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!
Winter and March Break Day Camp
Helping the next generation of leaders develop skills, discover themselves and build self-confidence through fun and adventure.
About Winter and March Break Day Camp
Every day at Winter and March Break Day Camp is a new adventure! Available at some 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 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.
Note: Programs, facilities, swimming, and schedules may vary by location. Check your selected Y Day Camp location for details.
Winter Break Locations and Schedules
Offered at the following locations:
March Break Locations and Schedules
Offered at the following locations:
NEW: Book for the whole break, or just the days you need.
Each day at Winter and 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.
Winter Break Session 1: 4 days
- Dates: December 21–24
- Daily Rate: from $95
- Full Session Rate: $375
Winter Break Session 2: 3 days
- Dates: December 29–31
- Daily Rate: from $95
- Full Session Rate: $290
March Break: 5 days
- Dates: March 15–19
- Daily Rate: from $95
- Full Session Rate: $460
Camp programming is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Extended hours are from 8:00–9:00 am in the mornings and 4:00–5:30 pm in the afternoons and are included in your camp fee.
Note: The daily option is not available for Mississauga YMCA and Brampton YMCA
More Than a Day Camp: Programs Overview
Each day of Winter and March 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.
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 and Brampton 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 Overnight and Leadership Camp
Is your camper ready for an even bigger adventure? March Break Overnight Camp and March Break Leadership Camp at YMCA Camp Pine Crest might be the perfect place to be this winter. Campers enjoy activities like campfires, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, high-ropes, arts and crafts, and skill development. Leadership campers also have activities with a focus on leadership skill building. Campers will challenge themselves and learn more about different leadership styles.
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.
Winter and March Break Day Camp FAQ
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
What programs do you offer during Winter and March Break?
During Winter Break, we offer Winter Break Day Camp at some of our Health and Fitness centres. During March Break, we offer March Break Day Camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp, Overnight March Break Camp, and Leadership March Break Camp.
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 select day camp locations for $100/week round trip. To view our bussing locations, stops, and drop off and pick up times, check out our bus schedules!
During Winter and March Break, bussing is only available for Overnight and Leadership March Break Camp at YMCA Camp Pine Crest.
Is extended hours available?
Yes, during Winter and March Break, extended hours are included in all Winter and March Break Day Camp programs. Camp programming is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Extended hours are from 8:00–9:00 am in the mornings and 4:00–5:30 pm in the afternoons.
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 at least 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.
Do you offer overnight programs during Winter and March Break?
Overnight programing is available at YMCA Camp Pine Crest during March Break only.
- Overnight March Break Camp is available for campers ages 9–13. This week's activities will include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, high ropes, arts and crafts, snow tubing, maple sugaring and more.
- Leadership March Break Camp is available for campers ages 14–16. They do all the activities that Overnight campers get to enjoy and also have programming with a focus on leadership skill building and learning about different leadership styles.
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 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.
What should my camper pack for Winter and March Break Day Camp?
Each day your camper should be dressed appropriately for the weather, and bring the following along in a backpack:
- A healthy nut-free lunch & two snacks
- Eye glasses case
- Proper winter attire
- Refillable water bottle
- Running Shoes
- Swimsuit and towel (for locations that offer swimming)
We strongly encourage families to label all of their camper’s belongings (first and last name) to prevent items from becoming lost.