YMCA Calgary Summer Camps Guide 2021

SUMMER CAMPS Enjoy your summer the YMCA way!

Experience summer camps filled with outdoor play, art, and family fun.

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Welcome to YMCA Summer Camps!

YMCA Calgary is excited to offer you Summer Camps! While we can’t engage in the way you might be used to, we’ve found a way to offer you week-long summer experiences that will be safe, fun and memorable. We look forward to connecting with your kids. New this year is family/household overnight weekend camp experiences at Camp Chief Hector YMCA! Enjoy the great outdoors with your family like never before.

While all indoor and outdoor recreational activities and services, including Day Camps, will follow available government health guidance to operate as a part of the continued easing of restrictions, we are working diligently to plan and offer camps in accordance to provincial regulations. Weekly Day Camps begin July 4th and end August 27th.

Day Camps will be offered at the following locations: • • • • • • •

Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge Brookfield Residention YMCA at Seton Shawnessy YMCA Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot Remington YMCA in Quarry Park NEW! In Downtown Calgary (offsite location) As well as at Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Discoverer Visual Arts and Learn to Skate,” “Explorer Basketball and Learn to Skate,” and “Explorer Drama and Basketball” camps will be offered at Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge and Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton in order to properly distance due to the size of those facilities.

Will there be YMCA Camp Riveredge at Sandy Beach Park?

We will also be offering outdoor day camps at our YMCA Camp Riveredge at Sandy Beach location.

This includes a Bike Camp option. Pick up and drop off will only be available from the Camp Riveredge site this year - we are not able to operate busses to and from other YMCA locations.

Amenities at YMCA Camp Riveredge include archery, arts programming, outdoor skills, and short hikes.

Will you be offering Day Camps in downtown Calgary?

To ensure that families living or working out of the Calgary Core have access to safe and affordable Day Camps this Summer, the YMCA is developing CORE Kids. CORE Kids will be structured similarly to other YMCA Summer Day Camps while utilizing appropriate outdoor green spaces and an appropriate indoor space for sign-in and sign-out, arts and small group activities, and inclement weather.

The Eau Claire YMCA remains closed. CORE Kids will be based out of another site in the downtown area across the street from Olympic Plaza. Registration is available now on our online portal.

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SEARCH AND REGISTER FOR CAMPS ONLINE Visit ymcacalgary.org/registration

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If you are an existing user, log in to your profile.

Login/Create Profile

If you are a new user, sign up to create a profile. A confirmation email will be sent your your inbox.

Click the link in the email before proceeding.

A)

A) From the home page, click Programs on the red navigation bar.

B) On the following page, click the Register for Programs box to browse the camps that are currently being offered

B)

There are numerous ways to find your perfect camp experience.

You can filter by age, location or do an advanced search by looking up a keyword such as “Adventurers”, “Basketball”, etc.

A) When you have found the camp you want, click the registration information drop down to view available dates.

B) Find the date you would like for that camp and click the register button, to the right

A)

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Follow through all of the prompts, being sure to fill in all the required information in the forms. This will add the selection(s) to your shopping cart where you can then finalize the registration by completing the transaction.

Questions? Please email summer@calgary.ymca.ca

B)

Tips For Browsing This Guide Look for this icon to find links embedded in the guide to take you to our website.

Use the camp title to search on the registration portal to quickly find and register for your camp!

Frequently Asked Questions What amenities are being offered for Summer Camps? Will children swim?

While we can’t offer all the traditional amenities you might expect, we hope experiences can be fun, safe, and unplugged, with plenty of opportunities for children and youth to be active and make new friends added in as the summer progresses.

Specific amenities and activities will be determined as we get closer to camp dates in order to comply with any new information released to remain aligned with provincial health guidelines.

This information, when available, will be shared with parent/guardians via email.

Will there be weekly field trips?

Due to COVID-19 prevention practices, Summer Day Camps will not be going on weekly field trips.

Is before and after-care available?

Before and after-care is available at each site except for Riveredge. Before-care runs from 8:00-8:30AM, and after-care runs from 4:30-5:00 PM. There is no additional fee for before and after-care. When registering, families requiring before and/or after-care will be prompted to indicate this while completing your online registration.

How can families complete their Medical Forms for 2021?

Day Camp Medical Forms are now completed on the online registration portal. As you register online you will be prompted to complete these forms.

Cancellation Policy • • • •

Course exchanges are processed at no charge (space permitting) If you cancel your registration less than 14 days before the program start date, you will be charged a 25% cancellation fee. If a medical note from a doctor is provided a full refund will be given If you cancel your registration due to illness, after the program starts, your refund will be pro-rated from the time of the cancellation.

Any program refunds will remain on your account as a credit unless you request it to be refunded. The refund will be processed in the manner the fees were paid (note: cash payments must be refunded by cheque and a $10 administration fee will be charged)

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What protocols will you have in place to keep myself and my family safe?

Physical Distancing

Smaller group sizes, outdoor games and activities, and increased staffing numbers, allow us to better accommodate 2 metre physical distancing, while encouraging responsible social interaction and participation between children.

Face Masks

Staff and children will wear masks in alignment with provincial health guidelines or YMCA guidelines at the time of their camp.

Daily Health Screenings All registrants will be asked to complete a digital COVID-19 health screening upon arrival, which will include a short symptom-related questionnaire. This tool will help you determine if it is safe for you and those in your party to participate. The screening data is secure and won’t be collected or shared in any way – it’s simply a way for you to know if it is safe for you and others to participate.

Increased Cleaning

Hand sanitizer will be available for all participants for use before, during and after program.

Equipment will also be sanitized between activities.

Other Protocols Include: • Weekly cohorts, reducing the number of people your children will be in contact with • Using outdoor spaces for high energy activities • Structuring activities and experiences to reduce shared, high-touch objects and equipment • Proactive, responsible supervision Page 5

Choose Your Own Adventure!

The most extraordinary adventures always start with new experiences! This summer, help your kids beat boredom by giving them the experience to try something new, unplugged! With multi-activity camps, drama camps, and more, choose which adventure your kids want to go on!

TOP TIP

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Click on the icons above to be navigated to that camp section in the guide

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CAMP YMCA

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CAMP YMCA

Camp YMCA

ABOUT CAMP YMCA CAMPS

Camp YMCA camps take place at FIVE of our health & fitness locations in Calgary and a NEW location in downtown Calgary across the street from Olympic Plaza.

Campers will participate in a variety of games and activities that take place in and out of our YMCA facilities. Each age group will enjoy activities appropriate for their developmental age.

Day Camp amenities and activities will be dependent on government health restrictions and recommendations at the time camp starts, as well as operational realities within branches if pools or other amenities have limited capacities due to health guidance. *subject to change based on COVID restrictions

Ages 4-5 Tenderfoot Summer Camp Summer Day Camps will be safe, fun, and memorable! Indoor and outdoor games and activities will foster and encourage physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers.

Children will have ample opportunities to be active, unplug and meet new friends.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton • Shawnessy YMCA • Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot • Remington YMCA in Quarry Park

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Camp YMCA

CAMP YMCA

Ages 6-7 Discoverers Learn to Skate Camp

Discoverers Visual Arts Camp

Find your balance and confidence on the ice!

Campers will participate in one YMCA skate lesson each day where they will learn basic skating fundamentals and gain on-ice confidence in a small group setting. Campers will also participate in arts and crafts, games, gym time and outdoor adventures. Mitts/gloves, skates (hockey or figure), and a CSA-approved hockey helmet and face mask are required. Winter jacket and snow pants are recommended.

Discoverers will unleash their creativity this summer in our Visual Arts Camp at YMCA Calgary. Campers will receive a 2-hour session with an experienced visual arts instructor where they will explore drawing, painting, and sculpture. Campers will also participate in indoor and outdoor games and activities

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

Discoverers Summer Camp Summer Day Camps will be safe, fun, and memorable!

Indoor and outdoor games and activities will foster and encourage physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers. Children will have ample opportunities to be active, unplug and meet new friends.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton • Shawnessy YMCA • Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot • Remington YMCA in Quarry Park • Downtown Off Site Page 9

CAMP YMCA

Camp YMCA

Ages 8-9 Explorers Learn to Skate Camp Find your balance and confidence on the ice! Campers will participate in one YMCA skate lesson each day where they will learn basic skating fundamentals and gain on-ice confidence in a small group setting.

Campers will also participate in arts and crafts, games, gym time and outdoor adventures. Mitts/gloves, skates (hockey or figure), and a CSA-approved hockey helmet and face mask are required. Winter jacket and snow pants are recommended.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

Explorers Basketball Camp Our basketball camps focus on skill development and building fitness through cross-training. Participants will get lots of practice while they learn strategy, sportsmanship, practice teamwork and develop an even greater love of the game.

The only prerequisite in these inclusive, nonintimidating camps is an interest in the sport!

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

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Explorers Summer Camp Summer Day Camps will be safe, fun, and memorable! Indoor and outdoor games and activities will foster and encourage physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers.

Children will have ample opportunities to be active, unplug and meet new friends.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton • Shawnessy YMCA • Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot • Remington YMCA in Quarry Park • Downtown Off Site

Visit ymcacalgary.org/registration for more information

Camp YMCA

CAMP YMCA

Ages 10-11 Adventurers Basketball Camp

Adventurers Drama Camp

Our basketball camps focus on skill development and building fitness through cross-training. Participants will get lots of practice while they learn strategy, sportsmanship, practice teamwork and develop an even greater love of the game.

The only prerequisite in these inclusive, nonintimidating camps is an interest in the sport!

Adventurers will have two hours of drama sessions each day exploring movement, voice, character, scene work, improvisation and storytelling from an experienced drama instructor. Campers will also participate in indoor and outdoor games and activities.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

Adventurers Summer Camp Summer Day Camps will be safe, fun, and memorable! Indoor and outdoor games and activities will foster and encourage physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers.

Children will have ample opportunities to be active, unplug and meet new friends.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton • Shawnessy YMCA • Melcor YMCA • Remington YMCA • Downtown Off Site Page 11

CAMP YMCA

Camp YMCA

Ages 12-13 Challenger Summer Camp Summer Day Camps will be safe, fun, and memorable! Indoor and outdoor games and activities will foster and encourage physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers. Children will have ample opportunities to be active, unplug and meet new friends.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton • Shawnessy YMCA • Melcor YMCA • Remington YMCA

Ages 14-15 Summer Leadership Camp Summer Leaders will gain valuable leadership experiences this summer at the YMCA in this 2-week camp. Each session will include volunteer opportunities within Day Camps and the YMCA, experience working with children, as well as active indoor and outdoor activities with a camp mentor. Summer Leaders will receive a certificate of participation at the end of the camp.

Locations: • Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge • Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton

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Camp Riveredge About

Camp Riveredge Camps

Camp Riveredge camps take place at Sandy Beach Park located in Calgary's southwest.

Outdoor Day Camps At Camp Riveredge, campers will experience a fully outdoor camp—right in the city!

Packed with full days of adventure, campers will participate in active camp games and spend lots of time exploring forests and wide-open spaces. Full days immersed in the natural world will provide many meaningful opportunities and loads fun!

All camps include some of the same activities, but are modified for each developmental stage to keep camp fun, engaging and challenging for all ages. Campers must be dropped off and picked up at the Camp Riveredge site near Sandy Beach. There is no bussing or before/after care offered for this camp.

Ages 6-7 Merlins Camp Merlin campers are ages 6 and 7 and must be 6 before the start of the program. Merlins introduces campers to the outdoors while emphasizing play and enjoying nature. Merlin campers will experience YMCA Camp Riveredge and the surrounding area including challenge course, low ropes and a variety of other activities.

