YMCA of Niagara. Day Camp. Summer YMCA Day Camps. St. Catharines - Niagara Falls - Niagara West

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1 YMCA of Niagara Day Camp Summer 2015 YMCA Day Camps St. Catharines - Niagara Falls - Niagara West

2 Welcome to YMCA of Niagara Day Camp! We are excited to be offering another summer full of fun, friendship and adventure to your child(ren). We have been working hard to ensure the summer of 2015 is the most memorable summer yet! There are three equal parts to our Day Camp recipe: High quality, outcome based programming 88% of campers made a new friend at camp 91% of campers demonstrated character development 81% of campers tried something new that they enjoyed while at camp 90% of campers felt included at camp Dedicated and inspiring staff My favorite part of camp, of course, was being a part of the camper s day and making sure they had the best summer they possibly could have, even if they were only there for a week. - Summer Camp Staff The experience of being a counsellor is one of the most rewarding jobs you can find. You see the changes and progress your camper improves upon, and the challenges that you help them overcome. - Summer Camp Staff I really enjoyed being a part of summer camp, waking up each day for work was enjoyable. The relationships I made with the campers and staff will be something I cherish. - Summer Camp Staff To ensure high quality leadership at YMCA Camps, all staff and volunteers are carefully selected based on their maturity, experiences and ability to role model YMCA values. All YMCA staff hold current First Aid/CPR-C certification and staff and volunteers over 18 years old hold a Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Search. Our staff are trained in YMCA Healthy Child Development frameworks and Asset Building approaches. They also receive training in program planning and behaviour management techniques. Supportive and engaged parents and guardians My son enjoyed the variety of camps he was able to attend, each of them providing a unique experience and opportunity for physical fitness. - Camp parent My granddaughter just loved it. She came home with a happy face every day and always looked forward to going back. I felt our granddaughter was safe and had excellent supervision, which is very important to us. I would not hesitate to send her back to the YMCA day camp, or recommend it to other families. - Camp grandparent Most importantly, I was confident that a program run through the Y would be safe, well organized and age appropriate. I believed that the Y programs would provide opportunity for my son to be active during the day. - Camp parent Camp provides an outdoor setting, with lots of engaging activities, and the beads! Every day on the drive home I would be told story after story explaining all the things my daughter did to earn her Values Beads. - Camp parent As your family becomes an important part of our Day Camp recipe, please feel free to contact us directly with comments and feedback. Melissa Wilcox Day Camp Director x 282 mwilcox@ymcaofniagara.ca Erin McBride General Manager of Day Camp and Youth Outreach x 329 emcbride@ymcaofniagara.ca * Information taken from the 2014 YMCA of Niagara Day Camp parent survey, staff survey and camper feedback. It s all about the At Day Camp, we strive to provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for all participants. We are a fully integrated Day Camp that values diversity and the differences that form our camp community. We expect all campers to adhere to our behaviour guidelines. Behavior Guidelines All campers: are responsible for their actions will respect each other and their environment should be honest and true to their word will care for themselves and those around them will make healthy and safe choices will value diversity and seek to include others Value Beads... At YMCA Day Camp, value beads play an important role as a sign of character and personal achievement. As a form of recognition, beads at camp promote positive behaviour, and are worn as a constant reminder of what we value as a camp community. Throughout the week, beads are awarded to individuals for demonstrating the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, inclusiveness, health, responsibility, and respect. 2

3 St. Catharines Camps Niagara Falls Camps St. Catharines Camps Age Location Camp Weeks Fee Junior Camps Maun Kiki (Jr. Adventure) 5-6 Burgoyne Woods 1-10 $148/week Jr. Sports 5-6 Applewood Elementary School 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 Grantham Optimist Club 10 $148/week Jr. Soccer 5-6 Applewood Elementary School 2, 5, 8 $153/week Jr. Explorers 5-6 Prince of Wales School 1-9 $153/week Movement and Rhythm 5-6 St. Ann School 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Gracefield School 7, 8, 9 $153/week Jr. Daily Discovery 5-6 Walker Family YMCA 1-10 $31/day School Age Camps Sports 7-10 Applewood Elementary School 1-9 Grantham Optimist Club 10 $148/week Soccer 7-10 Applewood Elementary School 2, 5, 7, 9 $153/week Arts n Crafts 7-10 Prince of Wales School 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 $173/week Adventure 7-12 Burgoyne Woods 1-10 $143/week Mad Science 7-12 Prince of Wales School 3, 4, 6, 7 $198/week Daily Discovery 7-12 Walker Family YMCA 1-10 $31/day Cheerleading 7-13 St. Ann School 2, 4 Gracefield School 6, 8 $178/week Dance 7-13 St. Ann School 3 Gracefield School 7 $173/week Tumbling 7-13 St. Ann School 5 Gracefield School 9 $178/week Aquatics 8-12 Walker Family YMCA 1-10 $158/week Girlz Club 9-13 St. Ann School 2, 5 Gracefield School 8, 9 $153/week Glee 9-13 St. Ann School 2, 5 $163/week Basketball 9-13 Applewood Elementary School 3, 5, 6, 8 $158/week Beach Volleyball 9-13 Gracefield School 7, 9 $163/week You re the Chef 9-13 Prince of Wales School 7, 9 $163/week Out Trip 9-13 Prince of Wales School 5, 6, 9 Grantham Optimist Club 10 $183/week Trail Riding 9-14 Burgoyne Woods 2, 4 $178/week Youth and Teen Camps Sr. Soccer Applewood Elementary School 1, 3, 6, Grantham Optimist Club 10 $153/week Leaders in Training Burgoyne Woods 1 & 2, 7 & 8 $260/2 weeks Counsellors in Training Burgoyne Woods 3 to 5 $306/3 weeks Niagara Falls Camps Ages Location Camp Weeks Fee Junior Camps Jr. Adventure 5-6 Fireman s Park - Lower Site 1-10 $148/week $31/day Jr. Sports 5-6 E.E. Mitchelson Park 2, 4 $148/week Jr. Soccer 5-6 E.E. Mitchelson Park 3, 5 $148/week Movement and Rhythm 5-6 Niagara Falls YMCA 6, 9 $153/week Jr. Gymnastics 5-6 Niagara Falls YMCA 7, 8 $188/week School Age Camps Sports 7-10 E.E. Mitchelson Park 1, 3, 5 $148/week Soccer 7-10 E.E. Mitchelson Park 2, 4 $153/week Arts n Crafts 7-10 Niagara Falls YMCA 2, 6 $178/week Gymnastics 7-10 Niagara Falls YMCA 7 $188/week Adventure 7-12 Fireman s Park - Lower Site 1-10 $143/week $30/day Mad Science 7-12 Niagara Falls YMCA 5, 9 $198/week Cheerleading 7-13 Niagara Falls YMCA 3 $178/week Aquatics 8-12 Niagara Falls YMCA 7, 8 $158/week Sr. Gymnastics 9-13 Niagara Falls YMCA 8 $188/week You re the Chef 9-13 E.E. Mitchelson Park 3 $163/week Out Trip 9-13 Niagara Falls YMCA 5, 6, 9, 10 $183/week Girlz Club 9-13 E.E. Mitchelson Park 1, 4 $153/week Youth and Teen Camps Leaders in Training Fireman s Park - Lower Site 6 & 7 $260/2 weeks Camp Weeks June 29, 30, July 2, 3* July 6-10 July July July August 4-7* August August August August 31 - September 4 Indoor Camp Camp activities are based in an indoor location, but children will be outside for a portion of the day, weather permitting. Outdoor Camp All camp activities take place outdoors, rain or shine. While each site has access to picnic shelters or pavilions, campers need to be dressed accordingly. Swimming Campers over the age of 7 will have access to a YMCA or Municipal Pool up to three times per week (weather permitting). Swim time is recreational in nature. Campers under the age of 7 years old who swim in St. Catharines Municipal pools will participate in organized swim classes twice a week and will participate in water games for the rest of the week. Splash Pad Campers will have access to supervised splash pad play throughout the week. Water Games Campers will experience water games and activities as part of the camp program. *Camp does not run on July 1 or August 3 for national holidays. Camp fees will be prorated for 4-day holiday weeks. 4

4 Niagara West Camps How to choose the right camp Niagara West Camps Ages Location Camp Weeks Fee Junior Camps Jr. Explorers 5-6 Great Lakes Christian High School 1-9 $148/week Niagara West YMCA 10 $31/day Jr. Sports 5-6 Great Lakes Christian High School 1, 4, 7 $148/week Jr. Soccer 5-6 Great Lakes Christian High School 2, 5, 8 $148/week Movement and Rhythm 5-6 Niagara West YMCA 3, 6, 9 $153/week School Age Camps Sports 7-10 Great Lakes Christian High School 1-9 $148/week Niagara West YMCA 10 $31/day Arts n Crafts 7-12 Niagara West YMCA 1, 3, 4, 10 $173/week Mad Science 7-12 Great Lakes Christian High School 2, 6 $198/week Cheerleading 7-13 Great Lakes Christian High School 2, 5 $180/week Dance 7-13 Great Lakes Christian High School 3, 7 $180/week Tumbling 7-13 Great Lakes Christian High School 4, 8 $180/week Aquatics 8-12 Niagara West YMCA 2, 6, 7, 8 $158/week Girlz Club 9-13 Niagara West YMCA 1, 6 $153/week Out Trip 9-13 Great Lakes Christian High School 5, 9 $183/week You re the Chef 9-13 Great Lakes Christian High School 9 $163/week Before you register for YMCA Day Camp, make sure you are selecting the right camp for your child. Here are some helpful hints to guide you to picking the right camps: Take the time to select camps with your child that match their interests and meet your needs Our outdoor camps are the building blocks of our camp summer. Outdoor camps appear on the camp at a glance charts in green and are available all summer. We recommend you also select a few weeks of sports, specialty or leadership camps to give your camper a different experience. Your camper needs to be the correct age for the camps that you have selected prior to the start date. Take note of the YMCA Aquatics Admission Criteria to be sure that your child can participate in all the water activities available in the camp they attend. Take note of where each camp you select is located and whether bus service is