TABLE OF CONTENTS About Yowochas... 1 Location and Facilities... 1 Health and Safety... 2 Staff... 2 Accommodations... 3 Camp Yowochas Activities... 3 Specialty Weekends... 4 Women s Retreat... 4 Family Camp... 4 Adult Summer Camp: Unplug and Recharge... 5 Mother Daughter Weekend... 5 Father Son Weekend... 5 Year Round Camps... 6 Teacher s Convention Camp... 6 Spring Break Camp... 6 Summer Camp Programs... 7 Day Camp Programs... 7 Explorers... 8 Discoverers... 8 Discoverers Yurt Living... 8 Leadership Programs... 9 Prospectors - Intro to Leadership... 9 Leaders-In-Training (LIT)... 10 Counsellors-In-Training (CIT)... 10 Session Dates... 11 Registration Information... 12 Outdoor Education... 13
ABOUT YOWOCHAS YWCA Edmonton proudly owns and operates Camp Yowochas. The mission of YWCA Edmonton is to lead, support, and advocate for women, girls, and families when and where they need us. MISSION VISION MANDATE Camp Yowochas promotes respect for self, others and the environment. Camp Yowochas develops people through environmentally sensitive programs and facilities. Camp Yowochas provides programs that secure the success of the whole person in body, mind and spirit. Camp Yowochas offers programs for: Leadership Development Environmental Education Outdoor Recreation All Camp Yowochas programs: Develop leadership qualities Develop self esteem Build interpersonal relationships and friendships Foster appreciation for the natural world Promote character and value development Are fun and educational Are available to everyone Location and Facilities Located 80 km west of Edmonton, Camp Yowochas is situated on fifty acres of Aspen Parkland Forest and lakeside facilities on Lake Wabamun. Accommodations range from tents, yurts and the Hilltop Cabins for older campers to modern dormitories equipped with heating for younger campers. Indoor washrooms and showers are available for all campers. The waterfront boasts a fleet of over fifty boats including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. We also have a climbing wall, zip line, high and low ropes courses, an archery range and many kilometers of hiking trails. Camp Yowochas provides a beautiful base for any outdoor adventure! 1
ABOUT YOWOCHAS Health and Safety The health and safety of every camper at Camp Yowochas is of utmost importance. We ensure: 24-hour Supervision A minimum of one Counsellor, and one Assistant Counsellor per group A maximum staff to camper ratio of 1:5 All waterfront activities are supervised by Lifesaving Society certified lifeguards or certified boating instructors The mandatory wearing of a P.F.D. for all boating activities Staff receive safety-oriented staff training including training in emergency procedures A team of resource/support staff to assist Counsellors 24 hours a day First aiders are available at all times and the Stony Plain Hospital is only 30 minutes away Healthy and nutritious meals based on the Canada Food Guide Allergies and special diets can be accommodated with advance notice Staff People selected to be staff members demonstrate a genuine interest in helping children grow and develop through outdoor experiences. All program staff, including Counsellors, hold Standard First Aid and CPR certification. All staff members are required to meet YWCA security screening practices. Staff members have experience leading children, perhaps as a part-time job through the school year or on a volunteer basis. Most have this experience through camping. In addition, many of our staff members are graduates of our Counsellor-In-Training program. Before campers arrive, our staff members receive an intense week-long training session. We cover everything from health, hygiene and safety to bullying prevention, program planning and dealing with homesickness. 2
ABOUT YOWOCHAS Acommodations LODGE - The Lodge is our main building at Camp Yowochas and includes: dormitory-style bedrooms, administrative offices, a dining hall, a kitchen, washrooms, and our wellness centre. It can accommodate up to 50 people. DUMBLEDORM - Dumbledorm is located right next to the Lodge. It has dormitory-style accommodations and washrooms for up to 54 people. HILLTOP CABINS - The Hilltop Cabins are located at the top of the 91 Steps of Doom. There are 4 cabins that accommodate 10 people each. CAMPSITES - Camp Yowochas has 9 campsites located up the hill. Three surround the Hilltop Cabins and the other 6 are located in the survival area. Each campsite can accommodate 4-12 people. YURT - Camp Yowochas is excited to offer summer camp programs in our Yurt! The Yurt is located just down the trail from the Lodge and can accommodate up to 14 people. Camp Yowochas Activities Include: Canoeing Kayaking Swimming Initiatives Archery Climbing Wall Low Ropes Course Campfires Zip line Bouldering Fun and Games Hiking Outdoor Living Skills High Ropes Course Environmental Activities Stand Up Paddle Boarding 3
SPECIALTY WEEKENDS Women s Retreat Ages: 18+ Cost: $200 Length: April 27-29 Women s Retreat at Camp Yowochas features a relaxed retreat-style program with camp accommodations, great meals, a wine and cheese social, and a variety of activities to choose from. Whether you choose to read a book in the fireside lounge, take in the beautiful view of our waterfront, or participate in the wide variety of optional activities, you are sure to have a great weekend! Family Camp Ages: all ages Cost: $125, children 3 and under are free Length: May 11-13 Family Camp is a great escape from busy lives to relax, unplug, and spend quality time together with nature as the backdrop. Create fun and lasting memories as you enjoy great meals together, participate in your choice of exciting activities, and close the night out singing songs around the campfire. 4
