Camp Outer Limits

441 Mills Park Drive, Cary, NC 27519

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.

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	Early Price	March 1 Price	Ages
Blast Into Summer	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!
Character Counts	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.
Party in the USA	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:$196 PP:$246	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.
The Greatest Show	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.
Back to the Future	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.
Holiday Hoopla	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.
Beach Bash	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!
Camp’s Got Talent	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.
Heroes Among Us	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.
Giddy Up USA	Campers saddle up for a rootin’-tootin’ good time with the spirit of the Wild West. This week is filled with exciting games, creative activities, team challenges, and plenty of chances to grow in confidence and character.	Mon - Fri	Aug 17 - Aug 21	7:00 am - 6:00 pm	M:$245 PP:$307	M:$258 PP:$323	5 - 14
Campers saddle up for a rootin’-tootin’ good time with the spirit of the Wild West. This week is filled with exciting games, creative activities, team challenges, and plenty of chances to grow in confidence and character.

Camper Outer Limits 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 - 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.

Meet Chris Hammie

Hammie has been with the Y as a Youth Director for three years, overseeing three before and after school programs throughout the year. This summer will be my fourth year serving as Director of Camp Expedition. I grew up as a Y kid myself—first a camper, then a summer counselor—so this work is deeply personal to me.

Outside the Y, I coach basketball, DJ for events and spend quality time with my family.

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