Winter Break Day Camp
Helping the next generation of leaders develop skills, discover themselves and build self-confidence through fun and adventure.
Registration opens Wednesday, October 14.
About Winter Break Day Camp
Every day at Winter Break Day Camp is a new adventure! Available at four of our Health and Fitness centres, campers ages 6–12 take on a new program each day: Creative Arts, Science, Stop Motion Animation, Creations in Cardboard, and Eco-Science. At the end of each day, campers will bring home their camp creations or deliver a screening of their films for family and camp friends.
Campers who attend a full week of Winter Break Camp will develop a variety of new skills in each of these program areas.
Campers will practice and develop:
- Creative process by following step-by-step instructions to complete their works of art
- Teamwork and collaboration in STEM-based projects
- Environmental awareness through building natural water filtration systems and a self-contained ecosystem.
Every Day is a New Adventure
Each day at March Break YMCA Day Camp is carefully curated to ensure that the holidays are both a fun break from school and a time for learning and growth. Each program is designed to be a full day of new experiences and skill-building. Check out what they have in store:
More Than a Day Camp: Programs Overview
Each day of Winter Break offers a different program! Whether they’re building foundational skills, making new friends or becoming more confident, campers will have opportunities to learn by doing — and bring their creations home at the end of each day.
Creative Arts
Creative Arts gives campers the opportunity to develop their skills through various artistic mediums. They learn foundational skills including: molding & sculpting, cutting & scoring.
Sample Activities: Fimo Clay Creations, Kinusaiga Art
Stop Motion Animation
Mentored by master filmmakers, campers will engage in hands-on exploration of the stop motion animation process, including pre-production, production and post-production. Working in small crews, they will learn about stop motion animation, set design, script writing and editing. Campers will then create their own stop motion animation and movie trailer using our Macbooks, 4K cameras and more.
Sample Activities: Stop Motion Movie Creation, Film Presentation (family and friends welcome)
Science
Science is an inquiry based, experiential program that promotes discovery and curiosity. Science foundational skills include: Physics, movement mechanics, math & electronics.
Sampe Activities: Walking Robot, Wind-powered Car
Eco-Science
Eco-Science focuses on outdoor skill development, natural arts and science. At the end of the day, campers will be bringing home their eco-creations.
Sample Activities: Water Filtritaion System, Natural Tie Dye
Creations in Cardboard
Campers will be using Chomp Saw & MakeDo creation tools to make 3D creations! Creative foundational skills include: measuring, scoring, cutting and constructing.
Sample Activities: Introduction to Chomp Saw Design, Building a 3D Puppet
Variety*
Variety camp is a week-long program that lets your camper try a bit of everything camp has to offer! Each day, campers will have the chance to explore activities in Sports, Science, and Arts and Crafts.
Sample Activities: Swimming, Creating a Lava Lamp
*Note: Variety is available at Mississauga YMCA only
Join us for the whole week
The weekly option allows campers to build on their skills and foster friendships through the week/s they spend at camp. Campers are grouped by age, and activities are delivered in an age-appropriate style. At the end of the day, campers will be bringing home their creations.
...or the days that work for you
The daily option allows campers ages 6-12 to attend a single day of camp in the program area that most interests them while building skills, confidence and independence. Campers are grouped by age, and activities are delivered in an age-appropriate style. At the end of the day, campers will be bringing home their art creations.
Age-based Programming
Ages 6–8: Explore and Build
What will they do?
Younger campers will focus on age-appropriate creations and receive clear steps and plenty of guidance from camp staff.
What will they learn or practice?
Foundational skills include molding & sculpting, cutting & scoring, timing & rhythm and STEM based inquiry.
How will they grow?
The winter break experience will help younger campers build confidence, cooperation, and independence as they discover their skills in a variety of programs.
Example activity:
Campers will work toward creating their own piece of Kinusaiga wall art by selecting a pre-made design, cutting their fabric and applying it to the foam board by following step by step instructions. Campers will take their unique work of art home at the end of the day.
Ages 9–12: Practice, Progress, and Create
What will they do?
Older campers will take on the design process from start to finish with more room to create and experiment.
What will they learn or practice?
Foundational skills include molding & sculpting, cutting & scoring, timing & rhythm and STEM based inquiry.
How will they grow?
Older campers will develop a greater level of creativity, independence, problem-solving and teamwork while gaining confidence in their abilities.
Example activity:
Campers will work toward creating their own piece of Kinusaiga wall art by creating their own unique design, scoring their base, cutting their fabric and applying it to the foam board by following step by step instructions. Campers will take their unique work of art home at the end of the day.
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.
How to Register
Step #1: Create an account on My Y.
Step #2: See all programs available for registration on our Y Guide.
Step #3: Once you have selected your program, complete check out on My Y. For assistance, call 647-439-6611 (local) or 877-303-2267 (toll-free).
March Break Day Camp
Looking ahead? We're also offering programming for March Break (March 15–19, 2027) at five of our Health & Fitness Centres and two of our Outdoor Centres. Programs include March Break Y Day Camp, Outdoor Adventure, Overnight March Break Camp, and Leadership March Break Camp.
We are Ontario Camps Association (OCA) Accredited
As an accredited OCA member, we belong to an organization that is recognized worldwide for its commitment to making Ontario a premier destination for camping. We maintain the highest standards to give families and guardians peace of mind.
To qualify for accreditation, all members must:
- Follow the OCA standards for professionalism, accessibility, and safety.
- Follow all relevant provincial and federal government legislation.
- Receive regular visits for re-accreditation.
Accessibility and Inclusion Program Support
The Day Camp Accessibility and Inclusion program provides 1:1 support for children ages 4-12 years old who require additional assistance in order to participate in camp programming.
For families that are new to YMCA Day Camp, we will work with you through an intake process to find a camp location, a camp program and camp weeks to match with a counsellor that will set your child up for a successful and fun summer!
Please note, YMCA Inclusions Counsellors do not provide specialized 1:1 support with medical equipment and/or procedures such as g-tube feeding or catheter care and do not provide any washroom assistance which includes; lifts, wiping and diaper changes.
If your child requires specialized 1:1 support that the YMCA does not provide, you are welcome to provide their own Personal Support Worker for the duration of the camp program.
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.