SPECIALTY WEEKENDS Adult Summer Camp: Unplug and Recharge Ages: 18+ Cost: $300 Length: June 22-24 Trade in your computer screen for a better view. Escape from technology, busy schedules and the hectic rush of everyday life, and join us for an off-the-grid weekend to recharge. Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Wabamun just 45 minutes west of Edmonton, this retreat will be filled with adventure, great food, campfires, and plenty of time to just unwind. Make the weekend your own with activity choices such as stand-up paddle boarding, yoga, a visit to the hammock village, as well as classic camp activities like zip lining, archery, kayaking, and many more. Mother Daughter Weekend Ages: all ages Cost: $125, children 3 and under are free Length: October 12-14 Join us for a weekend designed for mothers to spend time with their daughters. Come out to camp and enjoy traditional camp activities, great food, and the opportunity to relax and unplug with your daughter for a weekend of fun adventure. Bring your mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, or daughter and spend some quality time together! Father Son Weekend Ages: all ages Cost: $125, children 3 and under are free Length: November 2-4 This weekend is designed to promote the special relationship between a father and son through adventure, fun, and lasting memories. Spend quality time together trying activities such as zip line, archery, hiking, and high ropes, and close out the evening around the campfire with a cup of hot chocolate. 5
YEAR ROUND CAMPS We offer camps throughout the school year during non-instructional days and school breaks. These camps are a great opportunity to stay connected with us, enjoy our beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, and make the most of your time away from school! Teacher s Convention Camp Ages: 6-12 Cost: $120 Length: 2 days, February 8 9 We are excited to offer an overnight camp during the non-instructional days of the Northern Alberta Teachers Convention. Campers will enjoy winter programming such as quinzhee building, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing! Spring Break Camp Ages: 6-12 Cost: $35/day, or $150 for the whole week, an additional $36 to register for the Thursday night sleepover option Length: 5 days, optional Thursday sleepover, March 26-30 Participants can register for all five days or individual days. This week also includes a one night sleepover option on Thursday. This is a great chance for campers to try lots of camp activities and see if they may be ready to join us for Summer Camp 2018! 6
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS Day Camp Programs Ages: 4-12 Cost: $150, $120 for Session 5 Length: 5 days (Monday - Friday) Session 5 is 4 days (Tuesday - Friday) Available: Sessions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 Our Day Camp program offers the opportunity for campers to join us for the day to participate in many of our great activities. Participants must register for a full week, Monday to Friday except for Session 5 which is Tuesday to Friday. Participants must bring their own lunch and snacks daily. A BBQ lunch will be provided for all Day Campers on Friday. All participants will receive a t-shirt. No partial weeks are available. Campers must be between 4-12 years old to register for Day Camp. Bussing is available from Stony Plain daily at an additional cost of $50 per week. The bus will depart Stony Plain at 8:15am daily and return at 4:45pm daily. Alternatively, participants can be dropped off at Camp Yowochas at 9am daily and picked up at 4pm. 7
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS Explorers Ages: 6-7 Cost: $388, $345 for Session 5 Length: 5 days (Monday Friday), Session 5 is 4 days (Tuesday August 7 Friday August 10) Available: Sessions 1, 3, 5 & 7 for Girls Only Session 2, 4, 6 & 8 for Boys Only An introductory program for our youngest campers, Explorers are led through a variety of camp activities under the guidance of experienced staff members. We strive to ensure that campers have a great camp experience, setting them up for a life-long love of nature and outdoor activity. We offer a higher ratio of staff to campers for this younger group. Discoverers Ages: 8-12 Cost: $388, $345 for Session 5 Length: 5 days (Monday Friday), Session 5 is 4 days (Tuesday Aug 7 Friday Aug 10) Available: Sessions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 Our Discoverers can expect to learn skills in activities such as archery, canoeing, challenge course elements, swimming, hiking, and outdoor skills, among others. Camp-wide games, nightly campfires, and an out-trip on Wednesday night are also featured throughout the week. Through these experiences they develop a sense of independence, foster an appreciation for the outdoors, and return home with a week full of great memories. Discoverers Yurt Living Ages: 10-12 Cost: $388, $345 for Session 5 Length: 5 days (Monday Friday), Session 5 is 4 days (Tuesday August 7 Friday Aug 10) Available: Sessions 2, 4, 6 & 8 for Girls Only Sessions 1, 3, 5 & 7 for Boys Only Discoverers who choose the Yurt Living program participate in the regular Discoverers program as described above, but live in our yurt! This is a chance for older Discoverers to have a unique experience while still enjoying their favourite outdoor activities. Discoverers Yurt Living does not go on an out-trip and are the only group that gets to try the Natural Sauna! 8
