Parents Resources

Summer Day Camp Parent Guide

Let’s get ready for day camp! This guide will help you prepare, so your camper can focus on the most important thing — having fun!

Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Packing List
FAQ's
Summer Day Camp Parent Guide

Welcome to Y Day Camp

Welcome to the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Day Camps! Summer Camp is a magical experience. We have a ton of exciting activities planned for the 2026 season and can’t wait to have your camper join in the fun. YMCA Day Camps emphasize fun, friendship, safety, and skill development. Each program is built on the foundation of our YMCA core values of kindness, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism. Everyone should have the opportunity to make endless summer camp memories – playing games, exploring the outdoors with friends, and discovering new skills! At YMCA Summer Day Camps, children and youth have the opportunity to thrive in positive, safe environments.

Within the Parent Guide you will find all of the information that you need to ensure your camper is ready for their first day of camp. Contact numbers, packing lists, and the camper code of conduct are just a few of the many topics covered. If you still have questions after reading this guide, please do not hesitate to contact the camp office by phone or by email. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Heather Archibald
YMCA Day Camp Director

YMCA Day Camp FAQs

All Day Camp staff are chosen for their commitment to safety and the well-being of each camper. Our intensive pre-camp training program educates staff on their role in making each camper’s experience a success. Part of this training includes sessions on group dynamics, YMCA Healthy Child Development, and risk management. In addition, all staff hold Standard First Aid and CPR certification and are required to provide a Criminal Reference Check.

Communication before, during and after your camper’s experience is incredibly important to us. We have a number of different tools and strategies that we use in order to ensure optimum communication between our camp staff, campers, and parents/guardians. These tools include:

1) Pre-Camp Emails

Prior to your camper’s week of camp you will receive an email with information about the upcoming week. These emails are typically sent out on the Thursday prior to the week commencing.

2) Phone, Email, and In-Person Updates

Throughout your camper’s week you will receive updates on any need-to-know information. While most communication takes place in person at sign out, you may also receive a phone call or email if the matter is pressing (e.g. the bus is running far behind schedule). Please ensure that we have your correct contact information on file so that you do not miss any updates.

3) End of Program Surveys

At the end of your camper’s week of camp you will receive an email with a link to our online survey. We use the feedback received through our survey to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for all of our campers.

What to Bring to Camp

Each day your camper should be dressed appropriately for the weather. We strongly encourage families to label all of their camper’s belongings with their first and last name.

To ensure your child is prepared for each day, please pack all the items listed below. Most activities will continue, rain or shine, so it is very important to be dressed appropriately for the weather.

Bring the following along in a backpack:

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Closed toe shoes
  • Nutritious lunch and snacks (in reusable containers to reduce waste) *Nut free
  • Supportive backpack capable of holding all items
  • Rain jacket and rain boots (if required)
  • Swimsuit and towel

What to Bring FAQs

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. 

If a camper arrives at camp with any valuables, the On Site Supervisor will take the items for the duration of the camp day and return them at departure time. 

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. 

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. 

All medications required by your camper during the camp day should be noted on their online registration form.  

All medication sent to camp must be: 

  • In its original packaging 
  • Stored in a plastic baggie 
  • Clearly labeled with your camper’s name and dosage instructions 

All 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). 

We ask that you communicate any specific instructions to the On Site Supervisor during sign in. 

All allergies requiring an EpiPen should be noted on your camper’s online registration form. Campers must carry their EpiPen with them at all times throughout the day. 

If supplied, additional EpiPens may be carried by your camper’s counsellor. These EpiPens will then be stored in the locked medication box overnight unless otherwise noted. 

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 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. 

In order to keep your camper safe in the sun, we ask that you apply sunscreen before arriving at camp each day. Please be sure to send your camper with extra sunscreen to be reapplied as necessary. 

At camp we like to follow the 4 “S’s” of sun safety: 

  • Slip on a sun protective shirt 
  • Slap on a hat 
  • Slop on some sunscreen 
  • Slurp some water 

Throughout the camp day, all of our camp staff will role model the 4 S’s listed above. Our staff will encourage campers to reapply sunscreen and refill their water bottles at every snack and lunch break. When necessary some camp activities will be moved to shaded areas. In extremely hot and humid weather, all necessary measures will be taken to keep campers cool. 

Summer Day Camp Parent Resources YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

Sign In and Sign Out

Your camper’s safety is our primary concern throughout the day. All campers must be signed in and out by an approved parent or guardian. This will require a parent or guardian to meet the extended care or Day Camp counsellor in the designated sign in/out area, and physically sign the camp roster acknowledging that the camper has been dropped off/picked up.

A signature is required at both sign in and sign out. Photo ID must be presented at every sign out. Only those listed under the parent/guardian and alternate pick-up sections of a camper’s registration will be allowed to sign the camper out.

Pick-Up & Drop-Off FAQs

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 Coordinator. 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.

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.

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.

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 15 minutes behind schedule, the camp office will attempt to contact impacted families by email as soon as possible.

If your camper will be absent for one or more camp days, please contact our Community Care Team at 705-792-7822 or contact the On-site Supervisor directly. 

In your message, please indicate the following: 

  • Camper’s name 
  • Camp location and program they are attending 
  • Expected date of return 

To prevent the spread of illnesses we ask that you keep your camper home if they are feeling sick. 

More Important Information

At the beginning of each week campers may be provided with one or several ID bracelets. These bracelets help identify each camper’s bus route, camp location, and swimming ability. Please do not remove your camper’s ID bracelet during their time at camp. If you need to remove the ID bracelet before the end of the camp session, please inform your camper’s counsellor. 

All photographs/videos taken of your child while at program are the property of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and may be used for promotional purposes. If you wish otherwise, please inform us in writing. 

When registering your camper, you would have agreed to the following photo/video release statement: I understand and agree that the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and its subsidiaries reserve the right and permission to publish, reproduce, distribute and/or otherwise use any still or moving photograph or video, for such purposes and with such frequency as it shall determine in its sole discretion without further compensation or consideration to me and without further authorization by me for, as yet, unnamed video or photographic projects (including promotion, marketing and social media) which shall constitute the sole property of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and its subsidiaries shall be released from and against all liability resulting from its use of the photos or related to my use of the product. 

Intentional behaviour that puts the participant or others at physical or emotional risk may result in immediate dismissal from the program. In addition, consumption or possession of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, and illegal or harmful substances will result in immediate dismissal from the program. 

Any expenses incurred because of program dismissal will be the responsibility of the participant/parent/guardian. Parents/guardians or a suitable designate must be available to pick up participants should they be dismissed from their program. Refunds will not be issued for participants removed from camp for disciplinary reasons. 

Requests for refunds of paid camp fees must be made at least 14 days prior to the camp week commencing in order for a refund to be considered. 

Cancellation requests made less than 14 days prior to the camp week must have an attached medical note in order to obtain a refund. Please note, there is a $25 deposit per week non-refundable charge at the time of registration. 

Refunds will not be issued in instances where the participant is removed from the camp program at the choice or request of the participant, participant’s parent/guardian, or for disciplinary reasons. 

Camps may be cancelled due to low registration. Anyone affected by a cancellation will be notified two weeks prior to the camp week commencing. 

Camp & Outdoor Education Programs