school year do not need to re-apply for summer.
FAQs
The session/camp week I want to register my child(ren) for is full. I've joined a waitlist, what can I expect?
We will notify families via email if a space becomes available. You will have 48 hours to accept or decline the waitlisted spot. If we do not hear back from you, we will move on to the next child on the list. For confidentiality reasons and standard operating procedures, we do not reveal where a child’s spot is on the waitlist.
My child has special needs, who should I contact for support or more information?
YMCA leaders are encouraging, patient, and can help facilitate successful camp experiences for children with mild to moderate disabilities. For specific questions regarding your child, please contact the branch-specific site contact.
What are the YMCA's cancellation and refund policies?
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Deposits are non-refundable
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Cancellations that come in 10 days or more before the program begins or earlier are subject to a refund of payment but does not include the deposit.
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Cancellation request that come in 9 days or less than the program start date will have no refund. Please check below for dates.
Camp Instance: | Deposit Due: | Payment Draft Due Date: |
Drop Date for Non-Payment: |
Last Day for Refund Less Deposit: |
No Refund: |
06/05/23-06/09/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 05/22/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/20/2023 |
06/12/23-06/16/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 05/30/2023 | 06/02/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 05/27/2023 |
06/19/23-06/23/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/05/2023 | 06/09/2023 | 06/02/2023 | 06/03/2023 |
06/26/23-06/30/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/12/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/09/2023 | 06/10/2023 |
07/03/23-07/07/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/20/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/17/2023 |
07/10/23-07/14/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 06/26/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/24/2023 |
07/17/23-07/21/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/03/203 | 07/07/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/01/2023 |
07/24/23-07/28/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/10/2023 | 07/14/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 07/08/2023 |
07/31/23-08/04/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/17/2023 | 07/21/2023 | 07/14/2023 | 07/15/2023 |
08/07/23-08/11/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/24/2023 | 07/28/2023 | 07/21/2023 | 07/22/2023 |
08/14/23-08/18/23 | Deposit is taken at registration | 07/31/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 07/28/2023 | 07/29/2023 |
I have a high schooler interested in being a Leadership In Training/Counselor In Training - do you have any options for them?
The Richmond District YMCA and Stonestown Family YMCAs are all offering LIT/CIT programs this summer. Visit their webpage for more information by clicking below:
- Richmond District YMCA
- Stonestown Family YMCA
What meals and snacks do I need to pack for my camper? What other items should I pack for my camper?
You can expect to hear from your camp team roughly a week before the camp week begins, which will include details like a packing list, meals and snack policies, etc.
Camp Questions?
FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING CAMP PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CONTACT US.

Misa Nguyen
Chinese Immersion School Program Director
Misa has dedicated her professional career to youth development. She is constantly inspired and renewed by the youth she serves.
Need Help With Your Account?
Contact Member Services at memberservices@ymcasf.org or call our support hotline at (415) 772-5500.
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