Camp Chief Hector YMCA: CAMP DESCRIPTIONS Camp Options Chiniquay: 7Y – 9Y Mistaya: 10Y – 11Y Kananaskin: 12Y-13Y Junior Shotungwa: 12Y-13Y Senior Shotungwa: 14Y-15Y Pioneer: 14Y-15Y Leadership: 16Y Leadership II: 17Y Day Camps: 6Y-12Y Family Camp: All Ages CHINIQUAY 7Y-9Y Chiniquay campers come to camp for a 6-day session full of fun, new friends, and outdoor adventure! They will participate in most camp activities, including an overnight adventure. Friendship and adventure await each member of the Chiniquay Section. Campers may participate in swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, horseback riding, archery, exploring and hiking, singing and playing games. Chiniquay campers make their home base at Bowfort Lodge. First time campers (age 7) stay in cabins. Older and returning campers who are 8 or 9 years old can choose to stay in a cabin or a tipi. Chiniquays who stay in a cabin will participate in an overnight experience in a tipi. Chiniquays who have chosen to stay in a tipi participate in an overnight tenting experience. Age-appropriate assistance and risk management directions are provided for Chiniquays throughout their stay. Joining the Chiniquay Section is a great introduction to the friends and the excitement found at the Camp Chief Hector YMCA. MISTAYA 10Y-11Y chance to ride horses but may choose to go to "Horseplay" (non-riding activities with horses) during "Freebies" (activity time after dinner some days to go to an Campers in the Mistaya section can anticipate a camp area of interest). Mistayas participating in a 6-day program session full of playing and going on adventures outside with are based out of Bowfort Lodge during sessions A to F and new friends and counsellors! Campers and their families out of Hector Lodge in sessions G and H. may choose to come to camp for a 6-day or 13-day session. Overnight Hike: This hike departs directly from the Camp There are different options to choose from for both session Chief Hector YMCA. Groups travel on the Camp Chief Hector lengths. All Mistaya campers will participate in most camp YMCA site and into Bow Valley Provincial Park along activities including archery, climbing tower, challenge established trails. Before starting out, counsellors and course, arts and crafts and canoeing. campers share group goals and review risk management practices for backpacking trips. Some topics of risk MISTAYA 6-DAY 10Y-11Y management the group will discuss include wildlife HORSE DAY OPTION PROGRAM concerns, kitchen practices, identifying and avoiding exposure to heights, rockfall, snowfields, weather systems Learn all about the outdoors by living and playing in it. and creek/river crossings. Each day campers will hike 2 to 8 Mistaya campers will discover their strengths and abilities, kilometres through forests and along mountain creeks and develop skills and make new friends. Mistaya groups sleep lakes. They will experience an average elevation gain of 200 in tipis and explore the land of the Rocky Mountains. to 600 metres. Overnight sites are situated by mountain Trying many new and exciting activities is an important part forests and creeks or along the shore of Barrier Lake. of the Mistaya experience. Some Mistaya options include canoeing, crafts, climbing, songs and games, and archery. MISTAYA 13-DAY 10Y-11Y Campers in the 6-day horse day ride option may also go on TRADITIONAL PROGRAM a half day hike to explore the local forests and fields. Mistayas participating in a 6-day program are based out of Learn all about the outdoors by living and playing in it. Bowfort Lodge during sessions A to F and out of Hector Mistaya campers will discover their strengths and abilities, Lodge in sessions G and H. develop skills and make new friends. Mistaya groups sleep in tipis and explore the land of the Rocky Mountains. Horse Experience: Campers and counsellors visit the Trying many new and exciting activities is an important part corrals, where a member of the Horse staff welcomes them. of the Mistaya experience. Some camp activities include Together, campers and staff share their experience with canoeing, crafts, climbing, songs and games, and archery. horses. The group is introduced to their horses, and the Mistayas participating in a 13-day program are based out plan of fun and learning for the day is described. Before of Hector Lodge. entering the corrals, the Horse staff helps the group learn to manage the risks associated with horsemanship. The young Three-Day Backpacking Trip: This hike leaves directly from riders then learn to groom and saddle a horse. The group our site, hiking approximately 2 to 6 kilometres each day, heads to a riding arena where they mount their horses and on-trail and off-trail, through forests and prairies of the ride, learn the basics of horsemanship and get to know their Canadian Rockies. Groups may gain on average 200 to 600 horses. Depending on each group's character, the campers