Programs

Summer Programs


York Country Day School is proud to offer a variety of  summer programs to fit your family’s interests.  Are your children ready to explore, create, and discover a summer filled with fun and adventure? Our programs offer a wide variety of innovative and engaging activities. Summer is a time to remain engaged. Sign up to build a robot in our Robotics programs, learn to create beautiful crafts in one or all of our Art programs, or learn how to jam out in our Music program. Spaces are limited. Enroll using our website today!

Dejay Meredith
York Country Day School
1000 Indian Rock Dam Road
York, PA 17403

Questions? Please email Dejay Meredith, Director of Summer and Enrichment Programs, at summercamps@ycds.org
    • Dejay Meredith

      Director of Summer and Enrichment Programs (dmeredith@ycds.org)

Summer Program Policies

  • The registration deadline for all summer programs is June 1, 2025
  • Participants should register for summer programs based on their grade level as of Sept. 1, 2025
  • All program fees, including a $35 non-refundable registration fee, per registrant, are due at the time of registration
  • Checks should be made payable to YCDS
  • Registration confirmations will be emailed prior to the beginning of the our programs
  • Payment will be returned only if the camp is full or if the program is canceled
  • Refunds will be granted ONLY if the request is made in writing to the Director of Summer Programs prior to June 1, 2025.
  • Payments can be made in the form of cash, check, or credit card. 
  • If using a credit card, there will be a minimum convenience fee of 2.75%. 

List of 6 items.

  • Greyhound Summer Academy (Grades K-6)

    Week of June 2- week of August 4 (10 weeks)
    8 00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
    Before care begins at 7: 15 a.m.
    Extended day until 5:30 p.m.
    $315 week/ $370 with extended day options

     Greyhound Summer Academy Information
    • 12:1 student, counselor ratio
    • Swimming Mondays and Fridays at Green Valley
    • Program fees include a nutritious lunch and snacks
    • Enrollment is based on the camper’s grade as of September 1, 2024
    • Drop-off is 8 a.m. and pick-up is 4 p.m.
    • Before care and extended care is available starting at 7:15 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m.  for an additional fee
    • Register for 4 or more weeks at one time and receive a 10% discount on the weekly program fee
    • Register a sibling for 4 or more weeks at a time and receive an additional 10% discount on the weekly program fee

    For questions regarding Greyhound Summer Academy, please contact summercamps@ycds.org.
  • Preschool Summer Programs

    Jungle Animals
    Ages 3-5 

    The children will be immersed in a jungle like environment with lots of dress up and pretend play. They will move like animals with music and movement activities, create art with different materials, and discover many wonderful things about the jungle all through play.

    Please contact Jennifer Steel at jsteel@ycds.org, for more information. 

    Date: June 16 - 20 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price:$230
    Pirate Week
    Ages 3-5

    The children will have fun with a variety of pirate themed activities. They will talk and dress like pirates, participate in music and movement activities, create art with different materials, and even go on a treasure hunt. The boys and girls play games together, and also spend a lot of time outside on the playground.

    Please contact Jennifer Steel at jsteel@ycds.org, for more information. 

    Date: June 9 - 13 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price:$230


    Preschool Beach Vacation 
    3-5 years old 

    Do you love going to the beach? Join us as we escape to the tropics and explore the deep blue sea! Preschoolers will have fun in the sun as they learn about sea animals and island life. Children will play with sand, search for seashells, go on treasure hunts, play beach games, and engage in water play activities. We will end the week with a Summer Luau party with music, games, and crafts. 

    Please contact Jessica Bankert at jbankert@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: July 28 - August 1 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price:$230


    Preschool Creative Arts
    3-5 years old 
     
    Are you a developing artist? Join us for a week of painting, drawing, sculpting, and more! Preschoolers will explore their creativity and learn new art skills while creating various types of art. This camp will give children a chance to follow their thoughts and feelings wherever their imaginations take them. Children will create many pieces of original work. 

