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We work to ensure that everyone-- regardless of age, cultural background, ethnicity, income, faith, gender, gender identity, race or sexual orientation-- feels welcome, connected and safe at camp.
We aim to empower all campers, leadership trainees, volunteers, and staff to fully participate in our camps, and develop to their fullest potential as future leaders and global citizens.
Our camps embrace diversity, reflect the needs of our communities that we serve, and strive to ensure inclusion and engagement for all.
Please check your calendar to see if the dates that you plan to send your child to camp are the same as are listed in our system. (We have campers arrive for the wrong session at least twice a summer...please double check!) If you have an issue with your child's registration, the sooner you contact us, the better the chance of us being able to accommodate your change. Please call us ASAP if you have an issue. 519-699-5100. Access your CampBrain account here.
Most of our parents pay a deposit at registration and indicate for us to charge the same credit card with the remainder of the payment due on June 1. If you are one of these payers, you should expect to receive a reminder email prior to June 1, indicating that your payment will be automatically processed on June 1. Please double check the number at that time and make sure it's still current, and if not, please give us a call 519-699-5100 with your updated information. If you have paid in full before June 1st you will not receive this reminder email.
If you have already completed this form, reviewing and updating it will ensure that we are getting the most up-to-date information about the health and any special requirements to make your child's stay with us the best it can be. Access your CampBrain account here.
Please be sure to read and discuss the Camper Code of Behaviour with your child, and indicate you have done so. Access your CampBrain account here.
Photographs are taken throughout each session for slide shows and certificates at camp, and for various marketing purposes. By signing the consent line, you authorize The YMCA of Three Rivers to use picture(s) of your child in any of their advertising and promotional materials. These materials may be used for internal and external use, but will not be sold to any external parties. This requires a yes or no answer on the form. Access your CampBrain account here.
If you have requested Inclusion Support for your camper, please ensure this form is completed TWO WEEKS prior to their arrival at camp. Access your CampBrain account here.
Inclusion Facilitators provide additional support for campers, who may require it, to be successful at camp. Inclusion Facilitators are specifically trained to provide support to campers with disabilities, behavioural challenges, and to assist counsellors in dealing with difficult situations that arise throughout the day. Families are welcome to apply to have their camper supported by an Inclusion Facilitator. Access your CampBrain account here.
The majority of our communication will be done through email. Please make sure your email is up to date and correct in your CampBrain account.
Prior to your child's arrival at camp we will send an email with everything you need to know to ensure they have a successful week with us.
Our entire camp team is made up of individuals who are fun, energetic and are passionate about ensuring a successful camp experience for each child! It is our priority to provide an inclusive, engaging and caring environment everyday at camp.
All staff are certified in:
Day Camp Site Coordinators are located at each site and provide support to Counsellors, Inclusion staff and LIT’s throughout the summer. It is the role of the Site Coordinators to oversee the smooth operation of each camp day, plan and implement camp programming, and support the camp team.
A Daycamp survey link will be emailed to you at the end of each session. Please take a moment to complete this survey. Your feedback is used to continually improve our programs.
The health and safety of day campers is our foremost concern. Our Day Camp Director is a full-time, year round staff member with our Camping Department. Site Coordinators support our counsellors at each of our sites and all staff are trained in emergency procedures and certified in first aid. Our lifeguards, who are certified by the National Lifesaving Society, supervise all aquatic activities.
If your child is feeling ill before coming to camp please keep them home. If your child becomes ill or injured while at camp, immediate care will be provided. Every effort will be made by staff to keep your child comfortable until your arrival.
We recommend that you send along 2 inhalers/EpiPens® with your child. One will need to be carried by your child at all times (we suggest that you send a hip sack for easy carrying so your child can carry one inhaler/EpiPen® at all times). The back up will be kept with the counsellor supervising your child's group throughout the day. (The counsellor will carry both inhalers/Epipens® at the parents request.)
With continued concern over the health risks resulting from extended exposure to the sun, we ask that you send the following items with your child to camp.
Our staff understand the importance of reminding children about sunscreen and hats. Times will be allotted throughout the day for reapplication.
We’re listening to Region of Waterloo Public Health, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, and Huron Perth Public Health every day to stay informed on the steps we can take to ensure our procedures follow all the public health recommendations like hand washing, physical distancing, monitoring campers and staff for symptoms and more. The plan we are developing follows all these recommendations so you can be safe and healthy at the Y.
All Day campers will need to bring the following items each day they come to camp. We suggest that you pack everything in a backpack. Please label it with their name or attach a tag.
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING
The YMCA will not be responsible for lost or damaged items. Please keep your valuables at home.
These items will be confiscated upon the camper's arrival and returned to the parent upon the camper's departure.
Campers should arrive daily with a lunch and at least 2 snacks as well as a refillable water bottle. Vendors and/or vending machines will not be available for lunch/snack purchases at any of our sites by campers.
Please...No Nuts!
Do not send any nut products to camp with your child. We appreciate your help in keeping our sites and equipment as safe as possible for all of our campers.
It is the goal of the YMCA to provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for all participants. The YMCA teaches the core values of acceptance, caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and health. At camp we will create opportunities for everyone to play FAIR, play SAFE, and play HARD with the ultimate goal of FUN. Children who attend the program are expected to follow the behavior guidelines and to interact appropriately in a group setting.
PLAY FAIR: Adults will be reasonable and listen to all ideas
PLAY SAFE: Adults will set clear rules and directions to limit danger
PLAY HARD: Adults will create opportunities for fun and safe challenges, risks and activities.
1. We will CARE for ourselves and those around us.
2. We will RESPECT each other, our leaders and the environment.
3. We are RESPONSIBLE for our actions.
4. We will be HONEST with others
5. We will ACCEPT everyone for who they are
6. We will practice good HEALTH
We have zero tolerance for campers who are bullying other campers. We are committed to providing a safe, friendly and caring environment for our campers to learn, grow and foster new friendships while developing new skills. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable! Everyone has the right to be treated with respect.
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.
Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding or tormenting
Physical: the use of violence –hitting, punching, kicking, pushing
Verbal: name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing
Racist: racial taunts, gestures, graffiti
Sexual: unwanted physical contact or abusive comments
Homophobic: because of or focusing on the issue of sexuality
Cyber: all areas of internet, email, chat rooms, texts, or calls, misuse of cameras or video facilities
Any of these behaviours will result in a phone call home and immediate removal from programs and possible expulsion.
When a child does not follow the behaviour guidelines, we take the following steps:
If a problem persists and a child continues to disrupt the program, the YMCA reserves the right to suspend the child from the program. Expulsion from the program will be considered in extreme situations.
The following behaviours are not acceptable and may result in the immediate suspension of a participant for the remainder of the current program day, week or possibly the entire summer:
In order to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all campers any intentional participant behavior that puts the YMCA, staff or others at physical or emotional risk may result in immediate dismissal from the program. Any expenses incurred as a result of program dismissal will be the responsibility of the participant/parent/guardian.
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