Students will learn about the Deaf Culture and the basics of American Sign Language. Students will practice signs and facial expressions to help communicate. Students will be able to communicate with a deaf person. (Ages 5-8)

Get your little one excited and prepared for their school journey with our Ready for School Camp! Designed specifically for children ages 3-4, this camp offers a fun and nurturing environment where young learners will build the foundational skills they need for a successful school year ahead. Our camp features interactive activities that encourage socialization, basic academic skills, and confidence-building. From learning letters, numbers, and shapes to practicing listening skills and following routines, every day is a new adventure in preparing for the classroom! By the end of the camp, children will feel more confident and excited to start school, having had the opportunity to explore, play, and learn in a supportive and fun environment. Join us and make this back-to-school transition smooth and enjoyable

Join us for The Largest Book Party, a magical morning designed to spark imagination, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading. Hosted in partnership with Books for STL Kids, this one-of-a-kind experience brings together story time, music, snacks, and interactive fun in an atmosphere filled with wonder and delight. Young readers will enjoy captivating read-alouds and receive 3–4 brand-new books to take home and treasure. Plus, each child will be gifted a commemorative event t-shirt to mark the occasion. It’s a celebration of literacy, joy, and community all in one!

Get your little one excited and prepared for their school journey with our Ready for School Camp! Designed specifically for children ages 3-4, this camp offers a fun and nurturing environment where young learners will build the foundational skills they need for a successful school year ahead. Our camp features interactive activities that encourage socialization, basic academic skills, and confidence-building. From learning letters, numbers, and shapes to practicing listening skills and following routines, every day is a new adventure in preparing for the classroom! By the end of the camp, children will feel more confident and excited to start school, having had the opportunity to explore, play, and learn in a supportive and fun environment. Join us and make this back-to-school transition smooth and enjoyable

Students will role-play the key responsibilities of a veterinarian and perform a whiskers-to-tail exam on their newly “adopted” plush cat. These future veterinarians will learn about animal body language, maintaining a healthy environment such as proper litterbox placement, create a cat toy, and design a vet clinic.

Have fun learning the basic anatomy of the skeleton through a variety of activities. Learn the basic bones in your body from an ECC Anatomy and Physiology instructor. (Ages 5-8) *Students must wear closed toed shoes, long pants/skirt to the ankle to be in the lab room.

Have fun learning the basic anatomy of the skeleton through a variety of activities. Learn the basic bones in your body from an ECC Anatomy and Physiology instructor. (Ages 5-8)

Discover the amazing wonders amidst the Garden with your preschooler in Garden Buds! One adult included with each registered child. Register for three or more Summer Garden Buds classes by June 1, 2025, and your child will receive a t-shirt. Do you see what I see? Become a young plant detective as we head out to the garden with our magnifying glasses to discover the many things that are hanging around in the garden including man-made things, natural items like plants, seeds, and tiny living creatures.

Through role-play and activities, students will learn the key responsibilities of a doctor and explore the heart, lungs, and digestion. Students will use real medical instruments (stethoscope, reflex hammer, and blood pressure cuff) and practice scrubbing, suturing, and tying knots like a real surgeon. These future doctors will learn about prescriptions, explore the brain and spine, and learn about vital bodily functions through hands-on activities and role-play. Students will build a first aid kit and create models of the brain and spine. Students will also explore the human optical system and different parts of the ear.

Discover the amazing wonders amidst the Garden with your preschooler in Garden Buds! One adult included with each registered child. Register for three or more Summer Garden Buds classes by June 1, 2025, and your child will receive a t-shirt. Do you see what I see? Become a young plant detective as we head out to the garden with our magnifying glasses to discover the many things that are hanging around in the garden including man-made things, natural items like plants, seeds, and tiny living creatures.

After “adopting” their very own plush puppy, students will role- play the key responsibilities of a veterinarian, including how to properly perform a nose-to-tail exam. These future veterinarians will learn how to sew stitches, remove ticks, make healthy treats, and vaccinate their dog. Students will role-play the key staff functions performed at a veterinary office and how to keep their “adopted” plush puppy healthy. These future veterinarians will explore digestion, the different parts of the canine eye, animal body language and how X-rays are used to diagnose and treat common illnesses.

Students will meet firefighters from the Union Fire Protection District, learn about fire safety and learn about possible careers as a firefighter. Parents can stay with students. (Ages 5 – 8)

Get ready. Get set. It's time for school! Younger students will get familiar with school routines before the first day of school. By using favorite children's books, thematic activities will support school readiness skills such as listening, following directions, and organization, as well as math, reading, and writing.

Roll up your sleeves, put on your makers cap, and get ready to create! This is our most hands-on camp! Who can build the strongest bridge? Can your bridge withstand the shake rattle and roll challenge? Explore the world of birds and beasts. Discover what Hooty the owl had for dinner? Kids will dissect owl pellets and reconstruct Hooty’s dinner. Enter the Mad Science chemistry lab and mix, mash, and brew concoctions! Assemble and control pulleys, levers, catapults, simple machines, and megapinchers! Campers will discover the wonders of light and photography. It’s a week packed with non-stop science fun!

The YMCA & Edwardsville Arts Center have partnered for many summers to offer fine art classes. We focus on creating, but also engage in gallery visits, building habits & art discussions.