Camper Activities

Many of these activities are the general areas from which Resident Campers choose Personal Choice Activities (PCA). Remember you will also have the opportunity to experience these activities and more during Group Choice Activities (GCA) and special events.

PCAs should be chosen on the registration form in order of preference and are filled on a first come first serve basis.

One Weekers and Traditional Trip should choose up to 2 PCAs and 1 alternate
Two Weekers, Jr, Int and Senior Spec should choose 4 PCAs and 1 alternate
10 Day Trippers, Day Campers and SCs DO NOT choose any PCAs

Mountain Biking (Seniors & SCs only)

Using Wanakita's 25 km trail system, we will be continuing this activity at the Senior and SC level. Safety and proper riding technique will be taught. A great way to explore and discover the great outdoors.

Court/Field Sports

Ultimate frisbee, basketball, volleyball and soccer are all program optionsin Cour/Field Sports.Focus is on teaching good attitudes toward competition, fitness and health, personal challenges, as well as introducing the rules of play, basic skills, games and events.

Air Adventure and Initiative Challenges

Progressing from age appropriate intiative games to low ropes and the climbing wall, to high ropes and the Dangle Duo, to high individual group elements, to the initiative wall and High Team elements.

Crafts

From nature crafts to plaster-of-paris, to tie-dying. Typical activites include sketching, lacing, beading, candle making, mural painting, bracelets, papermaking and much more.

Kayaking *

YMCA Wanakita has awards ranging from level I to IV. Flatwater skills are emphasized, and advanced paddlers may progress to whitewater lessons. Activities range from piano keys, to rolls, to the Gull River Whitewater Preserve.

Sailing *

Instruction is given toward YMCA Wanakita levels, based on Canadian Yachting Association Program levels, using Laser 1 and CL 14 sailboats and Picos. This PCA counts as two choices in your PCA selections.

Boardsailing *

Instruction is given towards YMCA Wanakita levels, based on Canadian Yachting Association levels. This PCA counts as two choices in your PCA selection.

* Boardsailing, Kayaking, and Sailing require at least the White swimming dogtag to participate as a PCA.

Campers who choose these PCAs and who do not attain White dog tag level will be asked to select an alternate PCA. Size, age and physical/learning ability may determine to what extent a camper can participate in some areas. Please select your PCAs with this in mind.

Theatre Arts

Theatre is taught so campers will come away with a feeling of accomplishment, fun, and increased self-awareness and confidence as well as sepcific performance skills. The program includes developing and performing plays, skits, puppetry, singing, dance and a variety of other games and activities.

Acoustic Guitar

Learn how to play basic chords or move to the next level from where you are now. opportunity to perform at Corey's Place Theatre or around the campfire (it's ok to bring your own guitar). For 10 - 16 year old campers only.

Paddle Making (Seniors Only)

The paddle making PCA will give Senior Campers the opportunity to create a life long camp companion. Selecting from a variety of pre-shaped templates of Tulipwood supplied by Ray Kettlewell, Campers will receive direction in the shaping, sanding, decorating and finishing of their paddle. This PCA will also touch on the history of the paddle and canoe; it's impact on Canada and how the design of the paddle varies with each paddling discipline. Templates will be available from the camp tuck shop at a cost of $30.00. All tools are supplied by the camp. Power tools will not be used in this PCA.

Wilderness & Environmental Pursuits (WEP)

Programs will encourage campers to gain an appreciation and knowledge of our natural world and our place in it. The focus will be on our amazing Wanakita wetland areas and 900 acres of flora and fauna, the day and night time skies, and environmental awareness. This program will also include an extensive outdoor living program incuding outdoor cooking and firebuiling, minimum impact camping, outdoor travel and navigation skills, weather forecasting, first aid, knots and other outdoor camping skills.

Advanced Wildreness Skills (Seniors Only)

In addition to skills taught in WEP, the advanced wilderness and hiking PCA is designed for Senior Campers interested in developing skills not limited to but may include compass and map reading skills, fire building techniques ranging from the one match fire to traditional flint and steel, and identifications of beneficial and edible flora. Other areas of focus will include the keys to successful hiking trips such as on trail and off trail navigation, route planning, risk management, and appropriate gear and successful packing as well as other related skills. This PCA will make full use of the nearly 1000 acres and 25 kms of established trails located at Wanakita.

Canoeing

Flatwater A, B, C, D and Level I of the Ontario Recreational Canoe Association are available. Participants will learn about boating safety, solo and tandem paddling skills, and be involved in canoe races, and more.

Archery(Juniors & Intermediates Only)

Providing challenge for novice and the more advanced archer. Participants are rewarded with Wanakita levels.

Swimming

YMCA national award levels, from Learn-to-Swim to Star 6. Campers may work towards Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross but cannot be tested if here for only two weeks. See the "Learn to Swim Equivalency Chart" for YMCA's swimming levels and the Red Cross equivalency.

A note about Swimming: All campers and SCs are tested on their swimming ability on the first day of camp, and receive a coloured dogtag based on their demonstrated comfort and skill level in the water. Our base swimming level is a non-stop 125 meter swim in our swimming area. Swim lessons are not compulsory for those wo do not attain at least the base level, although swim lessons for non-swimmers are recommended.

Learn to Swim Equivalency Chart

YMCA	Red Cross	Life Saving Society
Otter	Level 1 or Aquaqest 1/2	Swimmer 1
Seal	Level 2 or Aquaquest 3/4	Swimmer 1
Dolphin	Level 3 or Aquaqest 5	Swimmer 2
Swimmer	Level 4 or Aquaquest 6	Swimmer 3
Star 1	Level 5 or Aquaquest 7	Swimmer 3
Star 2	Level 6 or Aquaquest 7/8	Swimmer 4
Star 3	Level 7 or Aquaquest 9	Swimmer 4
Star 4	Level 8 or Aquaquest 10	Swimmer 5
Star 5	Level 9 or Aquaquest 11	Swimmer 6
Star 6	Level 10 or Aquaquest 12	Swimmer 6

Other daily camp activities:

Campfires
Kangaroo Kourt
Polar Bear swim
Tetherball
Ping Pong
Mealtime Programs
Theme Days
Storytelling
Rest Period
Sing Songs
Flagraising
Capture the Flag