CAMP TIMBER AT BRIDGEWATER YMCA
Camp Timber at Bridgewater YMCA offers many wonderful camp options. We have something for every kind of child at every age with both traditional multi-activity and Kindercamp, and Counselor-in-Training options. And no matter which camp(s) you choose, you can feel great knowing that your campers are getting the quality day camp experience they expect from the nation’s largest nonprofit child care provider.
Our camp directors have been hard at work whipping up a memorable experience for all our campers. Get ready to enjoy the familiar, fun, and exciting summer day camp experience you’ve come to expect from the Y, including:
- A 10-week program that runs 5 days per week, Monday, June 22nd through Friday, August 28th
- For campers entering Kindergarten – 10th grade in September 2026
- Regular camp hours: 9:00am-4:30pm
- Before care hours: 7:30am -9:00am
- After care hours: 4:30pm-6:00pm
- Camp location: Bridgewater YMCA, 601 Garretson Rd, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807
2026 DAY CAMP OPTIONS
KINDERCAMP
Traditional Multi-Activity Camp
- Camp Timber’s KinderCamp is an indoor/outdoor multi-activity traditional camp for children entering Kindergarten in September 2026
- KinderCampers feel like true members of the camp community as they take part in the full spectrum of activities that engage and entertain campers, including theme days and daily performances here at Camp Timber, while still having a separate age-appropriate schedule
- KinderCampers gain the courage and confidence as life-long swimmers through their participation in daily swim lessons and daily recreational swim time in our indoor pool, included at no additional cost. Children should bring a bathing suit and towel each day.
- Through our inclusive day camp experience, KinderCampers develop social skills and make new friends
- KinderCamp includes an educational portion to the camp day with activities are designed to stimulate and encourage grade level-appropriate critical thinking skills. Our goal is to help get KinderCampers ready to enter the public schools in September!
- Kinder Campers have the option to attend the weekly camp trip each Wednesday.
- Weekly theme days also add something special as a core concept or celebration day is woven across the entire camp day.
2026 SAMPLE WEEKLY CAMP TRIPS (each Wednesday)
To add even more fun and excitement to the camp week, we offer a weekly trip on Wednesdays for kids registered for Traditional Camp! The weekly trips are optional and offered for an additional fee. A permission slip signed by a parent/guardian is required for each camper and each trip. Most trips are within a walkable distance from Somerville YMCA. The Y will coordinate group transportation for non-walkable trips. Campers are fully accompanied by camp staff safely to and from the destination. Campers wear their Camp Sunburst t-shirt (provided by the Y) on weekly trip days to help the group remain together at all times. Any child who does not attend the weekly trip will remain in Traditional Camp at the Y with all ages. Weekly trip options are subject to change and include:
Week 1: Branchburg Sport complex
Week 2: Liberty Science Center
Week 3: Turtleback Zoo
Week 4: Tomahawk Lake
Week 5: Rock n Air
Week 6: Sea Life NJ
Week 7: Iron Peak
Week 8: Legoland Discovery
Week 9: Hannover Lanes
Week 10: NO TRIP
SAMPLE WEEKLY THEMES
-
Week 1: Camp Olympics
-
Week 2: Science in Action
-
Week 3: Jungle Journey
-
Week 4: Adventure on the Water
-
Week 5: Sky’s the Limit
-
Week 6: Tidepool Trekkers
-
Week 7: Heroes VS Villains
-
Week 8: Brick Builders
-
Week 9: Grease Lightning
-
Week 10: Sweet Summer Send-Off
Sample Schedule
- 9:00am-9:15am – Opening Circle
- 9:15am-10:00am – Team Building / Theme Week Activities
- 10:00am-10:15am – Morning Snack
- 10:15am-11:00am – Arts & Humanities
- 11:00am-11:45am – Sports & Games
- 11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch
- 12:30pm-12:45pm – CATCH Games or SEL Activities
- 12:45pm-1:00pm – Changing for Swim
- 1:00pm-1:15pm – Swimming Lessons
- 1:15pm-1:45pm – Free Swim
- 1:45pm-2:00pm – Change Out of Swim
- 2:00pm-2:45pm – Science & Nature
- 2:45pm-3:00pm – Brain Games & SEL Activities
- 3:00pm-4:00pm – CIT-Run Game or Activity
- 4:00pm-4:15pm – Afternoon Snack
- 4:15-4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
TRADITIONAL DAY CAMP
Traditional Multi-Activity Camp
- Traditional day camp is for campers entering grades 1-7 in September 2026
- Camp Timber’s popular, traditional multi-activity outdoor camp offers a broad array of activities that engage and entertain campers, including theme days.
- Register for one or more weeks Monday, June 22nd through Friday, August 28th
- Campers are divided into groups for age-appropriate fun and engagement all summer long.
- Campers build social skills and long lasting friendships through participation in individual and small group activities in the areas of Arts & Humanities and Sports & Games.
- Daily swim time in our indoor pool is included at no additional cost. Children should bring a bathing suit and towel each day.
