YMCA BLACKSTRAP DAY CAMP INFORMATION PACKAGE 2023

Whether it's your camper's first or fifth time at camp, we know how important it is to feel prepared and comfortable so they can focus on the most important thing — having fun!

INFO

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

Welcome to our YMCA Blackstrap Day Camp Parent Package. We are so glad you are giving your child a 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 proudly provide safe, fun, supportive, and high-quality programs encouraging 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.

• 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

The camp will begin July 3rd and run until August 18th. Each camp is a weekly camp, and no daily rates are provided.

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK. Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

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 CedarLodge, 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 Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

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 52.100894, -106.622313 o 2355 Preston Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7J 2G1 o https://goo.gl/maps/8uYqpdJ47FJtWavF7 o Meet north of the Market Mall Auto Repair Store in the parking lot.

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

University Heights o 52.147952, -106.581719 o University Heights Suburban Centre, Saskatoon, SK o https://goo.gl/maps/yZTWhowpwXRFFZ237 o Turn onto Nelson Rd, roundabout, take the first right, and take another right immediately into the parking lot.

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 The bus stop is between Browns Social House and the Liquor store

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

YMCA Downtown o 25 22 St E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7 o https://goo.gl/maps/h149TYGYTcuCAbsu6

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

SAMPLE BUS SCHEDULE – FINAL SCHEDULE WILL BE PROVIDED JUNE 20TH, 2023 PICK

Campers must be dropped off and picked up on time at bus stops. Authorized persons are requested to be at the bus stop 15min before arrival pick-up times and pick up within 10 mins of drop-off times. We offer Before and after camp care from 7:30 AM until 6 PM if required.

The Before and After Camp Care is only offered to those picked up and dropped off at the YMCA.

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

Campers 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 at either 306-652-7515 ext. 0 (membership desk) or the YMCA Camp Manager at 306-652-7515 ext. 259

Sign-in and Sign-Out: o Please ensure that whoever is picking up and dropping off your camper is on the authorized pick-up list. If that person is not on the list, we will not allow them to sign your camper in or out. If this is the case, the primary contact on your campers form will have to make the change by calling us and adding the name. o If your child is being dropped off at the DOWNTOWN YMCA for early camp care and staying for late camp care you will be provided with separate instructions on the first day of drop off. Government issued Photo ID will still be required.

Due to child protection policies that all YMCAs in Canada participate in, you must sign your camper in and out of camp each day! Camp leaders will check your Government Issued Photo ID upon arrival, and once your ID has been verified (name must match authorized pick-up list), Pick Up and Drop Off will be allowed only by individuals on your Authorized Pick-up List.

*You will need to bring a Government Issued Photo ID to drop off and pick up your camper

*Those names not on the Authorized Pick-Up list will not be allowed to take the camper(s) off the camp premises.

Authorized Pick-Ups/Drop-Offs:

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

Those not on the Authorized Pick-Up list will not be allowed to take the camper(s) off the camp premises.

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

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YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK. Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

Each day your camper will be bussed to our Blackstrap Lake Camp for an outdoor experience! Here is a sample of what a day can look like:

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Sign-in/drop off at bus stop and drive to Blackstrap

9:00 AM Circle time, introductions, groups, songs, snack time

10:00 AM Activity 1

11: AM Activity 2

12:00 PM Lunch and free time

1:00 PM Activity 3

2:00 PM Activity 4

3:00 PM Snack, clean up, and get ready for the bus

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Pick up/sign out at bus stop

*Activities will vary depending on the group and which order they go in but the activities will include, archery, canoeing, kayaking, Crafts/ friendship beads, environmental education, hiking, wall climbing, swimming, and field games with the supervision and guidance of our amazing camp leaders. Value Beads play an important role as a sign of character and personal achievement. Beads at camp provide recognition and promote positivity. They are worn as a reminder of what we value in our camp community. Throughout the week, beads are awarded to individual campers for demonstrating our Y Day Camp values of kindness, inclusiveness, respect, integrity, optimism and well-being. Ask your camper how they earned their beads!

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.

Communication about changes 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) 8| Page

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

• 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 items you send to camp with first and last names. We will have a lost and found and keep items for three weeks after camp.

Dress-Up Days:

We encourage everyone to dress up with the theme on Wednesdays! This summers themes will be developed by Camp Coordinators and shared BY JUNE 20TH, 2023

A great example of what to expect – last year’s themes were:

Week 1: Safari

Week 2: Superhero

Week 3: Under the Sea

Week 4: Wild West

Week 5: Outer Space

Week 6: Disney

Week 7: Spy vs. Spy

Week 8: 80’s

The YMCA is a value-based, charitable organization. We aim to provide everyone with a healthy, safe, and secure environment at our Day Camps. 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 camper has been provided numerous warnings and the behaviour has not changed, we have the right to send the camper home from camp for the day. If this happens, you, as the parent/guardian, must promptly pick your camper up from camp

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org

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 of Saskatoon 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 insect-repellent tips!

• Use SPF 30 or higher

• 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 essential to help your camper defeat the summer heat, 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

Unexpected Pick-ups:

If you need to pick up your camper from camp, giving as much notice to the YMCA as possible is best.

Missing Camp Days:

We know there may be times that your camper may need to miss a day. For any reason, 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. All medication must be 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 get in touch with the YMCA at camps@ymcasaskatoon.org or 306-652-7515 ext. 259

Late Fees:

If you have not picked up your camper(s) within 10 minutes of your scheduled bus drop-off time, there will be an automatic $15 charge, and for every 15 minutes after that, there will be an additional $15 charge. If this happens more than three times (throughout the summer), an automatic $30 fee will be added to your account.

All drop-off times can be found on page 6

If we cannot reach you or an emergency contact 30 minutes after the program ends, we will call Saskatoon Mobile Crisis for assistance 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 (12:00 PM) the Thursday before camp. Please sign your camper up early to avoid disappointment. Camp fills up fast, so make sure you guarantee your spot soon.

YMCA Saskatoon, 25 22nd Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C7SK.

Phone: (306)-652-7515 ext. 259

Email: camps@ymcasaskatoon.org