2020 Summer Camp update
After careful consideration based on the latest COVID-19 developments and recommendations by local and regional health officials, we have decided to cancel our previously scheduled 2020 summer camp programs in Oakville.
All families who have paid camp fees will receive a full refund.
For more details, please click here.
At this time, the YMCA of Oakville is optimistic that we will be operating summer camp in 2020. As the effects of COVID-19 are rapidly evolving, please check here for updates regarding all YMCA programs.
First Day of Registration Notice: Please note that all camp registration is processed in sequential order from the date and time the completed form is dropped off. Registration will begin at on February 4th at 9:00 am promptly. Pre-registration signup will begin at 7:30 am promptly – anyone arriving between 7:30 – 9:00 am will be placed on a list in order of arrival. Once on the list, you must remain on-site at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA until your registration has been processed.
- 2020 Summer Camp registration form
- YMCA of Oakville Camp Financial Assistance Form
Please note: Failure to bring a CSF30 to registration will result in an inability of our MSR team to process your registration. In this case, your registration will be collected and Margherita Jordan – Administrator, Camp & Child Care, will be in contact within 5 business days.
Please note: The following programs are limited by the Halton Region to a maximum of two-week registration combined:
- BMX Riders (Bronte Creek)
- Creative Chefs (Palermo & River Oaks)
- Creative Chefs Sr (YMCA)
- Get Golf Ready (Bronte Creek)
- Horseback Riding (Valens) *As this is a two-week program, enrolment in this program limits any other limited options
- Intermediate Adventure Tours (Bronte Creek)
- Junior Adventure Tours (Bronte Creek)
- Rock Pro (Palermo & River Oaks)
- Sr Adventure Tours (Bronte Creek)
- Ultimate Sports (Bronte Creek)
Please note: Completed financial assistance forms will take up to 5 business days to process. Receiving uncompleted forms will result in a lengthy delay in processing your application.
If you are a family who requires 1:1 support for your child this summer please contact Rosie Lydon, Inclusion Specialist for information on 1:1 availability.
Please note: YMCA of Oakville will be accepting registration on a first-come, first-served basis. If the weeks of camp you are requesting are already full, we will work with you to attempt to find alternative arrangements until camps are fully booked for the summer. The YMCA will provided 1:1 support for each child for up to 3-weeks. Should you require additional weeks, or weeks outside of our availability, arrangements can be made to bring your own 1:1 support, from an accredited organization, to camp with your child. Please contact Rosie Lydon, Inclusion Specialist for details.
EXCEPTIONS:
- Child must be 4 by the first day of Explorers
- Child must be 6 by the first day of Challengers (YMCA)
- Child must be 6 by the first day of Outdoor Pursuits
- Child must be 8 by the first day of Horseback
Please note: Registrations occurring within 2-weeks of the start of a program will not be subject to any refund.
Program Information
Before and After Camp Care are available from 7:00 – 9:00 am & 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the following locations:
- Oakville Trafalgar High School (Available for OT Junior Camp participants only)
- Palermo Public School (Available for Palermo, Bronte Valens Camp participants)
- River Oaks Public School (Available for River Oaks, Bronte and Valens Camp participants)
- St Bernadette Elementary School (Available for St Bernadette Junior Camp participants only)
- St Dominic Elementary School (Available for Bronte and Valens Camp participants)
- St Luke Elementary School (Available for St Luke, Bronte and Valens Camp participants)
- WH Morden Public School (Available for Peter Gilgan Family YMCA Camp participants only)
- Creative Chefs, Explorers, Horseback, Int Adventure Tours, Jr Adventure Tours, Specialty Sports & Trailblazers – 1:8
- Champion Athletes, Creative Chefs Sr, Outdoor Survival Skills & Sr Adventure Tours – 1:12
- Leader in Training & Counsellors in Training – 1:15
- All other camp programs – 1:10
Swimming is part of many of our summer camp programs. To ensure your child’s safety, he/she/they will be supervised by qualified lifeguards. In accordance with YMCA lifeguarding standards, swim tests will take place before any child is permitted to swim in deep water. If you would like your child to wear a life jacket, please let your child’s camp counsellor know.
For an outlined understanding of the unique water play experiences for each camp, please see below:
St Luke Elementary School – Splash pad located on-site for all campers to enjoy. YMCA counsellors will also be providing additional portable water elements to the splash pad throughout the summer.
Palermo Public School – Splash pad located across the street for all campers to enjoy. Art camp & Specialty camp participants will also be bussed to Bronte Pool (2184 Hixon St) twice per week for a swimming opportunity.
