Is your kid not the traditional "camp" type? Are they more comfortable, say, creating something on their computer, or singing and dancing?
The YMCA's summer camps range from the traditional to the wacky . . . and we mean WACKY. Are you interested in learning more about a camp where you create a robot? Or maybe one where you learn how to make a film? If so, read on to discover the Y's top 10 unique summer day camps!
1. Science: Oopy Goopy – Ages 6-8 (Jr.) – 1 week program
Campers will play with different ingredients to see how they change when mixed with water, oil and glue. Each day campers will try to answer the question: “What happens when we…?” Through experimentation and exploration, campers will discover the answers!
2. Music Sampler – Age 6-8 (Jr.) & 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
This program includes three hours of daily instruction led by a certified and experienced music teacher. Campers will play various instruments and explore their music creativity and their own vocal capabilities. Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities, arts and crafts and swimming three times a week. Parents will be invited to join us at camp on Friday for a showcase!
3. Outdoor Adventure – Ages 6-8 (Jr.) & 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Campers will enjoy outdoor activities and gain an appreciation for the natural world during this one-week program. Outdoor
activities vary from camp to camp, but may include nature hikes, exploring streams, fire building, canoeing or
paddle boating, archery and mountain biking.
4. Claymation: With The Director’s Cut© – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Script-write, sculpt and shoot! We have partnered with The Director’s Cut© to offer a Claymation specialty camp. Join other filmmakers in the director’s chair this summer for a blockbuster of epic proportions. Filmmaking crews will work together with REAL filmmakers to create a stop-motion animation film, at 24 frames per second, that is sure to rival the likes of Tim Burton and Wallace and Gromit. The filmmakers will create their own original characters out of clay, write a script, design a set, and then bring their story to life through the use of the latest stop-motion animation software. Once complete, crews will edit their movie on Final Cut Pro X and create an authentic movie trailer to advertise their film. Of course, the experience would not be complete without our Hollywood A-list activities, including our infamous pie fights, water balloon battles and other cutting edge activities that will help to unleash your inner Spielberg!
5. Float Your Boat – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Explore the science of buoyancy and how propellers and sails work by testing designs and building different boats. Team work, problem solving, and know-how are required to keep their boats afloat while carrying cargo. Campers will round out the week by taking a field trip to Humber’s Sailing Centre to test their knowledge during a real sailing expedition on Lake Ontario with certified instructors!
6. Girls In Action – Ages 11-13 (Spec.) – 2 week program
Make new friends, learn new skills, build self-esteem and give back to the community. Girls In Action campers participate in the Babysitter Training Course, Basic First Aid and CPR C and a Service Learning Project throughout the session. Other activities are programmed based on the interest of the group and may include group fitness classes and health and wellness workshops.
7. Farm Camp – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Campers will experience organic farming first hand as they work to plant, water, weed, and harvest produce from YMCA Cedar Glen’s organic farm. Campers will explore the importance of agriculture and farming to everyday life, and have the opportunity to prepare food using produce they harvested. Campers will spend half of their day experiencing the farm and the second half of their day enjoying a recreational swim and other traditional camp activities. Parents are welcome to visit on Thursday afternoon to see what their campers have been up to and purchase organic produce from YMCA Cedar Glen’s farm stand. The organic farm at YMCA Cedar Glen is operated in partnership with Everdale Organic Farm.
8. Robotics Intro – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) - 1 week program
Using LEGO® Mindstorm NXT Base Set and software, campers explore the exciting world of robotics. Combining the versatility of the LEGO® building system, an intelligent microcomputer brick, and intuitive drag-and-drop programming software, this adventure will have campers creating cool robots on their first day.
9. Website Design A – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Have fun designing and publishing your own website, with the powerful yet user-friendly web editor Adobe Dreamweaver.
Enhance your creation using Flash and Photoshop.® Students learn how to hand-code HTML and design creative text effects with customized graphics. Students also explore the basics of colour theory and make their websites pop with dynamic animations. Create anything from a basic webpage to an innovative, artistic site with interactive functions, and publish your vision online for the world to see.
10. Youth Aquatic Leadership Programs – Ages 13-15 (Y) – 2 week programs+ overnight included
Youth work toward their Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross certifications in a camp setting during this
two-week program. Youth spend four to five hours daily on lifesaving certification skills and the remainder of the day
participating in camp activities. During an overnight retreat to YMCA Cedar Glen, they can put their trust and communication
skills to the test on both high and low rope challenge courses and the rock climbing wall. Upon successful completion of the
program, youth may apply for a volunteer placement at a YMCA Day Camp to earn community service hours for school.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid: Weeks 3-4 (18-20 hrs.): Teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles
embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows
and carries, and defense methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious
and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500-metre timed swim.
Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid: Weeks 7-8 (18-20 hrs.): Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more
advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all
advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification. Includes a timed 600-metre swim.
(Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion)
Learn more about all of our summer day camps here, and register your child for camp before March 31 to receive a 10 per cent discount!
