Day and overnight camper information sessions will provide registered campers and their families a chance to learn more about what to expect at camp, ask questions and interact with a camp staff who they will likely see during their week at camp!

A day camper information session will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 7PM. 

An overnight camper information session will be held over Zoom on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7PM.

Please call or email the camp office for details at 613-832-1234 or day.camps@ymcaottawa.ca.

We will be hosting an Open House on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 4:30PM–7:30PM at YMCA Camp Otonabee.

This will be a drop-in event where families can take a tour of where the YMCA Camp Otonabee magic comes to life! Tours will be led by some of our amazing summer camp staff and will run approximately every 20 minutes. 

Bring your whole family and enjoy an evening exploring our site and getting to know a few of the many staff that help make YMCA Camp Otonabee awesome!

Please call or email the camp office for details at 613-832-1234 or day.camps@ymcaottawa.ca.

Can’t make it to the Open House but curious about what camp is like? Join us for a virtual tour of YMCA Camp Otonabee! This short video explores all the areas of our site, introduces you to some of our amazing camp staff, and shows you some of the fun activities you can enjoy this summer. 

Whether at the waterfront, in camp, or on the climbing wall, staff members emphasize safety in all activities. Counsellors are trained in Standard First Aid and CPR, and lifeguards are nationally certified. The safety of our campers and staff is our top priority, and YMCA Camp Otonabee regularly reviews its policies to ensure they align with Y Canada and the Ontario Camps Association. The YMCA Camp Otonabee Team is committed to reviewing practices on an ongoing basis, and reserves the right to adjust its programs accordingly for the health and well-being of the camp community.

All parents/guardians picking campers up from camp will be required to show government issued photo identification every day upon pick up. The full legal name of the person picking up the camper must be included on the authorized pick up list that you submitted on the camp registration form, and must have appropriate identification and must be over the age of 16Y. 

Please note that only the person listed as “Main Contact” on the camper registration form can make changes to the authorized pick up list, and must do so in writing to day.camps@ymcaottawa.ca.
 

Please fill in the Absent Camper Form or contact us at 613-832-1234 or day.camps@ymcaottawa.ca to let us know if your child will be absent from camp. A phone call or email takes only a minute and is a great help to the staff. If you know in advance your child will be absent during their time at camp, please notify the camp office.

Please use a permanent marker and print first and last names on everything, including clothing. A phone number is also helpful should the writing fade. This will help us make sure any “found” items can be returned to your camper.

Lost and Found items will be posted on the Y Camps Ottawa Facebook Page at the end of the summer. We encourage you to reference this page if you lost an item. 

Additionally, you can always email the camp office at day.camps@ymcaottawa.ca or fill out the Lost and Found Form if you are missing something.

The health and safety of our campers is always our top priority. In the event of severe weather, such as a tornado, the following practices will be adopted by all camp programs (YMCA Camp Otonabee and Y Neighbourhood Summer Day Camps):

• Programs will move indoors for the entirety of the severe weather event. Campers will be offered colouring pages, engage in small groups games or play boardgames during this time.
• Campers will be kept away from windows and doors leading to the outdoors
• All staff will monitor campers’ emotional state, and camp counsellors will do their best to keep campers calm and feeling safe
• Staff will work with our third-party providers (i.e. bus company, field trip partners) to ensure risks are minimize as much as possible during the severe weather event
• Camper families may be contacted to pick their campers up early, should it be safe to do so
• Evacuations from the camp sites will be at the discretion of emergency services alongside the Y Camps Ottawa management team
• The camp team will do their best to provide updates to the Y Camps Ottawa Facebook Page as well as communicate via email through the Camp Brain Registration System

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the camp office, directly. We look forward to sharing the summer with your children. 

