|
The Sky-Y Experience
The Sky-Y Experience Camp SKY-Y has been building friendships and making memories for over 70 years. Sky-Y Campers learn new skills and grow as individuals in a beautiful natural environment. Sky-Y offers a unique experience for a summer in the Arizona pines. Founded in 1938 YMCA Camp Sky-Y has embraced the human values of Caring, Honesty, Respect Responsibility. Campers learn and live the values in everything they do at camp.
  There are a wide range of programs offered at Sky-Y. Whether a camper wants to ride a mountain bike through the cool Ponderosa pines or they want to make a mug at ceramics there is something for everyone.
Sky-Y Programs: Camp Sky-Y offers the following programs for campers to choose from: archery, arts & crafts, ceramics, high ropes, 50-ft. climbing-tower, paintball, giant swing, rappelling, rock climbing, bouldering, digital photography, mountain biking, overnights, day and night hikes, outdoor living skills, canoeing, weekly dance, swimming in the heated pool, games, basketball, field games, volleyball, skit nights, theme based meals and morning chapel. We also offer the YMCA Rag & Leather character development program. Please note: that activities vary depending on camper age, weather and safety considerations.
The Progression of a Sky-Y Camper: Discovery, Explorer and Challenger. These levels are referred to as units. They are divided up according to their age for that summer. Each unit has a program that is tailored to their age group and development.
Discovery Unit for campers ages 7 & 8
This program is the perfect introduction to camp as campers learn the value of being a team player making new friends and are introduced to several new skills doing activities as a group.
Explorer Unit for campers ages 9-11
This program places an emphasis on expanding the social and personal growth of the camper through progressive activities and events. Campers have an additional Responsibility of choosing programs of skill they would like to hone.
Challenger for Teen camper ages 12 - 16
Through this progressive program, the older campers have the opportunity to conquer the many of the social challenges faced by today’s teens through this progressive program. Campers have the unique opportunity to build their own camp experience to cater to their own personal needs and interests.
What Campers Can Expect
A week at Sky-Y is filled with tradition from the Opening Jamboree to the Closing Pine Cone Dedication. Each day begins with an all camp chapel where the campers learn about the core values of the YMCA. The values are built upon in everything that we do at Sky-Y. Two campers from each cabin take Responsibility by setting and cleaning the tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cabin group then continues to work on the core value of Responsibility cabin clean up. Programs begin after cabin clean up (see list above) all 4 core values Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility are infused in the programs. For example campers show Caring and Respect for each other through our team building program.
Caring, Honesty and Respect are the expectation during the end of the day wrap up in the cabin with cabin chats.
 Facilities
Cabins are grouped in a “Village” by gender and age located close to a bathroom. With rustic yet modern cabins and shower facilities close by, Camp Sky-Y is perfect for campers of all ages to make new friends and experience fun and exciting activities. Our cabins are set up with 12 bunks for 10 campers and 2 staff (based on age to ratio of staff as outlined by the American Camp Association).
 The dining hall at Sky-Y is set up so that every cabin eats meals as a whole group. The food is served “Family” Style and comes out to the table in bowls and on platters. Campers pass the food and conversation around the table facilitating a great sense of community. The biggest benefit is that it gives the campers and staff a chance to talk about what everyone did during the day. Many of the campers in the cabin will do different activities during the day so the chance to share what they did adds to everyone overall camp experience.
Sky-Y Staff
We take pride in providing qualified staff that put the needs of your child first. Chosen for their experience, maturity and dedication, our camp staff places and emphasis on core values for the YMCA: Caring, Honesty, Respect and responsibility. Every spring Sky-Y Directors travel to local colleges and university looking for the best of the best.
Our summer staff is supervised by the full-time staff team, which has over 50 yrs. of camp experience combined. Staff applications are processed through our background check and a criminal fingerprint check. The average age of our cabin staff is ages 18-21, we do have a few Junior Staff that have gone through our CIT program. All staff go through a week long staff training. We train on camp topics such as Homesickness, Bullying, First Aid, Child Abuse Recognition, and Programs.
|
