Enrolling Your Child
YMCA Licensed Summer Camp is licensed through the state of Montana and accepts the Best Beginnings scholarship. Camps focus on learning-loss prevention through activities designed to strengthen math and reading skills while keeping summer fun. Please note that application does not guarantee acceptance.
Complete the Application
Download and complete the fillable PDF application found on this page. Applications for the upcoming camp season are available starting in February.
Submit Your Application
Completed applications can be dropped off at the Missoula YMCA or emailed to schoolage@ymcamissoula.org. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Get Ready for Summer!
Our staff will review applications and contact camper families within seven business days.
Details & Pricing
YMCA Summer Learning-Loss Prevention Camps are where school meets camp! Activities include STEM challenges, reading time, field trips to both urban and wildlife areas, and more. Camps are offered in month-long sessions at two locations: YMCA Camp Horizon at Hellgate Elementary School and YMCA Camp Imagination at Russell Elementary School.
YMCA Summer Learning Loss Prevention Camps are licensed through the State of Montana and accept the Best Beginnings Scholarship. Families using the scholarship are responsible for a co-payment and any fees not covered by their authorization plan.
Camp Horizon
Entering Grades 1–5
Camp Horizon offers care Monday–Friday in month-long sessions. This camp is licensed by the state of Montana and accepts the state's Best Beginnings scholarship.
Location:
YMCA Camp Horizon is base out of Hellgate Elementary School. Campers will be dropped off and picked up at this location. During the day, activities will take place both on and offsite.
Days & Times:
- Care is provided Monday–Friday
- Check-in is from 7:30–9:00 a.m.
- Programming is offered from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Check-out is from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Upcoming Sessions & Costs:
Costs include a daily breakfast, lunch, and snack. Camp Horizon accepts the Best Beginnings scholarship.
- June 15–30: $684/child
- July 1–31: $1,311/child
- August 1–14: $570/child
- One-time supply fee: $55 ($75 for families enrolling 2+ children)
Camp Imagination
Entering Grades 1–5
Camp Imagination offers care Monday–Friday in month-long sessions. This camp is licensed by the state of Montana and accepts the state's Best Beginnings scholarship.
Location:
YMCA Camp Imagination is base out of Russell Elementary School. Campers will be dropped off and picked up at this location. During the day, activities will take place both on and offsite.
Days & Times:
- Care is provided Monday–Friday
- Check-in is from 7:30–9:00 a.m.
- Programming is offered from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Check-out is from 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Upcoming Sessions & Costs:
Costs include a daily breakfast, lunch, and snack. Camp Imagination accepts the Best Beginnings scholarship.
- June 15–30: $684/child
- July 1–31: $1,311/child
- August 1–14: $570/child
- One-time supply fee: $55 ($75 for families enrolling 2+ children)
Month-Long Camp FAQs
No. YMCA Licensed Summer Camp is open to members and non-members.
YMCA Summer Camp offers the longest hours of camp care in Missoula. Hours depend on your child's camp location.
- Camp Horizon at Hellgate Elementary School: Supervised full-day care runs from 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. five days a week with intentional camp programming running from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Camp Imagination at Russell Elementary School: Supervised full-day care runs from 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. five days a week with intentional camp programming running from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Applications are available online and at the YMCA starting March 1.
We do not offer online registration for our licensed, month-long Camp Imagination and Camp Horizon programs. Download the PDF application found on this page or stop by the YMCA Welcome Center for a paper application. Applications for the upcoming camp season are available annually on March 1.
No. Due to Montana's state licensing requirements, we do not offer licensed camps in one-week blocks. You may choose to register your camp for one, two, or all three months (June, July, or August) of care.
For families needing a single week of care, we offer week-long summer day camps. Please note that our week-long camps do not accept Best Beginnings, although YMCA financial resistance is available for qualifying families.
Yes. A one-time $55 supply fee ($75 if enrolling 2+ children) is required for each summer. A $25 deposit per camp is due at time of registration. This deposit guarantees your child’s place and is applied to the total balance due. The registration fee and deposits are non-refundable.
Both Camp Imagination and Camp Horizon are licensed through the state of Montana and accept the Best Beginnings scholarship.
Yes. If you have applied and not qualified for Best Beginnings, you may qualify for YMCA financial assistance. Please submit your application at least seven business days prior to registering for camp.
The Missoula Family YMCA is committed to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards in all of its child care programs. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided through our participation with the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). To view CACFP's nondiscrimination statement or file a program complaint of discrimination, visit the USDA Program Discrimination webpage.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Our Sponsors & Partners
A special thank you to our camp sponsors and partners:
Camp Sponsors
Camp Partners