YWCA CAMBRIDGE

SUMMER DAY CAMP

The YWCA of Cambridge has been offering summer day camp programs for almost 50 years. We strive to include all children, regardless of their physical needs and abilities. We have an Inclusion Facilitator (IF) for children with disabilities and or require a little extra help. Program time is from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, with extended care option for an additional charge (extended morning 7:30 a.m. and afternoon until 5:00 p.m.) our camp programs are offered at Shade's Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge. This beautiful natural setting lends itself well to activities focused on nature and the environment including hiking, nature crafts, canoeing, fishing and swimming.

 

NATURE CAMP

Description: Campers enjoy swimming, hiking, canoeing, fishing, games and crafts at Shade's Mills Conservation Area. The Program focus is on nature, exploring our environment and having fun. Children are divided into small groups according to age. Children four years of age must have attended JK in order to be eligible for the camp program. Register for weekly sessions.

DATES: July 5-9,12-16,19-23,26-30 August 3-6 ,9-13,16-20

AGE: 4-10 yrs

FEES: $140

OUTRAGEOUS OUTINGS

Description: This fun filled busy program of activities is the only camp offered during this week. Campers are dropped off and picked up at Shade's Mills, extended care is still available. Campers will receive a YWCA t-shirt that must be worn every day. Destination details have yet to be confirmed. Campers will receive an itinerary in the mail sometime in June. The 2009 schedule included: Bingemans, Children's Museum, Rafting down the Grand River, Branford Zoo, Soper Park and  the W.G. Johnson Centre.

DATES: August 23-27

AGE: 6-12 yrs

FEES: $190

 

 

SPECIALTY CAMPS

These weekly camps are for older children (11/12 yrs) who want something a little different. Camps are priced individually but always include transportation and any special equipment. This summer the GRCA staff will be introducing new and exciting programs. Please look at the descriptions below.

DATE: July 5-Aug 20

AGE: 11/12 yrs

FEES: $155-175

 

 Week 1 July 5-9 ($170)

Campers learn basic survival techniques for outdoors, including building a shelter, making a fire, creating a survival kit. Campers also learn to identify different plants and trees at Shade’s Mills and learn the safe greens and bugs that are edible.

Program includes:

1) What to do when lost?  Establish your priorities: adopt the S.T.O.P method; build a survival shelter and learn to start a fire safely without matches or lighter.

2) The Compass Part 1  Try making a compass with a hat pin and magnet. Learn the parts of a compass, the cardinal and intercardinal points and how to set a compass at a bearing. Test your skills with some compass games.

3) The Compass Part 11  Learn to use the compass with a map! Navigate your way around the Shade’s Mills compass course.

4) GPS Part 1  What do those numbers mean? Learn how topographical maps, the compass and GPS units are connected. Learn how to use a GPS unit and its features.

5) GPS Part 11  Put your GPS knowledge to the test-try your hand at geocaching.

 

 

        

  Week 2 July 12-16 ($175)

This camp includes orientation on canoeing and rafting. There will be two days of canoeing and two days of rafting. Life jackets are provided for all days. This week will also include building your own personal boat and putting it to the test at Shade's Mills.

Program includes:

1) A Stream  Who lives under water? Investigate the importance of the many organisms that live on or under the water's surface.

2) Canoeing  Two days canoeing at Shade's Mills Conservation Area.

3) Rafting  One day learning how to raft at Shade's Mills and the second day putting your skills to the test down the Grand River.

 

 

 

 

 

            Week 3 July 19-23 ($160)

This program is specifically designed for girls 11/12 yrs; young women will be encouraged to develop healthy, positive attitudes and behaviours related to body image and self esteem. Topics covered will include bullying, healthy living and media messages. The girls will also be taking part in the daily activities of camp such as, swimming, hiking, fishing and canoeing.

 

 

            Week 4 July 26-30 ($170)

 

The GRCA will help in providing the campers with knowledge about fishing at the Conservation Area. They will introduce how to set up and care for equipment, this will include: casting, lures and identifying species and habitats. Every morning the GRCA will have programs developed for the campers. Children will not only receive  great knowledge about fishing  but will also be able to take away with them their own personal fishing rod.

 

 

            Week 5 August 3-6 ($155)

Campers will spend time in the wild searching and distinguishing, plants, animals and trees. During this week they will have the opportunity to take part in many wilderness activities, crafts and scavenger hunts.

Program includes:

1) Nature Scene Investigations (Wildlife Studies) What animals reside in the habitats around Shade's Mills? Like a detective, find and interpret the clues left behind by animals.

2) Birds Learn how to attract birds to your backyard. Build feeders from recycled materials and understand  the principles of bird feeding.

3) Awesome Critters   Get a

chance to meet some live creatures

and learn to appreciate their role in

the environment. Bring a camera

and get a photo with one of the creatures.

 

       

 

                                  

           Week 6 August 9-13 ($160)

Campers learn to read and follow recipes; they will get hands on experience in preparing and cooking meals for themselves. All meals and snacks are prepared and cooked outdoors.

