For 125 years now, Camp YMCA Kanawana has been contributing to the development of hundreds of youths every year by providing them with a unique outdoor experience in a safe and supportive environment.
Health, Food & Safety
Our top priority at Camp YMCA Kanawana is the health and safety of your child.
Camp YMCA Kanawana adheres to the recommended guidelines and practices set out by the YMCA’s Camping Quality Recommended Practices guidelines.
Additionally, as a founding member of the Québec Camping Association, Camp YMCA Kanawana adheres to more than 60 standards and requirements related to safety, supervision, programming, the environment, health and nutrition outlined by the QCA. As such, Camp YMCA Kanawana prioritizes safety in all aspects of its operations and does its utmost to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for your child.
For more information on our accreditation standards, please consult the Quebec Camping Association website.
Health & Safety
Camp YMCA Kanawana has a fully equipped health centre with two full-time health care staff members available to campers 24 hours a day throughout the summer. Our staff members are trained in effective safety practices and certified in First Aid prior to the summer to ensure that your children are well cared for during their stay with us.
Camp YMCA Kanawana also benefits from consultant doctors who are at our disposal throughout the summer and who offer advice on Wilderness First Aid protocols, best practices to run an efficient health centre, and health care recommendations on a case-by-case basis.
Food
An important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while at Camp YMCA Kanawana is to ensure that campers eat well during their time with us. A registered dietician approves our menu before the summer begins, in accordance with the accreditation standards of the Quebec Camping Association, and we ensure that optimum nutritional standards are met for each meal. Additionally, our food services team provides hearty, healthy, and well-balanced meals to give campers the energy they need for an active day.
Campers are offered three nutritious meals per day. If campers need an extra boost, we provide fruit and water in the Dining Hall throughout the day and offer evening snacks several times a week.
If your child has any specialized dietary requirements, please see our Allergy Management Plan below.
Dietary Restrictions & Allergies
At Camp YMCA Kanawana, we make every effort to accommodate campers with dietary restrictions and food allergies. Please be sure to clearly describe any dietary requirements for your child on the application form.
We can provide vegetarian, lactose-free and pork-free menu options for campers.
Allergy Management Plan
We pay close attention and take the following precautions to provide a safe environment for campers with food allergies:
- We track the allergies of all our campers;
- Our kitchen is aware of all campers with food allergies and their needs;
- Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) is available at various locations around camp;
- Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) is available on all overnights and canoe trips;
- Nut products are not available or allowed on camp.
Facilities
Situated in Saint-Sauveur on 550 acres of pristine wilderness, Camp YMCA Kanawana is only 45 minutes north of Montréal in the beautiful Laurentian region.
Camp YMCA Kanawana's facilities include:
- 3 private lakes (Lake Kanawana, Lake Wilson and Round Lake);
- 6 overnight campsites;
- wood cabins with bunk beds and separate sleep quarters for staff (Junior sections);
- platform tents with bunk beds (Senior sections);
- eco-friendly bathroom and shower facilities;
- an infirmary with 5 beds and a private washroom;
- a pavilion for workshops and trainings;
- a 30-foot rock climbing wall;
- a sand beach with a marked swimming area;
- an archery range;
- a low ropes course with team-building challenge obstacles;
- a boating waterfront with canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, a barge and a rescue boat;
- an indoor gymnasium (the Katimavik);
- a dining hall (with a capacity for over 300 people);
- an activity/sports field;
- a nature nook;
- a Gaga Ball pit;
- an arts & crafts building;
- an activity lodge;
- firebowls for campfires and cookouts;
- nature interpretation trails.
Payments & Refunds
Payment
Please note that we do not accept payments by cash or debit. Our online system will not accept payment by cheque; to pay by cheque, you MUST complete a paper registration. Note that paying by cheque may cause a delay in the registration process, and your spot may not be guaranteed. We strongly recommend using our online system and paying by credit card in order to ensure your child’s spot is reserved.
Discounts *
- Membership Discount:
A discount of $ 100 per program for any child who is a member of the YMCA.
- Sibling Discount:
10 % discount per child from the same family (applicable to 2nd child and +).
* Please note that these discounts MAY be combined.
Payments and Refund policy
The registration fee is $ 200.
All camp fees must be paid in full by June 15, 2019.
If a registration is cancelled, this registration fee is non-refundable, but all other fees that have been paid will be reimbursed.
All refunds and cancellations must be requested in writing. If a reimbursement has been approved, it will be less the $ 200 registration fee and be prorated according to the number of days your child was present at camp. Absence from camp does not constitute a withdrawal from the program — you must contact us to obtain your refund.
Cancellations or changes in sessions or programs must be made in writing, and will not be accepted over the phone.
Requests can be made by emailing camp.kanawana@ymcaquebec.org
Behavioural policy
Camp YMCA Kanawana reserves the right to send a child home in the event of major misconduct (bullying, drug or alcohol use, violence, etc.) or of accumulation of consistent disregard for Camp YMCA Kanawana’s code of conduct. In this case, the parents or guardians are responsible to pick up the child as soon as possible. The camp then retains the full amount of living expenses.