Panther Cub & Panther Cub Tots Camps

Quick Glance Schedule (vers. 1-27-2023)

Jump to Camps!

Panther Cub Tots (ages 2-3)
A half day camp experience for children ages 2-3. Half Day Tots sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Summer in Maine is a gorgeous time to be outside! The Tots session includes a lot of outdoor play and playground time and the emphasis is on helping the campers to develop skills in a group and social setting. They will work on simple arts/crafts projects but there is much more emphasis on play and movement, including an outdoor Water Fun Day! Campers do NOT need to be potty trained to attend a Tots session. Please be aware that this camp is not designed as a preschool or Montessori program and the feel and schedule differ from NYA’s school year programs. Different campers attend each week. Although we strive to keep staffing as consistent as possible, there will likely be some rotation of staff for these sessions.

All programs are based in NYA’s Merrill Lower School building and will be led by experienced staff. The daily schedule for each camp remains very similar from week to week, but each week is centered around a different theme designed to help children explore the world around them. A sample schedule might look like:

Panther Cub (ages 3-5)
A full or half day camp experience for children ages 3-5. Full Day sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the option of After Care from 3:00-5:00 p.m. After Care must be signed up for at registration and is a flat rate of $50.00 per session. Half Day Panther Cub sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Panther Cub campers explore the world through a variety of themed activities each week. They may plant flowers, learn how to play a new game, or let their creativity bloom with arts/craft projects. Campers will also spend plenty of time engaged in outdoor play and playground time and even get to have a Water Fun Day! Campers DO need to be potty trained to attend this session. Please be aware that this camp is not designed as a preschool or Montessori program, and the feel and schedule differ from NYA’s school year programs. Different campers attend each week. Although we strive to keep staffing as consistent as possible, there will likely be some rotation of staff for these sessions.

All programs are based in NYA’s Merrill Lower School building and will be led by experienced staff. The daily schedule for each camp remains very similar from week to week, but each week is centered around a different theme designed to help children explore the world around them. A sample schedule might look like:

If you have a 3-year-old and you are not sure if Panther Cub Tots or Panther Cub would be the right session for your camper, please contact Mary Goodrich, 207-847-5458, to discuss so we can put your child in the program that will best meet their needs!

All campers bring a lunch, two snacks, and water bottle from home. (The bag lunch option is not available for Panther Cub and Panther Cub Tot campers.)

Every Friday for all campers is Water Fun Day! Campers bring swimsuits and towels and get to spend the morning running through sprinklers and having all kinds of fun with water. See the Family Handbook for detailed packing list.

After Care is a well-supervised and loosely structured time outside of the normal camp program time. With a camp session registration, this is offered at a flat rate of $50.00 per session. After Care must be signed up for with each session at registration and runs from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Weeks and themes are listed below. Choose one week that appeals to your camper or sign your camper up for more than one week of camp to take advantage of our 10% multi-session discount!

Don’t miss our EARLY BIRD discount! Register by April 15, 2023 to save $25 per registration.

Please note that an $50 non-refundable deposit per camper, per session is due at the time of registration. The deposit is not refunded in the event of cancellation.

Direct questions to Mary Goodrich, Director of Summer Programs, at: mgoodrich@nya.org or (207) 847-5458.

Kassi Michaud, NYA Lower School faculty member and Assistant Camp Director, coordinates the Panther Cub camps. This is Kassi’s fourth year with Summer Programs. She graduated from Husson University with a degree in Health Science and earned her MBA with a concentration in Health Administration. Lead Instructors are often certified teachers or very experienced working with children. Junior Counselors complete our Panther Cub team.

Session 1: Heroes in the Neighborhood

June 12-16, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Campers will have the opportunity to meet a variety of different hometown heroes among us! This week is a great opportunity to recognize those who make our community a better place.

Session 2: Dinosaur Week

June 19-23, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Get ready to ROAR as we travel through the Jurassic world learning about different types of dinosaurs and their environments.

OPTIONAL ADDITION for 3-5 year olds: NYA’s partner, Seacoast United Maine, will be offering a daily 1-hour Mini Soccer Camp from 9:00-10:00 a.m. during this week. Add this to your registration for only $50 more!

Session 3: Rainforest Week

June 26-30, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Come along on an amazing adventure through the rainforest where we will discover and learn about an incredible environment teeming with interesting animals, plants and insects!

