YMCA Camp Kitchikewana

JOIN US THIS SUMMER! Registration for Summer 2024 is now open!

One Week and Two Week Program Registration Information

Registration for the following programs will open at 9:00 am on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023:

1 Week Waterbug Club (6-9 yrs)
2 Week Traditional Camp (7-15 yrs)
2 Week Sailing Camp (12-15 yrs)

All registrations are completed using our online system, CampBrain:

If you have never used CampBrain before, you can log on to create your Household (tip: you can do this prior to the registration date! It will speed things up for you when you go to register your camper). Click here to sign up and create your household (i.e. create a profile for your camper). If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact the YMCA Community Care Team at 705-792-7822 or email hello@sm.ymca.ca.

Beginning on December 2nd at 9:00 a.m., you can register your camper for the following programs: Traditional Camp, Waterbug Club, and Sailing Camp. To learn more about these programs, please click here.

Four Week Leadership Program

Registration for our Leadership programs are by application only. Information about the leadership program can be found here. Application deadline is November 19^th.

Apply by completing this form.

2024 Process for Leadership application and acceptances:

Applicants will submit an application with intent to participate in the Leadership 1 or 2 program
Applications will be reviewed by the Director team and must clearly demonstrate interest in the program, their desire to grow as a leader, and their dedication to camp.
All applicants will be notified whether or not their application meets the standard to be considered for the program.
If the number of applicants for a program exceeds the number of spaces available, successful applicants will be selected through a random selection process.
The random selection process will determine admissions into the Leadership programs. Preferred month is given based on this process as well.
The waitlist will be created based on ones standings from the selection process

Leadership FAQ

If I was in the L1 program last summer, will I have a space in L2?
Leadership participants who successfully completed the L1 program and meaningfully apply to the L2 program will have a space in the L2 program to continue their leadership development. Successful completion of the L1 program and meaningful application will be left at the discretion of the camp management team.
Can I apply for the L2 program if I didn’t do the L1 program?
Yes, if a camper meets the 16-year age requirement (age 16 by December 31, 2024), they can apply for the L2 program.
If I don’t get into L1, can I attend a traditional session?
Yes, campers aged 15 can participate in a traditional session. They will be placed in a cabin with campers closest to their age.
If I am registered for a traditional session and a space in the leadership program opens, what do I do?
Campers who are not admitted into the leadership program will be placed on a waitlist. Should a space open in the program, families will be notified and offered the space and can change their registration.

CAMPER TRANSPORTATION

Travelling by Bus

We are happy to provide free bussing to any camper who is interested in taking the bus to camp. The campers on busses are supervised by camp staff, and campers can expect to sit with other campers around the same age. Please ensure your camper has eaten a good lunch prior to getting on the bus, as the next full meal they will eat is dinner at 6:00 p.m. We will have an afternoon snack available for campers upon arrival at camp.

To Camp (Sunday):

City	Bus pickup Location	Time
Toronto (Vaughan)	Colossus Carpool Lot (at Hwy 400 and Hwy 7)	12:00pm
Collingwood*	Collingwood YMCA	10:45am
Midland	Midland YMCA	12:00pm
Innisfil	Innisfil YMCA	12:00pm

Please note that the buses will only wait for 15 minutes for late arrivals. Beyond this time, the bus will leave and it is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to camp.

From Camp (Friday):

City	Bus Dropoff Location	Approximate time (traffic dependent)
Toronto (Vaughan)	Colossus Carpool Lot (at Hwy 400 and Hwy 7)	1:30pm
Collingwood	Collingwood YMCA	1:45pm
Midland	Midland YMCA	12:30pm
Innisfil	Innisfil YMCA	12:00pm

We encourage everyone living near our bus locations to utilize our bussing. If you are dropping your camper off in Honey Harbour, you may do so beginning no earlier than 1:00pm on Sunday. If you are picking up your camper on the last day, they will be arriving between 8:30am and 10:00am. We send campers over in alphabetical order beginning with last names starting with the letter A.

