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All Overnight Camp programs have been suspended for 2020.
We are still offering local Day Camp programs for 6-12 year olds, so don't miss out! You can also book a rustic getaway for your family at Camp Pine Crest, or rent our equipment for your own camping trip. Book Day Camp or reserve your little slice of Camp Pine Crest here.
Welcome to YMCA Camp Pine Crest!
Build lifelong friendships, connect with nature, and challenge yourself at YMCA Camp Pine Crest. Nestled on the shores of beautiful Clear Lake, YMCA Camp Pine Crest is situated on 650 acres in Muskoka, Ontario. Since 1910, it has provided exceptional outdoor camping experiences, with traditions that carry through today such as canoe trips, the Pine Crest Games, and much more! Our programs are for youth ages 5 to 16.
Our Programs Register Now Contact Us Become a Dreamer
Start Planning for Summer 2021!
We are already looking forward to next Summer! Mark your calendars with the following dates to ensure you don't miss out on our amazing line-up of programs and trips, as well as financial assistance.
Summer Camp - As It Should Be
YMCA Camp Pine Crest offers a variety of programs to suit all ages!
- Traditional Overnight Camps
- Leadership Programs
- Local Summer Day Camp
Prepare for adventure this summer at YMCA Camp Pine Crest
Reach for the top of our amazing high ropes
Take a swim in the lake
Have fun with group activities
A summer in beautiful Muskoka awaits you at YMCA Camp Pine Crest
Exciting activities that create lasting friendships.
- Climb the multiple rope courses
- Get in the water - canoeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkelling
- Learn archery and build an outdoor shelter and fire
- Practice photography, make music, perform a skit
- Canoe trips as well as specialty hiking, whitewater canoeing, and sea kayaking trips
- Travel across Canada with leadership programs
Our Experienced Staff
Our staff provide campers with the support, attention and the care they need while away from home. We have one of the highest staff-t-camper ratios in Ontario. Our caring staff possess:
- Certification CPR and Standard First Aid
- National Lifesaving Society qualifications
- Police background check
- A minimum of one week extensive training with ongoing training and coaching
- Many of our staff were campers themselves and have experience working with children
Traditional Camp Programs
Our Traditional Camp programs offer a classic camp experience filled with friends, learning, and fun while participating in activities like swimming, archery, canoeing, rock climbing and more!
- Three days, two nights of traditional camp experience
- A special program for those ready to be away from home
- Explore camp activities and discover what it means to be independent
- Campers live in lodge cabins with indoor washrooms
- All meals are provided
- Introduction to out tripping with an out lunch on our property
| 2021 Dates & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pine Cones 1 | TBD | $TBD |
| Pine Cones 2 | TBD | $TBD |
- This is a great introductory program for those who don't want to be away from home for too long. Campers will sample a little bit of everything Pine Crest has to offer .
- Our one week campers sleep in lodge accommodations with indoor bathrooms.
- All one week campers experience an overnight canoe trip on our property.
| 2021 Dates & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 2 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 3 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 4 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 5 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 6 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 7 | TBD | $TBD |
| Week 8 | TBD | $TBD |
- This program is great for independent and adventurous campers. Campers and their cabin mates choose their favourite activities to enjoy together.
- Our two week campers stay in cabins with nearby bathroom facilities.
- The longer program allows time to develop skills chosen by the camper. Each camper chooses two skill areas to specialize in, from areas such as high ropes, kayaking, or archery.
- Every camper participates in a 2-5 day canoe trip, depending on their age.
| 2021 Dates & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Session A | TBD | $TBD |
| Session B | TBD | $TBD |
| Session C | TBD | $TBD |
| Session D | TBD | $TBD |
- Little Critters Day Camp is an outdoor, action packed, weekday program where our youngest campers will experience everything we can pack into the week!
- Visit our updated offerings page to find out how we are accommodating Little Critters at Camp this Summer.
- Activities include:
- Climbing
- Daily swimming
- Hikes
- Crafts
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Boogie boarding and themed activities
- Learn more about YMCA Day Camps in the Greater Toronto Area.
| 2020 Dates & Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | July 6 - July 10 | $295 |
| Week 2 | July 13 - July 17 | $295 |
| Week 3 | July 20 - July 24 | $295 |
| Week 4 | July 27 - July 31 | $295 |
| Week 5 | August 4 - August 7 | $235 |
| Week 6 | August 10 - August 14 | $295 |
| Week 7 | August 17 - August 21 | $295 |
| Week 8 | August 24 - August 28 | $295 |
Leadership Programs
The following dates and age ranges for programs are based on Summer 2020. Updated information for Summer 2021 will be available later this Summer - stay tuned!
