FAQ ABOUT YMCA EXTENDED CHILDCARE OPTION
Our family does not have a YMCA Membership. How do I join, and for how much?
The YMCA has offered the SAA two options that both come with savings! There are several family membership levels that you can choose from that can include parents and other children. These levels have a $99 joiner fee which is completely waived for SAA camp families.
There is also a youth membership for children 8+. This level can be cancelled at any time, and is $15.50 a month, with a $25 joiner fee. A $5 discount from this joiner fee is available for SAA camp families.
So, for your age 8+ child to enjoy YMCA activities through the months of June and July, your total would be $51 in YMCA membership fees.
You can purchase a membership online here and receive the joiner fee discounts by using the discount code SAA2021 or visiting the downtown location to register. Tell YMCA staff you’re part of the SAA Discount Group.
How do I let the SAA know I want to send my child to the YMCA before or after their camp?
A new question has been added to the camp registration form. Simply select that you plan to send your child to the YMCA during the week you’re registering for. If you change your mind later, that’s fine! Please let us know ONE WEEK before your child’s camp starts, and they’ll be added or removed from the list that we’ll be sending to the YMCA.
When will my child be at the YMCA? When is drop off and pick up?
Remember, with a YMCA membership, your child is allowed to be at the YMCA anytime they are open. But, in terms of coordinating with our camp times, below are examples. All 9 AM campers must be dropped off at SAA. Dropping off earlier than 9 AM at the YMCA and having a staff member escort them to the SAA is not an option.
Going to YMCA After 9 AM-Noon Camps – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at Noon. If you send a lunch, they will eat lunch at YMCA. Campers can be picked up anytime during open YMCA hours.
Going to YMCA Before 1:30-4:30 PM Camps – Campers will be picked up from YMCA by SAA Staff at 1:20 PM.
Going to YMCA Between AM and PM Camps – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at Noon. They will eat their lunch at YMCA. Campers will return with SAA Staff at 1:20 PM.
Going to YMCA After Camps End at 3 PM or 4:30 PM – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at 3 PM or 4:30 PM. Campers can be picked up anytime during open YMCA hours.
Communication of registration and membership between organizations….
Only worry about your YMCA membership with the Y, and your SAA camp registration with SAA. We will communicate to the YMCA who is planning to come to their facility on Monday, on the preceding Friday, so as long as you have let SAA staff know that your child is going to the Y before or after their SAA camp, they are all set. Campers will be checked in as we arrive at YMCA, like regular members.
How will YMCA know my child is a Y Member without a parent being there?
Your child’s photo will be taken by the YMCA, as well as given a key tag. While you don’t technically need to get your membership with the Y started until closer to camp dates, we highly encourage you to get registered a week or two in advance and stop by the downtown location to receive membership ID and to have a look around so you and your child are more comfortable.
What can my child bring?
Your camper is welcome to bring a bag to the SAA after, or in preparation for, their trip to the YMCA. Swimming will be available. A bag might be a great place to attach their membership key tag so they don’t lose it. Lunch may also be packed to eat at the YMCA.
It’s easiest to think of this summer partnership as two separate programs. Your child will have a YMCA membership, and the SAA is simply providing a staff member to walk them to and from their SAA summer camps to the YMCA, for extended child care.
Anything that relates to their activities there, picking up or dropping off from there, etc. should all be questions that are directed to the Y Staff. The downtown location can be reached at 217-544-9846 and is located at 601 N 4th Street – one block from the SAA. Campers will be walking back and forth.
The YMCA has offered the SAA two options that both come with savings! There are several family membership levels that you can choose from that can include parents and other children. These levels have a $99 joiner fee which is completely waived for SAA camp families.
There is also a youth membership for children 8+. This level can be cancelled at any time, and is $15.50 a month, with a $25 joiner fee. A $5 discount from this joiner fee is available for SAA camp families.
So, for your age 8+ child to enjoy YMCA activities through the months of June and July, your total would be $51 in YMCA membership fees.
You can purchase a membership online here and receive the joiner fee discounts by using the discount code SAA2021 or visiting the downtown location to register. Tell YMCA staff you’re part of the SAA Discount Group.
How do I let the SAA know I want to send my child to the YMCA before or after their camp?
A new question has been added to the camp registration form. Simply select that you plan to send your child to the YMCA during the week you’re registering for. If you change your mind later, that’s fine! Please let us know ONE WEEK before your child’s camp starts, and they’ll be added or removed from the list that we’ll be sending to the YMCA.
When will my child be at the YMCA? When is drop off and pick up?
Remember, with a YMCA membership, your child is allowed to be at the YMCA anytime they are open. But, in terms of coordinating with our camp times, below are examples. All 9 AM campers must be dropped off at SAA. Dropping off earlier than 9 AM at the YMCA and having a staff member escort them to the SAA is not an option.
Going to YMCA After 9 AM-Noon Camps – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at Noon. If you send a lunch, they will eat lunch at YMCA. Campers can be picked up anytime during open YMCA hours.
Going to YMCA Before 1:30-4:30 PM Camps – Campers will be picked up from YMCA by SAA Staff at 1:20 PM.
Going to YMCA Between AM and PM Camps – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at Noon. They will eat their lunch at YMCA. Campers will return with SAA Staff at 1:20 PM.
Going to YMCA After Camps End at 3 PM or 4:30 PM – Campers will be walked to the YMCA by SAA Staff at 3 PM or 4:30 PM. Campers can be picked up anytime during open YMCA hours.
Communication of registration and membership between organizations….
Only worry about your YMCA membership with the Y, and your SAA camp registration with SAA. We will communicate to the YMCA who is planning to come to their facility on Monday, on the preceding Friday, so as long as you have let SAA staff know that your child is going to the Y before or after their SAA camp, they are all set. Campers will be checked in as we arrive at YMCA, like regular members.
How will YMCA know my child is a Y Member without a parent being there?
Your child’s photo will be taken by the YMCA, as well as given a key tag. While you don’t technically need to get your membership with the Y started until closer to camp dates, we highly encourage you to get registered a week or two in advance and stop by the downtown location to receive membership ID and to have a look around so you and your child are more comfortable.
What can my child bring?
Your camper is welcome to bring a bag to the SAA after, or in preparation for, their trip to the YMCA. Swimming will be available. A bag might be a great place to attach their membership key tag so they don’t lose it. Lunch may also be packed to eat at the YMCA.
It’s easiest to think of this summer partnership as two separate programs. Your child will have a YMCA membership, and the SAA is simply providing a staff member to walk them to and from their SAA summer camps to the YMCA, for extended child care.
Anything that relates to their activities there, picking up or dropping off from there, etc. should all be questions that are directed to the Y Staff. The downtown location can be reached at 217-544-9846 and is located at 601 N 4th Street – one block from the SAA. Campers will be walking back and forth.
