Healthy Kids • YMCA Camps and Outdoor Education
Day Camp hidden gems: Photography, Pioneer, and Environmental Science camps
20 March 2017 - by Carmine Ciccone
In the 2017 summer season, YMCA Day Camps is offering an amazing 60 programs at 51 locations across the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to popular camp programs like swimming lessons, and creative arts, dance & drama, we also offer a range of exciting and unique camp experiences. Here are three special “hidden gems” in our Day Camps programming that are sure to broaden your child’s horizons this summer:
Photography Camp (9 – 12 year olds):
Toronto Academy Y Day Camp, August 8-11 & August 21-25
Milton Hitherfield Y Day Camp, July 24-28
View in our eGuide
At Photography camp, campers learn about the technical features of a camera, as well as lighting, composition, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and format to create stunning digital images. Campers polish their portfolio of work by editing photographs in Adobe Photoshop.
Post-production training on high-end computers at the Academy and Hitherfield means that campers have access to tools that “make their pictures look absolutely beautiful,” says YMCA Day Camp Manager Leigh Coffey.
If you live in either Toronto or Milton and have a camper that might be the next Annie Leibovitz, this camp is a great choice.
Environmental Science (9 – 12 year olds):
Lake St. George Y Day Camp, every other week beginning the week of July 10-14
View in our eGuide
Although this program exists at many different locations across the GTA, Lake St. George Conservation Area in Richmond Hill is the perfect location for campers to dig deeper into the exciting world of environmental science. In addition to exploring and studying the natural environment, campers build their own ecosystem and wind and solar energy generators, as well as work on an environmental stewardship project for the camp.
Plus, campers join Conservation Area staff on pontoon boats for an engaging lake study program that includes water quality testing, unique animal sightings, and experiential learning about a glacier-formed kettle lake. It’s the perfect antidote to summer learning loss!
If you don’t live in Richmond Hill, but want your camper to participate in this amazing program, you may be able to take one of many buses around York region to this site.
Pioneer Camp (6 – 12 year olds):
Black Creek Pioneer Village Y Day Camp, every week from July 4 – September 1
View in our eGuide
Black Creek Pioneer Village, a collection of buildings and artifacts for the 1800s, hosts one of our most unique camp experiences: Pioneer Camp.
Campers get immersed into the lifestyles, customs, and surroundings of 19th century Toronto by exploring a village with real buildings from that time era. The program includes traditional activities including making unique arts and crafts, learning dances from the 1800s, and helping to take care of a working farm.
This camp is accessible to the north part of Toronto — check out if you’ve got a bus stop near you.
All these and more amazing Day Camp experiences are waiting for your child this summer. Make sure to get 10% off their summer experience before our early bird registration offer ends on March 31st — and keep your eye on our blog for more tips about “hidden gem” day camp programs across the GTA.
Read more about some of our “hidden gem” Day Camp programs:
Photography Camp (9 – 12 year olds):
Toronto Academy Y Day Camp, August 8-11 & August 21-25
Milton Hitherfield Y Day Camp, July 24-28
View in our eGuide
At Photography camp, campers learn about the technical features of a camera, as well as lighting, composition, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and format to create stunning digital images. Campers polish their portfolio of work by editing photographs in Adobe Photoshop.
Post-production training on high-end computers at the Academy and Hitherfield means that campers have access to tools that “make their pictures look absolutely beautiful,” says YMCA Day Camp Manager Leigh Coffey.
If you live in either Toronto or Milton and have a camper that might be the next Annie Leibovitz, this camp is a great choice.
Environmental Science (9 – 12 year olds):
Lake St. George Y Day Camp, every other week beginning the week of July 10-14
View in our eGuide
Although this program exists at many different locations across the GTA, Lake St. George Conservation Area in Richmond Hill is the perfect location for campers to dig deeper into the exciting world of environmental science. In addition to exploring and studying the natural environment, campers build their own ecosystem and wind and solar energy generators, as well as work on an environmental stewardship project for the camp.
Plus, campers join Conservation Area staff on pontoon boats for an engaging lake study program that includes water quality testing, unique animal sightings, and experiential learning about a glacier-formed kettle lake. It’s the perfect antidote to summer learning loss!
If you don’t live in Richmond Hill, but want your camper to participate in this amazing program, you may be able to take one of many buses around York region to this site.
Pioneer Camp (6 – 12 year olds):
Black Creek Pioneer Village Y Day Camp, every week from July 4 – September 1
View in our eGuide
Black Creek Pioneer Village, a collection of buildings and artifacts for the 1800s, hosts one of our most unique camp experiences: Pioneer Camp.
Campers get immersed into the lifestyles, customs, and surroundings of 19th century Toronto by exploring a village with real buildings from that time era. The program includes traditional activities including making unique arts and crafts, learning dances from the 1800s, and helping to take care of a working farm.
This camp is accessible to the north part of Toronto — check out if you’ve got a bus stop near you.
All these and more amazing Day Camp experiences are waiting for your child this summer. Make sure to get 10% off their summer experience before our early bird registration offer ends on March 31st — and keep your eye on our blog for more tips about “hidden gem” day camp programs across the GTA.
Read more about some of our “hidden gem” Day Camp programs:
