Camp Outer Limits: CILTS
The CILT (Campers in Leadership Training) program is part summer camp and part hands-on leadership program. CILTs work with younger campers in group games, huddle activities and assemblies. CILTs also build leadership skills through trainings and activities.
Camp Outer Limits: CILTS Camp Sessions
There will be five, two-week sessions of Camp Outer Limits: CILTS this summer held at Mills Park Middle School. July 3 is a holiday, and camp will be closed.
Registration
All YMCA Day Camps require a $20 deposit per session. If you do not have a YMCA account, you can create one at the time of registration.
YMCA Day Camp Experience
From preparation to programming, these are the essentials that shape each camp day.
Counselors & Staff
YMCA Day Camp operates with a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio. We hire high schoolers, college students and teachers to lead activities, drive buses and facilitate summer camp. Each staff member undergoes extensive training - from CPR and First Aid to leading assemblies. Many staff are former campers and return summer after summer.
Swimming at Day Camp
Almost all YMCA Day Camps offer free swim times or water play (for younger campers). Each camper is assessed for their swim ability on the first swim day of the session. Campers are issued swim bands that identify their swim levels. Swim bands also help lifeguards and counselors identify which areas of the pool are appropriate for each camper.
Weather Management
From outdoor games to water play, day camp is designed to keep kids moving, learning and connecting. But when the heat index rises, so does our responsibility to make smart, timely adjustments that protect campers and staff.
Huddles
Huddles are small groups of campers of similar age and grade who are grouped together at day camp. Typically, huddles move together throughout the day to difference activities. Each huddle is accompanied by two or more counselors.
Character Traits
Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Honesty, and Faith are the character traits the YMCA uses to reinforce positive behavior. Campers can earn beads by demonstrating these traits. Each camper (ages 5 and older) receives a necklace on the first day camp for their beads.
Camp Outer Limit: CILTS FAQs
Weeks 1, 9, and 10 (June 15 - 19 and Aug. 10 - 21) will be held at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
Weeks 2 - 8 (June 22 - Aug. 7) will be held at Mills Park Middle School.
Rides In
Our Rides In period is from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. Please follow the purple signs beginning on Mills Park Drive to the back bus loop entrance of Mills Park Middle School.
When you arrive for drop off, if your camper has medicine, please have the medicine ready in a gallon Ziploc bag with your campers name on it and a YMCA medicine form inside the bag.
If you need to drop off or pick up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. please give us a text or call at 919-815-9107. If you would like to get a jump start on the process, please send a quick text 15 minutes ahead of time so we can have your camper ready for you.
Rides Out
Our Rides Out pickup period is from 4:30 - 6 p.m. and follows the same traffic pattern as morning drop off. Please have your green 2025 pick-up card ready. If you do not yet have a pick-up card, please be ready to show a form of ID to our office managers.
Traffic Pattern
Follow the magical rainbow path to Camp Outer Limits drop-off at Mills Park Middle School. At the red star, please stop and check in with our office managers to get your camper checked in. Then please proceed to the green star where our counselors will be waiting to greet you and bring your camper inside. Please follow the same pattern for pick up.
Mills Park Middle School Rides In Map (Weeks 2 - 8)
Join us for a fun evening for the whole family to get a glimpse into our camp day, meet your campers favorite counselors, and their friends! Campers & their families will have the opportunity to participate in an open programming session and a daily assembly.
Campers and families may attend Family Night regardless of whether or not they are registered for camp that week. Mark your calendars to attend!
July 9, 6:45 - 8 p.m.
July 30, 6:45 - 8 p.m.
Campers are asked to bring a change of clothes, a swimsuit, a towel, lunch, two snacks, and a refillable water bottle. Most campers pack everything in a backpack.
Sunscreen/insect repellent (lotions and sprays) requires a Sunscreen/Insect Repellent Distribution Form to be completed if you wish for the Y to apply it to your child. This is part of the YMCA Medication Distribution & Sunscreen Application form.
We recommend that your child bring spray sunscreen and repellent for personal use if you prefer they self-apply. Please mark your child's first and last name on the bottles.
CILTs is our program from rising 9-10 graders that are interested in spending their summer gain leadership skills, leading activities for younger campers and participating in CILT only activities with their friends during the camp day.
Kona Ice
On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Kona Ice visits our camp. If your camper wishes to purchase Kona Ice, please send them with $4, $5 or $6.
Wacky Wednesday
On Wednesdays, we invite campers to dress up around our theme for the week. The best dressed campers will get to participate in our weekly Wacky Wednesday fashion show and will earn their Wacky Wednesday bead.
CILT Field Trips
Our Campers in Leadership Training have special field trips on Tuesdays each week from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ranks
Campers can choose to develop their skills in a variety of areas during camp. As they demonstrate skill acquisition, campers can rank up in the following areas:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- STEM
- Fitness
- Cheer & Dance
- Creative Arts
- Archery
Bead Necklaces
Each week our camp will focus on one character trait for youth development. Campers can earn a bead of various colors for exhibiting each week's character trait.
Caring = Red
Respect = Yellow
Responsibility = Green
Honesty & Teamwork = Blue
Faith = Purple
Camper of the Day = Orange
Phenomenal = Black
Spirit = Pink
Other Day Camps
Offered by the Northwest Cary YMCA