available to that location. Information about busing and fees is available on page 18. More information is also available at ymcadaycamp.ca. Will your child require Extended Care? For camp hours, extended care hours and fees, see page 18. Will your child require Helping Hands? For a full description of Helping Hands, see page 17. Will you require financial assistance? Call x 280 for more information. Youth and Teen Camps Leaders in Training Great Lakes Christian High School 7 & 8 $260/2 weeks Counsellors in Training Great Lakes Christian High School 3-5 $306/3 weeks Camp Weeks June 29, 30, July 2, 3* July 6-10 July July July August 4-7* August August August August 31 - September 4 Indoor Camp Camp activities are based in an indoor location, but children will be outside for a portion of the day, weather permitting. Outdoor Camp All camp activities take place outdoors, rain or shine. While each site has access to picnic shelters or pavilions, campers need to be dressed accordingly. Swimming Campers over the age of 7 will have access to a YMCA or Municipal Pool up to three times per week (weather permitting). Swim time is recreational in nature. Splash Pad Campers will have access to supervised splash pad play throughout the week. Water Games Campers will experience water games and activities as part of the camp program. *Camp does not run on July 1 or August 3 for national holidays. Camp fees will be pro-rated for 4-day holiday weeks. New Summer Care! YMCA Licensed Child Care for 3 and 4 year olds. (3 year olds must be born in 2011) For information, go to ymcaofniagara.org 6

5 play outdoors! At YMCA Day Camp kids Our goal is to provide every child with the opportunity to experience adventure in an outdoor setting. Exploration of nature increases children s creativity and imagination, while developing an appreciation for the world around them. Outdoor camps are structured in a unique way to offer campers a residential camp experience without leaving their city. A typical day of outdoor camp 8:30 a.m. Travel to Camp/Station Activities 9 a.m. Opening Circle 9:30 a.m. Camp Group Time 10 a.m. Outdoor Activities - Hiking, Archery, Geocaching 10:30 a.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 10:45 a.m. Creative Activities 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30.p.m Structured Free Time 1:15 p.m. Active Games & Adventure based initiatives 2:15 p.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 2:30 p.m. Swimming 3:30 p.m. Value Bead ceremony 4 p.m. Closing Circle 4:30 p.m. Depart from Camp/Station Activities At outdoor camps, campers experience: Canoeing (Fireman s Park) Archery Nature exploration Adventure based initiatives Nature crafts Non-traditional sports Outdoor camp locations Burgoyne Woods, St. Catharines Fireman s Park, Niagara Falls Great Lakes Christian High School, Beamsville Niagara West YMCA, Grimsby Spending time outdoors is essential to every child s development, health and well-being. It builds a connection to our rich natural and cultural heritage. Kids connected to nature grow up caring for the Earth and helping to conserve biodiversity. 1 1 Ontario Children s Outdoor Charter, 2014 Camp Descriptions: Jr. Adventure (Ages 5-6) If your camper is ready to set off on a new adventure, then this is the camp for them! Campers will explore the great outdoors as they rotate through a variety of nature based activities such as hikes, creek exploration, crafts, songs and more. This camp is sure to satisfy their adventurous side while gaining an appreciation and awareness for the outdoors! Jr. Explorers (Ages 5-6) Campers will set out on explorations right in our backyard! They will gain an appreciation for nature and the world around them. Weekly themes could include bugs, insects & reptiles, animals, the environment and more. Junior Explorers is for the curious camper who loves learning new things and going on exciting adventures! Jr. Daily Discovery (Ages 5-6) LOVE OF NATURE NEW! At the YMCA Day Camps, we believe that every day at camp should be full of fun and discovery! From daily themes, special events, value beads, camp activities and Jr. Daily Discovery (continued) much more, this camp is designed so campers will have the whole camp experience in one day! If your camper is ready for a blast of excitement, then this is the camp for them! Daily Discovery (Ages 7-12) Adventure (Ages 7-12) NEW! Whether it is one day or one week, Daily Discovery will give campers the full camp experience! The day will be jammed packed with fun discoveries, sports, active games, swimming, special events and more! If your child is ready for an exciting day, than this is the camp for them! Spending each day outdoors exploring all that nature has to offer is what campers can expect at this camp. Through adventure based initiatives and activities, campers will gain confidence, learn about the environment around them and gain an appreciation for the great outdoors. Give your camper the gift of adventure this summer! Adventure Discovery Exploration 8

