Camp Wind-in-the-Pines is a summer day camp for school-aged children (6 to 13 years) located on Stiles Reservoir in Leicester. Each session is packed with themed activities, games, and projects, as well as traditional camp activities.

For the convenience of working parents, camp hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The camp has an ample amount of sandy beach and lake front property with a boathouse and dock, several recreation halls, a ball field and nature trails. The bath house is equipped with private restrooms, showers and changing areas for campers.

Campers are divided into specific age groups and are instructed in areas that are developmentally appropriate. Each session is packed with themed activities, games, and projects, as well as traditional camp activities. Every session includes swim lessons, recreational swim, boating (8 years and older), arts and crafts, games, sports and literacy.

All camp counselors are trained and certified in CPR and First Aid, and meet the departments of Early Education and Care and Public Health requirements.

Camp Wind-in-the-Pines is licensed through the Town of Leicester Board of Health and complies with all regulations established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Camp Sessions:

• Session 1: Nature (June 22 – 26) – Start your summer off by stepping into the great outdoors! Create pinecone weather stations, chlorophyll prints, edible bird nests, and explore tree “cookies.” Join us to see what nature has to offer.
• Session 2: America’s 250^th Birthday (June 29 – July 3) It’s America’s 250^th birthday! Join us in some patriotic spirit by building an eagle flyer, engineering a straw rocket, creating firework paintings, and making a patriotic graham cracker flag. Happy birthday to America!
• Session 3: Woodland Animals (July 6-10) Hoot Hoot, who’s that? It’s the animals living in the woods! Come join us in dissecting an owl pellet, making animal track castings, and making animal puppets and a pinecone owl.
• Session 4: Multicultural Celebration (July 13 – 17) A week all for learning differences! This week will teach you about the history of chocolate while celebrating your individuality and creating a “I Am” collage and worry doll inspired by Guatemalan tradition. Let us get to know YOU and your story.
• Session 5: Summer Carnival (July 20 -24) Campers will work collaboratively to design and build carnival games with Friday being a Camp Carnival Day full of fun games and carnival treats. Now let’s get this carnival fun in action!
• Session 6: Survivor (July 27 – 31) Do you have what it takes to be on top? Put your skills to the test in daily new challenges of dress up relay, hold your cups, water bucket relay, and get your granny pants on. May the best campers win!
• Session 7: Global Art (August 3 – 7) Take a dive into the artistic side of the world. Join us to create a Japanese inspired Koinobori Windsock, Huichol Yarn Art pictures, rain sticks, and a Turkish marble painting. A week full of creativity and global fun!
• Session 8: STEM (August 10 – 14) Time to put those goggles on and dive into the world of science! During STEM week there will be the opportunity to make a super bouncy ball, build a raft, learn how to make ice cream ~ yummy ~ and participate in the ice pop challenge. Let’s get our minds and hands to work!
• Session 9: You’ve Got Talent (August 17 – 21) WOW, that camper’s got talent! If you want to show off your special talents come be part of our camp talent show. Along with your amazing talents you have to show, you will also create your own Hollywood square and walk the red carpet. Let’s see what talents you have!
• Session 10: Best of Camp (August 24 – 28) The ultimate camp experience awaits! This week has all of the campers’ favorite activities by getting creative and making text message bracelets, slime, tie dye creations, and a God’s eye. What a fantastic way to wrap up an unforgettable summer!

Camp Registration:

All summer camp registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please read the registration form carefully. A $30 non-refundable deposit per child per session is required unless paid in full. Balances for sessions 7-10 must be paid in full by July 1 of respective year.

NOTE: Camp registrations submitted online or by mail without payment are NOT guaranteed. To secure your camper’s spot, payment must be completed at the time of registration.

When clicking “Submit,” on the online form, please proceed with payment via PayPal. You have the option to pay as a guest without creating a PayPal account. Failure to complete payment may result in the loss of your camper’s reservation.

Register and pay online: Online Registration Form

Register and pay by mail: Registration Form

Mail completed registration form with payment to:

YWCA Central Massachusetts,
1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608
Fax it: 508-754-0496

A confirmation packet with additional camp information and forms will be sent once your child’s registration is processed. To receive your confirmation packet via email, please be sure to print your email address on the registration form in the indicated area.

Scholarships:

The YWCA provides partial scholarship assistance through its summer camp scholarship program to prospective campers with financial need. The availability of scholarship funds is limited. If you meet the following qualifications you may be eligible:

• You work at least 30 hours a week
• You are a student and attend class at least five hours a day
• Or you are medically incapable of caring for your child.

Click here for more information and a Camp Scholarship Application.

Transportation:

Camp Wind-in-the-Pines provides parents with two locations for drop-off and pick-up:

YWCA Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square, Worcester (Additional transportation fee of $60/week for campers dropped off and picked up in Worcester)*

* NOTE: The actual cost of transportation is $90. The YWCA is able to reduce the cost thanks to private donations received.