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS Camp Yowochas has a long tradition of offering excellent leadership training programs. The following programs are designed for youth who have a keen interest in being leaders in their schools, communities or camp. These programs are designed as steps for campers to introduce them to basic leadership skills, explore group dynamics and prepare them to be a camp counsellor. LIT and CIT programs have an application and screening process which campers must complete. See the program descriptions for more details. Prospectors - Intro to Leadership Ages: 13-15 Cost: $423, $345 for session 5 Length: 5 days (Monday Friday), Session 5 is 4 days (Tuesday August 7 Friday August 10) Available: Sessions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 Campers opting for the challenge of this advanced camping experience will receive introductory lessons in basic leadership skills including communication and conflict resolution. Participants will also receive advanced canoe instruction, try the most advanced elements on our high ropes course and go on an overnight canoe trip on Lake Wabamun. Prospectors are split into gendered groups and stay in the Hilltop Cabins, allowing for a more wildernessstyle camping experience. 9
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Ages: 14-15 (Must be 14 by July 1, 2018) Cost: $800 Length: 12 days (Monday Second Friday) Available: August 13-24 This program gives participants the chance to learn extensively about group dynamics and examine their personal abilities as a leader. Through classroomstyle and practical sessions, this group will explore leadership theories, share ideas and learn from each other. Skill development in outdoor recreation activities will be a focus as will participation in all-camp events. Note: To apply for this program, an LIT Application Form must be filled out. This form can be printed off the website or obtained from the Camp Yowochas office. All applicants must participate in a screening process. Counsellors-In-Training (CIT) Ages: 15-16 (Must be 15 by July 1, 2018) Cost: $1,000 Length: 24 days (Monday Fourth Friday) Participants will go home for the weekend at the end of week 2. Available: July 9 - August 3 Participants spend their time preparing to lead children in the outdoors. The first three weeks are spent learning how to lead children and Camp Yowochas activities, bonding as a group on the CIT hike (a multi-day out trip), as well as receiving First Aid certification. During the fourth week, CITs will be paired with experienced counsellors for a five-day practical counselling experience. Note: To apply for this program, a CIT Application Form must be filled out. This form can be obtained from the website or the Camp Yowochas office. All applicants must participate in a screening process. Contact us for information about CIT scholarships. 10
SESSION DATES Each week of summer camp has a different theme to inspire a story that guides us through the week. The theme is tied into our mealtimes, campfire skits, wide game, and Thursday night banquet dinner where we decorate the dining hall and dress up! Bring along a costume if you would like to join in on our themed banquet. July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 - - - - July 13 July 20 July 27 Aug 3 Dino Adventure Holidays in July Ancient Egypt Heroes Aug 7 - Aug 10 Canada 151 (Note: Session 5 is a 4-day week) Aug 13 - Aug 20 - Aug 27 - Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 31 Greek Mythology Carnival Fairytales JULY 2018 AUGUST 2018 SN M T W TH F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SN M T W TH F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 11
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Full payment must accompany registrations. Register online, or by phone, mail, fax or email. We accept cash, cheque, Visa and MasterCard. All registrations received less than 30 days prior to commencement of program must be made in cash, Visa or MasterCard. All prices include GST. T-shirts are included in the cost of registration. Hats and water bottles may be ordered before camp at an additional cost of $16 each. All cancellations up to 30 days prior to the program commencement will receive a full refund less a $50 administration fee. Cancellations less than 30 days prior to the program commencement will receive no refund unless a doctor s note is provided. Campers who are sent home for any reason once a camp session has started will receive no refund. All registration packages will be sent via email in.pdf file format. If you desire a mailed paper copy, a $5 shipping and handling fee will be applied to your registration fees. Camp Yowochas reserves the right to cancel programs due to insufficient registration. A full refund will be given in this case. 12
OUTDOOR EDUCATION From September to June, we offer both day and overnight bookings for field trips, birthday parties, corporate events, holiday parties, retreat weekends, and other private events. Our staff will work with you to custom build a program that focuses on your desired goals and outcomes. Choose from our many activity options and accommodation styles, and enjoy great meals and beautiful scenery. Book during the winter to take advantage of our off-season pricing, and activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, quinzhee building, stargazing, curling, skating, broomball, and many others! Enjoy a fun day outside in the snow, and warm up with a hot chocolate by the fireside at the end of the day. Get in touch for more information about available dates and pricing. 13
CAMPER SUBSIDY Through generous donations made by community members, Camp Yowochas is able to provide financial assistance to campers in need. Camper Subsidy applications are available through the Camp Yowochas office. Consider helping campers who would not otherwise be able to afford camp by donating to the camper subsidy fund. Donations greater than $20 are tax deductible and 100% of camper subsidy donations go towards camp fees. Need More Information? Check out our Website at www.ywcayowochas.org Come to our Open House on May 21, 2018 Phone, Fax, Mail or Email your questions to us anytime Call to Donate to the YWCA 780-423-YWCA (9922) Charitable Registration Number: 108227935 RR0001