There is great mission alignment between our two organizations as we each seek to promote positive and reciprocal community engagement. The Y has deep experience in running safe, high-quality, and fun youth and recreational programs and will add tremendous value to Serendipity. The camp will be run by highly qualified and experienced professional staff, with built-in health and safety protocols, and new programs and activities. This partnership also enables us to accommodate a larger group of campers starting at age 4 (previously age 6) and to extend the day from 7 am until 6 pm which we hope will add convenience for working families.
Service and Community Collaboration Navigation
The Marilou Allen Office ofService and Community Collaboration
Serendipity Day Camp
Serendipity Day Camp channels the community-centered spirit of camp founder Marilou Allen, Director of Haverford’s 8th Dimension community service office (now the Marilou Allen Office for Service and Community Collaboration) for over 30 years, and a lifelong resident of Ardmore.
Summer 2023
Serendipity will return to the Haverford College campus for 8 weeks in summer 2023, in a new partnership with the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. In this new relationship, the YMCA will take on the management of Serendipity, while the Marilou Allen Office of Service and Community Collaboration will continue serving as the liaison for the College and the community and promoting employment opportunities to Haverford students.
We are confident that the Y, with its deep experience in running safe, high-quality, and fun youth and recreational programs, will add tremendous value to Serendipity. The camp will be run by highly qualified and experienced professional staff, with built-in health and safety protocols, and new programs and activities.
This partnership also enables us to accommodate a larger group of campers starting at age 4 (previously age 6) and to extend the day from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., which we hope will add convenience for working families.
One of the most important aspects of this new partnership is our shared commitment to access and affordability for families in Ardmore and other nearby communities––a longstanding feature of Serendipity. The Y offers robust financial aid to ensure families can participate regardless of their ability to pay.
Families interested in learning more, or reserving space, can visit https://philaymca.org/camp/haverford. Registration opens January 11, 2023 for those with YMCA family members and January 18, 2023 for all others.
If you have questions, please contact hc-serendipity [at] haverford.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are we partnering with the YMCA?
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How many weeks will the Serendipity Camp run and on which dates?
The camp will run for 8 weeks from June 19th through August 11th, 2023.
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What is the weekly rate for Serendipity?
The standard weekly rate for Summer 2023 is $345 per week for YMCA members and $410 for non-members. There is also a 4% discount for families who enroll before April 1st.
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Is there financial assistance available?
Yes. Haverford College and the YMCA want to be sure that Serendipity is affordable for families regardless of their ability to pay. The YMCA offers a robust financial assistance program. Families seeking additional financial assistance may contact ejohnson3 [at] haverford.edu (Emily Johnson).
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What are the drop-off and pick-up hours?
The typical day for summer day camps is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended hours are available from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (prior to the camp day) and from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (after pick-up). There is no additional charge for these extended hours.
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How many campers will be able to participate?
The partnership with the Y enables us to accommodate a larger group of campers. We are able to host 300 campers per week.
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How does the YMCA manage health and wellness needs?
The YMCA follows all medical standards set forth by the American Camp Association and follows laws and guidelines regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.