YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp Information Package - 2023

ABSTRACT

This package contains important information to help your camper have an excellent experience at camp this summer. If you have questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

BLACKSTRAP DAY CAMP 2023 PARENT PACKAGE

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Welcome to the YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp!

Welcome to our YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp Parent Package. We are so glad you are giving your child the chance to attend camp this year.

YMCA of Saskatoon Summer Day Camps are the perfect place for kids to be kids! There are numerous activities, with plenty of exciting choices each day. Campers will enjoy games, sports, swimming, arts and crafts, and the great outdoors. At the YMCA, we are proud to provide safe, fun, supportive, and high-quality programs that encourage all children to develop in spirit, mind, and body. Parents and guardians can be sure their children are in safe, capable hands when they are with staff and volunteers at our camps.

At the YMCA of Saskatoon, we believe in supporting our communities to be active for life. This means providing children & youth experiences that are fun and enjoyable for all, with just the right challenge and level of progression, to support our children to achieve success and ultimately; help them belong, grow, thrive and lead.

Blackstrap Day Camp Dates 2023:

• Week 1: July 3 - 7

• Week 2: July 10-14

• Week 3: July 17-21

• Week 4: July 24-28

• Week 5: July 31-4

• Week 6: August 8-11 (Short week)

• Week 7: August 14-18

Camp will begin July 3rd and run until August 18th. Camp is booked by the week

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Location & Directions:

Camp is located on Blackstrap Access Road, Dundurn Sk. Stay to the left when you cross the lake (Blackstrap Provincial Park is on the right) and keep driving up the hill.

Take the first left. You will pass Blackstrap Youth Camp on the left, keep driving past Cedar Lodge, and the YMCA Camp will be on the left.

Turn into the gate and the camp is just beyond the hill.

Camp Coordinates:

YMCA of Saskatoon Blackstrap Day Camp

Dundurn No. 314, SK S0K 1K0

https://goo.gl/maps/zZASjxJJob1xCyWb9

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Bus Stops

Confederation Mall/Canadian Tire Parking Lot

o 52.131056, -106.720240

o 300 Confederation Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7L 4R6

o https://goo.gl/maps/qbsvMNiwwZkERNsVA

o Meet in the Canadian Tire parking lot, right behind the McDonalds

Market Mall

o 52.102284, -106.622102

o 2355 Preston Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7J 2G1

o https://goo.gl/maps/WwhaHnVXRg2hPwb3A

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

o Meet in the parking lot of Market Mall across from the FreshCo Entrance

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

YMCA –Market Mall Parking Lot

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

University Heights/ Alice Turner Library

o 52.147952, -106.581719

o University Heights Suburban Centre, Saskatoon, SK

o https://goo.gl/maps/yZTWhowpwXRFFZ237

o Turn on to Nelson Rd, roundabout, take the first right, take another right immediately into the parking lot.

o We are located in the parking lot behind the Soccer Center/ beside Alice turner Library

Lawson Heights Mall/Sobeys Parking Lot

o 52.167890, -106.642680

o Lawson Heights Suburban Centre, Saskatoon, SK

o https://goo.gl/maps/eqnBqXR3ijmSgdMr9

o Bus stop is between Browns Social House and the Liquor store

YMCA Downtown

o 25 22 St E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7

o https://goo.gl/maps/h149TYGYTcuCAbsu6

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Bus Protocol

Busses leave on time and will not wait for latecomers, so please be there 15 minutes early. If your child misses the bus it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to find alternate transportation for their child.

BUS DEPARTURE ARIVVAL

Drop off and Pick up:

Campers must be dropped off and picked up on time at their bus stops. Please drop off 15min before the bus stop. Please pick up your child within 10 min of drop off time. We offer before and after camp care from 7:30 am and until 6 pm.

Before and After care are only offered to those who are picked up and dropped off at the YMCA. Children must be picked-up and Dropped off at the SAME bus stop. If you are running late because of unforeseen circumstances, please call to inform us.

Sign-in and Sign-Out:

It is mandatory that you sign your camper in and out of camp each day! Camp leaders will check your Photo Issued Government ID upon arrival and once your ID has been verified Pick Up and Drop Off will be allowed only by individuals on your Authorized Pickup List.

o Please ensure that whoever is picking up and dropping off your child is on the authorized pick up list. If that person is not on the list, we will not allow them to sign your child in or out. If this is the case, the main contact on your child's form will have to make the change by calling us and adding the name.

*You will need to bring photo ID to drop off and pick up your child

*Those who are not on the Authorized Pick-Up list will not be allowed to take the child(ren) off the camp premises.

