The YMCA of Greenwich will expand its summer camp programming in 2026 through a new collaboration with Scouting America Greenwich, allowing YMCA programs to operate at Camp Seton beginning this summer, the organization announced Tuesday.
The expansion is designed to address growing demand for affordable, full-day summer childcare, limited outdoor programming for older youth and teens, and the temporary absence of traditional Scouting America summer camps at Camp Seton this year.
“This collaboration between two great youth-serving organizations, Greenwich Council, Scouting America and the YMCA of Greenwich, reflects a shared commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for local children and families,” said Ray Garrison, Chief Executive Officer of Scouting America, Greenwich Council. “While we are taking this summer off from our traditional program, we will continue to offer year-round experiences at Camp Seton and look forward to welcoming campers back next summer. Together, this collaboration helps ensure that kids in our community continue to have access to high-quality, enriching summer camp experiences.”
Camp Seton, a longstanding local site for outdoor youth programming, will host YMCA summer camp operations while Scouting America Greenwich pauses its traditional summer camp schedule for 2026.
Matthew Skaarup, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greenwich, said the expansion aligns with the organization’s mission to respond to community needs.
“At the YMCA, our mission calls us to continually respond to the evolving needs of our community, especially when it comes to supporting children and families,” Skaarup said. “Expanding our summer camp opportunities allows us to create more spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. We are deeply grateful to the leadership of Scouting America, Greenwich Council, for their partnership.”
YMCA officials said demand for summer childcare has increased annually, outpacing the capacity of the organization’s downtown facility on East Putnam Avenue. By adding Camp Seton, the YMCA expects to serve more families and broaden its outdoor programming without requiring families to seek private or out-of-town alternatives.
The organization also announced an expansion of its financial assistance commitment. Approximately 50 percent of camp capacity will be reserved for families receiving financial assistance, including working families who may not qualify for traditional aid.
In partnership with the Greenwich Department of Human Services, the YMCA participates in the town’s Campership Program, which enables children ages 5 to 14 from lowincome families to attend summer camp. This year, the YMCA increased its campership commitment from 65 weeks to 100 weeks, a 54 percent increase over last summer.
“At the Y, access matters,” Skaarup said. “Increasing our campership commitment in partnership with the Department of Human Services is a reflection of our promise to show up for families and remove barriers so every child can benefit from summer camp, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.”
Water safety will remain central to YMCA programming. Most YMCA summer camps incorporate swim instruction or water-based activities, designed to build foundational water safety skills and comfort in aquatic environments.
Youth development, one of the YMCA’s three pillars, will also shape the expanded offerings. The organization has broadened programming for older youth through its Leader in Training program for students in sixth and seventh grades and its Counselor in Training program for students in eighth through 10th grades.
According to the YMCA, participants in those programs receive structured leadership development that includes instruction in communication skills, conflict resolution, teamwork, camper supervision and workplace expectations. Counselor in Training participants assume increasing responsibility supporting counselors and younger campers under staff mentorship.
The YMCA’s 2026 summer lineup will serve children from 6 months through 10th grade. In addition to traditional day camps, the organization will offer one-week specialty camps for tweens and teens at both Camp Seton and the downtown YMCA campus.
At Camp Seton, specialty programs will emphasize outdoor activities such as archery, climbing, hiking, outdoor survival skills and environmental exploration. At the YMCA’s downtown campus, aquatics-based specialty camps will focus on strengthening swim skills and water confidence.
The YMCA has also expanded project-based specialty camps through partnerships including Code Ninjas, offering programming in entrepreneurship, coding, video and content creation, animation and 3D printing.
Summer camp registration opened in early January and has recorded the highest demand in recent years, according to the YMCA. Families can learn more or apply for financial assistance at greenwichymca.org
The YMCA of Greenwich, founded in 1916, provides programs focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
