YMCA of Niagara Day Camps

s r e d a e l e h t g n i d l i u B w o r r o m o t f o

Register online at ymcadaycamp.ca YMCA Summer Camps 2013 - West Niagara

Day Camp the YMCA Way! Welcome to YMCA Day Camp! With over 30 different camps operating from 14 sites across Niagara, we are confident that we have the program that is right for you and your camper! From traditional to specialty camps, the YMCA routinely partners with agencies across Niagara to deliver programs you simply won’t find anywhere else. As YMCA Day Camps continue to grow, there is much excitement to look forward to this year. We are happy to announce that we will be running camp at our new YMCA branch located at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne. We are also adding some of our favourite camps in new locations including an Arts n Crafts camp in Niagara Falls and Welland and an Ultimate Leadership Camp in West Niagara. In this brochure, you will find camp information that is offered in your community. Visit our website or contact the YMCA Day Camp hotline for additional information. Our camp team is ready to turn those simple moments into extraordinary experiences and we are looking forward to seeing all of our returning and new campers. We have a tradition of building strong kids and we will continue to do that this summer! Katrina D’Intino Day Camp Director 905 934 9755 x 280 ymcadaycamp.ca

Register online at ymcadaycamp.ca

We Build Relationships At the YMCA we understand that children and youth need positive peer and adult relationships in their lives. We create a camp environment that encourages campers to develop lasting relationships with their peers.

We Create a Safe & Supportive Environment At Day Camp, we 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.

Behavior Guidelines: • • • • • •

All campers are responsible for their actions All campers will respect each other and their environment All campers should be honest and true to their word All campers will care for themselves and those around them All campers will make healthy and safe choices All campers will value diversity and seek to include others

We Hire Role Models As camp staff, we are aware of the importance of encouraging our campers to reach new goals throughout the summer. 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 Criminal Reference Check. Our staff are trained in YMCA Healthy Child Development modules and Asset Building approaches. They also receive training in program planning and behaviour management techniques.

Welcome to YMCA Day Camps

Camps at a Glance West Niagara

JUNIOR CAMPS Junior Sports Junior Sports - Daily Movement & Music Camp SCHOOL AGE CAMPS Arts n Crafts Camp Aquatics Camp Mad Science Camp Outdoor Adventure Camp Outdoor Adventure Camp - Daily Sports Camp TEEN & PRE-TEEN CAMPS Girlz Club Cheerleading Camp Ultimate Leadership Camp

Age

Location

Weeks

Fee

5 to 6 5 to 6 5 to 6

Great Lakes Christian High School Great Lakes Christian High School Niagara West YMCA

1 to 8 1 to 8 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

$145/wk $31/day $145/wk

7 to 10 8 to 12 7 to 10 7 to 12 7 to 12 7 to 10

Niagara West YMCA Niagara West YMCA Great Lakes Christian High School Great Lakes Christian High School Great Lakes Christian High School Great Lakes Christian High School

1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 2, 3, 4 7, 8 1 to 8 1 to 8 2, 3, 4

$145/wk $150/wk $195/wk $140/wk $31/day $140/wk

9 to 13 7 to 13 11 to 13

Niagara West YMCA Great Lakes Christian High School Great Lakes Christian High School

5, 6 7, 8 5, 6

$145/wk $165/wk $250/2 wks

Legend Indoor Camp

Outdoor Camp

Swimming

Locations Splash Pad

Water Games

Niagara West YMCA 325 Main Street East, Grimsby Great Lakes Christian High School 4875 King Street, Beamsville

It’s All About the

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 YMCA core values and achieving success in specific program areas. Campers have the opportunity to collect and earn value beads: • • • • • • • • • •

friendship (white) caring (red) honesty (blue) inclusiveness (purple) health (pink) responsibility (green) respect (yellow) leadership (silver) excellence (gold) and our wooden head counsellor in training bead.

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Junior Camps Junior Sports Camp (Ages 5 to 6) Campers experience a wide variety of sporting activities at an introductory level. The program emphasizes fair play, team work and sportsmanship while developing basic sports skills. *This camp has daily and weekly registration options.

Movement & Music Camp (Ages 5 to 6) Dance, sing, move n’ groove at this camp! Campers are introduced to basic dance steps and learn a simple choreographed routine while developing coordination, rhythm and balance. Every Friday, our campers will showcase their routines for their fellow campers and parents!

School Age Camps Arts n Crafts Camp (Ages 7 to 10) Are you the next Picasso? Campers will spend time each day participating in crafts and hands-on activities intended to develop their artistic abilities through a variety of art mediums.

Mad Science Camp (Ages 7 to 10) In partnership with Mad Science, our favourite high-energy, fun loving mad scientists are back for another summer of great experiments! Visit madscience.org/Niagara for detailed program descriptions and visit ymcadaycamp.ca for theme weeks.

Sports Camp (Ages 7 to 10) Campers develop their skills in both traditional and nontraditional sports. Our programs emphasize fair play, team work and sportsmanship all while having fun.

Helping Hands Program (Ages 3 to 15) The YMCA of Niagara strives to provide an integrated camp experience for children and youth who require additional support in camp. For additional information, please contact our helping hands program in April and May at 905-934-9755 x 280 or [email protected].

Register online at ymcadaycamp.ca

Day Camp Programs

Outdoor Adventure Camp (Ages 7 to 12) Get set for an adventure in the great outdoors! Adventure campers rotate through program areas including nature, sports, arts and crafts, water activities, adventure based initiatives and much more! *This camp has daily and weekly registration options.