6 At YMCA Day Camp kids are physically active! At the YMCA we know that physical activity can contribute to children s physical, emotional, and mental development. While participating in camp, all campers have the opportunity to meet or exceed the daily recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day. Campers will gain confidence in their ability to participate in a variety of recreational and sport activities through activities focused on developing their fundamental movement skills; and have the opportunity to explore different traditional and non-traditional sports in a supportive and non competitive environment. Canadian children spend on average 8.6 hours or 62% of their waking hours a day being inactive. In fact, only 5% of Canadian children and youth are meeting the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. 2 2 Ontario Ministry of Health, Healthy Kids Panel Report 2013 and Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card A typical day of sports camp 8:30 a.m. Travel to Camp/Station Activities 9 a.m. Opening Circle 9:30 a.m. Camp Group Time 10 a.m. Sport specific skills & drills 10:30 a.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 10:45 a.m. Field games, non-traditional sports 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Structured Free Time 1:15 p.m. Tournaments & Scrimmages 2:15 p.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 2:30 p.m. Swimming 3:30 p.m. Value Bead ceremony 4 p.m. Closing Circle 4:30 p.m. Depart from Camp/Station Activities Camp Descriptions: Jr. Sports (Ages 5-6) Designed for the physically active camper, this camp is at an introductory level which emphasizes fair play, team work and sportsmanship. A portion of every day is spent learning the rules and basic skills in a variety of traditional and non-traditional sports. Campers will develop fundamental movement skills, confidence and learn the importance of staying active. If your camper is an athlete at heart then this is the camp for them! Jr. Soccer (Ages 5-6) Campers are introduced to the fundamentals of soccer in a fun, non-competitive environment. Various skills, drills and games will be scheduled into the week to teach campers how to play the game. Campers will improve their skills like passing, shooting, kicking, defending, and much more. If your child has a passion for soccer, then send them to join the fun, get active, and kick it with us at Jr. Soccer Camp! In St. Catharines, our campers will also experience weekly workshops facilitated by the expert coaches from Little Kickers Soccer Program. At sports camps, campers experience: Sport specific Skills & Drills Development of fundamental movement skills Tournaments & Scrimmages Team building activities Theme days & Special events Field Games Non-traditional sports Cooperative Games Sports camp locations Applewood Elementary School, St. Catharines E.E. Mitchelson Park, Niagara Falls Great Lakes Christian High School, Beamsville Sports (Ages 7-10) Campers will stay active while learning developmental skills in both traditional and non traditional sporting activities. Campers will try a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, football, soccer and much more. A portion of the day will also include traditional camp activities including swimming, special events and more. We focus on fair play, teamwork, fitness and fundamental skills all while having fun in this camp. Gymnastics (Ages 5-13) Junior Ages 5-6, School Age 7-10, Senior Ages 9-13 In partnership with Niagara Falls Lightning Gymnastics, campers are introduced to the exciting world of gymnastics! Every morning, campers will head to the Lightning Gymnastics club to receive instruction by certified coaches. Campers will get to try the trampoline, balance beam, bars, vault and floor routines! The remainder of the day will be spent participating in traditional camp activities. Campers will develop flexibility, coordination and movement skills. 10

7 Soccer (Ages 7-10) Designed for campers with an interest in soccer, this camp focuses on developing basic skills needed for the game. There will be daily instruction that focuses on kicking, shooting, passing and trapping as well as a variety of scrimmages, tournaments and soccer games. This camp is designed to enhance fundamental soccer skills and learn the importance of team work in a fun, non-competitive environment. Aquatics (Ages 8-12) This camp is a splash! Designed to increase skills and develop an appreciation for the water, campers will participate in two swimming periods per day. One will focus on personalized instruction and goal setting while the other is recreational in nature. The remainder of the day will be spent participating in traditional camp activities such as crafts, gym and cooperative games. If your camper has a love of water then this is the camp to dive in to! *Campers must have successfully completed YMCA Swimmer level or equivalent to register for this camp. Sr. Soccer (Ages 11-14) Basketball (Ages 9-13) This camp is for the youth who have an interest in the sport and want to learn the basic skills of the game. Campers will spend the morning introductory basketball skills. Skill development includes shooting, dribbling, passing and