youth meeting in the woods at Camp Chickami youth meeting in the woods at Camp Chickami

Welcome to Camp Chickami!

About Camp Chickami

Founded in 1955, Camp Chickami is a traditional day camp located on a beautiful, wooded property bordering conservation land. Campers are inspired with countless opportunities to laugh, lead, and make lasting friendships. Our programs and counselors deliver meaningful and memorable camp experiences that keep families coming back year after year after year. Camp Chickami has been ranked one of America's top 55 summer camps in 2024!

Returning Registration 12.3 & Open Registration 12.10

At-A-Glance

Summer day camp in Wayland, MA off Route 20

For children in grades 1-10

1-week sessions Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bus pick-up/drop-off from spots in Newton.

Register for Camp Chickami

Let your kids have the best summer ever. 
Returning registration (limited spots): 12.3
Open registration: 12.10

2025 Camp Guide

Read about our 4 summer camps. Adventure Awaits!

Camp FAQs

We compiled frequently asked questions for Camp Chickami.

Chickami campers are youth entering grades 1-9 (ages 6-14). Chickami LITs are youth entering grade 10. Camp sessions are one weeklong and camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended care is available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and after camp from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an additional cost per session. Please see our Session Rates section. 

Groups & Units

Campers are split into 18 groups at Camp Chickami, subdivided by unit. There are four units, each with a dedicated leadership staff to oversee their camp experience: Pines, Younger Kids, Older Girls, and Older Boys. Camp Administration do our best to keep campers in appropriate age/grade cohorts, and we are happy to work with campers and their families to make sure that everyone is placed in the group where they feel most comfortable. Please note, ages and grades of groups are approximate and may fluctuate slightly during the summer.

Pines Unit

Ages 5-7 | Entering Grades 1-2

Mainly 1st and 2nd Graders, the Pines spend their days in mixed gender groups. To form strong bonds with their groupmates and get to know the Chickami culture and traditions, Pines stay with their group all day, every day. This ensures that they have a strong foundation of Chickami knowledge and friendships to set them up for years of summer fun to come!

Younger Kids Unit

Ages 8-10 | Entering Grades 3-5

This unit has mixed groups of children for grades 3-5. The Younger Kids Unit will gain independence picking their afternoon activities for the first time. 

Older Girls Unit

Ages 11-14 | Entering Grades 6-9  

Feeling the freedom of a Chickami Summer, the Older Girls Unit enjoys the different activities offered each day. From art, to nature, and new sports and beyond!

Older Boys Unit

Ages 11-14 | Entering Grades 6-9  

The sky’s the limit for Older Boys groups at Camp Chickami, and expectations are sky-high, too. With campers ranging from 6th to 9th grade, the Older Boys Unit offers an opportunity to begin to take ownership over the camp experience, while still enjoying everything camp has to offer.

Pre CampJune 23 - 27
Session 1

June 30 - 3

*July 4 is closed

LIT Session 1

June 30 - 11

*July 4 is closed

Session 2July 7 - 11
Session 3July 14 - 18
LIT Session 2July 14 - 25
Session 4July 21 - 25
Session 5July 28 - August 8
LIT Session 3July 28 - August 8
Session 6August 4 - 8
Session 7August 11 - 15
LIT Session 4August 11 - 22
Session 8August 18 - 22
Closing Week*August 25 - 29

*Closing Week 

Only available to campers attending one or more 2025 camp sessions.

Camper Rates (Per Session)

West Suburban YMCA Household Member: $440
West Suburban YMCA Youth Member: $480
Non-Member: $499
Bus Fee Per Session: $90

Extended Camper Care (Per Session)

AM Care at Chickami (8 a.m. - 9 a.m.): $50
PM Care at the Y* (5 p.m. - 6 p.m.): $50*
PM Care at Chickami (4 p.m. - 6 p.m.): $80
*Signing up for extended PM Care at the Y requires also registering for bus transportation

LIT Rates (Per Session)

West Suburban YMCA Household Member: $620
West Suburban YMCA Youth Member: $675
Non-Member: $720
LIT Bus Fee (2 weeks): $110

Leader-In-Training sessions provide our oldest campers (youth entering grade 10) a way to transition from camper to counselor. LITs gain valuable leadership skills and take on more responsibility at camp. LIT sessions are for 2 weeks, and camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on our Leader-In-Training opportunities, please visit our LIT page.

Leader-In-Training

Activities

Chickami provides many options each day to find activities that speak to each camper. We offer traditional camp activities for campers to choose from! Our youngest campers stay with their group all day rotating through everything Chickami has to offer, while older campers can pick their afternoon activities each day. There's something for everyone. 

Archery

Led by a USA Archery certified instructor, our Archery activities focus on safety, proper handling of equipment, and respect for both people and tools. All participants learn about parts of the bow, archery range commands, and proper form before taking turns at hitting one of our 4’ targets. 

Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts is the ultimate camp classic. Lanyards, friendship bracelets, dreamcatchers, tie-dye, and stick-boats—Camp Chickami does it all; but what’s truly unique about Chickami crafts is how simple ideas are elevated by imagination.