Session 4: Holidays in July

July 3-7, 2023 – NO camp on July 4
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $200 Early Bird Price / $220 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $220 Early Bird Price / $240 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $300 Early Bird Price / $320 Regular Price

Come along on an amazing adventure through the rainforest where we will discover and learn about an incredible environment teeming with interesting animals, plants and insects!

Session 5: Everything Eric Carle

July 10-14, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

All of your Eric Carle favorites in one week! Various themed activities will keep your children engaged and exploring every aspect of these wonderful books each day.

Please note that there are NO camp sessions running the week of July 17-21, 2023,  (EXCEPT FOR HOCKEY CAMP) because of the Yarmouth Clam Festival, which takes place on the NYA campus. For more information about the festival: www.clamfestival.com.

Session 6: Down on the Farm

July 24-28, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Campers will learn all about farm animals and their important roles on the farm through books, projects and creative movement.

Session 8: Wet n’ Wild

August 7-11, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Campers will celebrate all things summer. There will be plenty of outside time in the sunshine, playing water games, taking a picnic and enjoying popsicles! What’s not to love about this last session?

Session 7: Let’s Garden

July 31 – August 1, 2023
Panther Cub Tots Ages 2-3: Half Day Cost: $250 Early Bird Price / $275 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Half Day Cost: $275 Early Bird Price / $300 Regular Price
Panther Cub Ages 3-5: Full Day Cost: $375 Early Bird Price / $400 Regular Price

Time to get dirty! Children will learn about different types of plants, photosynthesis and more in this exciting week!

Partner Led Camps for ages 2-5

Partner-led sessions are a fun opportunity for our youngest group of campers! Full Day sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the option of After Care from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for an additional $50 per session Half Day sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Storybook Dance Camp
with Brio Dance Studio
Ages 3-5
Session 4: July 3 – 7, 2023 – This is a half day camp, and there is NO camp on July 4

Half Day Cost: $200 Early Bird Price | $220 Regular Price

Does your child love fairy tales, underwater adventures, and dancing with giraffes? Then we have the camp for you! This camp is centered on new and old classic children’s books. Each day we will tell a story through dance with music, props, and play. Daily activities will include creative movement, stretching, dancing with partners and in a group, craft time, and reading a classic book. Some of our favorites include, Good Night Moon, Rainbow Fish, and Where the Wild Things Are. The performing arts aid in the growth of a child’s self-confidence, coordination, and creative expression. Join us for a week of fun, learning, and storybook adventures! We ask that dancers wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing and be prepared to dance barefoot or in ballet slippers. Campers must be fully potty trained to attend this session. For more information about Brio Dance Studio, visit www.briodancestudio.com or www.facebook.com/BrioDanceStudio.

Instructor: Julie Wilkes, Brio Dance Studio

Mini Soccer Camp (PRESCHOOL)
with Seacoast United – Maine

Ages: 2-6
Session 2: June 19-23, 2023
Cost: $85 Early Bird Price / $110 Regular Price

The mini soccer camp is a unique opportunity for young children to get involved in the game of soccer. The session offers a fun and instructive learning experience for all involved. This daily session is 1 hour in length and parents/guardians are required to remain on campus for the duration of the camp (unless camper is also part of NYA’s Panther Cub camp that week). Two year olds are accepted with parent participation. To learn more about Seacoast United Maine, visit www.seacoastunitedmaine.com or www.facebook.com/SeacoastUnitedMaine.

*No special equipment is required for this camp.

Instructor: Seacoast United Maine coaches

Earth-O-Sphere Camp
with High Touch High Tech
Ages 4-5
Session 7: July 31-August 4
Time 8:30am-11:30 am (This time is different than our other 3-5 camps please plan accordingly)
Cost $325 Early Bird. $350 Regular Price

High Touch High Tech of Maine is engaging kids with hands-on science! Through guided-play kids will journey around the world and discover how planet Earth works. They will learn how everything on Earth is interconnected from the living organisms to the water and minerals in the ground. They will explore extreme habitats, learn about weather, examine the layers of the Earth and so much more! Please send snacks and water. All supplies are included. (Children must be potty trained and have a prior childcare experience. Please note that kids who are not potty trained will not be able to participate in the camp.)