Our Leadership Programs offer incredible experiences for teens to help them improve their confidence, communication skills and independence. Participants will leave these programs inspired to better themselves and the world around them!
Leadership programs are filled based on a lottery system. Each participant who applies will select their top three program choices (in order of preference), and will each be assigned one "ballot" in the lottery. There are no preferences given to applicants based on number of years of experience at Pine Crest or any other camps, to ensure total fairness during the lottery. When the lottery closes, we compile a list of every applicant and assign them a randomly generated number. We then sort all applicants in ascending order based on their number, and assign program spaces accordingly until they are full. If you have any questions about our lottery or which programs your child is eligible for, please give our office a call at 1-877-878-9622.
- Participants practice leadership skills in a small group setting. They will learn to work together to ensure a fun-filled and successful trip.
- An introduction to extended out tripping, no previous experience required.
- Build a solid foundation of tripping skills, including low impact camping, outdoor cooking and living skills, and advanced paddling skills.
- Groups travel by van or train to the location of trip. All groups carry full first aid kits and satellite phones.
| 2020 Junior Leader in Training (JLIT) Programs | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Week JLIT Spanish River, June 28 - July 10 |
| The Spanish River is located in Northern Ontario near Sudbury. Participants will paddle through some of the world’s largest red and white pine old-growth forest while learning about themselves and experiencing the challenges of whitewater paddling. | |
| 2 |
2 Week JLIT Georgian Bay Sea Kayak, July 12 - 24 |
| Participants will explore the incredible beauty of Georgian Bay, which is home to one of the world’s largest fresh water archipelagos. Georgian Bay offers spectacular views and clear crisp waters to play in. Participants will get the chance to explore both on the water and by foot with a combination of hiking and kayaking. | |
| 3 | 2 Week JLIT Noire River, August 2 - 14 |
| The Noire River, named for its dark, almost black water, is located in western Quebec. Originating south of the La Verendrye wilderness preserve, the Noire flows through rocky sections of the Canadian shield and meanders through sand valleys as it makes its way to the Ottawa River. Participants will gain confidence in their ability to paddle whitewater while learning what it means to lead. | |
| 4 | 4 Week JLIT Noire River, June 28 - July 24 (boys), August 2 - 28 (girls) |
| A unique opportunity for participants to develop skills and enjoy the beauty of Pine Crest while also being introduced to extended out tripping. This program begins with one week at camp, engaging in skill and program development. From here, the group travels to western Quebec and spends 10 days on the Noire River, where they are introduced to whitewater paddling skills. Finally, they return to Pine Crest for a final week and a half of development and consolidation. | |
| 5 | 2 Week JLIT Algonquin Provincial Park, August 16 - 28 |
| Algonquin Provincial Park is located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River. Although there are numerous drive-in campgrounds in Algonquin, the park is better known for its interior camping; that is, campsites which are only accessible by canoe or hiking. Algonquin Park provides some of Canada's best canoeing, with hundreds of navigable lakes and rivers forming a 2,000-kilometre-long interconnected system of canoe routes. Loons, moose, deer and beaver can often be seen within the park, if campers are quiet enough! | |
| 6 | 4 Week JLIT Algonquin Provincial Park, June 28 - July 24 (girls), August 2 - 28 (boys) |
| A unique opportunity for participants to develop skills and enjoy the beauty of Pine Crest while also being introduced to extended out tripping. This program begins with one week at camp, engaging in skill and program development. From here, the group travels to Algonquin Provincial Park, where they will spend 9 days developing their flat-water canoeing and portaging skills. Finally, they return to Pine Crest for a final week and a half of development and consolidation. | |
| 7 | 3 Week JLIT Petawawa River, July 5 - 24 |
| The Petawawa River flows through the northern end of Algonquin Provincial Park, and was named for its many rapids. This route has been travelled for generations, where evidence of early travelers can still be found through stunning petroglyphs on breathtaking cliff faces. Participants will learn why this river is popular for its scenic and challenging travel while practicing their whitewater paddling skills. | |
| 8 | 4 Week JLIT Coulonge River, June 28 - July 24 (girls), August 2 - 28 (boys) |
| A unique opportunity for participants to develop skills and enjoy the beauty of Pine Crest while also being introduced to extended out tripping. This program begins with one week at camp, engaging in skill and program development. From here, the group travels to western Quebec and spends 14 days on the Coulonge River, where they are introduced to whitewater paddling skills. Finally, they return to Pine Crest for a final week of development and consolidation. | |
- An opportunity to develop more advanced leadership skills.
