Prepare for YMCA Camp West Chester

Here are all the things you need to know about Camp West Chester at the West Chester Area YMCA in West Chester, Pa. 

Before Camp Starts

• Emergency contact information and health forms must be completed or updated. You should have received an invitation to ePACT, our HIPPA-compliant system.
• Check-In & Check-Out is easier this year. Learn how to access your epact QR code via Apple and Android devices.

• Need to make changes or update your registration? Complete the registration change form.
• Complete the sibling discount form if you have two or more children enrolling in the same week(s) of camp.
• Review summer camp  Frequently Asked Questions and the Summer Camp Parent Handbook (English and Spanish)
• Make note of billing and summer camp contacts at the bottom of this blog post.
• Not sure which weeks your child(ren) is registered for?
  • Log into your YMCA account and select the “View Family Member’s Schedule” hyperlink on the right-hand side. Select the name of the child and the Camp/Childcare schedule details to view a weekly layout.
  • If you are on a mobile device, you'll need to expand the Family section in order to see "View Family Member's Schedule".
• Review what to bring to summer camp and the drop-off and pick-up procedures below.  

What to Bring to Camp

Campers should bring the items listed in a bag or backpack and all items should be labeled with their name.

• Packed lunch (one that does not require refrigeration or heating) AND 2 snacks, one for the morning and one for the afternoon (NO PEANUTS).
• Camp-appropriate shoes (sneakers or sturdy, closed-toe sandals)
• Sunscreen
• Bathing suit and towel.
• Water bottle(s)
• Campers should leave cell phones, electronic devices, money or toys at home. Staff will confiscate items and give them to parents at pick up. 
  

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

• Drop-off begins at 8:45 AM. 
  • Drop off between 7:00 and 8:45 AM (Spark Time) is an extra charge of $25/week/camper.
    
  • Register for West Chester Area YMCA Spark Time Today.
• Pick-up is between 4:00 and 6:00 PM at the trading post (Bring a photo ID EVERYDAY).
  
  • After-camp care is included at no additional cost. 

In the event of inclement weather, Camp West Chester will drop off and pick up from the front of our main building. Preschool campers will use the main childcare entrance door.

Zoom Q

To safely expedite camper pick-up at the end of each day, pick-up will now be assisted by Zoom Q. Enrollment and use of this service is a requirement for camper pick-up. 

The Zoom Q service allows parents/guardians to notify our staff team when they arrive on campus for our team to ready their camper for pick-up. Upon your daily arrival for pick-up, parents/guardians will be prompted to enter a four-digit code into your Zoom Q account. This code changes daily and will be posted on numerous lawn signs throughout the camp car line and at the main parking entrance. Once this code is entered, our staff are notified that a camper's parent/guardian is onsite for pick up.  

Sign Up Instructions 

• ZoomQ requires a password change upon initial use. To get started, visit ZoomQ.
  • Use the email address associated with your Upper Main Line YMCA account. If you do not know which email, or are having trouble accessing your account, please reach out to our Camp Director Kayla Cartmell, at 610-431-9622, ext. 2219, kcartmell@ymcagbw.org.
  • Enter password ZoomPass#1 - this will prompt you to enter your new password.
  • Or, you can click "Forgot Your Password?", which will send you an email allowing you to reset your password.
• Need more help?
  • View the Quick-Start helper video: Quick Start Video. 
    
    • Once you log in to ZoomQ, you'll be able to view tutorial videos showing you how to get started.
    • There will be a daily four-digit code displayed to parents upon arrival on lawn signs.

Simply click 'Get Started' to begin using ZoomQ. You can always re-watch the videos by clicking 'Help''. For any other issues contact support@zoomq.com. 

Important Note: your child will not be entered into the Zoom Q platform until the Friday PRIOR to the camp week attending.  For example - if your camper is not attending our camp until Week 5 (7/15-7/19) then they will not be found in the system until Friday 7/12/2024.

COOL DOWN this SUMMER with KONA ICE!

Our summer camp team is partnering with KONA ICE this summer and each week, the KONA truck will be at summer camp. We ask that you please prepay with the corresponding weekly links below for your child. During the purchase process, please select your campers' group name (Explorers, Teen Trek, etc) and add your campers' name.

You can also Pay It Forward for other campers! If you added a Pay It Forward Kona, please enter “NA” in the Camper Name line.

Health and Safety at Camp

Our highest priority is always protecting the health and safety of your children, our staff and our members. Our talented team continually works to ensure the safest experience possible, while ensuring children still have every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. 

Emergency contact information and health forms must be completed - or updated - prior to the first day of camp. You should have received an invitation to ePACT, our HIPPA-compliant system. If you did not receive this invitation, please contact our Camp Admin team at campadmin@ymcagbw.org.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions! 

Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer,

In the event of an early dismissal, please call the camp office at (610) 431-9622 ext. 2238.