The Boothbay Region YMCA’s Critter Camp is a day camp for children ages 3-4 based at the Y’s Child Enrichment Center. This summer experience is designed to provide socialization and educational growth through fun-filled activities focused on the unique developmental stages of preschool children.

Critter Camp will run for 10 weekly sessions, from June 19-August 25. The new curriculum for summer 2017, under direction of Child Enrichment Director Amy Henderson, includes activities planned around weekly themes that emphasize fun and learning through practical life activities and sensory experiences. The 10 weekly themes are Ocean Life & the Beach; Insects; Camping; Construction & Things That Go; Gardening; Ponds, Rocks & the Forest; Sea Life; On the Farm; People in our Town; and Fun with Food.

Weekly field trips are planned that align with the theme, including destinations such as Bigelow Laboratory, Maine State Aquarium, and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Critter Campers will spend time on the Y’s Natural Playground and will grow a garden with support from the 2017 Time & Tide School Garden Grant. Additional activities include swimming at the Y, creating art, going on picnics, educational games and reading, taking trolley rides, and performing science experiments.

At the end of the summer, each child will have a scrapbook to take home to relive some of the memories from Critter Camp.

Registration for Critter Camp is open. Space is limited, and three weeks are already full, so early registration is encouraged. Critter Camp is open to YMCA Child Enrichment Center families, YMCA members, and the general public. Visit www.boothbayregionymca.org for more information and to register today.