Healthy KidsYMCA Camps and Outdoor EducationYMCA Youth Programs

Day Camp hidden gems: Junior Lifeguard Club, BMX and Multi Sport Extreme, and Global Village

03 April 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:

The Junior Lifeguard Club (8 – 12 year olds):
Brampton Union St. Y Day Camp, July 17 – 28 & August 14 – 25
View in our eGuide


Junior Lifeguard Club prepares your child for what it's like to be a lifeguard! This program is unique in that it tailors itself to allow campers to complete fitness drills, learn lifesaving skills, and aim for personal bests. Learning lifesaving skills is valuable on its own, but it’s also perfect for future YMCA lifeguards to prepare for their YMCA Swim Certifications.
This program is exclusive to campers who can swim at least 25 metres and tread water for 2 minutes.

BMX Camp and Multi Sport — Extreme Camp (9 – 16 year olds):
Bruce’s Mill Y Day Camp, Multiple weeks in July and August
View in our eGuide

These two camps are set up specifically to provide high-energy, adventure-seeking campers a safe space for them to get their daily dose of adrenalin.
In BMX Camp, campers get lots of time on bikes, and they also participate in a 1–3 hour instruction period each day with a certified BMX instructor through the onsite Bruce's Mill BMX centre. When not biking, they’ll get to learn about fixing, and altering their rides!

Looking for even more thrills? Multi Sport — Extreme camp combines the BMX program with a Tree Top Trekking high ropes session, led by certified high ropes instructors. Both programs are located on site at Bruce's Mill Conservation Area.

Global Village Camp (9 – 12 year olds)
YMCA Cedar Glen Day Camp, July 4 – 7, July 24 – 28 & July 31 – August 4
View in our eGuide

Greater Toronto is one of the most multicultural areas in the world. One of the Y’s commitments to the communities in which it serves is to provide its members with diverse and socially inclusive programs. Global Village camp is a program designed to allow campers to explore where they fit within this goal.
In the Global Village program, campers will engage with games, art, and culture from across the world while learning more about the regions in which they are found. Campers will also share and learn about each other’s diverse and vibrant backgrounds. Campers will spend half of each day exploring various cultures, such as First Nations, and current global issues, such as the environment, while the other half of the day features traditional camp activities including swimming.

Read more about some of our “hidden gem” Day Camp programs:

SHINE ON

Visit ymcagta.org to find out more about our programs, services and charitable impact.

DONATE NOW

See the many ways to give to the Y and help build a brighter future.

CHILD CARE

Find child care programs that help children and families shine.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Stay healthy, active and connected at our health and fitness centres.

CAMPS AND OUTDOOR CENTRES

Explore camps and outdoor centres for fun, adventure, leadership, skills-building and more.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Get the job you want and brighten your career with help from Employment Services.

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

Settle in and light up your new life in the GTA with support from Immigrant Services.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Make new friends, hone new skills and find counselling at our Youth Programs.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

Give back and shine on with rewarding YMCA Volunteer Opportunities.

SUSTAINABILITY

Find out about our green initiatives and what we're doing to build resilience to climate change.

YMCA ACADEMY

Light up learning at  YMCA Academy, a middle and high school for those who learn differently.