Bike Camp - Gear One Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable! Bike Gear One campers are ages 6 and 7 and must have turned 6 by the start of the program. Build confidence and skill while riding a bicycle. Gear One campers will participate in all regular camp activities (challenge course, low ropes, archery, mud kitchen etc.) as well as spending 1 to 2 hours a day building basic bike skills.

Requirements: Campers should provide a CPSC/CSA-approved helmet and bicycle in working order. It is suggested all bikes contain multiple gears to assist with pathway riding. Gear One campers should be comfortable riding a bicycle and are allowed training wheels/ stabilizers if needed. This program aims to improve skills and confidence, a significant ability improvement cannot be guaranteed.

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Camp Riveredge

Ages 8-9 Hawks Camp

Bike Camp - Gear Two

Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable!

Hawk campers are ages 8 and 9 and must have turned 8 by the start of the program. With a focus on time in nature, games and meeting new friends, a session at Camp Riveredge will foster physical literacy development, artistic exploration, and participation and cooperation with peers.

Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable! Bike Gear Two campers are ages 8 to 11 and must have turned 8 before the start of the program. The traditional Bike Camp experience.

Gear Two campers are comfortable riding bicycles who will participate in 2 short rides and 2 long rides. Campers will experience some camp activities (challenge course, archery, animal game) and develop their skills.

Requirements: Campers should provide a CPSC/CSA-approved helmet and bicycle in working order. It is suggested all bikes contain multiple gears to assist with pathway riding. Gear Two campers should be comfortable riding a bicycle and are not allowed to have training wheels present. Campers will be cycling up to 20Km a day across the week. improvement cannot be guaranteed.

Ages 10-11 Falcons Camp Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable! Falcon campers are ages 10 and 11 and must have turned 10 by the start of the program. Falcons develop the camp experience to introduce teamwork and leadership skills. Alongside regular camp activities, Falcon campers will be encouraged to control their own experience. This may include performing at campfire or leading activities for the rest of the group.

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Camp Riveredge

Ages 12-13

Ages 14-15

Eagles Camp

Osprey Leadership Camp

Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable!

Eagle campers are ages 12 and 13 and must have turned 12 by the start of the program. Eagles campers are encouraged to take leadership roles across camp including campfire, facilitating activities for younger groups and developing ideas for All Camps Day. Eagle campers will have plenty of fun with their peers and counsellor to grow into the camp community

Ages 6-13

Summer at YMCA Camp Riveredge will be safe, fun, and memorable! Osprey campers are ages 14 and 15 and must have turned 14 by the start of the program. Osprey leadership groups work alongside camp staff to become leaders in the camp community while having fun. Campers will build life skills and lead several activities for younger groups, be taught safety and behavior management skills, participate in mock interviews and shadow a counsellor.

Open to First Nation, Inuit and Metis only.

Indigenous Day Camps Muskwa Camp is for Indigenous children ages 6-13yrs old who either identify and/or self-identify as First Nation, Inuit and Metis. It’s a fun summer camp experience for children to explore the outdoors, learn traditional activities, elder visits and make new friends with a focus on Indigenous cultural connection to the land through an oral way of learning. Our camp registration is limited to one session per camper to be fair and equal as our camp is free. For more information about these Camps, please contact Hope Williams-Smith, YMCA Indigenous Supervisor hope.williams-smith@calgary.ymca.ca Please note: This camp is not available for registration online and must be registered using the email listed.

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Camp Chief Hector YMCA ABOUT CAMP CHIEF HECTOR CAMPS

Camp Chief Hector provides a rich ecosystem for children and youth to learn and grow through nature. Our camps promote independence and community through challenge and fun. An experience not be missed!

CAMP CHIEF HECTOR SITE The Camp Chief Hector site is located just an hour outside of Calgary in Bow Valley Wildlands Provincial Park. This camp is full of adventure.