metres each day while hiking. Overnight sites are situated may play mounted games in the arenas, and learn more by forests, Barrier Reservoir, or the Kananaskis River. Before about the various gaits of horses, or they may leave the departing, counsellors and campers share group goals and arena and explore the local mountain trails on horseback. review risk management practices for backpacking trips. Some topics of risk management the group will MISTAYA 6-DAY 10Y-11Y discuss include wildlife concerns, kitchen practices, OVERNIGHT OPTION PROGRAM identifying and avoiding exposure to heights, rockfall, weather and creek crossings. Groups arrive at their Learn all about the outdoors by living and playing in it. campsites and set up their tents. That afternoon and Mistaya campers will discover their strengths and abilities, evening, groups can explore the area around their develop skills and make new friends. Mistaya groups sleep campsites. The second day, groups head out to enjoy a day in tipis and explore the land of the Rocky Mountains. in the backcountry: following creeks, building forts, cooking Trying many new and exciting activities is an important part up food, and enjoying their friendships. On day three, of the Mistaya experience. Some Mistaya options include groups return to the Camp Chief Hector YMCA where they canoeing, crafts, climbing, songs and games, and archery. share their adventures with fellow Mistaya campers over Campers in the 6-day overnight option will not have the evening snack. Horse Experience: Campers and counsellors visit the to manage the risks associated with horsemanship. The corrals, where a member of the Horse staff welcomes them. young riders then learn to groom and saddle a horse. The Together, campers and staff share their experience with group heads to a riding arena where they learn the basics of horses. The group is introduced to their horses, and the horsemanship and get to know their horses. Depending on plan of fun and learning for the day is described. Before each group's character, the campers may play mounted entering the corrals, the Horse Staff helps the group learn games in the arenas, and learn more about the various gaits to manage the risks associated with horsemanship. The of horses, or they may leave the arena and explore the local young riders then learn to groom and saddle a horse. The mountain trails on horseback. group heads to a riding arena where they learn the basics of horsemanship and get to know their horses. Depending on MISTAYA 13-DAY 10Y each group's character, the campers may play mounted CAMP CRAFT PROGRAM games in the arenas, and learn more about the various gaits of horses, or they may leave the arena and explore the local Learn all about the outdoors by living and playing in it. mountain trails on horseback. Mistaya campers will discover their strengths and abilities, develop skills and make new friends. Mistaya groups sleep MISTAYA 13-DAY 10Y in tipis and explore the land of the Rocky Mountains. Trying PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM many new and exciting activities is an important part of the Mistaya experience. Some camp activities include Learn all about the outdoors by living and playing in it. canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, day hike, climbing, Mistaya campers will discover their strengths and abilities, songs and games, and archery. Mistaya campers develop skills and make new friends. Mistaya groups sleep participating in a 13-day program are based out of Hector in tipis and explore the land of the Rocky Mountains. Trying Lodge. many new and exciting activities is an important part of the Mistaya experience. Some camp activities include Camp Craft: The Mistaya Camp Craft group will have the canoeing, swimming, arts and crafts, day hike, climbing, chance to learn outdoor-based skills and crafts and more songs and games, and archery. Mistaya campers about the natural world at camp. Campers will spend some participating in a 13-day program are based out of Hector time carving a walking stick or wooden spoon. They will Lodge. learn how to safely make a one-match fire and can progress to making fires with flint and steel. The group will go on Performing Arts: While participating in the regular camp exploration adventures in the surrounding forests and activities, these campers can anticipate some extra creative fields, learn to track squirrels and deer, and collect flair! Groups may be seen dressed up as voyageur canoeists ingredients for wild tea and bannock. One of the on the lake and archers who are aquainted with Robin counsellors will be a Camp Craft Instructor. The group will Hood. The group will have many other themes throughout also participate in regular camp activities. the 13-days. Campers may perform skits and songs at campfires, play drama games, and let their imaginations Overnight Experience: Campers and counsellors pack their soar.