defense through games, drills and scrimmages. During the afternoon campers will participate in traditional camp activities. Campers will also participate in a weekly workshop facilitated by team members of the Niagara College Knights Basketball Team. Beach Volleyball (Ages 9-13) Every morning, campers will head down to the Port Dalhousie beach courts to learn the fundamentals of the game. Skills include bumping, volleying and serving while learning the rules, positions and roles of each player in the game. The afternoons are spent experiencing traditional camp activities. New this year Campers will also participate in a weekly workshop facilitated by team members of the Niagara College Knights Volleyball Team! This camp focuses on team work and to gain an appreciation for this unique outdoor sport. Trail Riding (Ages 9-13) NEW! We are excited to introduce this new and exciting camp this summer! This camp is for the adventurous rider who is ready to accelerate their riding skills to the next level! Campers will participate in a daily 3 hour workshop lead by our professional instructors from Inception Cyclery! The instructors will focus on basic bike handling skills, bike maintenance and repairs, and teach campers how to safely navigate on different trails and terrains! Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities for the other part of the day. *Campers must bring their own mountain bike, cycling helmet, and running shoes. It is also suggested that campers wear athletic pants and sunglasses for safety. Campers bikes and helmets can be dropped off on Monday and will be stored for the week at Burgoyne Woods. All equipment must be picked up Friday on site. Designed for campers with an interest in soccer, this camp focuses on developing basic skills needed for the game. There will be daily instruction that focuses on kicking, shooting, passing and trapping as well as a variety of scrimmages, tournaments and soccer games. This camp is designed to enhance fundamental soccer skills and learn the importance of team work in a fun, non-competitive environment. Fun ACTIVE SPIRIT Health Sports skills At YMCA Day Camp kids find their specialty! Working outside their comfort zones but within a safe and supportive environment allows children to take risks and test their own abilities. 3 2 The Canadian Summer Camp Research Project, University of Waterloo 12

8 Participation in a wide variety of different activities allows children to discover the activities they enjoy, while developing skills and confidence in their own abilities. Specialty camps are designed to allow children to explore new activities, while still enjoying traditional YMCA Day Camp activities. Collaboration with various professionals in their field, allows the YMCA to provide campers with educational based instruction in a number of different areas. A typical day of specialty camp 8:30 a.m. Travel to Camp/Station Activities 9 a.m. Opening Circle 9:30 a.m. Camp Group Time 10 a.m. Specialty programming session #1 10:30 a.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 10:45 a.m. Specialty programming session #2 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Structured Free Time 1:15 p.m. Creative & Active games 2:15 p.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 2:30 p.m. Swimming 3:30 p.m. Value Bead ceremony 4 p.m. Closing Circle 4:30 p.m. Depart from Camp/Station Activities Camp Descriptions: Movement & Rhythm (Ages 5-6) Campers are introduced to basic steps and will participate in a variety of activities that develop coordination, rhythm and balance. Every Friday, our campers will showcase their movement and rhythm for their fellow campers and parents! Arts n Crafts (Ages 7-10) Campers will spend time each day participating in crafts and hands-on activities that will develop their artistic abilities through a variety of art mediums. In St. Catharines, campers will travel to the 4Cats Art Studio on Fridays where they will participate in a workshop to create a masterpiece that they can take home at the end of the day! Campers will be able to express themselves creatively and learn a variety of artistic skills through different art projects throughout the week. In Niagara Falls, campers will learn new techniques through the completion of various art projects throughout the week. Every Friday, instructors from the Niagara Falls Art Gallery will be coming into our camps to facilitate a hands-on workshop that our campers will be able to bring home the final project! At specialty camps, campers experience: Specialty activities & workshops for up to 3 hours a day Creative activities & Crafts Cooperative games Outdoor activities Active games Special events & Theme days Sing-songs Specialty camp locations Specialty camps take place in various locations. The main locations for each city are: St. Ann School, St. Catharines Niagara Falls YMCA, Niagara Falls Great Lakes Christian High School, Beamsville Arts n Crafts (continued) In Grimsby, every week, Heather - the Creative Bug from West Niagara will come in to facilitate a unique workshop that includes a project you can bring home at the end