Camp Outer Limits
Summer 2025
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.
Middle school campers enjoy age-appropriate independence and choose from a variety of activities, including community service projects and team-building exercises.
Camp Outer Limits is located at Mills Park Middle School and is open to kids in rising grades K - 8. Weeks 1, 9 and 10 will be held at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
Camp Outer Limits is operated by the Northwest Cary YMCA.
OTHER CAMPS OFFERED BY THE NORTHWEST CARY YMCA
Camp Expedition
Camp Outer Limits Extras
Camp Outer Limits CILTS
Kindercamp
Sports Camp
Wee Camp
| Theme | Day | Date | Time | Prices | Ages | |
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Pirates of Camp O - Held at the Northwest Cary Y
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Set sail for adventure during pirate week at the Northwest Cary YMCA! Join us for a week of swashbuckling fun, treasure hunts and unforgettable memories on the high seas! This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
Mon - Fri
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Jun 16 - Jun 20 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Set sail for adventure during pirate week at the Northwest Cary YMCA! Join us for a week of swashbuckling fun, treasure hunts and unforgettable memories on the high seas! This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
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Welcome to the Outer Limits!
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Engines are ignited, and we are ready for takeoff! This week is going to be stellar. Launching rockets, exploring new planets and discovering all that Camp Outer Limits offers. Campers - get ready to boldly go where no camper has gone before. The Outer Limits await– and the countdown to liftoff has begun. |
Mon - Fri
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Jun 23 - Jun 27 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Engines are ignited, and we are ready for takeoff! This week is going to be stellar. Launching rockets, exploring new planets and discovering all that Camp Outer Limits offers. Campers - get ready to boldly go where no camper has gone before. The Outer Limits await– and the countdown to liftoff has begun. |
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Holiday Hoopla!
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Whether it’s Christmas in July, Halloween fun, or a summer twist on favorite holidays, this week is packed with festive cheer. From crafting holiday decorations and baking themed treats to costume parties and holiday-themed games, campers enjoy all the joy and excitement of a year-end celebration – in the middle of summer! |
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
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Jun 30 - Jul 3 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$196 PP:$246 | 5 - 14 |
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Whether it’s Christmas in July, Halloween fun, or a summer twist on favorite holidays, this week is packed with festive cheer. From crafting holiday decorations and baking themed treats to costume parties and holiday-themed games, campers enjoy all the joy and excitement of a year-end celebration – in the middle of summer! |
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Carnival Craze
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Step right up for Carnival week at the Outer Limits! From games to performances and treats, this is the ultimate celebration of the summer! Whether your camper is competing for prizes, enjoying the festivities, or simply soaking in the carnival magic, this week will be a highlight of the summer! |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 7 - Jul 11 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Step right up for Carnival week at the Outer Limits! From games to performances and treats, this is the ultimate celebration of the summer! Whether your camper is competing for prizes, enjoying the festivities, or simply soaking in the carnival magic, this week will be a highlight of the summer! |
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Tour De Camp
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Grab passports and jerseys and pedal into a week of adventure in France! This week will take us where healthy living and fun come together at the beautiful countryside of France. Campers will enjoy France cuisine, relay races and sprint challenges. Which huddle will pedal their way to victory? We can’t wait to see campers on the course! |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 14 - Jul 18 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Grab passports and jerseys and pedal into a week of adventure in France! This week will take us where healthy living and fun come together at the beautiful countryside of France. Campers will enjoy France cuisine, relay races and sprint challenges. Which huddle will pedal their way to victory? We can’t wait to see campers on the course! |
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Wet & Wild
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Dive into excitement during Wet and Wild Week! Campers will enjoy a splash-tacular week of water games, slip-n-slides and non-stop fun to beat the summer heat! |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 21 - Jul 25 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Dive into excitement during Wet and Wild Week! Campers will enjoy a splash-tacular week of water games, slip-n-slides and non-stop fun to beat the summer heat! |
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Welcome to the Wild, Wild West
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Get ready for a rootin’-tootin’ good time at Wild, Wild West Week! Saddle up and step into the Old West for a week filled with cowboy games, rodeo challenges, treasure hunts, and western-themed adventures. There’s no shortage of excitement and fun as campers experience the wild frontier like never before! |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 28 - Aug 1 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Get ready for a rootin’-tootin’ good time at Wild, Wild West Week! Saddle up and step into the Old West for a week filled with cowboy games, rodeo challenges, treasure hunts, and western-themed adventures. There’s no shortage of excitement and fun as campers experience the wild frontier like never before! |
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Spirit Spectacular
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“We got spirit, yes we do, we got spirit, how about you!” We can’t wait to see our campers' spirit this week as every day is “Wacky Wednesday.” Each day, campers will dress up to a different theme and show off their huddle pride! At the end of the week, camp will participate in our Annual Camp MEGA Relay. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 4 - Aug 8 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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“We got spirit, yes we do, we got spirit, how about you!” We can’t wait to see our campers' spirit this week as every day is “Wacky Wednesday.” Each day, campers will dress up to a different theme and show off their huddle pride! At the end of the week, camp will participate in our Annual Camp MEGA Relay. |
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Camp Outer Limits: Undercover - Held at the Northwest Cary YMCA
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This week, camp is going undercover at the Northwest Cary YMCA! We will solve escape rooms, dress up as agents and make our secret agent badges! Camp will end the week with a counselor hunt to see if we can solve the mystery of finding our favorite counselors. This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 11 - Aug 15 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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This week, camp is going undercover at the Northwest Cary YMCA! We will solve escape rooms, dress up as agents and make our secret agent badges! Camp will end the week with a counselor hunt to see if we can solve the mystery of finding our favorite counselors. This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
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Survivor: This Challenge is On! - Held at the Northwest Cary YMCA
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Step into the ultimate week of adventure at Survivor Week at the Northwest Cary YMCA! Inspired by the popular show, this week is all about teamwork, strategy, and getting out of our comfort zone. Get ready for an action-packed week of exciting challenges, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable moments. Which huddle will be the ultimate Survivor? This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 18 - Aug 22 | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | M:$245 PP:$307 | 5 - 14 |
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Step into the ultimate week of adventure at Survivor Week at the Northwest Cary YMCA! Inspired by the popular show, this week is all about teamwork, strategy, and getting out of our comfort zone. Get ready for an action-packed week of exciting challenges, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable moments. Which huddle will be the ultimate Survivor? This week, Camp Outer Limits is held at the Northwest Cary YMCA. |
Camper Outer Limits FAQs
Weeks 1, 9, and 10 (June 16 - 20 and Aug. 11 - 22) will be held at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
Weeks 2 - 8 (June 23 - Aug. 8) will be held at Mills Park Middle School.
