Summer Day Camps
Registration for Summer 2026 is now open!
Register your child today for a summer filled with fun, adventure, and friendship!
YMCA Summer Day Camps – Find Your Adventure
At YMCA Summer Day Camps, children ages 6-12 will enjoy a variety of exciting programs designed to keep them active, curious, and engaged. From arts and crafts to sports, outdoor exploration, and teamwork activities, there’s something for every child to love!
Our camps not only provide endless summer fun, but also a safe and inclusive environment where every child can grow, thrive, and make lasting friendships.
Summer Day Camp Locations
To find out more about our Summer Day Camp locations, click on the region and select the camp location.
Alliston & Tottenham
Gravenhurst
Midland
Parry Sound
A Camp Where Everyone Belongs
Camp is about fun, friendship, and creating lasting, positive memories. To make sure campers, staff, and volunteers have the best experience possible, we’re sharing our expectations about how to treat each other and our camp.
Why a Code of Conduct?
A code of conduct helps to:
- Build team spirit and a sense of belonging
- Ensure everyone takes responsibility for their own behaviours, attitudes, and actions
- Contribute to the safety of campers and staff
Bussing to Camp
Getting to camp has never been easier with bus pick up available from 9 stops. Safety is always the top priority, followed by fun. Each bus is staffed with at least two counsellors.
Financial Assistance
As a community-building charity, the YMCA is committed to reducing financial barriers and making camp accessible to all.
The Children’s Services Division of the County of Simcoe, the District of Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound provides child care subsidies to eligible families. The YMCA has secured purchase of service agreements allowing children to attend YMCA Child Care and Day Camp programs with the aid of subsidies. In order to apply for the subsidies, parents/guardians must be working, attending school, or fulfilling a participation agreement with Ontario Works.
To Apply for Child Care or Day Camp Fee Assistance Subsidies, please contact:
The YMCA also offers Financial Assistance through an application on the YMCA Online Portal. The YMCA Financial Assistance Program is funded through our YMCA Annual Campaign by individual donors, service clubs, and businesses, ensuring affordable access for individuals or families who face financial barriers to joining our programs and services. Click here to learn more or apply.
For more information, please email [email protected].
How to Register
Step 3
Select your program in the Online Portal and complete check out. For assistance, call 705-792-7822.
Learn More about YMCA Summer Day Camp
Discover the magic of summer day camp and answers to commonly asked questions.
Program Descriptions
Each Day Camp program has been thoughtfully created to ignite the potential in campers.
Locations & Programs Available
Check out all camp locations and programs at the Y this summer.
Join Our Day Camp Staff
Are you a motivated individual looking to make a difference in your community?
Every summer, we search for motivated individuals looking to bring the magic of camp to children and youth in their community. We look for staff that are patient, hardworking, and empathetic. A successful day camp staff member will be a positive role model for campers and provide a safe and engaging camp experience that leaves campers wanting to return year after year.
If you are interested in spending your summer helping campers make lasting memories (and making some of your own!), please visit our Careers webpage to view our Day Camp job postings.
Day Camp FAQ
Whether it’s your camper’s first or fifth time at camp, we know how important it is to feel prepared and comfortable so they can focus on the most important thing — having fun! See below for commonly asked questions. Don’t see an answer to your question? Contact us at 705-792-7822 or [email protected].
Registration
What are the camp hours?
Our regular camp day runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at all locations. Extended care is available at most locations and begins at 6:30 am, 7:00 am, or 7:30 am, depending on the location. Extended care in the morning goes until 9:00 am, and in the afternoon, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at an additional cost.
Click here to see if your location offers extended care and for the hours.
How do I register for camp?
Day Camp registration takes place fully online through the YMCA Online Portal. To register click here.
For step-by-step instructions on how to register, click here.
What is the registration deadline?
All camper registrations and registration changes, excluding cancellations, must be made by 12:00 pm on the Wednesday prior to the week commencing. If you need to make any changes to your camper’s registration or update their medical information, please contact the camp office by phone or by email.
What is the cancellation deadline?
Cancellation and refund requests must be made at least 14 days prior to the camp week commencing in order for a refund to be processed. Cancellation requests made less than 14 days prior to the camp week must have an attached medical note in order for a refund to be considered. Please note, there is a $25 deposit per week nonrefundable charge at the time of registration.
Who is eligible to go to camp?
YMCA Day Camps offer a positive and inclusive experience for children and youth ages 6 to 12. Age is determined by year of birth, rather than the camper’s age at the beginning of the camp session. Children who turn 6 by December 31 of the current year are eligible for Day Camp. For our younger campers (ages 4 & 5) we offer Summer Kids Club at our licensed Child Care locations.
Do you offer programs for children with disabilities?
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is committed to working with families to support campers with special needs, whether developmental, physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioural. Inclusion support is facilitated by our inclusion counsellors who are youth with at least 1 year of experience working with children. They receive YMCA training and are not licensed professionals. Please note we do not offer personal care and campers should be able to use the toilet by themselves and dress and change themselves independently.
When submitting your camp registration, please register for ‘Inclusion Support’ for the session and location desired, and a member of the YMCA staff team will connect with you this spring to discuss inclusion supports and confirm your spot.
Preparing for Camp
What does my camper need to bring to camp?
Your camper should bring all of the following items to camp: hat, sunscreen, bug spray, reusable water bottle, closed toe shoes, bathing suit and towel, nutritious litterless lunch and snacks, and a supportive backpack capable of holding all items.
What should my camper refrain from bringing to camp?
Please do not send your camper to camp with any valuables (iPods, MP3 players, tablets, DSIs, toys, jewelry, etc.). These items are not a part of our camp program and do not fit into our daily plans.
