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!
Day Camp
Helping the next generation of leaders develop skills, discover themselves and build self-confidence through fun and adventure.
Registration for Summer 2025 opens on January 13, 2025.
About Day Camp
Day Camp offers campers an opportunity to discover their potential at camp. Through new experiences, skill-building programs, a supportive community and lasting friendships, we know they will be able to accomplish whatever they put their mind to during their camp week. Summer Day Camp is located in conservation and urban settings across the Greater Toronto Area and Muskoka, allowing campers to return home each evening.
Summer Day Camp programs range from arts and science to sports, swimming, leadership, outdoor adventures and more!
Day Camp is also offered during Winter and March Break at a reduced number of locations across the GTA to help with your school break care.
Winter and March Break Locations
To find out more about our Day Camp locations, select camp location.
A Camp Where Everyone Belongs
Camp is about fun, friendship, and creating lasting, positive memories. To make sure campers, staff, and volunteers have the best experience possible, we’re sharing our expectations about how to treat each other and our camp.
Learn More about Summer Day Camp at the Y
Discover the magic of summer day camp and answers to commonly asked questions.
Review our Summer Day Camp Guide and FAQ for all your answers!
Learn how value beads play an important role at Y Day Camp
Each Day Camp program has been thoughtfully created to ignite the potential in campers.
Check out all camp locations and programs at the Y this summer.
Join Our Day Camp Staff
Are you looking to use your skills and unique gifts to make a real difference in your community? At the Y, you will be part of a diverse team whose shared vision is to build vibrant communities where everyone can shine.
How to register for Day Camp Programs
Registering online is the quickest way to confirm your child(ren) will have a spot in day camps.
Visit the Y Guide to see all Y programs currently available, or soon to be available, for registration.
Then use My Y to register and confirm payment.
If you are unable to access your My Y account, please reset your password. DO NOT create another customer account.
To register by phone, call 647-439-6611 or 1-877-303-2267
Where can I find the Summer Day Camp Guide?
Review our updated Summer Day Camp Guide for all your answers!
What programs do you offer?
During the summer months, we offer over 25 unique programs ranging from a number of different indoor and outdoor options. Check out our Day Camp program page to learn more!
Do you offer bussing?
Yes, in the summer, we offer bussing across the GTA to 11 o f our day camp locations for an additional $100/week round trip. To view our bussing locations, stops, and drop off and pick up times, check out our bus schedules!
Do you offer extended hours?
Yes, during the summer we offer an extended hours program at a number of our camp locations. If you have registered your camper for extended hours, you can drop your child off any time between 7:30am – 9:00am. The camp day ends at 4:00pm, but if your camper is registered in extended hours, the latest time to pick up is 6:00pm. Please pack an extra snack for both AM & PM with a re-fillable water bottle.
What is your withdrawal policy?
If you wish to withdraw a participant from a program, you can do so by accessing the participant’s Registration History via your My Y Account or by submitting your request to withdraw by email to register@ymcagta.org.
Withdrawals that are processed online or requested by email 10 days before the start of the program will receive a full refund, minus an administration fee of 10% per program being withdrawn.
Withdrawal requests received with less than 10 days’ notice must be submitted by email to register@ymcagta.org. You will receive a refund minus an administration fee of 50% of the cost of the program being cancelled.
A doctor's note is required for any withdrawal due to medical reasons.
Refunds are not granted for inclement weather. Any request received after the start of the course will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Refunds take 2-3 weeks to process.
What does a typical day at summer day camp look like?
7:30 – 8:50am: Extended Hours (Dependent on Camp Location) The Extended Hours program provides campers with a variety of activities to choose from such as board games, puzzles, melt beads and arts & crafts.
Please bring an extra snack and re-fillable water bottle.
8:50 – 9:00am: Sign In
9:00 – 9:30am: Opening Circle and Attendance
Campers and staff participate in fun songs, games and camp traditions
9:30 – 9:45am: Transition Time
Campers and staff rotate to their first activity. They are given the opportunity to hydrate, eat a snack, use the washroom and apply sunscreen or bug spray if required.
9:45 – 10:30am: Program Block 1
Campers participate in their first program. For example, campers in science may participate in an exciting science project or experiment. Please note that some groups may combine two program times depending on the activity.
10:45 – 11:00am: Transition Time
11:00– 12:00am: Program Block 2
12:00 – 12:45pm: Lunch
12:45pm – 1:45pm: Program Block 3
1:45pm – 2:00pm: Transition Time
2:00pm – 3:00pm: Program Block 4
3:00 – 3:45pm: Closing Circle and Values Bead Ceremony
The camp day ends with a closing circle and values bead ceremony. Counsellors recognize campers who have demonstrated positive values throughout the day. At the end of the week, campers who have earned all 6 values beads are awarded their gold bead of excellence. On Fridays, the coveted camp spirit trophy is awarded to the camper group that earned the most spirit points.
