Welcome to YMCA Day Camp FAQ
Browse our frequently asked questions below and contact us for further details.
YMCA Day Camp offers children and youth fun-filled activities. Keep your kids active and happy during school breaks while helping them grow and learn.
Once registrations open, you will be able to register for camp online through our website and the Camp Brain system.
When registration is finalized you can find the date here:
Camp will be offered in West Niagara, St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls, and Port Colborne at local schools, public parks and YMCA facilities.
Day Camp locations are subject to change based on site availability with our school and community partners.
In order to provide a quality camp program and experience, a session may be cancelled due to low registrations. Campers will be offered an alternative camp location, refund or credit.
Programs at outdoor parks will be 100% outdoors. Pavilion shelters are available in the event of rain, and planned activities will be modified, and frequent breaks scheduled in the event of extreme heat. During extreme weather, the program may be relocated, cancelled, or hours adjusted at the discretion of the YMCA. Parents will be informed as necessary.
In the event of extreme inclement weather due to snow, camp cancellations and closures will be notified through YMCA Website.
YMCA Day Camp programs are offered Monday to Friday with variations by program type and location.
Please review the specific session dates for the camp program in your community.
Camp is not offered at some sites on stat holidays. In these cases, camp fees are pro-rated.
Our camps are offered for participants aged 5-14. This may vary per location and program offerings. You must register your child to the appropriate age group, Children must be the correct age for the camp by the first day of the camp.
Within camps, children are grouped together with children of similar ages as much as possible to support developmentally appropriate activities and strong peer relationships.
YMCA Summer Care, offered at YMCA Child Care Centres across Niagara is also an excellent choice for children ages 3-5 years of age who require care and fun activities over the summer.
Yes, a limited number of spaces and weeks are available in our Helping Hands program. Helping Hands is a program that strives to provide a positive, integrated day camp experience for children with differing abilities who require additional 1:1 support in camp.
To express interest and to add your child to the Helping Hands waitlist for camp, please register for “Helping Hands Intake” when registration opens.
This does not guarantee you a spot in the program but puts you on the waitlist. Our Integration Team will work through the waitlist and contact you if a spot becomes available.
YMCA Day Camp operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For your convenience, drop off at each camp site begins at 8:00 a.m. and pick up ends at 5:00 p.m.
When registration opens you may register online.
- Sign in or create new account (you will not be able to create a new account until registration is open)
- Select the season that you would like to register for (Winter, March, Summer)
- Select or add the participants you would like to register
- Select the camps for each participant that you would like to register. If your camper requires 1:1 support please do not select a specific camp. Scroll past the options and register for the Helping Hands Intake waitlist for the cities and weeks you are interested in. This does not guaranteeyou a spot in the program but puts you on the waitlist. We will work through the waitlist and contact you if a spot becomes available. For more details please check out our helping hands webpage.
- Complete all mandatory forms for each participant.
- Select your payment option. You will be able to choose to pay at the time of registration or specific future dates. If you are applying for subsidy, please select the latest payment option available to allow time for your subsidy form to come in.
- Review your selections before hitting submit.
- You will receive a confirmation email with your invoice and confirmation letter. If you are applying for subsidy, please save this letter for your caseworker.
All refund requests must be in writing by emailing the day camp office at [email protected]
Summer Day Camp: Full refunds will be issued if requested prior to the final payment date. Requests after the final payment date will incur a $25 processing fee per camper. Camp fees are non-refundable within 10 days of the camp.
Winter/March Break Camp: Full refunds will be issued if requested prior to the final payment date.
No refunds are issued if a camper is sent home as a result of their behaviour, if they are ill or if they are directed to isolate/stay home.
In order to provide a quality camp program and experience, a session may be cancelled by the YMCA due to low registrations. Campers will be offered an alternative camp location or refund.
Full refunds will be issued if Day Camp is not able to operate as a result of Government or Public Health directives.
Yes, you will receive confirmation upon registration with the details of the program you registered for.
As a charitable organization the YMCA strives to ensure every child can participate in camp. For information on Financial Assistance please click here.
Parents and guardians should consider
- Will my child be able to follow the YMCA Code of Conduct?
- How many weeks will my child be attending camp?
- Will my child benefit from attending the same location or same type of camp, or do they prefer variety?
- What camp environment will my child enjoy most? Though every camp will engage in activities outside, our park-based camps take place completely outdoors and we provide port-o-potties and/or outdoor washrooms and hand-washing facilities.
- Is my child eligible for this camp based on the age ranges identified?