YWCA Summer Camps At Shade's Mills
An adventure in the wilderness awaits this summer!
Explore
Play
Teamwork
Friendship
Learning
Adventure
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. Taking place at Shade’s Mills Conservation Area, our camps focus on a diverse array of outdoor activities designed to help campers explore our environment and foster a connection to our natural world.
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 $49 per week or $39 for weeks that include a statutory holiday.
YWCA Cambridge Summer Camp at Shade’s Mills 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
Registration is closed
We can't wait to explore the outdoors with your campers this summer!
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.
Explore Our Camps
Nature Camp
July 4 – August 25 | $230 / week
($184 for short weeks – July 4-7 & August 8-11)
For children ages 4-10. Four-year-olds must have attended JK in
2022/2023 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 explore all aspects of the environment guided by the expertise of the GRCA staff. Our camp is designed to encourage 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, canoeing, 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.
Mad Scientists
July 4 – July 7
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.
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $204 per camper
Nature Detectives
July 10 – 14
Become a nature detective! This camp gives campers the freedom to explore the outdoor world through inquiry-based learning that extends far beyond the classroom, pages of a book or a screen. Campers will learn to use a microscope to meet many creepy crawly friends!
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $255 per camper
Campers Cooking
July 17 – July 21
If you like cooking and the great outdoors, this is the camp for you! Start out by decorating your own apron, then make your own delicious snacks and lunches each day, using the safe outdoor cooking and campfire building skills you’ll learn!
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $255 per camper
Habitat Hunters
July 24 – 28
As habitat hunters, campers will become very familiar with the surroundings of Shade’s Mills Conservation Area and it’s various plants and creatures.
Every animal, bird, insect or fish have unique habitat needs in order to survive. By the end of the week, campers will know about different habitats and even create their own.
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $255 per camper
Ooey Gooey
July 31 – August 4
Let’s get messy! Look, listen, touch & 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.
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $255 per camper
Survival
August 8 – August 11
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.
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $204 per camper
Gone Fishing
August 14 – August 18
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.
For ages 10-12 years
Cost: $255 per camper
Outrageous Outings
August 21 – 25
Our most popular camp! This fun-filled busy program of activities is only offered to ages 6-12. 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.
For ages 6-12 years
Cost: $310 per camper
Counsellor In Training (CIT) Program July 10-21
For ages 13-14 years
Cost: $240 (for 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 attendee 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. Apply
Once your camp registration has been confirmed by the Camp Director, we will send you a link to our secure online payment portal to pay via Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Review our Shade’s Mills Summer Camp Manual and find all the answers to our commonly asked questions!