We are committed to maintaining the high-quality staff and spirit of our camp.  We are hoping that many of our experienced summer camp staff, supervisors, and leaders are excited to transition to the new locations! Additionally, our new sites within licensed child care settings mean we are leveraging the expertise of our full-time, professionally trained Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and child care staff, providing an even higher level of supervision and educational excellence.

 Our ratios will strictly adhere to the provincial regulations for licensed child care settings for maximum safety and engagement.

• Kindergarten Group (4-6 years): 1 staff for every 13 campers (1:13)
• School Age Group (6-12 years): 1 staff for every 15 campers (1:15) This ensures every child receives the support and attention they need.

Our camp is hosted within licensed child care centres and school classrooms. This means campers will have access to dedicated school classrooms, climate-controlled spaces including:

• Air-Conditioned Classrooms: Used for themed activities, focused projects, and as a necessary cool-down space on hot days.
• School Gymnasiums (non-AC): Ideal for large group games, sports, and active play regardless of rain.
• Dedicated Washrooms and access to full facility amenities. This setup is a significant positive change, ensuring activities are never cancelled due to weather.

Safety is our top priority. Our locations follow strict security protocols:

• All exterior doors are locked during program hours.
• Campers are signed in and out by pre-authorized guardians only.
• Staff are clearly identifiable and follow a specific protocol for monitoring entrances/exits and visitor access.
• All staff undergo thorough background checks (Vulnerable Sector Checks) and extensive training, including First Aid/CPR.

Absolutely! We remain deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment where all children feel welcome and supported.

• Dedicated Support Staff: We plan to have support staff onsite at each location.
• Specialized Supervision: Our Behaviour and Inclusion Supervisor will continue to visit and provide guidance and supports at all camp sites.
• Individualized Plans: Inclusion plans will be developed to provide staff with specific strategies to support campers with complex needs, ensuring a successful and positive camp experience.

We do not provide 1:1 care. We believe in working closely with families during the intake process to determine if our group setting is the best fit for your child’s safety and ability to fully participate. If a family or community member volunteer is available to provide 1:1 support, we can discuss the necessary requirements for their participation during the intake process.

Registration will follow a two-phase approach:

1. Internal Families First: Families currently accessing YWCA Cambridge child care services will have access to registration first.
2. External Registration: Spots will then be offered to external families seeking summer camp opportunities on a first-come, first-served basis.

While fees are finalized annually, we anticipate a minimal increase for the 2026 season for children who do not fall under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) eligibility. For children aged 6-12, the weekly increase is projected to be in the range of $5-$10 per week, and this rate will include extended day hours (7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.).

Note: Depending on occupancy at certain sites, groups may be further divided (e.g., separate JK and older School Age groups) at the Centre Supervisor’s discretion.

• Extended Hours: Drop-off begins at 7:00 a.m. and pick-up is by 6:00 p.m.
• Core Program Hours: Programming runs from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

Our days are designed to be dynamic, balancing high-energy activities with focused creative or skill-building time.

We plan for one field trip per week. If a field trip is not scheduled for a given week, a special guest will visit the camp location instead, bringing in a new experience for the campers.

We are excited about our new themed weeks, which will drive skill-building and creativity! (Note: Themes are subject to change.)

We have two scheduled closures to ensure quality and preparedness across our child care department:

• Late June/Early July: This closure is essential for a department-wide break for our dedicated educators and allows our rental locations to complete a deep clean before the summer program begins.
• Last Week of August: This week is designated for school setup. It allows for a final deep clean and gives school staff access to their classrooms to prepare for the academic year.

Have questions that weren’t answered in this Q&A? No problem! Email our Director of Child Care Services, Kristina Lyman at k.lyman@ywcacambridge.ca  and she’ll be happy to answer your questions.