    Please contact Jessica Bankert at jbankert@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: July 14 - 18 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price:$230
  • Academic Programs

     
    Math Skills 
    Grades 1-2

    Building A Strong Foundation for 1st/2nd Grade Students.

    Mathematics is a vital subject that plays a crucial role in the early education of your child. To ensure their continuous growth and prevent any setbacks during the summer break, we have developed an exclusive Math Camp tailored specifically for first and second grade students.
    Why Math Camp?

    During this specialized camp, your child will focus solely on strengthening their math skills by revisiting crucial concepts from the previous school year or gaining a head start on the upcoming academic year. Our Math Camp provides an immersive and engaging learning environment where your child can thrive.Using a variety of interactive activities such as games, one-on-one instruction, problem-solving tasks, and hands-on exercises, your child will actively learn and develop a solid foundation in mathematics. Join us for an unforgettable Math Camp experience that will empower your child with the mathematical skills they need to excel in their academic journey!

    Please contact Beatrice Heath for more information bheath3@ycds.org

    Schedule: July 21 - 25 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price: $230

    Science Academy
    Grades 1-2

    Unleash your inner scientist at our Scientist Experiment Academy! Dive into a week of hands-on explorations where you will mix, fizz, build, and discover the wonders of science through engaging experiments while fostering curiosity and critical thinking skills! Join Bea Heath for this exciting week of science. (Due to the nature of the camp, all students will be required to bring in a long sleeve shirt to wear over their clothing.) 

    Contact Beatrice Heath with additional questions or information. bheath3@ycds.org

    Please contact Beatrice Heath for more information bheath3@ycds.org

    Schedule: July 28 - August 1 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price: $230

    Reading Skills
    Grade 1-2
     
    Maintaining reading skills over the summer can be a challenge. This camp helps support your child’s reading skills by providing them with one-on-one time with a teacher, as well as small group instruction. Your child will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills from the previous year or get a jumpstart into their next school year.
     
    Our reading session will include a “book study” where students will participate in project-based activities that help bring a book to life. The participants will also make a reading journal that can be used to respond to literature all summer.
     
     
    Schedule: July 21-25 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
     
    Please contact Michelle Schneider at mshneider@ycds.org for more information.
     
    Price: $230


    Hola!
    Grade 1-2
     
    Students in Spanish summer enrichment will greet one one another each day in Spanish during Spanish morning meetings. Participants in this session will use TPR(total physical response) when learning
     
    Spanish songs and doing motions. Learners will use Spanish colors, numbers, foods, animals and question words while playing games.
     
    Students will participate in several Hispanic traditions including: hitting piñatas, making tortillas and dancing to merengue and salsa music.
     
    For questions regarding this camp, please contact Micah Pflaum mpflaum@ycds.org.
     
     
    Date: June 2 - 6 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
     
    Price: $230

  • Robotics, Science, and STEAM Programs

    Robots, Robots, Everywhere!
    Grade K-1 

    This camp for grades K-1 introduces children to robots through stories, songs, games, crafts and lots of coding! Children will use the design process and their imaginations to create solutions to engineering challenges.

    Please contact Susan Danner for more information at danners@zoominternet.net, for more information. 

    Date: July 7 - 11 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price:$260


    Tinker Thinker
    Grade 2-3 
     
    This robotics program for grades 2-3 encourages children to use the design process and their imaginations to create solutions to engineering challenges. Students will be using materials including LEGO, Snap Circuits, MakeDo, recyclable materials and lots of creativity!
     
    Please contact Susan Danner for more information at danners@zoominternet.net, for more information. 
     
    Date: July 14 - 18 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price:$260


    First Lego League Experience- Ocean Explorers
    Grade 4th-8th
     
    The exploration of the deep ocean is a perfect challenge for aspiring engineers. Join the YCDS FTC teams - the Gearhounds #9242 and the Hackin' Hounds #21234 - in tackling tasks that will simulate what engineers consider when designing equipment to dive deep into the sea to investigate and improve the marine environment.
     