The YMCA's summer camps range from the traditional to the wacky . . . and we mean WACKY. Are you interested in learning more about a camp where you create a robot? Or maybe one where you learn how to make a film? If so, read on to discover the Y's top 10 unique summer day camps!
1. Science: Oopy Goopy – Ages 6-8 (Jr.) – 1 week program
Campers will play with different ingredients to see how they change when mixed with water, oil and glue. Each day campers will try to answer the question: “What happens when we…?” Through experimentation and exploration, campers will discover the answers!
2. Music Sampler – Age 6-8 (Jr.) & 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
This program includes three hours of daily instruction led by a certified and experienced music teacher. Campers will play various instruments and explore their music creativity and their own vocal capabilities. Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities, arts and crafts and swimming three times a week. Parents will be invited to join us at camp on Friday for a showcase!
3. Outdoor Adventure – Ages 6-8 (Jr.) & 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Campers will enjoy outdoor activities and gain an appreciation for the natural world during this one-week program. Outdoor
activities vary from camp to camp, but may include nature hikes, exploring streams, fire building, canoeing or
paddle boating, archery and mountain biking.
4. Claymation: With The Director’s Cut© – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Script-write, sculpt and shoot! We have partnered with The Director’s Cut© to offer a Claymation specialty camp. Join other filmmakers in the director’s chair this summer for a blockbuster of epic proportions. Filmmaking crews will work together with REAL filmmakers to create a stop-motion animation film, at 24 frames per second, that is sure to rival the likes of Tim Burton and Wallace and Gromit. The filmmakers will create their own original characters out of clay, write a script, design a set, and then bring their story to life through the use of the latest stop-motion animation software. Once complete, crews will edit their movie on Final Cut Pro X and create an authentic movie trailer to advertise their film. Of course, the experience would not be complete without our Hollywood A-list activities, including our infamous pie fights, water balloon battles and other cutting edge activities that will help to unleash your inner Spielberg!
5. Float Your Boat – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Explore the science of buoyancy and how propellers and sails work by testing designs and building different boats. Team work, problem solving, and know-how are required to keep their boats afloat while carrying cargo. Campers will round out the week by taking a field trip to Humber’s Sailing Centre to test their knowledge during a real sailing expedition on Lake Ontario with certified instructors!
6. Girls In Action – Ages 11-13 (Spec.) – 2 week program
Make new friends, learn new skills, build self-esteem and give back to the community. Girls In Action campers participate in the Babysitter Training Course, Basic First Aid and CPR C and a Service Learning Project throughout the session. Other activities are programmed based on the interest of the group and may include group fitness classes and health and wellness workshops.
7. Farm Camp – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Campers will experience organic farming first hand as they work to plant, water, weed, and harvest produce from YMCA Cedar Glen’s organic farm. Campers will explore the importance of agriculture and farming to everyday life, and have the opportunity to prepare food using produce they harvested. Campers will spend half of their day experiencing the farm and the second half of their day enjoying a recreational swim and other traditional camp activities. Parents are welcome to visit on Thursday afternoon to see what their campers have been up to and purchase organic produce from YMCA Cedar Glen’s farm stand. The organic farm at YMCA Cedar Glen is operated in partnership with Everdale Organic Farm.
8. Robotics Intro – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) - 1 week program
Using LEGO® Mindstorm NXT Base Set and software, campers explore the exciting world of robotics. Combining the versatility of the LEGO® building system, an intelligent microcomputer brick, and intuitive drag-and-drop programming software, this adventure will have campers creating cool robots on their first day.
9. Website Design A – Ages 9-12 (Sr.) – 1 week program
Have fun designing and publishing your own website, with the powerful yet user-friendly web editor Adobe Dreamweaver.
Enhance your creation using Flash and Photoshop.® Students learn how to hand-code HTML and design creative text effects with customized graphics. Students also explore the basics of colour theory and make their websites pop with dynamic animations. Create anything from a basic webpage to an innovative, artistic site with interactive functions, and publish your vision online for the world to see.
10. Youth Aquatic Leadership Programs – Ages 13-15 (Y) – 2 week programs+ overnight included
Youth work toward their Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross certifications in a camp setting during this
two-week program. Youth spend four to five hours daily on lifesaving certification skills and the remainder of the day
participating in camp activities. During an overnight retreat to YMCA Cedar Glen, they can put their trust and communication
skills to the test on both high and low rope challenge courses and the rock climbing wall. Upon successful completion of the
program, youth may apply for a volunteer placement at a YMCA Day Camp to earn community service hours for school.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid: Weeks 3-4 (18-20 hrs.): Teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles
embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows
and carries, and defense methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues of increased risk involving conscious
and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500-metre timed swim.
Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid: Weeks 7-8 (18-20 hrs.): Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more
advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all
advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification. Includes a timed 600-metre swim.
(Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion)
Learn more about all of our summer day camps here, and register your child for camp before March 31 to receive a 10 per cent discount!
