Healthy Kids • YMCA Camps and Outdoor Education
Camp Chat: Celebrating 10 years of Values Beads!
26 March 2019 - by Leigh Coffey
One of the many things that we are proud of at Y Day Camp, is our values bead program. Started in 2010, the unique program positively enforces Y core values and ensures our campers know they are important members of our Camp community.
On the first day of camp, all of our campers are given a white welcome bead with a Y logo. Throughout their week, campers who demonstrate one or more of our core values are awarded a colored bead that corresponds with each value.
It is important to us that all of our campers and staff are guided by the values of Caring, Health, Honestly, Inclusiveness, Respect and Responsibility. As they hang around the wrists, ankles, and backpacks of our thousands of campers and staff each summer, our values bead bracelets are a constant reminder of the principles that are important to us at the Y.
When we implemented the values bead program, we quickly learned that it not only supports creating a positive culture at our Camps, it’s also a way that families can be more involved with the Y Day Camp experience.
Leanne, was a mom of a first year Kinder-camper last summer. She shared with us that having her child attend a full day camp for her first year was a little nerve-wracking, even a bit scary. This was short lived, however, when she began to watch her daughter have an incredible camp experience.
When asked why, Leanne responded,
“Her camp counsellor was so welcoming, patient, kind and so much fun. By her second day of camp, she was greeted by name and welcomed with the biggest smile. Each day at pick up, she would talk non-stop about her day: water play, games, crafts, outdoor play and of course her highlight of the day: the values beads. She proudly wore them on her backpack and would show them to anyone she could. She is able to tell you the meaning of each of the coloured beads AND why she earned them. The last day of camp was exciting and sad at the same time. While it meant a final day of fun at camp, it also marked the count down until summer of 2019 when she can attend camp again – next year as a junior camper!”
We look forward to welcoming more first year campers this summer with Y welcome beads, and watching their bracelets fill up with coloured values beads as they thrive and grow at Y Day Camp. Learn more about the camp locations and programs in your community at DAYCAMP.YMCAGTA.ORG. Stay tuned for more about our program as we celebrate 10 years of our values bead program!
On the first day of camp, all of our campers are given a white welcome bead with a Y logo. Throughout their week, campers who demonstrate one or more of our core values are awarded a colored bead that corresponds with each value.
It is important to us that all of our campers and staff are guided by the values of Caring, Health, Honestly, Inclusiveness, Respect and Responsibility. As they hang around the wrists, ankles, and backpacks of our thousands of campers and staff each summer, our values bead bracelets are a constant reminder of the principles that are important to us at the Y.
When we implemented the values bead program, we quickly learned that it not only supports creating a positive culture at our Camps, it’s also a way that families can be more involved with the Y Day Camp experience.
Leanne, was a mom of a first year Kinder-camper last summer. She shared with us that having her child attend a full day camp for her first year was a little nerve-wracking, even a bit scary. This was short lived, however, when she began to watch her daughter have an incredible camp experience.
When asked why, Leanne responded,
“Her camp counsellor was so welcoming, patient, kind and so much fun. By her second day of camp, she was greeted by name and welcomed with the biggest smile. Each day at pick up, she would talk non-stop about her day: water play, games, crafts, outdoor play and of course her highlight of the day: the values beads. She proudly wore them on her backpack and would show them to anyone she could. She is able to tell you the meaning of each of the coloured beads AND why she earned them. The last day of camp was exciting and sad at the same time. While it meant a final day of fun at camp, it also marked the count down until summer of 2019 when she can attend camp again – next year as a junior camper!”
We look forward to welcoming more first year campers this summer with Y welcome beads, and watching their bracelets fill up with coloured values beads as they thrive and grow at Y Day Camp. Learn more about the camp locations and programs in your community at DAYCAMP.YMCAGTA.ORG. Stay tuned for more about our program as we celebrate 10 years of our values bead program!
