Adventure Club is a unique summer program for children ages 6 to 12 offered by the YMCA of Niagara for 5 weeks this summer! Adventure Club is offered to families at no cost thanks to support from United Way Niagara through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) Canada Summer Jobs (Niagara Falls), Niagara Region, and Family and Children’s Services Niagara.

“The YMCA is working in collaboration with local organizations to serve children that need an in person recreational experience the most this summer.” said Kyle Barber, President & CEO of the YMCAs of Niagara and Oakville. “Thanks to the support of our funding partners, these children are able to have a safe summer program experience where they can have fun, enjoy being a kid, develop friendships and celebrate their uniqueness.”

“It was wonderful for her to be able to go out and interact with other kids again.” -anonymous parent/caregiver survey response

Adventure Club Program

• Adventure Club has received an amazing response from the community, with 234 children participating from 152 unique families.
• Five-week program model running July 27 to August 27, 2020
• Operates four days a week for six-hours a day
• Drop off and pick up times are scheduled in 15-minute intervals to keep the number of people arriving at one time to a minimum.
• All registrations completed online in advance of the first day of the program.
• The program is offered at two outdoor locations – Burgoyne Woods in St. Catharines and Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls.
• Children and staff participate in a health screening before entering the program every day.
• Participants spend the week with their group of up to 10 children and staff who stay together exclusively for the four days in each program week.
• Activities are designed to promote physical distancing between participants.
• Hand washing and disinfecting are a priority before and after activities, and nutrition breaks.
• The program takes place 100 percent outdoors where participants can connect with nature. The day is filled with a variety of outdoor activities including archery, team building, creative activities, water games, sports, journaling, environmental education, hiking, fort building, and more.
• The program helps to prepare children for back to school (screening, hand washing, physical distancing, other safety measures).

The program is fully funded and free to families who are referred by local community agencies, including:

• Niagara Region Community Services (Children’s Services and Social Assistance)
• Niagara Regional Housing
• Family and Children’s Services Niagara
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Niagara Falls
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North and West Niagara
• YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services
• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre
• YWCA Niagara Region
• Niagara Regional Native Centre
• Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board

“United Way Niagara is proud to have had the opportunity to facilitate the Government of Canada Emergency Community Support Fund in the Niagara region. We are a proud partner of the YMCA and the many agencies providing critical support to children, youth and families, especially during these challenging times.” Frances Hallworth, Executive Director.

The YMCA is a charity serving our communities for over 160 years. During these unprecedented times, the Y needs your help more than ever to be able to serve those most in need in our community. Donations will continue to be accepted during this pause of YMCA programs. Click here to make your gift and help the YMCA continue supporting those in need.

The YMCA of Niagara is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body with a sense of responsibility to each other and the global community.

About United Way Niagara: United Way works to tackle some of the biggest social issues in Niagara; investing in solutions to poverty, food security, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence & social isolation.