of the day! Workshops will include sewing, t-shirt decorating, scrapbooking, jewelry making and more. Mad Science (Ages 7-12) In partnership with Mad Science Niagara, our favourite high-energy, fun loving Mad Scientists are back for another summer of great experiments! Visit ymcadaycamp.ca for detailed program descriptions. St. Catharines: Weeks 3, 4 - Secret Agent Lab Weeks 6, 7 - Chemisty, Claws, Constellations Niagara Falls: Week 5 - Secret Agent Lab Week 9 - Chemisty, Claws, Constellations Niagara West: Week 2 - Chemistry, Claws, Constellations Week 6 - Secret Agent Lab Cheerleading (Ages 7-13) Campers will learn cheers, dances, lifts and gymnastic floor skills throughout the week. Designed to introduce campers to the fundamentals of cheerleading including proper technique, routines and the importance of practice and dedication. Campers will also build their confidence by preparing a final performance every Friday to showcase their routines to their fellow campers and parents. Campers will experience traditional camp activities in the afternoon. *Please note, campers will be divided into groups by age. Dance (Ages 7-13) Dance camp gives campers a place to express themselves in a creative and active atmosphere. Campers will learn introductory skills in various types of dance instructed by trained coaches. Campers will also build their confidence and perform their routines learned throughout the week for their fellow campers and parents. Campers will participate in traditional camp activities in the afternoon. *Please note, campers will be divided into groups by age. Tumbling (Ages 7-13) Designed for every skill level, campers will learn flips, cartwheels and advanced jumps in a safe, structured and certified environment. Tumbling is a variation of cheerleading and dance that includes a variety of tricks into a basic routine. All skills will be exhibited for family and fellow campers every Friday. *Please note, campers will be divided into groups based on skill level. Glee (Ages 9-13) In St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, campers are instructed in cheerleading, dance, and tumbling by Niagara Cheerleading at their training facility. In Beamsville, campers are instructed in cheerleading, dance and tumbling by All Star Athletics at their training facility. At this high energy camp, campers will have the opportunity to discover vocal and musical skills through song and dance. Counsellors will facilitate artistic workshops that will focus on popular songs, singing as a group, and staging performance skills. Glee (continued) The remainder of the day will incorporate traditional camp activities. If your camper loves to express themselves through performing and song, then Glee camp is the place for them! Girlz Club (Ages 9-13) This camp offers a wide variety of fun activities that focus on a healthy lifestyle. Campers will learn the importance of a healthy body image, self esteem, healthy eating, benefits of physical activity and healthy friendships. They will also have an opportunity to participate in interactive workshops facilitated by the Niagara Region, try new fitness classes and gain self confidence through creative activities. You re the Chef (Ages 9-13) In partnership with the Niagara Region Public Health s You re the Chef program, this camp is a fun way to learn how to cook. Each day campers will learn the skills to follow a recipe to create delicious snacks and meals. Campers will spend the remainder of the day participating in traditional camp activities. Out Trip (Ages 9-13) Are you ready to explore new places? During the week, campers will experience traditional camp activities that lead up to a weekly trip every Thursday! Each trip day, the bus will leave the YMCA promptly at 8:30 a.m. to head to the destination and will return approximately at 5 p.m. All campers participating in this camp will receive one YMCA Camper t-shirt for the summer to wear on trips. This camp creates lasting memories and allows campers to explore a new place with the guidance of their counsellor. Week 5 (SC/NF/NW) 6 (SC/NF) Theme & Trip Wild about Camp - African Lion Safari The Science of Summer - Ontario Science Centre 9 (SC/NF/NW) It s all Fun and Games - Playdium 10 (SC/NF) Underwater Adventures - Ripley s Aquarium Self-confidence Fun SKILL BUILDING Curiosity 14

9 At YMCA Day Camp kids become leaders! The development of leadership skills provides children and youth with lifelong attributes that contribute to their character development. YMCA Day campers gain hands on experience working in collaboration, problem solving, developing creative solutions, and leading others in a fun and supportive environment. Not only do we develop children and youth into role models, the skills they learn at camp can be applied to teams, clubs, school projects, and down the road, their career. A typical day of Leadership Camp 8:30 a.m. Travel to Camp/Station Activities 9 a.m. Opening Circle 9:30 a.m. Camp Group Time 10 a.m. Leadership skill development & games 10:30 a.