Specialty Camp

Specialty camps are designed for campers who want to focus on one of our specialty camp activities and also get a taste of traditional camp.  Specialty campers will spend 2 or 3 activity periods a day in their specialty activities, have a free swim and also spend 1-2 periods rotating through a variety of the other traditional camp activities.  Specialty Campers participate in Theme Days and other large-group camp activities.

2018 Registration will open February 1, 2018!

2017 year’s programs & rates are listed below — no price increase from 2016!

Session 2 (June 26-July 7) Programs: (No camp on July 4)
Members $414, Non-Members $477

1 Week Programs:  Members $260, Non-Members $315

2 Week Programs:  Members $460, Non-Members $530

Water Sports

Water Sports 2 & 4 – Entering Grades 7-9
Session 2      June 26-July 7
Session 4     July 24-August 4

Water Sports 3 & 5 – Entering Grades 4-6
Session 3     July 10-21
Session 5    August 7-18
Can’t get enough water activities during traditional camp?  sign up for Water Sport Specialty!  Activities will include sailing, kayaking, canoeing, banana boating, paddle boarding, tubing, waterskiing (Sessions 2 & 4 only) and knee-boarding.  Campers are required to wear life jackets for all boating activities, but Water Sports participants should be comfortable in deep water.

Lego® Camp

Camp Watchaug is partnering with Play-Well TEKnologies to present LEGO® camp.  Since 1997, Play-Well TEKnologies has been focused on learning through play.   Kids are already naturally gifted creators and they get added inspiration from specially trained instructors.   They ratchet up their imaginations with tens of thousands of LEGO®!  While they build elaborate objects, structures and vehicles, they explore fundamental principles of engineering and physics. They also learn to collaborate and create without fear of mistakes. The experience is joyful, the impact long-lasting.

Lego® 1  –  Ages 5-8
Session 1, June 19-23

Lego®  2 – Entering Grades 1-3
Session 4, July 24-August 4

Lego®  3 – Entering Grades 3-6
Session 4, July 24-August 4

 Tails & Trails

YMCA Camp Watchaug is partnering up with the Westerly Animal Shelter at 33 Larry Hirsch Lane to offer an opportunity for campers to spend ½ the day at the Animal Shelter and the other ½ at camp participating in traditional camp activities. While at the shelter campers will focus on learning compassion and respect for the animals. The hands on program will educate campers on what happens at the SUFA/Westerly Animal Shelter and how they can make a difference in an animal’s life. It will be a rewarding experience educating campers about animal welfare and what it takes to be a responsible pet owner.  A Camp Watchaug counselor will also be with campers at all times at the shelter and on the bus. Please note that parents will be responsible for dropping off Furry Friends campers at the shelter in the morning and picking up Unleashed campers at the shelter in the afternoon. We are not able to offer bus transportation to/from the shelter in the morning and afternoon.

Furry Friends  –  Entering Grades 3-4
Session 2, June 26-July 7
Spend the morning learning about pet ownership and what it takes to be a good pet owner along with showing off your artistic skills in admiration of all of our furry friends and finding out that Reading is FUN by letting the furry friends be the camper’s captive reading audience.
Drop off is at the shelter between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Campers will participate in program from 9-noon, eat lunch and be transported by bus to camp for the afternoon. Campers may be picked up at camp at 4:00 pm or ride a bus to the bus stop of your choice.   

Unleashed  –  Entering Grades 5-7
Session 2, June 26-July 7
Spend the morning at camp. At noon, campers will be transported to the Shelter where they will eat lunch and spend the afternoon learning all about animals. Playing…Fact or Fiction? Not everything you read is real and true. Can you tell the difference between animal facts and fiction? We will discover some myths and truths that people have every day. For the love of a pet! Do you have a passion for animals? Know the many ways animals make a difference in people’s lives? Learn about therapy dogs and cats, agility, and training. Reading is Fun! Let our furry friends be your captive audience for your child this summer.Pick up is at the shelter between 4:00 and 4:30 pm. Campers may ride the bus to camp in the morning.

Fort Building

Fort Building –  Entering Grades 4-7
Session 3, July 10-21
Let’s Build!  Led by an experienced carpenter and camp staff, campers will design and build forts in the woods.  Campers will learn skills like lashing, have fun, develop leadership and teamwork abilities and be able to tell all their friends “I built that!”  

Drama

Drama Camp – Entering Grades 3-9
Session 5, August 7-18
Professional instructor, Frank Pendola from the Granite Theatre, will lead campers in exploration of various acting techniques, games/exercises, improvisation, communication skills and music to learn about drama performance.  Campers will perform a mini-show at the end of the session for the camp and families.