Program includes:

Building that Campfire   So you think you can start a campfire with a single match? Learn the basics of building a proper and safe campfire for cooking. Are there alternatives? What about a tin can oven, or a buddy burner?

        

         

 

 

         

            Week 7 August 16-20 ($165)

 

Campers enjoy regular camp activities with a science twist- fun and educational experiments.

Program includes:

1) Weird and Wonderful Bugs  Find insects clad in sheathes of armour, some with grappling hooks and others described as flying jewels! Investigate the world of strange-looking insects. Learn of their roles and functions in our environment.

2) Life Around a Rotting Log   How does a dead tree support life for so many other organisms? Who lives on, in or under a log? Find out why rotting wood is so important to the forest.

3) Become a Tree Detective  Use the 3Bs to understand the characteristics of the many different trees, shrubs and vines in Shade's Mills. Start a leaf collection, do a bark rubbing (a tree's fingerprint!) and hug an oxygen provider.

 

 

COUNSELLOR'S IN TRAINING

This program is designed to build a foundation of leadership and programming skills to prepare individuals to work with young children. CITS will take part in program planning and will have the opportunity to implement activities as a team. The program will be for two-weeks and will allow for training and hands on experience.

DATES: July 12-23

AGE:13-14

FEE: $160 per week for this two week program

 

YWCA SUMMER DAY CAMP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Youth 14 years of age (having completed grade 9 or a Counsellor in Training Program) and older individuals are invited to join the volunteer program at Shade's Mills Camp. Application Forms are available at the YWCA or on-line.  Completed applications  should  be forwarded to the  YWCA for review. Applicants will be contacted for an interview date in June and given more details about the program. Volunteer orientation will take place July 12-13; details have yet to be finalized. If you enjoy being with young children and enjoy the outdoors this is a great way for high school students to earn some mandatory volunteer hours.  Camp is a very busy place and help is always appreciated by the staff and campers.

 

 

AT CAMP

Games, hikes, and other high energy activities usually take place in the morning, when it is cooler. Arts, crafts and swimming are scheduled for the afternoons. We also offer fishing and canoeing regularly. We have a certified lifeguard on staff who supervises the daily swim times at the beach. We will schedule a morning and afternoon snack time, as well as a lunch break. Parents provide snacks for these times as well as lunches and plenty of water. We recommend insulated lunch bags to keep food and drinks cool. Please remember, we are NUT-AWARE at camp no nut products in lunches and snacks please!

There are several areas throughout the park for rainy days, although we very rarely run from the rain! Campers should bring jackets and rain boots to be more comfortable on those rainy days. Campers also need to bring a sun hat, extra t-shirt (for swimming), beach towel, bug spray and sunscreen. Running shoes are a must-sandals and crocs are not safe footwear for camp. T-shirts are to worn at all times (including in the water at swim time) for protection from the sun.

On Fridays we offer TOONIE LUNCHES- this usually includes a hot dog, bag of chips and a drink. Families requiring the Camp Inclusion Facilitator, will need to book a specific camp week so that we can ensure all children are included.

The camp program is Monday- Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. An extended hour program will be available 7:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. for an extra charge ($39 per week per child).

*We are closed for Statutory Holidays*

 

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

• 2 qualified lifeguards (National Lifesaving Society-certification)
• CPR/ First Aid
• High Five- Principles of Healthy Child Development
• Inclusion Training-City of Cambridge
• WHIMIS
• Extensive training with the YWCA which includes topics such as behaviour management, program planning, summer safety and emergency procedures (fire, water and missing camper).

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Registration forms are available at all YWCA Child Care Centres, at the YWCA on Industrial Road or on-line. Registration Forms

If your child requires the services of an Inclusion Facilitator, please add the Inclusion Registration Form to your registration package.

Completed registration forms must be accompanied by payment for the first week your child is registered to attend camp. All other fees are due IN ADVANCE 14 DAYS prior to each week your child is registered to attend- no exceptions. Post dated cheques or a credit card number would be appreciated at the time of registration. There is a 10% discount for 2nd and subsequent children attending the same full week of camp.  Please note the discount will be applied to the lesser of the fees and is not available for extended care.

Payment can be made by Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Cheque, Interac. VISA, Mastercard and Interac are available at the main office only.

Subsidy is available for qualifying families through the Region of Waterloo Child Care Subsidy office. Contact the Region or the YWCA for more information.

Limited subsidy may be available from the YWCA. More information will be available closer to the summer.

Cancellations made without one week's notice will be charged a 50% administration fee. All others will be charged a 10% administration fee.

Note: Please retain your receipts for tax purposes. There will be a fee of $25 to obtain a copy.

We wish to extend our thanks to the following organizations for their generosity in 2009. Their support made camp a possibility for families who might otherwise not have been able to attend:

TD Friends of the Environment

Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation.

For further information on the Summer Day Camp Program (including employment opportunities) contact:

Vicki Warren

Director of Child Care Services

YWCA Cambridge

1733 Industrial Rd. Cambridge, N3H 5G7

Phone: (519) 650-0800 Fax: (519) 650-0112

v.warren@ywcacambridge.ca

 

 

 

Home