Summer Camp 2014 at YMCA Cedar Glen
Written by Marissa Straatsma, Camp Director at YMCA Cedar Glen
Although summer seems far away, especially with the cold, wet weather we have been experiencing, planning for Cedar Glen’s summer 2014 programs is well underway. One of the most exciting developments at Cedar Glen is construction on our new outdoor pool. Construction has been ongoing throughout the fall, and the new pool will be completed in the spring. Located beside the Main Lodge, the new pool will feature a stunning view of our property and zero entry (just like a beach!). The pool will be enjoyed by day campers, overnight campers, and outdoor centre clients, and will allow us to expand our day camp Aquatics program.
This summer in Day Camp there will be several new program options to choose from. Discovery Camp and Discovery Aquatics Camp will be open to campers who are 4 and 5 years old. Discovery Camp takes place in and around the Main Lodge and offers shorter travel times, age appropriate program activities, and indoor time each day for our youngest campers. Choose Your Own Adventure Camp will allow campers aged 6 – 12 to create their own, unique camp experience by choosing two options each week from a list including mountain biking, arts and crafts, natural arts, high ropes and climbing, outdoor survival, environmental science, and more. Campers aged 9 – 12 will also have the chance to get their hands dirty on Cedar Glen’s organic farm learning about the importance and impact of agriculture, working to care for and harvest vegetables, and using organic produce to prepare delicious food.
Cedar Glen is also proud to partner with several local organizations to provide skill-based specialty camp programs for summer 2014. Working with The Director’s Cut at YMCA Cedar Glen campers will learn to use appropriate technology to create their own feature or stop motion animation (claymation) films. Campers will also be able to participate in an introductory martial arts program run on site by experienced instructors from Phoenix Martial Arts. Our partnerships with Caledon Equestrian School and Glen Eagle Golf Course will continue this summer, allowing our campers continue having quality experiences riding horses and learning the game of golf.
Cedar Glen Day Camp will continue to offer these successful programs for 2014: Outdoor Adventure, Outdoor Adventure Advanced, Youth Leadership, Aquatics, Girls in Action, and Creative Arts, Dance, and Drama.
In addition to these day camp developments, there are some great things happening for our overnight leadership programs as well. In partnership with the YMCA Academy, Cedar Glen will be offering a high school credit course for participants in the Counselor in Training (CIT) program. During their three week experience, CITs will be able to earn a grade 11 course called “Leadership and Peer Support.” As the curriculum expectations for this course are very similar to the content of our current CIT program, it was a natural fit, and will help to broaden and deepen the experience of all our CITs. Also, Cedar Glen will be offering three specialty hiking trips this summer. These week long hiking trips will give participants the chance to experience tripping from outside of a canoe.
Registration for overnight camp is open now, and registration for day camp will be opening on February 3, 2104. To register visit our website, www.ymcagta.org/cedarglen or call 1-877-303-2267.
With all these new developments, it certainly has been a very busy few months at Cedar Glen. If you should have any questions about our summer programs, please don’t hesitate to contact me at YMCA Cedar Glen anytime.
Looking forward to seeing you next summer!
