Day Camps

Why YMCA Day Camps?

YMCA Core Values

The YMCA is committed to teaching and reinforcing the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Developmental Assets

The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington builds developmental assets. The Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets that youth need to succeed. Throughout the brochure, you will see how YMCA Day Camps support these assets in children and youth. You can get more info on our website - www.ymcahbb.ca - or go directly to the Search Institute's website at http://www.search-institute.org/

Day Camp Objectives

YMCA Day Camp experiences are grounded in a set of objectives that characterize YMCA programs:

1)       To help children grow personally: YMCA Day Camps build self-esteem and self-reliance.  Youth engaged in the day camp program gain a greater sense of their own self-worth and learn to treat themselves and others with respect.

2)       To help children learn values: The YMCA core values are essential for character development. At the YMCA Day Camps, children learn to define and demonstrate the core values.

3)       To help children appreciate diversity: YMCA Day Camps teach campers to respect people of different ages, abilities, incomes, races, religions, cultures, and beliefs.  The Day Camp environment is fostered to appreciate and celebrate diversity.

4)       To help children become better leaders: Campers learn the give-and-take necessary to work toward the common good. 

5)       To help children learn specific skills:  Diverse activities help campers acquire new knowledge and ways to grow in spirit, mind, and body.

6)       To help children have fun: Fun and humour are essential qualities of the day camping experience and contribute to youth feeling good about themselves and others.

Why YMCA Day Camps?

Here's what our 2011 campers' parents have to say:

• 84% agree that YMCA Day Camps are convenient and reliable

• 76% who registered in 2010 intended on returning to YMCA Day Camps in 2012

• 81% of children felt included in the camp community

• 81% of families choose YMCA Day Camps because they are fun for their children

• 88% of families felt that bussing and transportation was convenient and reliable

The benefits of YMCA Day Camp

• Opportunity for growth in spirit, mind and body
•  Wide variety of fun activities
•  Emphasis on fun, physical activity, learning and social development
• Safe and caring environment
• Skills development
• Increased confidence
• Trained, quality staff
• Strengthened friendships
• Opportunity to learn from play
• Age/ability appropriate activities

Why will you send your child to YMCA Day Camps next year?

Parent and camper feedback from 2011 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

“He enjoyed camp and it lets him meet new kids and try new things.”

“Good value for the money and my son had a great week and he has already asked to return.”

“My daughter is able to experience things she has not before. And she is able to make friends and create memories for a lifetime!”

“The camp leaders make my child feel special.”

“My son has a great time there, it’s great for his self esteem and it is a great life skill.”

“The staff are fantastic!”

“Your staff are great. The counselors called before my children attended to introduce themselves and to remind me what the kids needed for camp. I think the customer service is fantastic. I felt so much better this summer knowing my kids are happy at camp and I don't spend my time at work worrying about them.”

“Camp is a place where you can make a lot of friends.”   
~ Mya, 8 year old, Camp Chippewa

“I really like archery because you get to shoot with a bow and arrow and canoeing because you get to be on the water.”
~Serena,8 year old, Camp Chippewa

“I like archery and canoeing and making new friends. I feel safe here. The counselors are nice.”   
~ Luke, 10 years old, Camp Chippewa

“It’s fun because we get to play sports and go swimming.” 
~ Chris, 9 years old, Tansley Woods Day Camp

“I love singing songs.”
~ Avree, 7 years old, Brantford Day Camps

“I send my grandkids and they really enjoy it! We have been Y members for years and I love supporting it! The kids love being in the water and they are becoming much better swimmers from being at camps. We really like the staff and all they do!”
~ Anonymous Grandparent of 7 and 9 year old campers

“My kids come home at the end of the day completely cared for and super happy. I have sent my kids to another camp last year and my kids weren’t taken very good care of, and it made me worry everyday. At Chippewa, I had no worries sending my kids because they are always looked after. My kids love camp and I’d definitely send them back!”
~ Parent of Campers from Camp Chippewa

“My daughter loves it! She has made a ton of friends and she is super excited to come back every week! Camp is an amazing experience. I still remember it so clearly. I made so many friends, tried awesome new activities and I’ll always remember my time there. I’m so happy Kailie gets to have the same experiences as me!”
~ Parent of 7 year old camper

"It's so great to know that my son is having a great time in a safe and fun environment while I am away at work! It's his first year and he will definitely return! Thank you YMCA and Camp Chippewa!"
~ Mom of 9 year old YMCA camper

"I like coming to camp because you can experience new things that you don't experience on a regular day."
~ Becky, 10 year old camper