Since the kids are halfway through their week at camp I thought I would provide a YMCA GTA Summer Camp Update. 

YMCA GTA Summer Camp Update

You can read the first part of our three-part series with the YMCA of Greater Toronto in this post to get some background on our signing up experience here.

Perfect for First Time Campers

Our younger daughter was doing her first week of camp ever and since she is a pretty big mama’s girl I was a tad terrified that she would refuse to go to Kinder camp once the time came.

We spent time prepping her for camp and thankfully the YMCA sent us a very detailed email last week that helped us prep our new camper. As she went through the list of essentials to pack for the day I could see her excitement building. I really appreciated the Guide for Campers that I got our camp bound kids to complete together as it really got them prepped for the week to come.

On her first day of camp, her counsellor gave her a new sticker and temporary tattoo and I loved how the staff at the camp went above and beyond to make sure the campers were happy and not crying for their parents. My daughter who made sure I held her hand while we walked up to the camp didn’t even bother to wave bye to us as we waved bye to her.

 Seasoned Pros are Already Asking for More

Our two oldest children have been in camp all summer, but this was their first time at YMCA. We signed them up for the Swim Lessons camp which gives them an hour of guided swim lessons and then another hour of free swim each day. I was hoping that we could work on their skills during the week and get them to be more confident around water.

They have both been working on their skills this week and have even attempted to take the deep end test the past two days. I am happy that they are even attempting the test when day one had them both in awe of how deep the deep end was.

They’ve both already asked for more time at YMCA camps next year and I can’t wait for next years calendar to come out, so they can choose programs that are a perfect fit for them.

Pick Up & Drop Off

One of my favourite parts of the camp is that pick up and drop off are done outdoors right by the front doors. As we drive up we can see a flurry of camp counsellors ready to sign kids in and kids sitting in groups according to their camp group.

My husband really appreciates that you need to present ID to pick up children from the camp as an extra security precaution. He is by nature very skeptical of others ability to care for our kids and when he saw that this was the protocol I could see him breathe an audible sigh of relief.

Book Some Last-Minute Summer Magic with YMCA

If you are looking to fit some more magic into your kid’s summer vacation it is not too late to sign up for some of the YMCA of Greater Toronto camp programs. 

Register Online

Connect on Social

You can follow along with the YMCA of Greater Toronto through their social channels to keep up to date with their news — Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter  and also follow along with the  #YGTADayCamp #YMCAGTA hashtags for all the fun.

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Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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