River Oaks Public School – Splash pad located on-site for all campers to enjoy. Art camp & Specialty camp participants will also be bussed to Falgarwood Pool (1349 Gainsborough Dr) twice per week for a swimming opportunity.
Peter Gilgan Family YMCA* – Explorers campers will enjoy exciting water play activities, such as water balloons, on-site portable splash pad activities & our inflatable water slide. Challengers, Sports & Specialty participants will have access to the on-site leisure pool for swimming opportunities. Star Athletes, Champion Athletes, Fitness Fun & Specialty programs will also walk to Lions Pool (159 Felan Ave) for an outdoor swimming opportunity 1-2 times/week.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park* – Outdoor Pursuits campers under the age of 6 will enjoy exciting water play activities, such as water balloons, sprinklers, and our portable splash pad activities. All campers over the age of 6 will have access to the unique lake-style swimming pool at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Valens Conservation Area** – All campers will have access to swimming in the unique man-made lake.
* The YMCA is committed to the safety of all campers. Due to swimming regulations and legislation, any campers below the age of 6 will participate in unique and exciting water play opportunities in lieu of recreational swimming.
** The natural man-made lake at Valens is monitored and tested on a regular basis. As your child’s safety is paramount to us, there may be days when we are unable to swim due to poor water quality. In this case, we will substitute lake swimming with land-based water activities and games.
We have many different forms of communication tools to ensure parents can be part of the camp experience!
- Email – the week before camp, all parents will receive a an email outlining important information about the upcoming session of camp
- Phone Calls – the week before camp, all families will receive a phone call from their camp counsellor to introduce themselves, and answer any questions you may have
- Family Newsletter – families will receive weekly newsletters home from camp on Mondays outlining specific activities for the week. Please note that in the event of inclement weather, activities may be changed
- Social Media – Keep up-to-date with what’s going on at camp by liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram and Twitter!
If you are a family who requires 1:1 support for your child this summer please contact Rosie Lydon, Inclusion Specialist for information on 1:1 availability.
Please note: YMCA of Oakville will be accepting registration on a first-come, first-served basis. If the weeks of camp you are requesting are already full, we will work with you to attempt to find alternative arrangements until camps are fully booked for the summer. The YMCA will provided 1:1 support for each child for up to 3-weeks. Should you require additional weeks, or weeks outside of our availability, arrangements can be made to bring your own 1:1 support, from an accredited organization, to camp with your child. Please contact Rosie Lydon, Inclusion Specialist for details.
Our camp days are busy! To ensure your child is prepared, please make sure the following items are packed:
- Closed-toed shoes (preferably running shoes)
- NUT FREE, litterless lunch and snacks (an insulated lunch bag is best)
- Water (in a reusable container)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Swimsuit and towel
- Backpack to carry everything in
- Weather appropriate shoes and clothing
To ensure your child is prepared for our overnight programs, please ensure the following items are packed:
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Clothing for next day(s)
- Warm clothes (sweater, warm pants, toque)
- Insect repellant
- Flashlight
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Prescription Medication – Upon arrival at camp, please give the prescription medication, along with the completed Medication Administration form to the bus marshall or counsellor. Counsellors will give all medication to the On-Site Supervisor, who will keep the medication in a locked box. Medication will only be removed from this box at times when it is to be administered and to return it to parents. All medication must feature your child’s name, dosage and duration in the original package. Please let us know if there are any special storage requirements, or common side effects.
- Epi-Pens & Inhalers – Any camper who brings an Epi-Pen or Inhaler to camp must bring it in a separate fanny pack/case. Epi-Pens and Inhalers will be kept with your child’s camp counsellor at all times. If you wish the Epi-Pen and/or Inhaler to remain with your child, please indicate this on your Medication Administration form.
- Providing the YMCA with a current Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Completing their Standard First Aid and CPR “C” certification
- Completing pre-camp training focused on working with children, creating positive group experiences for all campers, programming and relationship building
- Volunteers – will be placed in some groups at camp. Our volunteers are an extremely important part of our camp community and provide support to our counsellors
- Counsellors – Responsible for the physical and emotional safety of all campers in their group. Counsellors work closely with children each day and ensure a positive camp experience.
- Program Support – Responsible for program quality at the camp location
- On-Site Supervisors – Oversee the daily operations of the camp location
- Coordinator & Administrator – Provide registration and office support to the camp community
- Manager – Oversees all camp programs operating through the YMCA of Oakville