Aquatics Camp (Ages 8 to 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. *Campers must have successfully completed YMCA Swimmer level or equivalent to register for this camp.

Teen & Pre-Teen Camps Cheerleading Camp (Ages 7 to 13) Go Team Go! We are partnering with Niagara Cheerleading to offer this exciting camp again this year. This camp allows you to become cheerleaders by learning cheers, dances, lifts and gymnastic floor skills instructed by trained coaches! *Please note – all campers will be divided into groups based on age

Girlz Club (Ages 9 to 13) Calling all Girls! This camp allows you to be yourself in a positive, fun and supportive environment while setting personal goals, gaining confidence and meeting new friends.

Ultimate Leadership Camp (Ages 11 to 13) This 2 week long camp is program is designed to show you what it takes to be a leader in our community. You will have a chance to volunteer, participate in exciting team building activities and build new leadership skills.

For more detailed program information on all of our camps, visit ymcadaycamp.ca.

Assistant Counsellor Program (Ages 15 to 16) An honorarium is provided

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 the staff training in June and commit to at least 4 weeks of camp. Applications are available at ymcadaycamp.ca.

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Camp Information Camps Week

Date

1

July 2-5*

2

July 8-12

3

July 15-19

4

July 22-26

5

July 29-Aug 2

6

Aug 6-9*

7

Aug 12-16

8

Aug 19-23

9

Aug 26-30

*Programs are not offered on July 1 & August 5.

Hours The camp day runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm. In order to meet the needs of busy families and for no additional fee, you can drop off at all sites starting at 8:00am and pick up by 5:00pm. Staff will be on site to offer alternative programming before and after camp.

Extended Care Morning - 7:30am to 8:00am, $15/week Afternoon – 5:00 to 6:00pm, $20/week Extended care is available at all YMCA of Niagara Membership branches and Merritt Island.

Water Activities Water Games – Campers will experience water games and activities as part of the camp program. Splash Pad – Campers will have access to supervised splash pad play throughout the week. 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.

Register online at ymcadaycamp.ca

Campers under the age of 7 years old attending camps that swim at a YMCA, or at a Niagara Falls or a Beamsville Municipal pool will participate in water games or splash pad. Campers under the age of 7 years old who swim in St. Catharines Municipal pools will participate in organized swim classes up to three times per week.

Aquatic Admission Criteria 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 years of age 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.

Healthy, Nut-free Lunches We need your help teaching campers the importance of health and responsibility. Please send your child with a litter free, healthy and nut-free lunches that will provide them with the nutrition they need to participate in an action-packed camp day!

Day Camp Information

Busing

Registration Information

Busing is available in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and West Niagara from the YMCA branch to each of the local camp sites. The busing fee $15.00 per/camper. There is no busing available in Welland, Port Colborne or Fort Erie. Drop off for busing is at the YMCA before 8:30am. Buses normally arrive back at the YMCA between 4:30pm and 4:45pm.

You can register online at ymcadaycamp.ca or in person at any YMCA of Niagara membership branch. 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.

Questions?

We want to hear from you! Have a question about camp? Is your camper going to be absent? Will someone else be picking up your camper? Want to share feedback about your camper’s experience? Please call the Day Camp Hotline at 905 934 9755 x 280 or email us at [email protected].

Get Connected Visit ymcadaycamp.ca for more camp information including: • What to bring to camp and a detailed parent handbook available to download. • Detailed descriptions and weekly newsletters about what’s going on at camp. • The difference between indoor and outdoor programs, traditional camp programs and specialty camp information. • Information about the 2013 Summer Day Camp Staff Team. • Information about the YMCA Healthy Kids Day Event. Be sure to join our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for information and photo updates throughout the year.

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, 2013. Registrations received within two weeks of the camp start date or after July 31, 2013 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 2014 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 emailing [email protected]

•

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.

Before You Register •

Have you taken the time to select camps with your child that match their interests and meet your needs?

•

Will your camper be the correct age for the camps that you have selected prior to the start date?

•

Will your child require Helping Hands? Please refer to the Helping Hands program description on page 4.

•

Will you require Financial Assistance? Visit ymcaofniagara.org for more information.

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Get Involved

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Friday Parent Involvement Events Get involved in your child’s experience at camp. Join us every Friday to experience camp activities as a family. To find out about the family involvement event happening at your camper’s specific camp, please speak to the Head Counsellor.

YMCA Summer Camp - West Niagara

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YMCA Mission Mission:

YMCA Privacy Commitment:

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.

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.

YMCA Core Values: The YMCA Core Values are: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Inclusiveness, and Health. Camp programs are guided by YMCA values and are carefully designed to support and challenge participants. Participation in camp results in the development of selfesteem and self-confidence.

For further information on the YMCA’s Privacy Commitment, please refer to the YMCA Privacy brochure available at YMCA program sites or visit ymcaofniagara.org. Charitable registration number: 11930 7064 RR0001

Where to Register Niagara West YMCA 325 Main Street East, Grimsby 905 309 9622

Niagara Centre YMCA 310 Woodlawn Road, Welland 905 735 9622

Port Colborne YMCA 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne 905 835 9622

Fort Erie YMCA 1555 Garrison Road, Fort Erie 905 871 9622

Niagara Falls YMCA 7150 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls 905 358 9622

Walker Family YMCA 25 YMCA Drive, St. Catharines 905 934 9622

Register online at ymcadaycamp.ca