Summer day camp starts in just a few short weeks and, as we prepare to welcome hundreds of smiling faces to the Village of Shorewood YMCA’s first ever summer day camp season, we are excited to shine a spotlight on Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase. Tracy has been with the Y since 2024 and will help lead summer day camp, summer specialty camp, and summer preschool camp activities at the Y. You can learn more about Tracy in the Q&A below!
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started with the Y team?
I am a married mother of two girls and reside in the Shorewood/Plainfield area. I graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Recreation Management and have more than 10 years of experience in the Parks and Recreation field. I’m so excited to start my third YMCA Summer Camp season!
Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?
I love watching children grow and explore the world around them. I love seeing their excitement when they have mastered a skill or learn something new.
Q: What do you think makes YMCA summer day camp a special experience for kids?
I think a big difference is the amount of hands on activities we offer and all of the learning opportunities campers have throughout the day. Through imaginative play, kids using all of their fine and large motor skills to interact with each other.
Q: With summer camp right around the corner, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned?
We have a variety of cool field trips this year, lots of STEM activities, and will give campers an opportunity to grow vegetables and fruits in our 18 garden beds.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?
I am an avid bowler, I love to be outside with my family, and I am a girl scout leader, which gives me an opportunity to lead overnight camping trips.
Don’t miss your chance to register for summer day camp, summer specialty camp, or summer preschool camp opportunities! Sign up today!
YMCA camp offers many of the same benefits of a traditional camp, such as new experiences, skill building, a sense of community, and lasting friendships. However, the Y’s passionate summer day camp team makes Y camp second to none. Every day, our energetic summer camp crew works hard to give camp participants an unforgettable summer. And, behind every great team, are great leaders.
Each and every summer, hundreds of kids come to the Y for our safe, affordable and fun summer camp. What keeps local families coming back? The fact that the Y provides one-of-a-kind summer camp experience! This includes an amazing set of weekly field trips that help kids make memories t0 last a life time. This year, campers who attend summer day camp at the Morris Hospital YMCA will go on field trips that include:
Each and every summer, hundreds of kids come to the Y for our safe, affordable and fun summer camp. What keeps local families coming back? The fact that the Y provides a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience! This year, the Y’s Valley View Summer Day Camp program will be offered at two convenient camp locations:
Each and every summer, hundreds of kids come to the Y for our safe, affordable and fun summer camp. What keeps local families coming back? The fact that each of our branches provides a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience! This year, the Joliet Community YMCA’s Summer Day Camp program will be offered at two convenient camp locations and each camper will get the chance to make memories that last a life time on special weekly field trips! See below for details.
The C.W. Avery Family YMCA is excited to form its first-ever Garden Club this summer! As part of our Summer Day Camp curriculum, our Y garden serves as a collaborative space for campers to explore agriculture, learn about sustainability, and have fun with their peers.