- Unique to Camp Timber is our on-site archery range, where campers learn daily from our certified instructors about the mechanics of aiming and shooting, the different types of archery apparatuses, as well as the responsibility of properly handling highly specialized equipment.
- At Camp Timber, we proactively address the dreaded academic summer slump by including an educational portion to the camp day with activities designed to stimulate and encourage grade level-appropriate critical thinking skills.
- Weekly themes also add something special woven throughout the camp week.
2026 SAMPLE WEEKLY CAMP TRIPS (each Wednesday)
To add even more fun and excitement to the camp week, we offer a weekly trip on Wednesdays for kids registered for Traditional Camp! The weekly trips are optional and offered for an additional fee. A permission slip signed by a parent/guardian is required for each camper and each trip. Most trips are within a walkable distance from Somerville YMCA. The Y will coordinate group transportation for non-walkable trips. Campers are fully accompanied by camp staff safely to and from the destination. Campers wear their Camp Sunburst t-shirt (provided by the Y) on weekly trip days to help the group remain together at all times. Any child who does not attend the weekly trip will remain in Traditional Camp at the Y with all ages. Weekly trip options are subject to change and include:
Week 1: Branchburg Sport complex
Week 2: Liberty Science Center
Week 3: Turtleback Zoo
Week 4: Tomahawk Lake
Week 5: Rock n Air
Week 6: Sea Life NJ
Week 7: Iron Peak
Week 8: Legoland Discovery
Week 9: Hannover Lanes
Week 10: NO TRIP
SAMPLE WEEKLY THEMES
-
Week 1: Camp Olympics
-
Week 2: Science in Action
-
Week 3: Jungle Journey
-
Week 4: Adventure on the Water
-
Week 5: Sky’s the Limit
-
Week 6: Tidepool Trekkers
-
Week 7: Heroes VS Villains
-
Week 8: Brick Builders
-
Week 9: Grease Lightning
-
Week 10: Sweet Summer Send-Off
DAILY SCHEDULES
-
1ST AND 2ND GRADE:
- 9:00am-9:15am – Opening Circle
- 9:15am-10:00am – Team Building / Theme Week Activities
- 10:00am-10:15am – Morning Snack
- 10:15am-11:00am – Arts & Humanities
- 11:00am-11:45am – Sports & Games
- 11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch
- 12:30pm-12:45pm – CATCH Games or SEL Activities
- 12:45pm-1:00pm – Changing for Swim
- 1:00pm-1:30pm – Swimming Lessons
- 1:30pm-2:00pm – Free Swim
- 2:00pm-2:15pm – Changing out of Swim
- 2:15pm-2:30pm – Afternoon Snack
- 2:30pm-3:15pm – Archery / GAGA
- 3:15pm-3:45pm – CIT-Run Game or Activity
- 3:45pm-4:15pm – Theme Week Related Activities
- 4:15-4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
-
3RD GRADE:
- 9:00am-9:15am – Opening Circle
- 9:15am-10:00am – Team Building / Theme Week Activities
- 10:00am-10:15am – Morning Snack
- 10:15am-11:00am – Archery / GAGA
- 11:00am-11:45am – Arts & Humanities
- 11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch
- 12:30pm-12:45pm – CATCH Games or SEL Activities
- 12:45pm-1:00pm – Changing for Swim
- 1:00pm-1:30pm – Free Swim
- 1:30pm-2:00pm – Swimming Lessons
- 2:00pm-2:15pm – Changing out of Swim
- 2:15pm-2:30pm – Afternoon Snack
- 2:30pm-3:15pm – Sports & Games
- 3:15pm-3:45pm – CIT-Run Game or Activity
- 3:45pm-4:15pm – Theme Week Related Activities
- 4:15-4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
-
4TH AND 5TH GRADE:
- 9:00am-9:15am – Opening Circle
- 9:15am-10:00am – Team Building / Theme Week Activities
- 10:00am-10:15am – Morning Snack
- 10:15am-11:00am – Sports & Games
- 11:00am-11:45am – Archery / GAGA
- 11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch
- 12:30pm-12:45pm – CATCH Games or SEL Activities
- 12:45pm-1:00pm – Changing for Swim
- 1:00pm-1:30pm – Free Swim
- 1:30pm-2:00pm – Swimming Lessons
- 2:00pm-2:15pm – Changing out of Swim
- 2:15pm-2:30pm – Afternoon Snack
- 2:30pm-3:15pm – Arts & Humanities
- 3:15pm-3:45pm – CIT-Run Game or Activity
- 3:45pm-4:15pm – Theme Week Related Activities
- 4:15-4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
CATCH = Coordinated Approach To Child Health
SEL = Social Emotional Learning
COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (CIT) PROGRAM
Traditional Multi-Activity Camp
Teen Option
- Camp Timber’s signature Counselor in Training (CIT) program is for participants entering grades 8-10 in September 2026
- Offered Monday, June 22nd through Friday, August 28th
- Choose from Five 2-week sessions
- The CIT program is designed for teens who are looking to develop skills as future leaders–with a special focus on the unique skills needed to become a camp counselor.
