YMCA of the Triangle

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FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FOR HEALTHY LIVING
FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Camp Explorer: Apex Elementary

Our Best Offer

Register before March 1, 2026, and get last year’s prices on YMCA Summer Day Camp. Sign up now to reserve your child’s spot and save. Exclusions apply.

A $20 weekly deposit holds your child’s spot.

Summer 2026

YMCA traditional Summer Day Camps are packed with activities, games and fun. Campers spend the day swimming, creating crafts and art, playing sports like kickball, pickup basketball, and soccer and playing games like gaga ball and capture the flag. Campers spend time inside and outside during the day depending on the weather and activity. Read more about a typical day at YMCA Day Camp.

All campers are encouraged to try everything, to do their best and are led by a team of YMCA youth staff and counselors.

Learn more about Camp Explorer in our FAQ document!

You can read more about how we operate our day camps in the YMCA Parent Manual. Details include safety information and links to our medication forms and packing lists.

We can’t wait to see your children this summer. After all, a strong summer means strong kids.

Other Camps Offered with Camp Explorer

Camp Explorer Extras

Camp Explorer: Sports

Theme Day Date Time Early Price March 1 Price Ages

Calling all aliens, astronauts, time travelers, and wizards! Your camper will blast out of this world and into summer at the YMCA! Campers will fuel up their spaceships, time-traveling cars, and brooms this week. Campers bring their magic, stars, and amazing costumes to a week so fun, it’s out of this world!

Mon - Fri
Jun 15 - Jun 19 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Calling all aliens, astronauts, time travelers, and wizards! Your camper will blast out of this world and into summer at the YMCA! Campers will fuel up their spaceships, time-traveling cars, and brooms this week. Campers bring their magic, stars, and amazing costumes to a week so fun, it’s out of this world!

This high-energy week brings campers together through teamwork, character building, and vibrant activities. Each day, a YMCA character trait and color are highlighted with games, crafts, and challenges. The week ends with a Color Run, a fun race where campers celebrate community and spirit with a burst of bright colors.

Mon - Fri
Jun 22 - Jun 26 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

This high-energy week brings campers together through teamwork, character building, and vibrant activities. Each day, a YMCA character trait and color are highlighted with games, crafts, and challenges. The week ends with a Color Run, a fun race where campers celebrate community and spirit with a burst of bright colors.

It’s America’s birthday—and camp is throwing the party! Campers celebrate with red, white and blue games, challenges, crafts, and celebrations as camp honors 250 years of history, community, and summer fun the YMCA way.

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Jun 29 - Jul 2 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$206 PP:$258 5 - 14

It’s America’s birthday—and camp is throwing the party! Campers celebrate with red, white and blue games, challenges, crafts, and celebrations as camp honors 250 years of history, community, and summer fun the YMCA way.

It’s a week full of games, laughter, and classic carnival fun. Campers step right up to creative activities, silly challenges, and festive surprises that bring the magic of the midway to life.

Mon - Fri
Jul 6 - Jul 10 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

It’s a week full of games, laughter, and classic carnival fun. Campers step right up to creative activities, silly challenges, and festive surprises that bring the magic of the midway to life.

Camp hits rewind and campers learn what made yesterday so awesome! Campers step into different time periods, learning how people lived, played, created, and imagined the world. With themed crafts, outdoor adventures, dress-up days, and classic games, every era becomes a brand-new adventure.

Mon - Fri
Jul 13 - Jul 17 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Camp hits rewind and campers learn what made yesterday so awesome! Campers step into different time periods, learning how people lived, played, created, and imagined the world. With themed crafts, outdoor adventures, dress-up days, and classic games, every era becomes a brand-new adventure.

Campers explore the excitement of different holidays like the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, and more—through games, crafts, and festive challenges. Each day immerses kids in a new celebration, sparking imagination and cultural curiosity. The week wraps up with a special YMCA Birthday Party, where all campers come together for a joyful celebration of the Y.

Mon - Fri
Jul 20 - Jul 24 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Campers explore the excitement of different holidays like the 4th of July, Christmas, Halloween, and more—through games, crafts, and festive challenges. Each day immerses kids in a new celebration, sparking imagination and cultural curiosity. The week wraps up with a special YMCA Birthday Party, where all campers come together for a joyful celebration of the Y.

Campers dance at a beach party, play wet and wild water games, do seaside inspired crafts, and splash around with new friends. Summer might be hot, but at the YMCA it's nothing but fun in the summer sun! 

Mon - Fri
Jul 27 - Jul 31 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Campers dance at a beach party, play wet and wild water games, do seaside inspired crafts, and splash around with new friends. Summer might be hot, but at the YMCA it's nothing but fun in the summer sun! 

Campers are the stars during this week filled with excitement and imagination. Through arts and crafts, active games, and tons of other fun activities, campers will experience what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.

Mon - Fri
Aug 3 - Aug 7 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Campers are the stars during this week filled with excitement and imagination. Through arts and crafts, active games, and tons of other fun activities, campers will experience what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.

Campers will step into their own superhero stories through teamwork challenges, creative missions, and character-building fun. This week celebrates courage, kindness, and the unique strengths of every hero.

Mon - Fri
Aug 10 - Aug 14 7:00 am - 6:00 pm M:$245 PP:$307 M:$258 PP:$323 5 - 14

Campers will step into their own superhero stories through teamwork challenges, creative missions, and character-building fun. This week celebrates courage, kindness, and the unique strengths of every hero.

Camp Explorer FAQs

Rides In: 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Rides Out: 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Pick up and drop off will happen in the carpool loop off of Tingen Road. A staff member will be outside to greet you from 7 - 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 - 6 p.m. If you are dropping off or picking up outside of these times, please give our site phone a call at 919-815-3342. A staff member will come out to assist you. Parents must present a pick-up card (provided on your child’s first day of the program) or an I.D. as a safety precaution. Rides Out ends at 6 p.m. 

Camp Explorer Rides In Map

 

Camp Explorer will swim twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, at the Kraft Family YMCA! 

We ask that your child is dropped off no later than 9:25 a.m. to catch the bus. 

Themes and Dress-Up Days: Each week camp has a fun theme with a corresponding dress-up day on Wednesday. Look for an email prior to each camp week with our weekly themes. 

Have questions about camp? We will talk through camp logistics and have a Q & A time for parents. 

Check your email for the link.

Meet Yatill

Hi, I'm Yatill and I am the director at Camp Explorer this summer! I have worked at the Kraft Family YMCA for over 7 years. I love sports and sneakers. My favorite teams to cheer for are the Washington Commanders and the UNC Tar Heels. I look forward to meeting your families this summer and making a lasting impact on your children!

Malik (left) and Brannon (right)