We are located on 1 km of shoreline on Koshlong Lake, surrounded by 1,000 acres in the Haliburton Highlands. The closes town is Haliburton, Ontario, just 15 minutes away, which has grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, a hospital and library. 

We're committed to healthy living and an integral part of that is serving campers delicious and nutritious meals that sustain them throughout all the fun. Meals and snacks are planned by our full-time Food Services team. We can accommodate allergies, vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher needs. Portions are hearty in size and served family and buffet style, or on out-trips - beneath the open skies. Make sure to indicate any dietary restrictions or information on your registration. 

We understand that some campers have severe, sometimes life-threatening allergies to nuts and other food. Our Food Services team chooses ingredients and designs menus to minimize the risk to these children and our Tuck Shop does not sell any items containing nuts. When packing, please do not send any products that may contain nut ingredients

Depending on the program in which campers are enrolled, they stay in either cabins with a washroom and shower or without. Each cabin has electricity, lights and bunks with mattresses. Please bring your own bedding. Each cabin has at least one separate room for the cabin's counsellors.

Washrooms are located in three centralized buildings around camp with private stalls for showers and toilets. Washrooms are cleaned several times each day.

Yes! We do our best to accommodate cabin mate requests, provided the children are in the same program and are of similar ages. Only one request may be considered and must be mutually requested by both campers. Requests are not guaranteed.

Generally we require campers to attend the program within the age requirement posted on our website. Cabins are most successful in their relationships and friendship-building if peer groups are kept within a limited age gap. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office.

Mornings are spent doing Personal Choice Activities (PCAs), chosen upon registration. These are co-ed and all ages programs. After lunch and a rest period, cabins spent time together doing things they choose as a group and trying new activities around camp. Evening programs include section-specific and camp-wide activities, and are always super creative and fun for all! All campers get to go on an overnight on the lake or outtrip farther away, during their stay. The length and location of outtips vary by program.

Please have a look at the weather forecast prior to packing for camp. We always suggest packing clothes for all kinds of weather in order to be prepared. 

All Campers Packing List

Sr. Traditional & 1st year S.C Canoe Trip packing list

Sr. Tripper -10 Day Canoe Trip Packing List

Please ensure your child is prepared for all weather and always has a change of clothes.

What to Bring

Program groups are co-ed and assigned based on age groups where possible. We also accommodate group-mate requests to the best of our ability, provided they are similar in age.

To maintain program start times for all campers, the YMCA Wanakita Day Camp bus departs each pick-up location promptly at the departure time.

Each family is assigned to a cabin of their own. Cabins come in various sizes (from 3 - 12 beds), but all are outfitted with single beds or bunk beds with vinyl covered foam mattresses. Please bring your own linents (sheets, blankets/sleeping bags), pillow, towels, etc... 

Each cabin has electricity. Some bun not all cabins have baseboard heating. If concerned about the temperation, please feel free to bring a small space heater for your cabin or a fan if its going to be hot. 

Washrooms are located in three centralized buildings around camp with private stalls for showers and toilets. Washrooms are cleaned several times each day.

The food is great! All meals are served in our dining hall, three times a day (8:30am, 12:30pm and 5:30pm) as well as an evening snack around 8:15pm. We provide delicious and nutritious meals with lots of options that both kids and adults love. Coffee, tea, juice, hot chocolate, toast, fruit and other snacks are available 24 hours a day at a self-serve station in the dining hall.

Please ensure you let us know of any dietary requirements before you arrive to camp. We can accommodate many dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan and most food allergies and religious dietary restrictions, when notified ahead of time. If you have a food preference or a food you simply don't like, we can do our best, but can't guarantee it can be avoided. There are always lots of options at meals otherwise.

Yes, you can definitely bring your own snacks, though we strongly encourage that they be tightly sealed and kept in your cabin or the trunk of your car, to avoid attracting critters. We also sell snacks, ice and other amenities in our Tuck Shop which is open twice daily. Please avoid bringing any products that contain nuts.

