Summer camp stories and testimonials

The benefits of Family Camp

In addition to our long tradition of residential camping, we are also proud of over thirty years of Summer Family Camp at YMCA Wanakita.

This past summer, one of our Family Campers shared a thoughtful and touching letter with our Director.

"Thank you for a most wonderful week at Family Camp- truly the best one we have had in 4 years. Before camp, we were talking about directing our resources elsewhere for family vacations and making this our last year. By the second day of camp, Ken and I had both (independently) decided to review this choice! We will definitely be back - hopefully for many more years. We had forgotten the magic of camp. We particularly enjoyed watching our girls try out new skills - archery, kayaking, and swims to the island! We saw them grow in confidence and become more of their true selves.

The week gave us, as adults, a break from the mundane things that so often consume our thoughts (what's for dinner, do we need to pack lunches for tomorrow, when was the last time the laundry got done...) and reminded us of who we were and what was important to us before life became more complicated! It was so reassuring to discover this part of us still exists and we are thinking of ways to bring our true selves back into our lives now even though we have lots of responsibilities.

With gratitude for the week and the life lessons beyond..."

Thanks to all who made Summer 2011 such a wonderful success, and we look forward to making more memories in 2012!

Facing your fears at camp

Winter has been busy here at Wanakita! Since late December, our Outdoor Centre has welcomed a number of schools, teams, and special interest groups. We love being able to share our winter wonderland with children, yotuh,and adults from across the province.

One memorable even occurred a few weeks ago, when we welcomed a group of grade 11 students from an inner city Toronto school. This group spent one afternoon tobogganing, and the majority of the students had never experienced sliding down a hill before. Our staff were amazed to see that the seemingly toughest student in the group was noticeably afraid to go sliding. He hesitated at the top of the hill, and then screamed the whole way down. Despite his initial fear, he loved the ride and immediately ran up to the top of the hill to go sliding again! This young man learned to face his fears, overcome an unfamiliar situation, and experienced success because of it.

We at Wanakita are fortunate to be a part of these incredible outcomes of play every day.


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YMCA Wanakita

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The benefits of Family Camp

Facing your fears at camp

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	Andy Gruppe

	1883 Koshlong Lake Road, Haliburton, Ontario, K0M 1S0
	Haliburton Highlands;