No school, no problem.
When school is out, there's a safe and fun place for your child in YMCA camps. With options for ages 3–15 throughout the year, kids will stay engaged, active, and learning while still having fun.
Pro D Day Camps
Looking for something active and fun for your child to do during the day off school? Bring them to burn off some energy with gym activities, swimming, crafts and games.
Winter Holiday Camps
Whether you need some time to decompress around holidays or just want your child to have active days of fun during their time off from school, the Y is here to help.
Spring Break Camps
Details for Spring Break Camps will become available in the winter.
Summer Camps
Morning Mini Camps (Ages 3–5)
Mini Camps at the Y provide fun, engaging and interactive experiences for your preschooler! Your child will explore crafts, stories, imaginative play and active games around age-appropriate themes. Each week will also include swim time.
Limited availability for the remainder of summer, please contact membership@ymcaokanagan.ca for availability.
Afternoon Mini Camps (Ages 3–5)
Mini Camps at the Y provide fun, engaging and interactive experiences for your preschooler! Your child will explore crafts, stories, imaginative play and active games around age-appropriate themes. Outdoor time is included daily.
Limited availability for the remainder of summer, please contact membership@ymcaokanagan.ca for availability.
Full-Day Licensed Child Care Camps (Entering Grades 1–6)
Our licensed YMCA Child Care centres are a home away from home. Your child can be a part of our inclusive community where he or she can have fun, find support, make friends and reach their full potential.
The Y’s approach to child care is unique. We believe that ensuring a sound basis for healthy child development and success begins with play and our child care programs give kids exactly that — space to run, dance, jump, and explore — a place where kids can be kids!
Each day, children spend time outdoors, engage in plenty of physical activity, eat nutritious snacks, and build relationships with friends and adults. Each week, children will swim, explore our community during interactive field trips and participate in rich science experiments. These experiences will help them establish a foundation for their mental, emotional and physical well-being.
In addition to YMCA Financial Assistance, families who cannot afford the full cost of licensed YMCA Child Care can also apply for the Affordable Child Care Benefit. Learn about Child Care Financial Support.
Theme Camps (Ages 5–7 and 8–12)
Theme inspired crafts, structured active games, outdoor group challenges and team-building activities help make each week a unique experience. Add in dips in the pool and a Friday movie to end each week, and you have the ingredients for a summer full of memories!
Limited availability for the remainder of summer, please contact membership@ymcaokanagan.ca for availability.
Swim & Sport Camps (Ages 5–7 and 8–12)
YMCA and community coaches will help your child build fundamental skills through guided drills, scrimmages and fun free-play opportunities—both on land and in the water! Each day, your camper will experience an introduction to a popular sport along with the opportunity to develop valuable water skills with our trained swim instructors.
We welcome campers of all abilities to improve their skills in a sport they love or give a new sport a try.
Limited availability for the remainder of summer, please contact membership@ymcaokanagan.ca for availability.
Swim & Games Camps (Ages 5–7 and 8–12)
Excite your child’s love of the water...and the sunny outdoors! YMCA lifeguards & Program Leaders will help your child build fundamental skills through guided drills, skill development, active games and fun free-play opportunities—both on land and in the water!
Limited availability for the remainder of summer, please contact membership@ymcaokanagan.ca for availability.
Youth Leadership Development (Ages 12–15)
Do you ever just want to get out of the house and enjoy the summer sun, but aren't in the mood for a crazy adventure? Well if you enjoy laying back in the sun, swimming in the lake, eating food and playing card games, this is the camp for you! Join the Youth Leaders and a lifeguard at Sarson’s Beach where you can bring your chill attitude and have some fun in the sun.
These camps are already finished for the summer.
Babysitting Course Plus (Ages 11–14)
This week-long half-day camp teaches youth caregiving skills to become effective and confident babysitters. Participants will learn how to appropriately care for infants, toddlers and children and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. They’ll also learn engaging activities and nutrition for children in their care.
In addition to our regular Babysitting Course, this camp includes basic first aid and CPR training and a crucial water safety component taught by certified lifeguard instructors. This interactive and educational week will incorporate fun and active elements into each day of learning. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to spend supervised time in our school-aged camps to practice their newfound skills with a small group of children.
These camps already finished for the summer.
Bronze Medallion & CPR-A (Ages 13+)
Open the door to lifeguarding. Learn the four components of water rescues — judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness.
Students learn self-rescue techniques, defence and release methods, and tows and carries in preparation for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims, including spinal injuries and circulatory emergencies. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim (500 m in 15 min).
Program Requirements
- Participants must be 13+ years of age if they have not completed Bronze Star
- If younger than 13, participants can take this course if they have completed Bronze Star
- The Canadian Lifesaving Manual
These camps are already finished for the summer.
Bronze Cross & CPR-C (Ages 13+)
Continue to challenge yourself with further advanced training including an introduction to safety supervision in aquatic facilities.
Candidates develop proficiency at performing patient assessments, managing aquatic spinal injuries, and preventing the loss of life in a variety of aquatic emergencies while developing stroke endurance and fitness training skills. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a timed swim (600 m in 18 min). Please bring prerequisites and Canadian Lifesaving Manual to the first day of the course.
Program Requirements
- Completion of Bronze Medallion
These camps are already finished for the summer.
First Aid & CPR (Ages 13+)
A comprehensive course covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. Whether you need training for employment or simply want to be prepared to respond to life-threatening emergencies, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to act with confidence.
Taught by a certified Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor, using practical activities and hands-on training, you will learn to recognize and treat injuries including head & spinal, soft tissue, facial, abdominal & chest, burns, bone & joint, and other common medical emergencies.
Canadian First Aid Manual is required.
These camps are currently in session.
National Lifeguard Award (Ages 16+)
NL training develops the basic lifeguarding skills needed to adapt to different aquatic facilities and situations. You will be trained in injury prevention, public education, safety, supervision, team work, rescue and first aid. Participants should expect 6–10 hours of homework in addition to class time. 100% attendance is mandatory. Alert Manual and Fanny pack are required.
Program Requirements
- Must be 16+ years of age
- Completion of Bronze Cross, current Standard First Aid (from a recognized SFA provider), or Aquatic Emergency Care (currency recommended)
- Candidates must bring awards and proof of age to the first class
- Alert Manual and Lifeguard Fanny Pack
These camps are currently in session.
Financial Assistance
As a charity, the Y believes no family should be turned away because of financial circumstances. Thanks to generous donors, the Y is able to provide financial assistance on camps and children's programs to families who could not otherwise afford them.
YMCA Courses for Youth
The Y offers Babysitting Courses, Home Alone Training, and Lifeguard Certifications for ages 11 and up. These courses will keep youth engaged while equipping them with critical lifelong skills.
Child & Youth Programs and Recreation
From swimming to sports, art, leadership, movie nights and Family Play Time, the Y has a variety of recreational programs available year round to keep all ages and stages active, social, and engaged in a fun setting.