Throughout the day we run family-friendly programs as well as programs organized by age groups. You can choose to attend as many or as few programs as you please. Programs are run by enthusiastic and qualified staff members. In addition, many program areas are open to use on your own, such as our hiking and biking trails, waterfront, canoes and kayaks. Evening programs are scheduled every day, and include a mix of age-specific and family-friendly activities. Our programs run rain or shine (except during thunderstorms or high winds).

Sample Weekly Schedule

In addition, some other things to look forward to include: 

• At the opening and closing of every session, there are group campfires where staff share skits, stories and much anticipated traditional Wanakita songs. Every cabin section has a smaller campfire for you to enjoy in the evenings. Wood is available for purchase at our site. 

• We have a talent show every Thursday night. Brush up on your talents and showcase them for everyone’s enjoyment. 

• We have a theme dinner each week. Several weeks before your camp session, we will let you know what the theme will be so you can come prepared with costumes or table decorations if you choose. 

• You can look forward to our ever-popular arrival and departure day brunches with lots of delicious options. 

• And so much more! 

In an effort to ensure the opportunity for as many families as possible to enjoy YMCA Wanakita's Summer Family Camp program, registration in only one week of Family Camp per family will be allowed, prior to January 1st. After January 1st, registration in a second week of Family Camp will be welcomed, pending availability. Please note that unfortunately we are unable to accomodate families on Wanakita property during changeover periods between consecutive weeks of Family Camp.

Yes. Please contact us and we will discuss if there is room in the week or your assigned cabin. 

That depends on how many people are currently registered. We have a set capacity in our dining hall, which once filled, can no longer accommodate additional people (even if there is room in your cabin). If you are hoping to have family members or friends join you for a portion of your time at camp, it is necessary that you communicate this to the camp office prior to your arrival. To ensure the safety of all participants, YMCA Wanakita must know who is on site at all times. Also note that when visitors or guests arrive at YMCA Wanakita they must check in at the main office at the front entrance of camp, as well as at the Family Camp Office.

Guests vs Visitors 

• Guests attend camp part of the full program time. Guest fees are charged at full price, regardless of the time spent at camp, unless your guest is staying for 48 hours or less. 
• Visitors are any participants attending camp without attending meals or programs (for a few hours at a time). There is no fee charged for this, though it must be communicated to the Director ahead of time. 

Please contact the Family Camp Director for day rates for guests. sarah.bell@ymcahbb.ca 

Yes! We love dogs at camp and dogs are part of families too. Our dog policy is as follows: 

• You must provide a current copy of your pet’s rabies vaccination record before arrival. 
• Your pet must be on leash at all times, or on a lead outside your cabin. The only exception to this is for swimming at a designated area of the beach, or playing in the archery/baseball field during designated times when programs are not running. 
• The only building that your pet is allowed is your own cabin. We don’t allow pets in any program buildings, washrooms or the dining hall. The exception to this is working dogs. 

YMCA Wanakita Family Camp defines a family as multi-generational, and preference is given to families fitting that description. If one or more adults with to attend without children, there is the opportunity for a registered family to invite you to stay as a guest in their cabin, assuming there is availability.

We understand that past family campers have a strong connection to YMCA Wanakita. Our first priority is to provide this multi-generational experience to today's families so they can develop these same strong connections with their family that you experienced. We do provide opportunities for adults to come Wanakita during our Getaway Weekends and Work Weekends.

Cell reception at camp is very limited. A short walk around camp to find a cellular pocket, or if needed, a drive into town, will provide you with better cell phone reception and/or access to internet. 

Access to WiFi is not available at Family Camp. We do however recognize that internet access is sometimes a necessity. There are several placed in Haliburton (15 minutes away) that offer free WiFi.

Family campers find the more they disconnect from their electronic devices, the more they connect with their family and friends. We encourage you to enjoy the beautiful setting, have fun, take part in activities and relax in the company of family, friends, staff and campers around you.

We do not provide transportation service for Family Camp. There is a daily bus that arrives and departs from Haliburton, 15 minutes away from camp.

We advise that you come prepared for all types of weather including hot, cold, wet, dry, sunny and cloudy, to make the most of your stay here. Don't forget your costume or props for our Theme Dinner. Details about your camp session's theme will be mailed to you before summer. 

Packing List