YMCA Day Camps
Inclusion and 1:1 support for your child
The YMCA of Oakville’s Inclusion program offers 1:1 support for children with physical and/or developmental disabilities so they can enjoy a positive and supportive camp experience alongside their peers. Children can register for 1:1 support at any camp location for a maximum of three (3) weeks to ensure more children can access these services within our community.
We believe all children deserve the opportunity to experience camp and everything that comes along with it; new friendships, new opportunities, and life-long memories, just to name a few! Campers attending our 1:1 program will be supported by a YMCA Inclusion Counsellor. This staff will support your child through the daily programming and provide additional support throughout the day, as needed. Please note, while we do our best to support all children, we recognize that we may not be able to meet the needs of every child.
Note: Families can choose between having a YMCA 1:1 support (limited space available) or providing their own 1:1 support through a recognized and accredited agency. Staff supporting the child must be 16 yrs. old or older and cannot be a family member. There are no additional fees for campers requiring 1:1 support.
Campers With Additional Needs
The YMCA welcomes children with additional needs into our camp programs and offers 1:1 support for campers who need extra support throughout the day. Please note, our 1:1 program has limited spaces.
The 1:1 program may be a good fit for your child if:
- Extra support is required at school
- Extra support is required at home for basic care such as dressing and toileting
- A disability exists that may affect their safety in our program
- They require frequent breaks from group settings to support their self-regulation
- They are unable to remain in a group setting on a 1:13 ratio independently
It is also important to also consider the following:
- Camp programming runs full day, Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Extended hours available, 8:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Changes in program and/or routine may occur last-minute (i.e. weather changes)
- Some camp locations share space with the general public
We expect campers to treat each other, staff, and themselves with respect always; solve problems collaboratively, include others in activities, and always use non-offensive language. We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and discrimination; participation in either will result in communication with parents/guardians.
If your child requires 1:1 support, please fill out the inquiry form below or email at [email protected] to help with the registration process and securing your spot with support. Please note that if you register directly on our website and require support, we will not be able to accommodate your request.
Note: We will do our best to accommodate your requested weeks. However, due to a three-week limit and high demand for 1:1 support, we may not be able to accommodate your first choice. Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.