CAREGIVERS
We get it.
Sending your child away can cause some anxiety, especially if it is their first time. Know that we take what we do very seriously. We are youth development professionals and your child's safety is our top priority. Camp staff are carefully screened during a character-based hiring process and are selected for their skills and concern for the well-being of children. Professional program staff work directly with counselors to provide guidance and support.
All staff are certified in first aid and CPR and have been screened through the highest standards of child safety practices, including background checks. The Sherman Lake YMCA is licensed by the State of Michigan, and accredited by the American Camp Association and Praesidium.
The information below is to help ensure a successful camp experience for your child. If you have any questions, please contact us either by phone at 269-731-3030 or email. We are here to help.
TIERED PRICING
Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Sherman Lake YMCA Camp has a voluntary tier pricing structure. Tier pricing is not income-based but is based on what your family is comfortable with paying. You choose what you pay, and no additional paperwork is required!*
Tier A - The TRUE cost of camp. If you’re able to pay this amount, please do.
Tier B - Partially subsidized cost, representing a partial scholarship for the camper.
Tier C - A heavier subsidy, reflecting a larger scholarship for the camper.
The choice of what price you pay is completely yours. Regardless of which option you choose, your child receives the same camp experience with the same high-quality programming.
*If additional assistance is needed to make camp possible, please visit shermanlakeymca.org/financial-assistance or contact our office at 269.731.3030.
Sherman Lake YMCA is proud to be an eligible vendor of licensed child care for Tri Share! If your employer participates in Michigan Tri-Share, please use your change care form and talk to your regional hub advisor!
Day camp only applies - add ons such as bus, lunch, and specialty camp fees will need to be covered individually.
Sherman Lake YMCA - Camp Phrases to Know
Ever wondered what HCRR is? Or what a Hopper does? Click here for Camp Phrases to Know! This list of more than 30 unique camp terms will keep you in the know when your camper is sharing all the amazing things they did at camp!
KultureCity
Sherman Lake YMCA is partnered with KultureCity, a non-profit organization recognized throughout the nation for utilizing its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for individuals with sensory needs or those with invisible disabilities. We’re very proud to be the first YMCA to partner with them.
Our certification with KultureCity includes staff training on recognizing sensory needs and how to handle sensory overload situations. We are also now equipped with sensory bags that have various tools. Prior to Camp, families are encouraged look at our social story to help prepare, either through the Kulture City app or website: https://venue.kulturecity.org/venues/sherman-lake-ymca
Land Acknowledgement
Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center respectfully acknowledges that we are on the appropriated homelands of the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi Indigenous peoples. We recognize the perseverance and survival of Indigenous communities, who continue to live throughout this region. We endeavor to be responsible stewards of the sacred nature of their homelands.
Sherman Lake YMCA Payment, Cancellation & Refund Policy
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payment in full is due four weeks prior to the start of your camp session. If your balance has not been paid by that time, the remaining balance will automatically be charged to the default payment method on file.
Cancellations must be requested via email.
Four weeks or more before the start of your session: Full refund, minus the non-refundable camp deposit.
Between two and four weeks before the start of your session: 50% refund of camp fees, minus the non-refundable camp deposit.
Less than two weeks before the start of your session: No refund.
There are no refunds for campers who leave camp early due to illness, homesickness, or disciplinary dismissal. If your camper must cancel due to illness or injury, please notify us as soon as possible.
Session changes may be requested with at least two weeks' notice and are subject to availability. Session changes are intended to accommodate scheduling needs and may not be used to extend cancellation eligibility. If a registration is transferred to another session and later canceled, refund eligibility will be determined based on the original registered session date, not the rescheduled session.
Please notify our office as soon as possible if you need to cancel your camper's enrollment. Contact our Office Manager at 269.731.3030 or logistics@ymcasl.org.
Questions? Click here to complete our Information Request form.
One of our Camp Directors will contact you.