Kinder Campers do not go swimming. They will participate in a variety of water games 2 times a week.

Junior Campers will swim 2 times a week in either the YMCA owned and operated pool or at Wards Beach.

Senior Campers will swim 2 times a week at Centre Island Beach.

All beach swims are dependent on safe water conditions deemed by City of Toronto lifeguards. If the water is not safe to swim in, campers will participate in water games and activities.

Please note, your camper may be required to wear a lifejacket regardless of swimming ability. Y Day Camps abides by Lifesaving Society pool standards and ratios.

Drop off and pick up for kinder campers will be at the grassy patch to the east of the ferry terminal entrance. You will see staff in blue shirts ready to greet you.

Drop off and pick up for junior, senior and leadership campers will be on the grassy knolls to the west of the ferry terminal. You will see staff in blue shirts ready to greet you.

There is paid parking available walking distance away from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

Parking Map

In order to be placed in the same group as a friend, campers must be in the same age group and registered in the same program. For us to efficiently track the requests, you will need to complete this form for each individual week you are making a request for.

Please ensure your request is sent at least 2 weeks before the start of the program. We do our best to accommodate all requests, however we can not guarantee. If requests are submitted with less than 2 weeks before the start of the program we can not accommodate the request. Please note, one family will submit the request for both campers. Please only submit the request for your camper and one friend.

Thank you!

Camper safety is important to the YMCA of Greater Toronto. Campers under age 10 must be signed out at the Y Day Camp location or bus stop, by an individual 16 years of age or older and listed as a main contact or authorized pick up during the registration process. This person will be required to show government issued ID. Campers age 10 + will be permitted to sign out of the Y Day Camp location or bus stop if indicated at time of registration. Campers age 10 + will not be permitted to sign out younger campers.

Although we try to keep campers' items in their backpacks, occasionally things are forgotten. Any items lost at camp are collected daily and kept in the camp office. If your camper loses an item, contact the Camp Director immediately and they will try to find it. All lost items will only be stored on-site for one week, after which they will be donated to a local charity. Unfortunately, the Y cannot take responsibility for lost items. Please check your camper's possessions daily to ensure they arrive home with them.

Camp programs continue to run, rain or shine!

Please note, our Junior Camp and our Senior and Leadership Camp locations are fully outdoors with no access to indoor spaces. We have a number of tents set up throughout camp to provide shade and shelter.

Please take the time to review the daily weather forecast each morning and prepare your camper for the day (e.g., rain boots, rain jacket, warm sweater, etc.).

In the event of a thunderstorm, we will adapt programs to ensure campers are safe. Please note that water-based activities, including but not limited to boating, swimming and water play, will not occur during or immediately after a thunderstorm.

In the event of an extreme heat alert, alterations to programs will be made to ensure campers are safe. Activities will be moved into shaded areas, and more water-based activities will be played. As always, campers will be reminded to reapply sunscreen and drink water frequently throughout the day.

Toronto Island Y Day Camp offers bussing from all across Toronto for an additional $75/week round trip. Please ensure you check the bus schedule the weekend before the start of camp as bus departure and arrival times can change up until the Friday before your registered camp week.

For a detailed schedule including times and pick-up and drop-off locations, check out our Bus Schedule.

Bus Schedule

Campers will take a chartered bus from the ferry terminal at 9:00am to YMCA Cedar Glen on Thursday morning. While at Cedar Glen campers will participate in leadership activities such as rock climbing, high and low ropes, swimming and a camp fire. Upon arrival campers will be provided with lunch, dinner in the dining hall and an evening snack. Campers will spend the night in the Grove Cabins. On Friday, campers will be provided with a hot breakfast and lunch before departure. Campers will return to the ferry terminal for pick-up or bus departure at 4:00pm.

For more information on the packing list, overnight accommodation and our dietary request form, please check out the links below.

Packing List | Cedar Glen Accommodations | Dietary Requests

Counsellor in Training is a 3 week youth leadership program that focuses on developing the skills required to become a day camp counsellor. Youth complete the High Five Healthy Child Development and Standard First Aid & CPR C certifications, as well as learn the skill of resume writing and interview techniques in our employment readiness workshop by the end of the program. During the first week, youth will spend time enjoying camp activities, getting to know their group members, their trainer and learning about the expectations of the program. Week 2 includes a week long overnight at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre. Youth will take a chartered bus from the ferry terminal at 9:00am on Monday morning and depart Cedar Glen on Friday to return to the ferry terminal for pick-up or bus departure at 4:00pm. During the week, participants will have the opportunity to try rock climbing, high rope and low rope courses as well as swim in Cedar Glen’s outdoor pool. Youth will spend this week focusing on how to deliver programs to camp age groups as well as how to create a program plan. Lodge accommodations sleep 4 and have ensuite bathrooms and all meals are provided in the Cedar Glen dining hall. Week 3, youth will be paired with a day camp counsellor to demonstrate what they have learned and assist with delivering camp programs to younger campers. At the end of this week, youth will be given a performance appraisal by their trainer and receive 25 volunteer hours. Please note bussing is available from bus stops throughout the city for $75 round trip per week upon request.

For more information on the packing list, overnight accommodation and our dietary request form, please check out the links below.

Packing List | Cedar Glen Accommodations | Dietary Requests

Day Camp staff work between the hours of 8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday. Following Ontario Bill 27 and in keeping with our values, the YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of employees. A Right to Disconnect policy has been initiated effective of June 2, 2022. The policy is intended to support work/life balance and staff wellbeing by ensuring that employees have the right to disconnect from their work outside of their scheduled hours regardless of whether they are in a centre/office or working remotely.

If you have urgent concerns after hours, you can reach out to our Contact Centre until 8pm by phone, 1-877-303-2267 or email, register@ymcagta.org.