Please do not send money to camp. Campers will not be permitted to make purchases from vending machines or during out trips. This allows us to ensure that all campers are provided with equal opportunities during their camp experience and prevents the possibility of allergic/medical reactions.
What should my camper wear to camp?
Most camp activities will continue rain or shine so it is very important that all campers are dressed appropriately for the weather. We recommend that your camper wear easy to remove layers suitable for outdoor play. Remember that campers may get dirty while participating in camp activities – please do not send your camper in their “good” clothes. Closed toe shoes or athletic sandals should be worn at all times.
What should my camper bring for lunch and snack?
Each day campers will sit down with their group for two, fifteen minute snack breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), and one half-hour lunch break around midday. To ensure your camper has what they need, please refer to the following list of do’s and don’ts when preparing lunch and snacks:
- Do pack a nutritious, litterless lunch complete with several ready to go snacks.
- Do consider that campers will be physically active throughout the day and may require more food than they typically eat at school.
- Do send extra snacks if your camper is participating in extended care.
- Don’t pack heat sensitive food items. Campers will not be able to refrigerate or reheat their meals at camp.
- Don’t include snacks or meals that contain nuts or nut products.
What if my camper has medications?
Medications required by your camper during the camp day should be noted on their online registration form. When sent to camp, all medication must be in its original packaging, stored in a plastic baggie, and clearly labeled with your camper’s name and dosage instructions.
Medications must be turned in to the camp staff who will store them in a locked location and assist your camper with administration at the required time(s). Emergency medications will be worn by the camper or the staff as per the instructions parents/guardians provide. We ask that you communicate any specific instructions to the On Site Supervisor during sign in.
During Camp
What does a typical day at camp look like?
The following schedule represents a sample day at one of our centre based camps. Exact schedules and activities will vary by camp location.
7:30 AM Morning Extended Care Begins
9:00 AM Camper Sign In and Small Group Games
9:15 AM Opening Flagpole and Morning Announcements
9:45 AM Activity Block 1
10:30 AM Morning Snack
10:45 AM Activity Block 2
12:00 PM Lunch
12:30 PM Small Group Games
1:00 PM Activity Block 3
2:15 PM Afternoon Snack
2:30 PM Activity Block 4
3:30 PM Closing Flagpole and Afternoon Announcements
4:00 PM Camper Sign Out
6:00 PM Afternoon Extended Care Ends
What if my camper does not want to participate in a particular activity?
Our Day Camps offer a wide variety or programming from sports and games to arts and crafts. While we encourage campers to participate in all programs in order to make the most of their camp experience, we understand that campers may not want to partake in every activity. In these cases alternate programming will be offered in the form of joining another group’s activity, taking on a different role within the program, or participating in a different activity alongside the group.
Will my camper participate in a swim test?
All swimming and boating sessions will be supervised by certified lifeguards. Prior to swimming in deep water or entering a boat, all campers will be required to complete a basic swim test. Life jackets will be available for campers that do not complete the swim test. All campers must wear a life jacket while boating.
What if my camper loses something at camp?
All lost and found items will be held at camp until the end of each month. Where possible, found items will be displayed at sign out for parents and guardians to see. If your camper is picked up at a bus stop, please provide the bus counsellor with a detailed list of any items you believe may be in the lost and found.
In order to reduce lost and found items, we ask that you label all of your camper’s items. Custom labels can be ordered from: camps.mabelslabels.com. If you type ‘YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka Day Camp’ in the search bar before shopping a small portion of the cost will be donated to our campership fund.
Can I give permission for someone else to pick up my camper?
Only those listed under the parent/guardian and alternate pick up sections of your camper’s registration will be allowed to sign your camper out. If someone else will be picking up your camper, please ensure you provide a signed written note to your camper’s bus monitor, counsellor, or On Site Supervisor. Photo identification will be required at every sign out. Please ensure that everyone authorized to pick up your camper is aware of the need to present photo identification.
What do I do if I need to pick up my camper early?
Please notify your camper’s bus monitor, counsellor, or On Site Supervisor that you will need to pick up your camper early. The Day Camp staff will arrange for a convenient place to meet and sign out your camper.
What happens if I am late picking up my camper?
Please call the camp office or On Site Supervisor if you will be late picking up your camper. Until you arrive your camper will join the extended care program and participate in supervised drop in activities. If you are late arriving to a bus stop, your camper will remain on the bus and be transported to the next stop while the camp staff attempt to contact you.
Additional charges may be applied for late pick-ups.
What if the bus is running behind schedule?
All bus times are approximate. We will make every effort to keep our busses running on schedule throughout the summer. If a camp bus is running more than 10 minutes behind schedule the camp office will attempt to contact impacted families by email as soon as possible.
Accessibility and Inclusion Program Support
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is committed to working with families to support campers with special needs, whether developmental, physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioural. Inclusion Camp is facilitated by our inclusion counsellors who are youth with at least one year of experience working with children. They receive YMCA training and are not licensed professionals. Please note we do not offer personal care and campers should be able to use the toilet by themselves and dress and change themselves independently.
The Inclusion Camp program is located on the far left side of the Day Camp program registration page in the YMCA Online Portal. When submitting your camp registration, please select your desired program and a member of the YMCA staff team will connect with you this spring to discuss inclusion supports and confirm your spot.
Did you know?
50% of YMCA Day Campers receive financial assistance or government subsidies.
Every child deserves the chance to explore nature, gain confidence, and make lasting friendships at YMCA camps this summer!
As a community-building charity, the YMCA is committed to reducing financial barriers and making camp accessible to all. With the support of our community, the YMCA will continue to provide safe and inclusive spaces where children can learn, grow, and thrive.