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 10:45 a.m. Adventure based initiatives - Geocaching, hiking 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Structured Free Time 1:15 p.m. Active Games & Sports 2:15 p.m. Snack & Sunscreen break 2:30 p.m. Swimming 3:30 p.m. Value Bead ceremony 4 p.m. Closing Circle 4:30 p.m. Depart from Camp/Station Activities At Leadership Camp, campers experience: Team building activities Overnight camping experience Leadership initiatives Adventure based initiatives Sports & Field games Non-traditional sports Nature exploration Leadership Camp Locations Burgoyne Woods, St. Catharines Fireman s Park, Niagara Falls Great Lakes Christian High School, Beamsville In order for youth to be prepared to work in partnership with adults, they need to develop and/or enhance their leadership skills... Youth leadership development is a great way to promote positive life skills learning. 4 4 National Resource Centre for Youth Development, 2014 Camp Descriptions: Leaders In Training (Ages 11-14) This two week long camp program is designed to show our youth what it takes to be a leader in our community. They will have a chance to volunteer, participate in exciting team building activities and build new leadership skills. They will also experience a memorable camp sleepout at Camp Wetaskiwin in the second week of the program on Thursday night. During the sleepout, campers will have fun participating in leadership initiatives, team challenges and a traditional camp fire program! Counsellor in Training (Ages 14-15) This three week program is geared towards teens who are looking to gain experience working with children and want the fun and leadership skill building that camp brings. They will have the opportunity to learn how to plan and facilitate camp programs, understand group dynamics and during the third week you will volunteer in one of our camps! Participants who complete 35 hours of volunteer work during the third week of program will receive a letter of confirmation from YMCA Day Camps. Counsellor in Training Leadership Skill-building Responsibility (continued) We have a one night trip planned at YMCA Cedar Glen in Schomberg, Ontario! This trip is designed to foster growth through team challenges and leadership initiatives to allow our participants to develop their skills in a new environment. For more information, visit our website at ymcadaycamp.ca Assistant Counsellors (Ages 15-16) Join our team! The Assistant Counsellor program is for potential counsellors who are looking to gain experience. You will have the opportunity to lead games, songs, and activities with a group of campers under the mentorship of one of our counsellors. Assistant Counsellors are required to attend training in June and commit to 3-4 weeks of camp. This program is available in all camp cities with limited spaces available. Assistant Counsellors will also receive a letter at the end of the summer confirming the amount of volunteer hours spent with YMCA Day Camps. Applications are available at ymcadaycamp.ca. Deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 29, TEAMWORK 16

10 Bring this pass for a FREE Family Swim The Helping Hands program is FANTASTIC! It made my daughter feel accepted and included and this made everyday a success. She developed a special bond with her Program Support. He even went out of his way to call her when she was sick and away from camp Summer Camp parent YMCA of Niagara Cut out this pass and bring it to the Y to enjoy a free Family Swim at any YMCA of Niagara Health, Fitness and Aquatics Centre. (Photo ID required) Expiry: September 6, 2015 Staff Name: Valid for 1 Open or Family Swim at any YMCA of Niagara Health, Fitness and Aquatics Centre (photo ID required). Family applies to a maximum of 2 adult spouses and any number of dependant children up to age 24, living at the same address. Adults are required to participate with children. YMCA Aquatic Admission Criteria applies. Helping Hands Program (Ages 5-15) The YMCA of Niagara strives to provide an integrated camp experience for children and youth who require additional support in camp. A limited number of spaces and weeks are available for children who require a helping hand in a smaller ratio to have a successful camp experience. To find out if this program is for your camper, please contact our Day Camp office in April and May at x 280 or helpinghands@ ymcaofniagara.ca. The fee for this program is $230/week. Learning Disabilities Camp SLAM (Ages 6-10) ldanr Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region The right to learn, the power to achieve This camp is run by the Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region The Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region (LDANR) is offering children ages 6-10 with learning disabilities (reading disability, auditory processing)/ ADHD (diagnosis/identification NOT required) a summer program opportunity to keep them on their toes during the summer months. To learn more about this program and how you can provide your child with an opportunity to make slam-dunks in their academic skills, enhance their self-esteem and social skills, please visit or call (9a.m.