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:

• Nature Session 1: June 24-28 Do you have a curious mind and love getting your hands dirty? During the week we’ll embark on a nature walk, explore the secrets inside seeds through dissection, create beautiful chlorophyll paintings and even build a sprout house to watch tiny miracles unfold!
• America’s Birthday Session 2: July 1-5 (closed July 4) Show your red, white, and blue spirit! Make a patriotic bracelet, wave a craft stick flag, enjoy a delicious patriotic snack, and create dazzling fireworks art. Let’s celebrate America’s birthday together!
• SOLD OUT! Space is the Place Session 3: July 8-12 Blast off to space fun! Build a rocket,
  complete a NASA challenge, make a galaxy slime, fuel up with astronaut pudding,
  and learn about the moon – all in one session! Don’t miss out on this out-of-this world adventure.
• SOLD OUT! Weird Science Session 4: July 15-19 Explore the wonders of everyday objects
  with coffee filter flowers and a paper bridge challenge. Craft your own delicious
  concoctions in the ice cream-making station. Translate your name into a cool binary code bracelet. Plus, witness the mind-blowing science behind stretchy balloons! Don’t forget to wear your lab coat and get ready for a blast!
• SOLD OUT! I am an Entrepreneur Session 5: July 22-26 Calling all young entrepreneurs! Get
  ready to plan, design, and market your very own lemonade stand. Test out secret
  recipe combinations and perfect your pitch to win over your customers. Don’t miss out on this summer’s coolest business adventure!
• SOLD OUT! Summer Olympics Session 6: July 29- August 2 Get ready for some Olympic action!Participate in the torch relay, test your skills in the catapult challenge, and cool off with water games, and pool noodle javelin throws. No Olympics are complete without some classic fun, so we’ll also have sack races and end the session with delicious S’mores around the campfire!
• SOLD OUT! Ultimate Survivor Session 7: August 5-9 Channel your inner Robinson Crusoe!
  Face off against your cabin mates in daily challenges that test your wit and grit. The winning cabin scores bragging rights and a delicious victory feast!
• SOLD OUT! Learning Theatrics Session 8: August 12-16 Is your child a budding performer? Let them explore their inner thespian during this special week. They’ll learn through fun activities like balloon charades and story starters, participate in readers’ theater, and even craft their own mask using natural materials! Sign them up for an unforgettable theatrical experience!
• SOLD OUT! Best of Camp Session 9: August 19-23 Enjoy the last few days of summer with traditional camp crafts and activities. We’ll weave friendship bracelets with colorful string, spread kindness with painted rocks (kindness stones), and test our teamwork in epic games of kick the cone and kickball. Top it all off with a delicious ice cream party that you don’t want to miss!

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.

Register and pay online: https://ywcacm.org/summer-camp-registration/

Register and pay by mail: https://ywcacm.org/child-care/forms-handbooks/

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.