Rides In
Our Rides In period is from 7 - 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)
Northwest Cary YMCA Rides In Map (Weeks 1, 9 and 10)
Below is an approximate daily schedule for our camp. Activity blocks may include sports, crafts, archery, outside time, etc.
This is provided to help families plan for appointments outside of day camp. Times are subject to change based on weather and special activities.
CAMP SCHEDULE
7 - 8:45 a.m. Rides In and Counselor Led Games
8:45 - 9:05 a.m. Morning Meeting and Snack
9:10 - 9:35 a.m. Large Group Assembly Time
9:35 - 11:10 a.m. Activity 1, Ranks, Games
10:30 a.m. - 1:35 p.m. Swimming and Lunch (See swim times for your camper under Pool Time Section)
12:40 - 2:30 p.m. Activity 2, Ranks, Cloud Time & Story Time for younger campers and Teen Time for older campers
2:40 - 3:30 p.m. Activity 3 (May include Huddle time, Choices, Kona Ice, Wacky Wednesday or Camp Time)
3:30 -3:50 p.m. Bead Time and Character Trait Discussion
3:50 - 4:05 p.m. Snack & Pack
4:15 - 6 p.m. Rides Out and Counselor Led Games
Camp Outer Limits campers swim every day. Campers ride a YMCA bus from Mills Park Middle School to the Northwest Cary YMCA to swim.
Camp K - rising Kindergarteners
Camp 1 - grades rising 1 - 2
Camp 2 - grades rising 3 - 5
Camp 3 - grades rising 6 - 8
SWIM TIMES
Camp 3 & Extras: 10:20 - 11:45 a.m.
Camp K & 1: 11:10 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.
Camp 2: noon - 1:25 p.m.
Please note, that campers may not be picked up during swim times. If you need to pickup during swim times please let us know at the beginning of the day in writing, so we may hold them back from going to the pool.
Additionally, all campers are required to wear a life vest, provided by the Y, unless they have completed the Y's swim band evaluation. Swim evaluations are offered at camp on Mondays and during family swim times in the evenings and weekends.
All swim evaluation decisions are at the discretion of our lifeguard team; if they do not feel a camper is ready for a yellow band, the camper will need to wear a life jacket while swimming at camp.
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 on their designated Kona Ice day.
Tuesdays: Camp K, 1, Extras & CILTs
Thursdays: Camp 2, Camp 3, & CILTs
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.
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
Check your weekly newsletter to see where your camper will be venturing to this week! Field trips occur from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for CILTS, Camp 3 and Camp Extras. Campers may not be picked up during field trips.
Tuesdays: CILTs
Wednesday: Camp 3
Thursdays: Camp Extras
Family Nights
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.
Thursday, July 10: Carnival!
Step right up and join us for our Summer Camp Family Night- Carnival Edition! Get ready for an evening packed with classic carnival games, exciting prizes, face painting and sweet treats! Bring the whole family and experience the magic of summer under the big top!
Wednesday, July 30: Wild, Wild West! (Moved from July 31)
Saddle up, partner! Get ready to ride into a rootin’-tootin’ good time at our Wild, Wild West family night! Grab your boots and cowboys’ hats for an evening with frontier fun! We will have lasso competitions, wild west games and sweet treats! Get ready for a night of western adventure! Yeehaw!
Meet Nicole Currin
Hi Families! My name is Nicole Currin. I am a Sr. Youth Director at the Northwest Cary YMCA and one of your Camp Outer Limits directors this summer! I am very excited for this summer with your camper!
A Few Fun Facts About Me:
- My first job was as a YMCA Summer Camp Counselor in 2014.
- Before becoming a youth director, I was a teacher in WCPSS.
- In my free time I love to run, scrapbook, hang out with my husband and go to the beach!
Meet Jaylen Powell
Hello Camp Outer Limits! My name is Jaylen Powell, the Teen Director at the Northwest Cary YMCA. I run our Leaders Club program during the school year and am one of the directors for Camp Outer Limits in the summer!
Fun Facts about me:
- I started working at Camp Outer Limits in 2016.
- I am an extreme LEGO builder.
- I love the UConn Huskies.