- No previous experience required, our experienced trainers will prepare participants for the level of skill required.
- Build a solid foundation of tripping skills, including low impact camping, outdoor cooking and living skills, and advanced paddling or hiking skills.
- Participants who are entering grade 10 can register to earn a high school credit.
- Groups travel by van or train to the location of trip. All groups carry full first aid kits and satellite phones.
- **Participants are eligible to earn a Grade 10 Physical Education credit during the program (extra fee applies).
| 2020 Leader in Training (LIT) Programs | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 Week LIT Lake Superior Sea Kayak, August 2 - 21 |
| Generally considered the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and absolutely breathtaking in beauty. Participants will paddle from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to Rossport over 16 days. As they travel they will weave their way through islands covered in wildlife, lighthouses and areas to explore. | |
| 2 | 5 Week LIT Missinaibi River**, July 5 - August 7 |
| The Missinaibi River flows northeasterly from north of Chapleau to the Moose River in the James Bay lowlands. This mighty river offers one of the longest unimpeded stretches of wilderness rivers in Ontario. Participants will discover this river’s renowned beauty and whitewater when they begin in the town of Missinaibi at the height of land and paddle to the river’s end on the Moose River. From here they will paddle down the Moose River to the town of Moosonee, where they will take the Polar Bear Express back to Cochrane. | |
| 3 | 4 Week LIT Wabakimi Provincial Park**, June 28 - July 24 |
| In the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Wabakimi Provincial Park is a world class canoeing destination and home to countless exciting whitewater rivers. Participants will paddle stunning and challenging whitewater while navigating historic canoe routes through the Kopka and Allanwater rivers. Campsites offer incredible views of the night sky and the northern lights. | |
| 4 | 5 Week LIT Bloodvein River**, July 19 - August 21 |
| The Bloodvein River offers exciting, high volume whitewater through untouched Boreal wilderness. This stunning river is home to several rare and endangered species, such as the wolverine, osprey, bald eagle and woodland caribou. It is also known for the ancient pictographs that can be found on the river’s rocky cliffs. Paddlers will begin their travels in Red Lake, Ontario, where they will paddle through a series of lakes, creeks, and portages to reach the river and then journey through memorable whitewater to Lake Winnipeg. | |
| 5 | 4 Week LIT Temagami**, June 28 - July 24 (boys), August 2 - August 28 (girls) |
| The perfect balance of time spent paddling through the rugged Canadian wilderness of Temagami and enjoying the beauty of Pine Crest, the 4-week Temagami program offers the best of both worlds for participants looking to develop their leadership and flat-water tripping skills. The program begins with one week at camp, engaging in skill and program development. From here the group will spend 14 days paddling and portaging through the epicenter of Canadian canoe culture, before returning to Pine Crest for a final week of development and reflection. | |
| 6 |
4 Week LIT Dumoine River**, June 28 - July 24 (girls), August 2 - August 28 (boys) |
| This program is ideal for participants looking to split their time evenly between an extended whitewater trip and in-camp programming. The program begins with one week in camp, before participants travel to the Dumoine River in western Quebec for two weeks of iconic whitewater paddling. The group will return to Pine Crest for a final week of leadership development and reflection. | |
- Our most advanced programs, for campers who want to spend most of their session on an extended and challenging out-trip.
- An opportunity to develop and apply advanced leadership skills through in camp placements and on trip peer leadership.
- Previous experience paddling whitewater is required for all whitewater trips.
- Build a solid foundation of advanced tripping skills, including low impact camping, outdoor cooking and living, and navigational skills.
- Groups travel by van, train or bush plane depending on the location of trip. All groups carry full first aid kits and satellite phones.
- **Participants are eligible to earn a Grade 12 Health and Physical Education credit during the program (extra fee applies).