- Program participants will engage in select experiential opportunities such as leadership training and social responsibility projects.
- CITs gain valuable firsthand experience working with children of various ages, become skilled in behavior management, and gain a real-world perspective on what it means to run a quality camp day.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
-
COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (CIT)
- 9:00am-9:15am – Opening Circle
- 9:15am-10:00am – Team Building / Theme Week Activities
- 10:00am-10:15am – Morning Snack
- 10:15am-11:45am – CIT-Specific Activities
- 11:45am-12:30pm – Lunch
- 12:30pm-12:45pm – CATCH Games or SEL Activities
- 12:45pm-1:00pm – Changing for Swim
- 1:00pm-2:00pm – Free Swim
- 2:00pm-2:15pm – Changing out of Swim
- 2:15pm-2:30pm – Afternoon Snack
- 2:30pm-3:45pm – CIT-Run Game or Activity
- 3:45pm-4:15pm – Theme Week Related Activities
- 4:15-4:30pm – Closing Ceremonies
CATCH = Coordinated Approach To Child Health
SEL = Social Emotional Learning
NEED-TO-KNOW INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Payment schedule
When you register for camp a $50.00 deposit will be required for each camp session that you choose. These payments will be made through our online system and require the use of a credit card. This credit card will be kept on file and used to draft the camp balances automatically on the due dates listed in your camp handbook.
Refund details
- Prior to May 1, 2026: A full refund will be given for any cancellations.
- After May 1, 2026: There will be no refund of the $50 deposit. A refund of a camp balance that has been paid will only be given if your child’s spot can be filled by another child.*
*The only exception to the refund policy is for a cancellation due to a medical reason that has been documented by a doctor.
Greater Somerset County YMCA Financial Assistance
In addition to any community subsidies families may qualify for, the Y also provides direct financial assistance to qualifying families enrolled in our child care programs. We believe that everyone—no matter who they are or where they’re from—deserves the opportunity and the resources necessary to reach their full potential. Visit gscymca.org/fa to learn more.
Not a Y member?
Join the Y online and enjoy member pricing today! It’s easy. Visit gscymca.org/join and select your Bridgewater YMCA membership type to get started. Need additional assistance? Email or call our Welcome Center at 908 526 0688 ext. 1 and we’ll be happy to help!
SPOTLIGHT ON: S.P.A.C.E. FOR ALL
What is S.P.A.C.E.? It stands for swimming, play, art, community, and enrichment. We embed these signature elements across our entire camp program to create a truly holistic day camp experience for each child. It’s just one of the many ways the Y comprehensively supports the development of the whole child while they are here with us.
SPOTLIGHT ON: OUR CAMP COUNSELORS
Every one of our camps is staffed with counselors who are not only well trained and qualified for child supervision, but love being part of camp just as much as our campers. In fact, many of our campers later pursue our Counselor-in-Training camp and then become counselors and full time Y staff members.
WHY CHOOSE THE Y
American Camp Association Accredited
We are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) which sets the highest standards or day camps in the nation. This important seal of approval means we comply with up to 300 health, safety, and program quality standards set by the ACA. We have gone to great lengths to provide a safe and quality environment.
Caring, Well-Trained Staff
Our staff is comprised of caring, nurturing individuals who are required to complete a minimum of twelve hours of on-going training on an annual basis and are certified in First Aid and CPR.
Committed to Your Child’s Safety
In an effort to continually improve the safety and security of our YMCA, we utilize a system called Raptor which instantly screens visitors against registered sex offender databases in all 50 states. This is in addition to sex offender screenings the Y regularly conducts on all members, participants, and staff. All authorized pick-ups must present a state or government issued photo ID every time when picking up a child.
For the Best Summer Ever
Give your kids a life-changing experience! Each summer, the Y inspires kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead, and make lasting friendships. Together, our proven programs and trained counselors deliver meaningful and memorable camp experiences that keep families coming back year after year. Our day camps welcome all kids to discover who they are and imagine who they can be, with programs that foster lifelong skills, build self-confidence, and create friendships.
Well-Rounded Structure
At the Y, we know that when kids are given an opportunity to accomplish things, make friends, and feel like they belong, they are comfortable expressing individuality and feel more confident, connected, and supported. We focus on these youth development areas to ensure that kids in our day camp program go home with so much excitement for all they’ve accomplished and enjoyed, that they can’t wait to come back the next day.
Y For All
We believe that everyone—no matter who they are or where they’re from—deserves the opportunity and the resources necessary to reach their full potential. In addition to any community subsidies families may qualify for, the Y also provides direct financial assistance to qualifying families enrolled in our child care programs—made possible through the generosity of our Y’s Annual Campaign donors and proceeds from special fundraising events. Visit gscymca.org/fa to learn more.
THE Y: WHERE MEMBERSHIP MEANS MORE
The Y isn’t a building. It’s people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come together to improve their lives, nurture their families and strengthen their community, together.