YMCA Camp Bernie understands that families in our community need new childcare solutions this fall, in response to complicated new school schedules. We are here to help!
The Advantage Care Program will be offered at our camp facility and will ensure your child is safe and supported academically. We will be offering Before Care (7-9am), After Care (1-6pm), and Remote Learning Support (8am-1pm) each weekday to help supplement your student's in-person school schedule. We operate in a way that considers the care, welfare, academic enhancement, social-emotional development, health and safety of all the children in our program. Our staff is here to assist with remote learning support as well as engaging activities every day.
Camp Bernie will provide a safe and conducive environment for remote learning, with reliable WiFi and staff on-hand to assist with connection issues and assignments. We recognize that each teacher will set their own meeting schedules and expectations for their students, and we will work to help each student meet those expectations.
Children participate in structured games & activities to encourage physical activity & the development of fine motor skills during their day. Games include basketball, soccer, scatter, freeze tag, sharks & minnows and more!
During breaks in your child's learning schedule, our staff will engage students in hands-on experiential learning with camp activities based on local nature and ecology, recreational activities to burn off that extra energy, and enrichment activities that help children understand the world around them and develop strong social-emotional skills.
No, to ensure the safety of participants and staff the program only operates on scheduled early dismissals.
The ratio for our childcare program is one staff member for every 15 students. YMCA Camp Bernie does not provide one-on-one services. The director and all staff are thoroughly screened and background checked. Staff at each site receive CPR/First Aid/AED and Epi Pen training.
In a typical year, YMCA Camp Bernie operates before and after school programs under child care center licenses for the Lebanon Township School District. For fall of 2020, in response to new school schedule structures (due to COVID-19), we are operating childcare programs at YMCA Camp Bernie for any families that need assistance. Enrollment can be on a drop-in basis, or from one to five days per week. Options include Before Care 7am-9am, Remote Learning Support 9am-1pm, and After Care 1pm-6pm
In the fall of 2020, childcare programs will be held at YMCA Camp Bernie, 327 Turkey Top Road, Port Murray, NJ.
It may take up to five business days from the date we receive the enrollment packet for the child to be able to attend the program.
YMCA Camp Bernie offers a Vacation Camp program during holiday breaks/professional development. Any child from the area, grades K-8, are welcome to attend! Children participating in the Advantage Care Program five days a week can attend 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for free! Children who attend one to four- days a week can attend at a discounted rate! There must be a minimum of five children attending for the program to run. Click on Vacation Camp to learn more!
Before Care operates 7am-9am (or the start of the school day). Remote Learning Support runs 8am -1pm. After Care begins at the end of the school day or 1pm-6pm
Siblings of a child enrolled in the program will receive 10% rate reduction. Camp Bernie offering scholarships for 2020 fall childcare. Download the application below. Confidential financial assistance is also available for the Advantage Child Care program. Please contact NORWESCAP of Hunterdon/Warren County at (908) 782-8183 or Child & Family Resources of Morris County at 973-398-1730 for more information.
Camp Bernie is developing on-site childcare and remote learning support for local families in response to the new school schedules. Check out our School Programs page for details!
We have implemented COVID-19 procedures into our day camp program in accordance with State, CDC, and YMCA/ACA guidelines. These are available on our Day Camp web page.
Please see our Events page for info on special programs only available this summer: Family Archery, Family Horseback Riding, Weekend Cabin Rentals, and Labor Day Family Camp!