Please note: If you are dropping off your camper in Honey Harbour, please be prepared for a longer wait time for a boat; we will do our best to get every camper on the boat within an hour of them being dropped off, however, we prioritize the campers who arrive via bus.

Please note: Waterbug A and C campers will only have access to a bus ride to camp. Waterbug B and D campers will only have access to a bus ride from camp. Waterbug campers must use private car as a mode of transportation for the trip where a bus is not available.

CABIN MATE REQUESTS

YMCA Camp Kitchikewana will make every effort to accommodate one mutual cabin request per participant. Cabin requests should also not be greater than a one year age gap i.e. a 9-year-old can only request an 8 or 10-year-old. In order to promote positive cabin cohesion, YMCA Camp Kitchikewana is unable to honour multiple cabin requests.

Additional Accommodation Information for Session 4:

Upon registration for Session 4, campers will have the choice to sign up for an all gender or single gender cabin. It is important to us that all our campers are able to choose an accommodation that makes them feel comfortable and to be themselves.

All gender cabins are open to everyone – it is a welcoming space for campers who want to share a space with campers of different genders, who have friends or siblings who are different genders, and for campers who identify as non-binary or genderqueer.

Every cabin group will continue to be sorted by age, and we intend to have multiple all gender cabins in order to offer cabin groups that are within a developmentally appropriate age range. Because our cabins are one open space, private changing areas are available for campers.

Each of our camper cabins is staffed with at least 2 counsellors. Our entire staff team participates in extensive training each year and will receive additional resources and training focused on creating positive spaces for our campers.

We are proud to be a camp that encourages friendship, belonging, and inclusiveness and we want to ensure that we continue to grow and support the needs of all our campers and families.

Summer Camp Registration FAQ

Does Camp Kitchikewana offer all-gender cabins?
- Yes we do! Summer 2024 will be the first summer that we offer all-gender cabins during our Session 4 program and we’re excited to offer this option for families.
What is your definition of boy and girl?
- The Y understands that the term “boy” includes cisgender and transgender boys, and “girl” includes cisgender and transgender girls. Please choose the cabin that reflects your child’s identity or our all-gender cabin, new this year.
Who can register for all-gender cabins?
- All gender cabins are open to everyone – it is a welcoming space for campers who want to share a space with campers of different genders, who have friends or siblings who are different genders, and for campers who identify as non-binary or genderqueer.
Are Waterbug and Leadership cabins all-gender?
- For Summer 2024 we decided to have parents register their Waterbug and Leadership choosing boy or girl.
Where do campers change?
- Campers change in their cabins in designated spaces made private with a change tent.
What does supervision look like in all-gender cabins?
- Each of our camper cabins is staffed with 2 counsellors. Our entire staff team participates in extensive training each year will receive additional resources and training focused on creating positive spaces for our campers

REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

A $400 deposit is required with each registration.
Before May 1st, 2024, refunds will be subject to a $200 administrative fee.
After May 1st, 2024, requests for refunds of paid camp fees will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be granted solely at the discretion of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka and may be subject to an administrative fee.
Refunds will not be issued in an instance where the participant is removed from the camp program at the choice or request of the participant or the participant’s parent/guardian or due to behavioural issues.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL

YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka reserves the right to use photographs or videos of the persons named on the application form for its promotional program and social media.

PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOSS AND THEFT

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is not responsible for any loss or theft of participant’s belongings or money. Parents/guardians will be responsible for reimbursement of any willful destruction to site and/or equipment, including graffiti, incurred as a result of their child’s actions.

PROGRAM EXPULSION

Intentional participant 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, 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 the participant be dismissed from his/her program. No refund will be given to campers leaving camp prior to the end of the session due to disciplinary action.

SPONSORSHIP APPLICATIONS

Through gifts made to our Annual Giving Campaign, we are able to provide sponsorship for Day Camp and YMCA Camp Kitchikewana campers whose families cannot afford the full cost of camp. Sponsorship application forms are available by contacting the Camp Office. Completed applications should be returned to the YMCA Camp Office and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.