3:45 – 4:00pm: Sign Out
4:00 – 6:00pm: Extended Hours (Dependent on Camp Location)
Do you offer Financial Assistance?
Yes. If you require YMCA Financial Assistance, please complete this form with proof of income, and continue registration for your program(s) of choice. We recommend you do this to hold your spot(s) until assistance approval is received. Spots and assistance are not guaranteed, and YMCA assistance is available on a first come first served basis. To register in advanced of assistance approval, a credit card will be required for payment of deposit. You will receive a full refund if assistance is not approved, and you choose not to attend the program. If you require support to complete your online registration, please call 1-877-303-2677.
Do you offer overnight programs?
Yes! In the summer the day camp team offers a 1 night overnight program at our Toronto Island Y Day Camp and at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre Day Camp for campers ages 9 – 12. Campers will participate in leadership activities such as rock climbing, high and low ropes, swimming and a camp fire. Campers will spend the night in a cabin at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre. All meals will be provided.
We also have an overnight component in our Counsellor in Training Program. This program is offered at our Toronto Island Y Day Camp and at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre Day Camp for campers ages 13 – 15. During week 2 of this 3-week program, Youth will stay at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre. Youth will have the opportunity to try rock climbing, high rope and low rope courses as well as swim in Cedar Glen’s outdoor pool. Youth will spend this week focusing on how to deliver programs to camp age groups as well as how to create a program plan. All meals are provided.
Check out our overnight programs on our YGuide!
Are you looking for longer overnight options? Check out our YMCA Camp Pine Crest summer overnight programs.
What is the Value Beads program?
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!
What’s your COVID-19 policy and air quality procedure?
Learn more about the Y’s COVID-19 policy.
Air quality concerns at Y Day Camps
The YMCA of Greater Toronto camp programs have both outdoor and indoor spaces and will relocate activities indoor as much as possible. Camp programs without indoor spaces will modify outdoor activities in response.
Staff and campers at all locations will be advised to:
· Stay hydrated
· Limit strenuous activities that makes them sweat or breathe hard
· Avoid long periods in the sun
· Participate in water play
· Wear a N95 mask (Please note, N95 masks reduce exposure to the fine particles, but not the gases, in wildfire smoke)
· Listen to their bodies and limit or stop activities if they are experiencing symptoms such as headaches, mild cough, phlegm, sore and watery eyes, or nasal congestion
If your child has a heart or respiratory issue, please contact their camp director immediately. Their contact information can be found on your day camp location page.
Please note, campers who miss day camp due to weather conditions will not be refunded. For more information visit the Air Quality Health Index
What is your program transfer policy?
If you wish to transfer a participant from a program, you can do so by accessing the participant’s Registration History via your My Y Account or by submitting your request to transfer by email to register@ymcagta.org.
Transfers must be processed online or requested by email 10 days before the start of the program. Transfer requests received with less than 10 days’ notice will be treated as a withdrawal and will receive a refund, minus an administration fee of 50% of the cost of the program being withdrawn. These requests must be submitted by email to register@ymcagta.org.
A doctor's note is required for any transfer due to medical reasons.
Can I make a friend request?
In order to be placed in the same group as a friend, campers must be in the same age group and registered in the same program.
If you are registered for multiple weeks of camp, please submit a friend request for each week your camper and friend are attending.
Please ensure your request is sent at least 2 weeks before the start of the program. We do our best to accommodate all requests, however we can not guarantee. If requests are submitted with less than 2 weeks before the start of the program we can not accommodate the request.
Please note, if you are submitting a friend request for campers that do not live in the same household, only one family needs to submit the request for both campers. Siblings that are in the same age group and program are not automatically together. You will need to submit a request if you'd like siblings to be together.
Submit Request
Where can I find my receipt for tax purposes?
Payment receipts for tax purpose are conveniently saved in your My Y account. Visit our child care and camp receipt page to find instructions for signing into My Y, as well as downloading and reading receipts.
Accessibility and Inclusion Program Support
The Accessibility and Inclusion program that is offered through YMCA of Greater Toronto Camping and Outdoor Education department, provides support to children between the ages of 4–12 who require additional support or 1:1 care while participating in our programs. We will do our best to ensure that every child is placed in a program, at a camp location, and with a staff member to best accommodate their needs while with us. Some of our sites are not fully accessible however, we will work with families to discuss options of other locations that will best suit their needs within the YMCA of Greater Toronto's locations throughout the GTA.
Join Our Y Day Camp Alumni
Camp is all about creating connections. Whether it has been one year or 10 years since your last summer working at Y Day Camp, we want to stay connected. Join a community that has made a positive impact on the lives of countless campers and peers.
Did you know?
50% of YMCA Day Campers receive financial assistance or government subsidies.
Without support from donors like you, too many children and youth wouldn’t be able to access the fun, friendship, and learning opportunities of camp — and their parents wouldn't be able to afford this crucial form of care that enables them to work through the summer months.
