Day Camp – Primary & Junior Grades K-5

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DAY CAMP – PRIMARY GRADES K-5

For campers who completed grades K – 5 in June 2023.

Day campers enjoy a fun-filled, five-day program and participate in age-appropriate outdoor and adventure activities. Day campers spend their time in groups of 8-10, learning outdoor skills such as canoeing, kayaking, archery, rock climbing, as well as participating in nature activities, orienteering, hiking, and swimming, all while enjoying new friendships with fellow campers. The staff ratio is 1:5, and campers should pack a lunch and snacks to fuel them for each long day.

Day campers are at Camp Thunderbird from approximately 9:00am – 3:45pm.  Travel time on the bus is outside of this time.  Review the Transportation section for bus information.

OPTIONAL DAY CAMP OVERNIGHT

Camp Thunderbird offers an optional overnight experience on Wednesday night for campers who are attending day camp that same week. Pre-registration is required.  Campers participating in this event will get to have an extended day of exploration at Camp. Dinner Wednesday, breakfast and lunch on Thursday will be provided. Our Food Services staff will prepare nutritious and tasty food that meets everyone’s dietary requirements. In the evening, the children will participate in a campfire event (songs and stories), and then sleep over.

2023 REGISTRATION OPENING DATES

RETURNING CAMPERS

Wednesday February 8, 2023 at 12:00pm (noon)

NEW CAMPERS

Wednesday February 15, 2023 at 12:00pm (noon)

DAY CAMP PROGRAM INFORMATION

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Each year our community on Vancouver Island supports the YMCA-YWCA with charitable donations. These donations in turn are made available through Financial Assistance to families who demonstrate a financial need so all children may have a summer camp experience. Click here to make a donation.

Transportation Information

Registration in day camp INCLUDES bus transportation both ways each day, and children are picked up at the Downtown Y and the Westhills Y. Campers may be driven by car to and from Camp Thunderbird by a parent or guardian, if preferred.

Camper Drop Off Time

Times listed below are bus departure times, and buses do not wait for late participants. PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY to allow for health screening and bus loading. Guardians need to stay until the bus departs.

Camper Pick Up Time

Traffic on Fridays can be especially heavy please give yourself ample time to arrive. Late parent/guardian arrival further delays our bus service.Westhills: Bus arrives between 4:20-4:30 and continues downtown at 4:30 sharp. Children not picked up by 4:30 will remain on the bus and travel downtown.

Health Screening – Before Boarding the Bus

Campers and one caregiver will be asked to arrive at the bus stop 15 minutes before the scheduled bus departure times in order to allow enough time to for health screening and to load the bus. Screening will also occur at camp for anyone who is driven to camp directly by a parent or guardian.

REGISTRATION, CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island is a charity dedicated to building healthy communities and will subsequently be referred to as “YMCA-YWCA”.

YMCA-YWCA  Registration Policy

The customer agrees that by completing registration and making payment into a single activity or multiple activities with the YMCA-YWCA that they immediately become subject to the activity or program specific cancellation and refund policy.

Camp Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received 30 days before the start of the camp session to be cancelled. All cancellations are subject to a 25% administration fee of the total camp cost including future payments.  If less than 30 days notice is received, fees are non-refundable.  All requests must be submitted by email to registration@vancouverislandy.ca. This includes all non-medical refund requests including but not limited to those due to camp space being unavailable for friends, siblings, and/or due to other summer opportunities becoming available outside of Camp Thunderbird programs.  The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island follows all Public Health Officer orders.

Medical cancellations will qualify for a refund of the unused portion of the program, less a $50 administration fee. In some cases, a doctor’s note will be required, at the discretion of the Camp Managers.

No refunds will be issued in instances where a camper is removed during a camp program at the choice or request of the camper or camper’s parent(s)/guardian(s) or is dismissed from camp for contravention of the camp commitment.

FAMILY INFORMATION BOOKLET – 2023 Information coming soon!

Please review the Family Information Booklet for detailed camp information.

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