    Using the LEGO SPIKE Prime platform, as well as the engineering design process, campers will build and program robots that will rescue marine animals, collect seafloor samples, farm coral, discover new species of living things, and more.
     
    Students will practice navigating to a specific location, collecting and moving materials, and identifying the environment with the touch, ultrasonic, and color sensors. Basic programming skills will be highlighted with advanced programming skills introduced based on the skills of the participants. Creativity, perseverance, and teamwork will be celebrated and encouraged. 3-2-1 LEGO!
     
    Please contact Elizabeth Charleston for more information at echarles@ycds.org
     
    Date: June 9 - 13 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. *FLL will not meet on Wednesday, June 11, 2025
     
    Price: $208 for session 1 (4 day camp)
     
     
    Date: June 16 - 20 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. *YCDS closed Thursday, June 19, 2025
     
    Price: $208 for session 2 (4 day camp)


    FIRST Tech Challenge Experience
    Grades 7th-9th
     
    FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) students learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.
     
    In this week-long intensive program, students will work as part of a team and use FTC hardware and software to design, build, and program an FTC robot from the ground up. After learning some basic functions of their robot, teams will tackle some of the required tasks from the previous season’s FTC game, competing on a full FTC field with all game elements in a fun and exciting tournament.
     
    Please contact Elizabeth Charleston for more information at echarles@ycds.org
     
    Date: June 23 - 27 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
     
    Price: $260


  • Cooking and Crafts

    Disney  Adventures
    Grades K-2

    In this session, we are celebrating all things Disney ! Kid chefs will make themed Disney snacks and daily crafts, including decorating Disney journals and personalizing Mickey ears. We will also have Disney -themed trivia, games, movie clips, and more!

    Please contact Sarah Hartzell for more information at shartzell@ycds.org.  

    Date: July 7 - 11 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price: $230
  • The "Arts"

    Creative Clay Creations Art   
    Grades 2-6

    Creative Clay Creations Art invites young artists to dive into the world of clay sculpting, where they’ll spend five mornings shaping both functional and decorative pieces. Using techniques such as slab, coil, and pinch sculpting, they’ll bring their ideas to life with unique textures and forms. Artists will learn essential hand building skills and glazing techniques, exploring surface finishes, colors, and textures to enhance their creations. This combines creativity and skill-building, providing a rich foundation in the art of clay.

    Please contact Amber Dacheux at adacheux@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: June 23 - 27 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price:$260 

    Date: June 30 - July 3∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. *Closed Friday, July 4, 2025

    Price:$208 (4 day camp) 


    Printmaking Art 
    Grades 2-6
    Printmaking Art Summer introduces young artists to the exciting world of printmaking. Participants will explore techniques such as collagraph, monoprint, and relief printing, using various materials to create unique, textured designs. They’ll learn about layering, composition, and color application, while experimenting with different printmaking processes. This camp provides a hands-on experience that encourages creativity and helps artists develop their own style through the art of printmaking.
    Please contact Amber Dacheux at adacheux@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: June 2 - 6 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price:$230

    Sculpture Art 
    Grades 2-6

    Sculpture Art Summer Camp invites young artists to explore the world of three-dimensional art. Through hands-on projects, artists will learn various sculpting techniques using paper mache, wire, cardboard, wood, and clay to create both functional and decorative pieces. They’ll develop skills in shaping, molding, and assembling while exploring texture, form, and design. This camp encourages creativity and provides a fun, engaging environment for artists to bring their ideas to life in 3D!

    Please contact Amber Dacheux at adacheux@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: July 28 - August 1 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 
     
    Price:$260


    Fiber Arts 
    Grades 2-6

    Fiber Arts offers young artists the chance to explore the world of textiles through hands-on projects. Participants will experiment with techniques like weaving, stitching, embroidery, dying, wet felting, and needle felting to create unique works of art. They'll learn how to use a variety of materials, from yarns to fabrics, while developing skills in texture, pattern, and color. This camp encourages creativity and self-expression, allowing artists to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces.