The health and safety of our campers is our priority. In the event of air quality warnings during camp, the following practices will be adopted by all camp programs (Camp Otonabee and Neighbourhood Summer Day Camps):

• Programs will be adapted to focus on low energy activities
• Counsellors will encourage and ensure that all campers are regularly drinking water (staying hydrated), limiting their outside exposure as much as possible and participating in low energy programs.
• All staff will monitor camper health – watching for signs of shortness of breath, eye irritation, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing asthma. First Aid will be given for any signs of the above and parents/guardians will be notified.
• Staff will work with our third-party providers (i.e. bus company, field trip partners) to ensure our Smog and Smoke Practices are consistent.
• When Health Canada issues an alert for poor air quality for 8 or above, the YMCA will forward this information to all camp locations.
• Camper families will be encouraged to keep their camper’s home should they feel that spending extended periods of time outside would be harmful for their campers

In the event that a camper becomes sick from smog or smoke exposure while at camp, they will be brought to a cool space to recover and will be monitored by staff. Parents/guardians will be phoned. Should a camper become sick from smog or smoke exposure when they return home from camp, we request that parents inform the camp of their child’s absence and illness.

We respect the decision of parents to keep their children at home or withdraw their children from programs due to smog or smoke. Please note that the existing Y refund policies will remain in effect.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the camp office or your regional day camp site, directly. We look forward to sharing the summer with your children.

All camp staff are Standard First Aid and CPR certified. If any child needs minor first aid, the staff are fully trained and equipped to care for the child. If a child becomes overtired, or just needs some TLC, we have a quiet rest area supervised by our camp staff. If a child takes ill or has a serious problem, they may be required to be picked up from camp before the end of the day. We will ensure the best possible care until you arrive.

In the event a child requires immediate medical treatment, apart from injuries of a minor or routine nature, senior camp staff will ensure immediate transportation to a local hospital. We will make every effort to contact you as soon as possible. A camp staff member will stay with the child until the emergency is over and you arrive.

We try our best to maintain a lice free camp, but unfortunately some children come to camp with lice. We ask that parents check their campers for head lice before sending them to camp. When they arrive at camp they will partake in a wellness check that will examine campers for head lice. If any lice, knits, and/or eggs, are found during the wellness check or throughout the week, we will ask that parents pick up their children, and return 24 hours after a treatment has been completed. We do not process refunds for lice. All the same refund policies apply.
 

• Money
• Pocket knives
• Matches/lighter
• Electronic toys or devices (iPods, iPads, video games)
• Peanuts (we are a nut-aware facility)
• Expensive cameras
• Electronics
• Curling irons/hair dryers
• Cell phones
• Radios, stereos, CDs
• Any other valuables

Sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more is strongly recommended (please check to make sure the sunscreen has not expired). Sun hats and sunscreen will be worn by everyone and counsellors will ensure campers are applying sunscreen regularly. Water bottles are also required for those hot days and for out trips.

Camp continues rain or shine, so good rain gear is a must. Make sure your raincoat, pants, and boots are waterproof – test them in the shower!

Campers channel their inner Robin Hood while participating in target practice and learning about the different skills required to get a bullseye! 

Campers get crafty using sparkles, feathers, and googly eyes to create a masterpiece. A different craft each session. And don’t forget bracelet making, a timeless camp staple!

Practice draws, prys, C-stroke and J-stroke on the beautiful Ottawa River with experienced lifeguards who can teach campers how to manoeuvre a canoe.

We offer a variety of high ropes elements that will build on teamwork and personal challenge. Campers can climb our rock wall, try our vertical playground or get their whole team to the top of our Dangle-A-Maze. 

Campers see the Ottawa River in their own individual boat and practice their C-stroke. Lessons led by experienced lifeguards.

Using a surf style board and a long paddle, you will propel yourself through the water and learn some new strokes.

This is a chance for campers to learn some new wilderness skills. Each period will vary and includes activities like learning how to build fires safely, taking an interpretive nature hike through our forest, learning how to cook on an outdoor stove,  leave no trace camping practices, and how to build an effective emergency shelter with what you find in the forest. 

Zero Activity Period or ZAP is a time for campers to decompress from their busy camp schedule to talk quietly with cabinmates, play cards, read, colour, or nap. Camp counsellors will ensure active supervision is maintained throughout this time, and will engage with campers in whichever activity they choose, whether it be playing cards or writing a letter home.