Authorized Pick-Ups/Drop-Offs:

You indicated on your camp form the authorized persons to pick your child up from camp. Camp leaders cannot release your child to anyone not on the list. If your plans change and someone else will pick up your child, please let the coordinator/leaders know in the morning so that they can add the person’s name to the list, Photo ID will be required for that individual.

Those who are not on the Authorized Pick-Up list will not be allowed to take the child(ren) off the camp premises.

*Only the primary contact can add names to the Authorized Pick Up list

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Camp Program:

Each day your child will be bussed to our Blackstrap Lake Camp for an outdoor experience! Your camper will be able to try a number of activities like archery, canoeing, kayaking, environmental education, hiking, wall climbing, swimming, and field games with the supervision and guidance of our amazing camp leaders.

Rain Days:

We go out rain or shine. If the weather is exceptionally bad (severe thunderstorms and lightning) the kids will spend the day at the YMCA and will be bussed back to the Downtown YMCA location. This will be relayed to all parents via email and posted on our Facebook page.

Clothing and Equipment List

Each day, your camper will need a backpack packed with:

• Cold packed lunch

• Healthy snacks (always a good idea to pack extra)

• Hat

• Sunscreen (SPF 30)

• Insect repellent (less than 10% DEET)

• Bathing suit and towel

• Running shoes

• Rain gear

• Water bottle

• Change of clothing

• Weather appropriate clothing

Due to serious allergies, our camp is completely nut-free: please do not pack any type of nuts for your camper for the safety of others!

Please do not bring electronics or other valuable items to camp

Please label all of the items you send to camp with first and last names. We will have a lost and found and will keep items for three weeks after camp.

Dress Up Days: On Fridays, we encourage everyone to dress up with the theme! This year’s themes are:

Week 1: Canada’s Great Outdoors

Week 2: Outer Space

Week 3: Deep Sea Exploration

Week 4: Science and STEM Week

Week 5: Camp Olympics

Week 6: Disney at Camp

Week 7: Around the World

Week 8: Safari (only Super Summer)

Behaviour Guidelines

The YMCA is a value based, non-profit organization. It is our goal to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for everyone at our Day Camp. With that in mind, our staff and volunteers use a positive, values-based approach to guide appropriate behaviour, and seek to reward and reinforce positive behaviour.

If a child has been given numerous warnings and the behaviour has not changed, we have the right to send the child home from camp for the day. In the instance that this has happened, you as the parent/guardian are obligated to pick your child up from camp promptly.

At the YMCA of Saskatoon, we believe that all campers:

• Are responsible for their own actions,

• Respect each other and the environment,

• Are honest and true to their word,

• Care for themselves and those around them,

• Make healthy and safe choices.

YMCA Values:

 Respect

 Honesty

 Caring

 Acceptance

 Responsibility

 Fairness

Protect Your Camper from the Sun and Bugs

Your camper will spend time outside at Blackstrap Camp. Here are some sunscreen and insectrepellent tips!

• Use SPF 30, or more

• Use an insect repellent with less than 10% DEET

• Campers are expected to put sunscreen on themselves, but leaders will remind your camper to put on sunscreen before going outside

• Hats are important to help your camper defeat the heat of summer, as is plenty of water to stay hydrated!

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp 2023 Parent’s Package

Important Administrative Notes

Unexpected Pickups:

If you need to pick up your child from camp, it is best to give as much notice to the YMCA as you can.

Missing Camp Days:

If your camper will be missing from camp for any reason, please call or email the YMCA Camp Manager as soon as possible at (306)-652-7515 ext.259 or email at camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

Medication:

If your camper needs medicine at camp, it must be given to the leader in the morning. Please make sure that the medication is clearly labeled with your camper’s name, doctor’s name, and instructions for use.

Photography:

Any photographs that are taken by the YMCA of Saskatoon will become YMCA property and may be used for various promotional purposes. The authorization on the camp form includes this permission; if you wish otherwise please contact the YMCA.

Late Fees:

If you have not picked your child(ren) up within 10mins of your scheduled bus drop off time, there will be a charge of $15, and for every 15 minutes, there will be an additional $15 charge. If this happens more than three times, an automatic $30 fee will be added to your account.

Drop-off times can be found on page 6

If we cannot reach you or an emergency contact 30 minutes after the program has ended, we will call Saskatoon Mobile Crisis for assistance as per our Child Protection policies.

If this happens more than two times, a withdrawal from camp may be determined and implemented.

Registration

Registration closes at noon/12pm the Thursday before camp. Please sign your camper up early so they have a spot! Camp fills up fast so make sure you guarantee your spot soon.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you need to cancel your child’s day camp registration, 100% refunds are available up to 1 week before the start date of your child’s camp (Sunday 12am/midnight). After that time refunds are issued for medical reasons only. Any cancellations under a week will receive a credit applied to your account for future use.

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org