    Please contact Amber Dacheux at adacheux@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: August 4 - 8 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Price:$230

    Drawing & Painting Sampler
    Grade 3-5

    Join us for a week of creativity in this fun art workshop! Students will explore drawing and painting techniques using pencils, markers, watercolors, and tempera paint. Each day offers hands-on projects like sketching, shading, and color mixing to spark creativity.

    By the end of the week, students will take home artwork they’re proud of—and might even find a new favorite hobby!

    Please contact Stacey Filippone at sfilippone@ycds.org, for more information. 

    Date: July 7 - 11 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 

    Price:$230


    Summer Music Program! 
    Grades 2-5

    Get ready for a week of musical fun! Our camp, designed for students in 2nd through 5th grade, offers a variety of engaging activities, including singing solo and in groups, playing percussion instruments, and exploring rhythms with boomwhackers. 

    Campers will experience a wide range of music genres—from classical to Kidz Bop—making every day a new adventure in sound. Whether your child is a beginner or already passionate about music, they’ll build confidence, learn new skills, and make friends while having a blast. No experience needed—just bring your love for music!

    For more information please contact Tracey Gischel at tshindle@ycds.org

    Price: $230

    Date: June 9 - 13 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m


    Elementary Music Summer Program: Disney Edition!
    Grades K-2

    Calling all young musicians entering Kindergarten through 2nd grade! Join us for a magical summer program filled with the music of Disney!
    Throughout the program, students will sing beloved Disney songs, explore rhythms, and play both pitched and unpitched percussion instruments. Whether they're tapping out the beat to "The Lion King" or singing along to "Frozen," your child will experience the joy of music in a fun, supportive environment. Let’s make music and memories together!

    For more information please contact Tracey Gischel at tshindle@ycds.org

    Price: $230

    Date: June 23 - 27 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.


    Summer Music Academy  
    Grades 2-5

    Get ready for a week of musical fun! Our music program, designed for students in 2nd through 5th grade, offers a variety of engaging activities, including singing solo and in groups, playing percussion instruments, and exploring rhythms with boomwhackers. 

    Participants will experience a wide range of music genres—from classical to Kidz Bop—making every day a new adventure in sound. Whether your child is a beginner or already passionate about music, they’ll build confidence, learn new skills, and make friends while having a blast. No experience needed—just bring your love for music!

    For more information please contact Tracey Gischel at tshindle@ycds.org

    Price: $230

    Date: June 9 - 13 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m


    Kids Photography 
    Grades 5-8

    Unleash your student’s creativity this summer at our Kids Photography! Designed for young photographers in grades 5-8, this hands-on camp will teach the fundamentals of photography while exploring fun techniques to capture the world around us. From mastering camera settings to experimenting with light and composition, and will learn to see through a new lens and express their unique perspective. Participants will learn the history of photography, exposure, camera settings and more! There will be games to make the camp extra fun and your student will learn a new, creative skill while having a blast! 

    With outdoor adventures, exciting photo challenges, and expert guidance, participants will develop skills to take photos from snapshots to masterpieces. Whether they're a beginner or already passionate about photography, this camp will help your student take creativity to the next level.

    Join us for a week full of fun, learning, and of course, amazing photos!

    Please contact Nicole Openshaw for more information at nopenshaw@ycds.org.   


    Date: July 21 - 25 - 11 ∎ 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 


    Price: $230


    Story Sketchers: Comic Creation Camp
    Grades 2-6

    Dive into the exciting world of cartoons! In this camp, young artists will create and illustrate their own cartoon characters and stories, learning the essentials of cartooning. 
    They'll explore character design, storyboarding, visual storytelling, and humor to bring their unique ideas to life. With hands-on activities, campers will develop skills in both writing and drawing, creating fun and engaging cartoon strips and scenes that showcase their creativity and personality. Perfect for budding storytellers and illustrators!

    Please contact Amber Dacheux at Adacheux@ycds.org or Madeline Mirasol at mmirasol@ycds.org for more information. 

    Date: June 9 - 13 ∎ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

    Price: $230