Day Camp (Ages 6-11) Join in on summer fun at Camp Chief Hector YMCA! Our Day Camp program will focus on time in nature, camp activities and meeting new friends. Campers will participate in activities such as hiking, canoeing, archery and crafts, while learning to take care of themselves outside and working as a team.

Activities and spaces will be organized to encourage 2-metre physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be in place. Please pack a couple of comfortable face masks for your child, as participants and staff will wear masks when not engaged in high intensity physical activity.

Bussing is offered from Laurence Grassi School, Elizabeth Rummel School, and the Exshaw Legion. Campers may also be dropped off at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. Bag lunches can be pre-purchased for the week.

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Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Horse Day Camp (Ages 10-12) Join in on summer fun and learn more about horses at Camp Chief Hector YMCA! Our Horse Day Camp program will focus on time in nature, learning about horses, camp activities and meeting new friends. Campers will spend half of each day with the horses, learning about their care and riding. They will also participate in other camp activities such as hiking, canoeing, archery and crafts.

Activities and spaces will be organized to encourage 2-metre physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be in place. Please pack a couple of comfortable face masks for your child, as participants and staff will wear masks when not engaged in high intensity physical activity.

Bussing is offered from Laurence Grassi School, Elizabeth Rummel School, and the Exshaw Legion. Campers may also be dropped off directly at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. Bag lunches can be pre-purchased for the week.

Family Day at Camp (All Ages) Join us at Camp Chief Hector YMCA for a day of outdoor fun! Family (Household) groups will have the opportunity to participate in a number of rotating camp activities including archery, canoeing, meeting our horses, ropes course, nature scavenger hunt, crafts and hiking.

Please come ready to be outside for most of the day, with comfortable shoes for walking and sun and rain gear. Please bring a mask for everyone as YMCA Calgary requires all participants over the age of 2 to wear masks inside buildings and at outdoor program areas.

A picnic lunch can be added on to your day for an additional cost.

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Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Family Getaway (All Ages) Join us at Camp Chief Hector YMCA for a few days of outdoor fun! Family (Household) groups will have the opportunity to participate in a number of rotating camp activities including archery, canoeing, meeting our horses, ropes course, nature scavenger hunt, crafts and hiking.

Each family group will have their own tipi to spend the nights. Our chef and kitchen team will provide a hot breakfast each morning, a picnic lunch for both days and a BBQ dinner on the middle day.

Arrival is between 6:30 and 8:00pm on the first day. Families can choose to stay until 4:00pm on the third day of the program.

Please come ready to be outside for most of the day, with comfortable shoes for walking and sun and rain gear. Tipis are equipped with bunk beds, mattresses and a fire pit. Each person will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow.

No food or cooking is allowed in the tipis.

Please bring a mask for everyone as YMCA Calgary requires all participants over the age of 2 to wear masks inside buildings and at outdoor program areas.

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Help Keep Camp Chief Hector Around for the Next 90 Years.

Established in 1930, this has been one of our most challenging years yet for Camp Chief Hector YMCA. The pandemic has significantly impacted our ability to run our well-loved overnight summer camp and outdoor education school program resulting in little-to-no revenue for the second straight year.

The temporary closure of camp, and loss of revenue, is causing significant financial challenges.

As a charity, we rely on annual revenue to cover the operational costs of running our camp. Expenses related to facility maintenance, groundskeeping, horse care and essential staff remain.

To help our camp remain strong, and sustainable, we are asking our Camp Chief Hector YMCA family to help us by donating and registering for a 2021 camp.

We ask you to draw nearer to camp and support us in any of the following ways.

• Donate your summer registration fee. Click here to donate • Become a Camp Chief Hector TEAM UP monthly donor.

Learn more here • Participate in our 50/50 Raffle – details coming soon!

• Register for a day camp or family getaway camp by clicking here.

• Register for Camp Chief Hector YMCA’s 90th celebration Sept. 11-12, 2021 - details coming soon!

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fun. safe. unplugged.

ymcacalgary.org Page 20

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