-noon) or programsldan@cogeco.net. Applications are accepted through LDANR. Camp Hours The Camp day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For your convenience, drop off directly to the camp site begins at 8 a.m. and pick up by 5 p.m. for no additional fee. Extended Care Morning: 7:30-8:30 a.m. costs $16/week Afternoon: 4:30-6 p.m. costs $21/week Extended Care is only available at the YMCA branches. Busing $16/week For busing from the YMCA, please ensure your child is signed in by 8:25 a.m. Busing is available from the YMCA to camp sites within that community. Visit ymcadaycamp.ca for more information on busing. Identification Identification is required at sign out. Parent/guardians or other authorized pick ups will be asked to present photo identification if they are unfamiliar to the staff signing campers out. Please bring valid government issued photo identification with you. Authorized Pick up If you are unable to pick up your child and would like to add someone to your pick up list, please call your local YMCA branch. The staff will ask you specific questions to confirm your identity and pass along the information to camp staff. Please remind authorized pick ups to bring valid government issued photo identification. Healthy, Nut-Free Lunches Please send your child with a litter-free, healthy and nut-free lunch that will provide them with the nutrition they need to participate in an action packed day. YMCA Aquatic Admission Criteria for School Age Camps (Ages 7-12) The YMCA of Niagara is committed to provided a safe and enjoyable aquatic experience. The following age restriction admission criteria for children under 10 years of age are based on Public Health requirements. Children 7 to 10 participating in a YMCA school age camps: if able to successfully demonstrate comfort in the water and complete the facility swim test (2 widths uninterrupted), children may swim independently. If not able to successfully complete the facility swim test, children must be accompanied by an adult/guardian (4:1 ratio) in the water in the shallow end. Got a question? We want to hear from you! Have a question about camp? Is your camper going to be absent? Want to share feedback? Please call the Day Camp Office at x 280 or us at ymcadaycamp@ ymcaofniagara.ca. How to Register You can register online at ymcadaycamp.ca or in person at any YMCA of Niagara Health, Fitness and Aquatics Centre. If you are registering in person, please complete the Camper Information Form in advance. All forms can be found online at ymcadaycamp.ca. Registrations will be accepted until the camp is full or 24 hours before the camp is scheduled to begin. Method of Payment Payment may be made by Interac, cheque, cash, Visa or MasterCard. At the time of registration, a minimum deposit of $25 per week per camper is required. Balance of fees may be spread out through pre-authorized payments until two weeks prior to the camp or by July 31, Registrations received within two weeks of the camp start date or after July 31, 2015 must be paid in full at the time of registration. Camp fees are tax deductible. A final statement will be made available to each family by the end of February 2016 for income tax purposes. Refund/Cancellation Policy All deposits are non-refundable. Requests for refunds made up to two weeks prior to camp will be issued, less the deposit. A cheque will be mailed within 14 business days. Refund requests can be made in person or by ing ymcadaycamp@ymcaofniagara.ca. Camp fees are non-refundable within two weeks of camp. Exceptions may be considered for confirmed medical reasons with proper documentation. Refunds will not be given if the camper is sent home for misconduct. After you Register After you complete the registration process, don t forget to read through our Camp Parent Handbook at ymcadaycamp.ca to find all the information you need before camp starts for the week. You will learn what your camper will need to bring to camp each day to keep them sun safe, to participate in activities and to pack a healthy, nut-free lunch. You will also find the answers to our frequently asked questions. If you have more questions, please contact the camp office at x 280 or us at ymcadaycamp@ymcaofniagara.ca. 18

11 Mission The YMCA of Niagara is a charity, open to all, providing leadership and opportunities for people and their community to grow in spirit, mind, and body. Vision My YMCA, for life. Core Values Caring, Health, Honesty, Inclusiveness, Respect, and Responsibility. Niagara Falls YMCA Niagara West YMCA Walker Family YMCA You re not the only one who thinks your kid is incredibly wonderful and special. We never met a kid whose potential we couldn t see. ymcadaycamp.ca ymcaofniagara.org facebook.com/ymcaniagara twitter.com/ymcaniagara Privacy Statement As a charitable, community based association; the YMCA of Niagara is committed to protecting your right to privacy. The personal information you share with the YMCA is used to support the work of the YMCA. For further information, please visit ymcaofniagara.org. Charitable registration number RR0001 YMCA of Niagara Day Camp 25 YMCA Drive St. Catharines, Ontario L2N 7P9