Registration & Information

Registration for Summer 2026 is Now Open!

YMCA Camp Kitchikewana

One Week and Two Week Program Registration Information

Registration will open at 9:00am on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

  • 1 Week Waterbug Club (6-9 yrs)
  • 2 Week Traditional Camp (7-15 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.

Register your camper for the following programs: Traditional Camp and Waterbug Club. To learn more about these programs, please click here.

Four Week Leadership Program

Registration for our Leadership programs (L1 and L2) is by application only. Information about the Leadership Program can be found here. The application deadline for the Leadership 1 and Leadership 2 programs is 11:59 pm on November 17, 2025.

*Please note that these programs are very popular and highly competitive. As a result, not all applications will be accepted. Acceptance into the program will be based on answers to key questions, in addition to a letter of reference and any past feedback from previous camp years.

If you are successful, please note that your preferred month is not guaranteed. As a result, please do not make other summer plans until you have received a confirmation of acceptance.

2026 Process for Leadership Applications and Acceptances:

Leadership applicants are required to complete the application link provided here.

Leadership FAQ

Q: If I was in the L1 program last summer, will I have a space in L2?

No. Acceptances for both Leadership programs this year will be based on the strength of your application package, including your letter of reference. If you attended Kitchi in 2025, feedback from your participation will also be considered.

Q: 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, 2026), they can apply for the L2 program.

Q: If I don’t get into L1, can I attend a traditional session?

Yes. You are welcome to attend as a Senior camper as long as you will not be older than 15 years of age by December 31, 2026

Q: 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

YMCA Camp Kitchikewana provides free supervised bussing to and from key locations for campers attending for 2 weeks or longer. For Waterbug campers, Sessions A and C campers will be provided bussing to camp only (families must pick up their campers in Honey Harbour on Friday) while Sessions B and D campers will be provided bussing home from camp only (families must drop off their campers in Honey Harbour on Sunday).

For campers in the GTA, our bus drop-off/pick-up location is in Vaughn at the Colossus Carpool Lot. If numbers are sufficient, we may also provide bus drop-off/pick-up locations in Innisfil, Collingwood, and Midland. You will be asked to confirm your interest in bussing during the registration process, and more information regarding bus locations and timing will be provided closer to the summer.

*For the bus trip to camp on Sunday, buses are expected to pick up campers in the early afternoon. Please make sure your campers have lunch before they get on the bus. They will be provided with a snack when they arrive at camp.

*For the bus trip back from camp on Friday, buses are expected to arrive at their final
destinations before lunch. Campers will have breakfast before leaving camp.

*For families that live close to camp, information about Honey Harbour private car drop-off and pick-up location and times will be provided closer to the summer. Similar to the buses, drop-off on Sunday will occur in the afternoon and pick-ups on Friday will occur in the morning.

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:

At the time of registration, 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. Availability of all gender cabins will be based on demand.

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! For summer 2026, we will be offering all-gender cabins during each session (based on demand). 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 new all-gender cabin.
  • 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 2026 we decided to have parents register their Waterbug and Leadership camper 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 and 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, 2026, refunds will be subject to a $200 administrative fee.
  • After May 1st, 2026, 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.

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