Day and resident camp

Day and Resident Camp

Last summer, 111,000 children and youth including 2,070 children with disabilities made good friends and learned valuable life lessons at YMCA Day and Resident Camps.

As a charity, YMCAs run fundraising campaigns to provide financial assistance to families who could otherwise not afford to send their children to camps.

YMCA Day Camp

Almost all YMCAs and YMCA-YWCAs offer Day Camps. While programs vary from one YMCA to the next, all are based on the local needs and interests of children and youth.

  • YMCA Day Camps include trips to outdoor activity centres or other places of interest, such as museums, theatres and science centres
  • YMCA Specialty Camps focus on developing special skills such as athletics, drama, music and computer skills
  • YMCA Special Needs Camps specifically serve the needs of disabled children, and in some cases youth or children with special health or learning needs

YMCA Resident Camp

Each summer, more than 18,000 children and youth participate in one of 28 YMCA resident camps in Canada. At camp, kids find fun activities, friendships and adventure while learning new skills and building self-esteem and an appreciation for our environment.

YMCA camps emphasize participation, fair play, team spirit and leadership skills. Kids from all backgrounds and abilities participate in traditional sports, personal and team challenges and activities based on values such as caring, responsibility, respect, honesty and inclusiveness.

A leadership-in-training program for youth cultivates leadership, interpersonal and program planning skills that will be helpful throughout life.

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