Challenge Course*

The Challenge Course at Camp Chickami is comprised of 13 different elements (8 high, 5 low) built at ground level and high in the trees. The course is designed to be a progressive experience, so that as our campers grow, the course grows with them. Our goal is to build camper confidence and self-assuredness through personal challenge and skills mastery; and to encourage teamwork and communication along the way. Our certified staff ensure the utmost fun, growth, and safety for all. *Activity offering dependent on staff hired

Leagues

Few other camps do Leagues like Camp Chickami. Flexible, inclusive, and wild, campers from every unit and group are invited to sign up. Leagues run for two weeks at a time (Session 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, & 7-8) and alternate between a variety of classic challenges: World Cup, Wiffle Ball, Basketball, Flag Football, Olympics, and more!

Nature

With our Nature Specialist, campers learn the tenets of “leave no trace,” explore the delicate balance of freshwater and forest biomes and grow a healthy respect and appreciation for nature. At Chickami, we believe the best way to get to know nature is to get a little muddy!

Swimming

As part of the YMCA’s summer camp movement, we are dedicated to teaching our campers valuable life skills. Swim lessons have been part of the Y’s mission for more than a hundred years; and at Camp Chickami, we continue to work toward a safe water experience for all. Our campers, through their Oak and Cedar summers, receive swim lessons during the week at camp. And with open swim during afternoon electives, there’s plenty of time to cool off in the water.

Special Events

If there’s one thing Chickamites love, it’s special events! Each summer we invite campers to participate in Age-Group “Sleep Unders" and "Sleep Overs”, families and community members to participate in Family Nights, and session attendees to participate in our Friday Events! From Color War to Carnival to Pines Day, Chickami campers and staff always have a reason to get creative, get energized, and celebrate.

8:45 AM Campers Arrive
9:00 AM Morning Assembly
9:30 AM Morning Period 1 - Nature
10:15 AM Morning Period 2 - Swim
11:00 AM Morning Period 3 - Speedball
11:45 AM  Morning Period 4 - Team building at the low ropes course
12:30 PM Lunch - Free milk provided!
1:00 PM Choice Period 1 - Archery
1:50 PM Choice Period 2 - Live action role playing
2:40 PM Choice Period 3 - Four square
3:30 PM Afternoon Assembly
3:45 PM Campers Depart

 

Wait Lists

Due to high demand many of our camp sessions have wait lists. We recommend you register early! 

Registration

  • A 25% registration fee is required for each day camp session you wish to reserve at the time of registration.  
  • The registration fee is applied to the total balance due for each session.
  • All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Registration is available online, by phone or in person:

Billing, Payment Plans and Financial Aid for Day Camps (Camp Pikati, Camp Chickami, and Camp Wells): 

  • Remaining balance payment is due 60 days prior to the session start date. 
  • Payments will be auto drafted accordingly with the card on file. 
  • If a camper has a prior outstanding balance with the West Suburban YMCA, it must be paid in full prior to registration. Financial assistance is available and can be applied for on a confidential basis. Please download the Financial Assistance Application and return it to financialaid@wsymca.org for review. For more information, contact Marie Minardi
  • If you would like to set up a payment plan, please contact our Camp Registrar, Marie Minardi, at 617-244-6050 x3008. 

Refund and Cancellations Day Camps (Camp Pikati, Camp Wells and Camp Chickami): 

  • Cancellations must be submitted two months prior to the session start date to receive a refund minus the 25% registration fee. 
  • The tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable unless due to a serious medical issue. In this case a physician’s note is required. 
  • Campers, who arrive late, depart early, or miss days are not granted pro-rated fees or refunds. 
  • The Y reserves the right to retain camp fees for campers who decide they do not like camp, have minor illnesses, are homesick, are removed from camp for disciplinary reasons, and/or change of family plans.

Sibling Discounts

Receive 5% discount off total fees. All campers must reside in the same physical address to receive the discount. Contact campings@wsymca.org to receive discount.

Referral Discounts

Friends make everything more fun! For every first-time overnight camper you refer, you each receive $100 off your Camp Frank A. Day fees. For every first-time day camper you refer, you each receive $50 off your Camp Chickami, Camp Wells, and/or Camp Pikati fees!!

Chickami 2024 Summer Events

Camp Family Nights

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22 (Carnival)

Camp Under and Overnights

July 2- Older Boys

July 9- Pines

July 18- Older Girls

July 23- Younger Kids

August 1- Older Boys

August 6- Pines

August 15- Older Girls

August 20- Younger Kids

Help Others Experience Camp Chickami

Chickami Alumni

Share your contact information and we'll keep you informed about upcoming events and news at Camp.

Parent Testimonies from Camp Chickami 2023

Chickami is an amazing place. My camper adores going every week and is keen to be an LIT and counselor at some point. The camp fosters a culture of belonging, fun, and acceptance that's nothing short of amazing. My hat's off to you all for this. Thank you. 

After her first week at camp my daughter asked if she could be a counselor when she groups up. I think this speaks volumes of the environment created and the way she was treated. 

The model works. We need more of this for children today. Kids need to self manage. They need to be able to explore, get dirty and have freedom to lead. They need to practice holding their peer groups accountable. This build trust, an open dialog & lasting friendships. Children have anxiety speaking in classrooms today, yet this could be mitigated with more activities like Chickami where shy kids find themselves standing up during assembly & speaking to audiences of 100+ people. Life changing!! 

Camp Chickami is a wonderful, well run camp. Our children have thrived there and always come back home happy, tired and dirty -- all signs of a great day!

member photo

Natalia Martinez

Director of Camp Chickami
member photo

Marie Minardi

Camp/Childcare Registrar

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