Camp starts here
Unplugged - On Torch Lake - Explore - connect
At Sparks Day Camp, kids are invited to experience the magic of a classic summer camp. Nestled along the beautiful shores of Torch Lake, campers dive into nature and adventure through thoughtfully designed weekly themes and a wide variety of exciting activities. From rock climbing and ziplining to arts & crafts, gaga ball, and so much more — every day is filled with fun, friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Curated for ages 5 through 10.
Register Today!
Summer 2026 Dates & rates
     Families can sign up for multiple dates. Sparks runs from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Dates and weekly themes are below.
Week 1
Torch Treasure Island
June 15-19
Week 2
Seeds and Sprouts
June 22-26
Week 3
Melodies at the Meadow
June 29-July 3
Week 4
Sparks Super Heroes
July 6-10
Week 5
Camp World Cup
July 13-17
Week 6
Summer Camp in Space
July 20-24
Week 7
Camp Safari
July 27-31
Week 8
Mystery at the Meadow
August 3-7
Week 9
Wild West
August 10-14
Week 10
Sparks Survivor
August 17-21
Tiered Pricing
Tier A
$325
Represents the full cost of a week of day camp.
Tier B
$285
The cost of camp subsidized by donations
Staffing
Our staff bring the hype! We are both fun and safety focused. We intentionally keep our staff-to-camper ratios at a maximum of six campers to one staff. Our staff love camp! As a result, so do our campers!
PHILOSOPHY
At Sparks we embody our core YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Inclusion, Environmental Stewardship, Teamwork, and Responsibility. It's our mission to get kids engaging with the natural world without the distraction of modern technology. We are fully unplugged!
Make Summer Unforgettable
Register Today!
New for 2026!
Campout Nights
Day campers aged 8 years old and older will have the option of staying a night out in a tent camping on the shores of Torch Lake! This addon includes dinner, breakfast the next morning, and an additional $50 fee. Additional forms are required as well. Contact Day Camp Director Liz Clark with any questions.
Campouts are not offered every week, see available dates:
June 24th
July 8th
July 22nd
August 5th
August 19th
Shuttle from Traverse City and Elk Rapids
Sign up for our Traverse City - Elk Rapids shuttle! Limited Spots. More information and sign-up will be available soon.
Weekly PROGRAM
Sparks Day Camp is located on the beautiful shores of Torch Lake and campers are able to fully immerse themselves in the natural world around them. Each week we have an exciting theme of fun, and everyday there is a highlight!
Mondays and Tuesdays: Best of our on camp activities! Rock climbing, ziplining, sport courts, archery, swimming, arts & crafts, camp games and more!
Wilderness Wednesdays: Frog catching, nature hikes, fort building, outdoor cooking, rock hunting... on Wednesdays we are explorers of the great outdoors!
Theme Thursdays: It’s the party of the week! We celebrate our weekly theme with all-camp games, special crafts, and a big, exciting activity that brings everyone together.
Family Fridays: After another action-packed day at camp, families are invited to join the fun! During the final hour, campers will share skits, sing their favorite camp songs, and enjoy a slideshow of photos from the week’s adventures.
