Adventure Awaits
Registration opens at 5:00 p.m. February 3, 2025
YWCA Summer Day Camps
About Our Summer Camps
Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Extended Day Care is available 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 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 60 years. Our main summer camp program takes place at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area for children ages 4-12, 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.
Extended Day is available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for an additional cost: $55 for 5-Dday weeks, $44 for 4-day weeks, and $33 for 3-day weeks.
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
2025 Summer Camp Programming Update
This year, at both of our indoor and outdoor summer camps, we will be offering specialty themed camps, embedded into our everyday camp programming!
Rather than individually-themed camps like Campers Cooking, Art Exploration or Mad Scientists, we will be incorporating elements of all of those themes into every week at camp. Campers will engage in lots of fun activities, exploring STEM education, learning new “survival” techniques, and developing new skills!
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,
- About the plants and animals of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands by exploring a new habitat each day and engaging in lots of engaging projects, and
- 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 search and rescue techniques.
Campers will look, listen, touch, and smell with many hands-on activities in this camp!
At our outdoor camp located at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area, our camps will include boating, swimming and fishing each week. Schedules for these activities will be posted for families and provided before camp begins.
In both our outdoor and indoor camps, some weeks will include exciting field trips – fees for these weeks will be reflective of the additional programming.
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, or to apply, please click here.
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.
Camp Flyer – All Camps
Shades Mills Parent Manual
Indoor Camp Parent Manual
“Hope the indoor camp runs next year and beyond. It is great to have this for children who struggle with a full outdoor day. It is a great balance.”
— Indoor Camp Participant Parent
Explore Our Camps
Summer Camp @ Shade's Mills
Our Outdoor Camp is located directly on beautiful local lake with a beach. Campers can expect:
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- Beautiful forested area for nature exploration, games, and hikes
- Campfires (for older age groups)
- Arts & crafts
- Field games and camp-wide challenges
- Outdoor green field
- Shaded pavilions
- Fishing
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Swimming
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Location:
Shade’s Mills Conservation Area
Ages 4-12
For children ages 4-12. Four-year-olds must have attended JK in 2024/2025 to be eligible for the camp.
At Shade’s Mills, campers will experience fun and adventure while learning new skills, building confidence and creating 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! Campers 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.
Indoor Camp @ Wesley United
Our Indoor Camp is located upstairs in the Wesley United Church. Campers can expect:
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- Nature exploration
- Arts & crafts
- Field trips (fishing, canoeing, swimming)
- camp-wide challenges
- Outdoor green field
- STEAM activities
- Indoor gym access
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Location:
Wesley United Church, 6 Cambridge St., Cambridge
Ages 4-10
Summer camp programming at Wesley United Church is a new program for YWCA Cambridge! While we call it “indoor camp,” there is a whole lot of time spent outside, exploring the surrounding natural habitats and going on other exciting excursions.
At Wesley United, campers will engage in a variety of educational experiences, arts and crafts, indoor games and so much more!
At the YWCA indoor camp, we provide opportunities for campers to connect, build upon skills, learn new ones and make precious memories.
Our dedicated camp staff support your child through engaging and connection-building activities, all while children enjoy exploration and learning something new every day.
If your child needs a quieter, small group camp experience, our indoor camp is just for them!
Please note: Upon registration, a nonrefundable 25% deposit will be due.
All camp fees for July and August must be made in full by May 16, 2025.
WEEKLY RATES
ALL CAMPS
CAMP |
DATES |
COST |
|
Full Week 5 Days |
July 7 – 11 July 21- 25 July 28 – Aug 1 |
$260.00 |
|
Full Week (+ a special visitor or field trip) 5 Days |
July 14 – 18 Aug 11 – 15 Aug 18 – 22 |
$270.00 |
|
Short Week 4 days |
August 5 – 8 | $208.00 |
|
Short Week 3 Days |
July 2 – 4 Aug 25 – 27 |
$156.00 |
Counsellor In Training (CIT) Program
For ages 13-16 years
(two weeks)
This training is designed for youth 13 – 16 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.
|
CIT Camp |
July 7 – 18 | $325 |
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!