Having the most fun possible while developing outdoor skills is what your camper can look forward to at Y Summer Day Camp! That’s why our Outdoor Skills Program is such a huge part of day camp life. Campers take on exciting challenges, grow their confidence, and earn Skill Buttons to celebrate their achievements, kind of like levelling up in a real-life video game but with more sunshine, fresh air, and campfires. 

Skill Buttons are a reminder that they developed these compentencies through hard work, patience, and a whole lot of fun.  

Each Skill Button has three levels. As campers grow their skills, they unlock new challenges, build confidence, and collect badges along their way to mark their progress. 

Level 1: Tutorial Mode 

• Campers start here by learning the basics. They get familiar with equipment, safety, and the foundations of the activity. 

Level 2: Skill Builder 

• With practice and persistence, campers begin to improve. They take on new challenges, fine-tune their technique, and grow their independence. 

Level 3: Master Level 

• Now they’re mastering tricky techniques and helping others. At this stage, campers lead with confidence and demonstrate true skill. 

Each Skill Button is more than just a badge. It’s a reminder of what campers can achieve through effort, growth, and fun. 

What areas of camp programming do they want to master?  Here is a peek at some of the key skills we practise at camp. 

Archery: Shoot Your Shot

Campers start by learning how to stay safe on the range and how to properly hold a bow and shoot an arrow. After some practice, they take aim at targets. Some sample tasks include landing three out of six arrows inside the colourful target rings and eventually nailing a bull’s-eye. By the time they reach the top level, they have the skills necessary to teach others about archery safety and the parts of a bow and arrow.

Biking: Master the Trail 

Riding bikes at camp is all about mastering control and confidence. Campers learn to shift gears while tackling hills, pedal standing up, and maneuver through courses with roller elements. Challenges include safely descending big hills and later climbing them all the way up without stopping. Bonus points for rocking the attack position! 

Fire-building: Ignite Your Light 

Campers are introduced to fire safety before learning different types of fire-building techniques  like the pyramid or log cabin. They work on lighting their fire with three matches or fewer and keeping it alive for a full minute. As they level up, they tackle the challenge of using  magnesium alloy to start fires and even try to create smoke with a bow drill. By the time they master it, they are practically ready to craft their own fire with flint and steel like in their favourite building games. 

Knot-tying: Untangle the Basics 

Campers become knot-tying pros as they learn and use all kinds of useful knots. They start by making shelters with knots like the Figure 8, Bowline, and Trucker’s Hitch. Older campers take on tasks like setting up a tarp, lashing a crossbeam, or building a fishing rod. It is all about knowing not just how to tie a knot, but why and when to use it. 

Canoeing: Glide with Skill 

From the very first paddle stroke, campers learn how to steer, stop, and pivot a canoe with control. They take to the water paddling straight lines, backward paddling, and navigating around obstacles. Some tasks include trading places with a paddling partner and docking their canoe with style and confidence. 

Kayaking: Paddle Power-Up 

In kayaking, campers learn balance, technique, and smooth navigation. They start by learning how to hold their paddle properly and perform safe shoreline launches. As they grow their skills, they work on paddling backwards, sideways, and moving around obstacles with control. By the highest level, they can confidently dock their kayak and navigate challenges with ease. 

Slackline: Balance Unlocked 

Slacklining is part tightrope-walking, part superhero training. Campers first learn to balance on the slackline for as many seconds as their age. Then they move on to taking steps and eventually walking the full length, unassisted. Wobbles happen, but the feeling of making it across is unbeatable. 

Tree Identification: Decode the Forest 

Campers become mini nature experts by learning to tell the difference between coniferous and deciduous trees. They match leaves and bark to different species and identify trees along hikes and bike rides. As they advance, they can explain Honourable Harvest principles and share their knowledge with others on the trail. 

Orienteering: Compass Quest 

With a map and compass in hand, campers learn to find their way through courses and trails. They learn how to orient maps to real-world directions, find bearings, and navigate from point to point. Some of their biggest challenges include completing a timed orienteering course and creating their own maps with legends. 

Why Your Camper Will Love Skill Buttons

The best part of the Outdoor Skills Program is not just about earning badges (although those are pretty sweet.) It’s about campers pushing themselves, discovering new talents, and feeling that huge burst of pride when they finally nail a skill they thought was too tough. 

We cannot wait to see what new skills campers will conquer next. Let your child get out there and level up at camp.