Adventure Awaits
YWCA Summer Day Camps
About Our Summer Camps
Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
YWCA Cambridge Summer Day Camps have been an essential summer destination for girls and boys in Cambridge and the surrounding area for over 53 years. Our main summer camp program takes place at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area, and we also offer an indoor camp program at Wesley United Church in Galt for children ages 4-10.
All of our camps focus on a diverse array of activities designed to help campers explore our environment and foster a connection to our natural world and with each other.
Camps are priced individually but always include any special equipment needed. Camps run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Extended Day is available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for an additional $50.50 per week or $40.50 for weeks that include a statutory holiday.
YWCA Cambridge Summer Camps will take your camper on an adventure that will teach new skills, build confidence and create lasting memories!
To Contact camp staff
email camp@ywcacambridge.ca or
call 226.220.6285
Shades Mills Day Camp
Shades Mills Parent Manual
Indoor Camp at Welsley United
Indoor Camp Parent Manual
Registration for the 2025 season opens February 2025
Explore Our Camps
Nature Camp
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 4-10
For children ages 4-10. Four-year-olds must have attended JK in 2023/2024 to be eligible for the camp.
YWCA Cambridge Summer Day Camps at Shade’s Mills have been a destination for children in Cambridge and the surrounding area for over 50 years. We take campers on an adventure that will teach new skills, build confidence and create lasting memories!
Campers enjoy the natural setting of the Shade’s Mills Conservation Area and experience the holistic development of each and every child.
Educational explorations of the woods, trails, streams and the lake are integrated into the program daily. We provide children with experiences they may not have had before, including fishing, boating, swimming, nature walks and fort building, as well as crafts and lots of fun games! They will also enjoy meeting and interacting with other children while building on their skills and confidence every day, making memories they will always cherish.
This camp is ideal for campers who are naturally curious about the world around them. We focus on the inclusion of all campers and the exploration of the environment around us at Shade’s Mills.
Campers Cooking
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
If you enjoy cooking and the great outdoors, this is the camp for you! Start out by decorating your own apron, then make delicious snacks and lunches each day using the safe outdoor cooking and campfire-building skills you’ll learn.
Mad Scientists
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
This camp is a fun-filled week of STEM experiences that form the foundation of a lasting love of science, technology, engineering, and math! STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators
Habitat Hunters
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
As habitat hunters, campers will become very familiar with the surroundings of Shade’s Mills Conservation Area and the various plants and creatures that call it home. By the end of the week, campers will know about different habitats and even create their own!
Wilderness Survival
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
Could you survive in the woods? Let’s make sure you could! Learn basic survival skills like how to build a shelter, make a fire without a match, create a survival kit and learn search and rescue techniques.
Gone Fishing
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
Calling all fishing enthusiasts! We welcome those looking to learn, expand their knowledge or just take some time to enjoy a sport they already know. We will identify species and their habitats and cover equipment set-up and care, casting and use of lures.
Ooey Gooey
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 10-12
Let’s get messy! Look, listen, touch and smell with many hands-on activities. We will work together to find all things dirty, slimy and downright cool, all in the magical Shade’s Mills Conservation Area.
Outrageous Outings
Location:
Summer Day Camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 7-12
Our most popular camp! This fun-filled busy program of activities is only offered to ages 7-12. This week includes an exciting line-up of 3 offsite trips and on-site special guest(s). Campers are dropped off and picked up at Shade’s Mills; extended care is still available. Campers will receive a YWCA t-shirt to wear every day. Campers must be able to swim.
Campers Cooking
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
In this camp, your little chefs will learn about basic cooking, nutrition, food preparation, and more! They’ll also have the chance to do crafts and spend time with their fellow campers. Each junior cook will receive an apron to take home at the end of the week. Using locally-sourced produce, campers will explore different cooking techniques, learn about table-setting and common North American etiquette, and so much more. Sharp knives and cooking with heat may be involved and only under camp staff supervision.
Mad Scientists
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
This is the camp for your budding scientist! Camps will enjoy a fun-filled week of STEM experiences/activities that form the foundation of a lasting love for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators.
Habitat Hunters
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
Campers will learn about the plants and animals of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands by exploring a new habitat each day and engaging in lots of engaging projects. By the end of the week, campers will know about different habitats and even create their own! The group will also take a trip out to Shade’s Mills Conservation Area for some hands-on exploration.
Wilderness Survival
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
It’s never too early to build wilderness survival skills! Campers will learn basic survival skills, like how to build a shelter, make a fire without a match and how to create a survival kit, as well as learn search and rescue techniques. The group will also take a trip out to Shade’s Mills Conservation Area and a local forest location for further, hands-on exploration.
Art Exploration
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
Designed for the young artists, the Art Exploration Camp stimulates campers’ creative abilities to produce wonderful works of art. From painting and drawing, to sculpture and printmaking, we’re going to explore it all and have so much fun discovering new things together!
Campers will learn several art concepts in a diverse range of media and practices, such as drawing, painting, pastel, clay work, collage, and mixed media.
Ooey Gooey
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-10
Let’s get messy! Campers will look, listen, touch, and smell with many hands-on activities in this camp. We will work together to find all things dirty, slimy, and downright cool. Campers will also explore the physics behind non-Newtonian fluids (an exploration between liquids and solid molecules) while getting a little messy! Hands-on activities are the best way to explore the world! The group will also take a trip out to a local business to explore their ooey gooey world a bit further.
Outrageous Outings
Location:
Indoor Summer Day Camp at Wesley United Church
Ages 4-6
Ages 7-10
Our most popular camp! This fun-filled, busy program of activities is only offered to ages 7-10. This camp includes an exciting line-up of three offsite trips and on-site special guests. Campers are dropped off and picked up at WESLEY UNITED CHURCH.
Campers will receive a YWCA Cambridge t-shirt to wear every day. Campers must be able to swim and may be asked to complete and pass an onsite swimming test in order to participate.
Counsellor In Training (CIT) Program
For ages 13-14 years
(two weeks)
This training is designed for youth 13 and 14 years old to build a foundation of leadership and programming skills. This course will prepare youth to volunteer in children’s programs in preparation for summer jobs. Upon completion of this training each attendees will graduate with a standard first aid certification.
Graduates will be eligible to volunteer in the YWCA Day Camp program following successful completion of training.
Philosophy
Our Principles
Environment-Focused
The beautiful natural setting of Shade’s Mills Conservation Area (a thriving ecosystem close to home) lends itself well to activities focused on nature and the environment including hiking, nature crafts, fishing, swimming and more!
Affordable
Subsidized spaces are available to ensure that all children can enjoy camp. If you would like more information about camp subsidies, please contact the Camp Director at camp@ywcacambridge.ca
Inclusive
An Inclusion Facilitator is available to ensure that children who need a little extra support can enjoy camp. Please note, we are unable to provide 1:1 support.
Healthy Development
As a High Five® registered camp, our programs integrate essential Principles of Healthy Child Development, including caring adults, friends, play, mastery, and participation. For more information about High Five®, visit their website.
Is your camper a little nervous about striking it out on their own at summer camp?
Our Behaviour and Inclusion Supervisor has created a step-by-step guide (with photos!) of what they can expect at our outdoor camp at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area. Click here for the guide.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
For ages 14-16 years
Hey, future summer camp counsellors! Volunteer at one of our Summer Day camp programs and get hands-on experience and a glimpse into what it’s like to be a camp counsellor. Positions are available at both our indoor and outdoor camps. For more information, check back February 1!