| 2020 Senior Leader (SL) Programs | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4 Week SL French River**, June 28 - July 24; August 2 - August 28 |
| The 4-week French River program is ideal for senior leadership participants who wish to divide their time equally between a wilderness expedition and in-camp programming. Participants will spend a week and a half at Pine Crest participating in leadership development and skill building, before embarking on an 8-day flat-water canoe trip through the iconic French River Provincial Park. During this trip, they will learn the important skills it takes to guide a successful canoe trip. Upon their return to camp, participants will collaborate on programming and leadership initiatives, and reflect on their experiences at Pine Crest. | |
| 2 | 6 Week SL Broadback River**, July 19 - August 28 |
| Paddling the Broadback River of northern Quebec in your senior leadership year is the perfect way to put your whitewater skills to the ultimate test and explore a remote and untamed landscape. The Broadback is one of Canada’s wildest rivers, carving its way through pristine Taiga forests. Travelling to one of the most remote rivers, you’ll find yourself being one of the few people who experiences this part of the world. Participants will paddle some of Canada’s most powerful whitewater, refine their leadership skills and keep on the lookout for caribou and moose. Your journey will culminate with a magnificent entrance into the waters of James Bay, where you will paddle into the Cree community of Waskaganish, before returning to a warm welcome back at Pine Crest. | |
| 3 | 7 Week SL Attawapiskat River**, July 5 - August 21 |
| Paddling the Attawapiskat River in your Senior Leadership year will be the journey of a lifetime. Whether it’s listening to grey wolves howl in the distance on a bright, starry night, navigating some of the most exciting whitewater Canada has to offer, or preparing a dinner of fresh fish that you caught yourself, you’ll find true adventure on the Attawapiskat. The adventure begins with a train ride and van shuttle to the start of the river, before continuing on down the wilds of the river.The Attawapiskat adventure culminates at the awe-inspiring edge of James Bay, where you will be able to splash in the cold Arctic Ocean. You’ll finish off your trip by flying over the northern wilderness before being welcomed home by your Pine Crest family. | |
| High School Credit Eligibility Chart | |
|---|---|
| PAI2O - Individual and Small Group Activity | Missinaibi River, Wabakimi Provincial Park, Bloodvein River, Temagami, Dumoine |
| PLF4M - Recreation and Healthy Active Living Leadership | French River, Broadback River, Attawapiskat River |
- Participants must be registered for the credit PRIOR to their leadership program start date. A $200 admin fee will be charged at the time of registration.
- Participating in the course means that the student will complete and be marked on written work, presentations, and verbal reflections.
- Contact nicole.binnington@ymcagta.org if your participant has an IEP or will require additional support.
- Curriculum expectations are built into the program, which means that participants are not required to complete additional work outside of the program.
- PAI2O (For Intermediate Leadership programs at least 4 weeks in length)
- This is a grade 10 open-level physical education credit with a special focus on individual and group activity.
- This course emphasizes regular participation in a variety of enjoyable individual and small group activities that promote life-long healthy active living.
- There are no prerequisites for this course.
- PLF4M (For Senior Leadership Programs)
- This is a grade 12 Health and Physical Education credit with a focus on leadership in the contexts of recreation and healthy active living.
- This course emphasizes the benefits of active recreation, healthy leisure, and developing leadership skills.
- There are no prerequisites for this course.
- June 28 - July 3
- Base Fee: $1,075
- Participants will travel to the Madawaska River to paddle for five days.
- Perfect for beginners to intermediate paddlers - there is always something to learn!
2020 Information Guides
Information guides answer all frequently asked questions about our programs. If a guide is marked (PDF) it is the full colour version including photographs. Plain text versions of forms are marked (Plain Text). Please e-mail camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org for customer service accommodations.
2020 Leadership Information Guide (PDF) 2020 Camper Information Guide (PDF)2020 Registration Forms
Instructions: Download and save all forms, fill them out and submit via methods below. Forms marked "Fillable PDF" can be completed using your computer. Please e-mail camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org for customer service accommodations.
2020 Financial Assistance Application Form (Fillable PDF) 2020 Family Camp and Women's Weekend Registration Form (Fillable PDF) 2020 Leadership Application Form (Fillable PDF) 2020 Course and Alumni Registration Form (Fillable PDF) 2020 Camper Registration Form (Fillable PDF)
*Applies to Leadership Camp only. Discount will be applied once payments have been received from both campers. Call 1-877-878-9622 for more details.
Registration Opens December 2nd for Camper Programs!
Online registration in four easy steps:
- Go to econnect.ymcagta.org
- Click on the "Login" button and enter your Login ID and PIN.
- Click on the "Programs" tab to browse (March Break Camp programs are now under the "Seasonal" section), then select “Add” to register.
- Check out from “My Basket” to make payment with a major credit card and receive an immediate confirmation of registration through email.
By Form:
Please download the above form(s), fill them out, and submit them via any following method:
Submit form by Email:
camps@ymcagta.org
Submit form by Fax:
416-928-2030
By Phone:
647-439-6611
1-877-303-2267
By Mail:
YMCA Program Registration Office
2200 Yonge St., Suite 300
Toronto, ON M4S 2C6
