Leadership Programs (Ages 13 – 16)

(Wilderness Adventure Programs)

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! Pine Crest Leadership participants are between the ages of 13 and 16, and sorted into programs based on their age. This ensures that leadership programs meet the developmental needs of participants, and build on one another if campers participate year after year.

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For more information, please visit Preparing for Summer Camp and Leadership Program Descriptions

Junior Leadership

Born July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010

All junior programs are intended as a bridge between camper and leader. A variety of elements from the camper experience are still present in this introductory leadership program, although additional learning and responsibilities are added. Campers will begin developing self-awareness to understand their own strengths and struggles. Participants will also be encouraged to act as role models at the camp on a daily basis. Additionally, campers will participate in placements to help teach skills or facilitate activities for younger campers.

Georgian Bay Sea Kayak - 2 Weeks - Dates: July 23 - August 4, 2023

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 on the water and by foot with a combination of hiking and kayaking.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fee: $2,900

Noire River - 2 Week - Dates: August 6 - 18, 2023

The Noire River, named for its dark coloured 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.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fee: $2,900

Petawawa River - 3 Weeks - Dates: July 9 - 28, 2023

Named for it's many rapids, the Petawawa River flows through the northern end of Algonquin Provincial Park. 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.
Skill Level: 3/4
Fee: $4,300

Spanish River - 2 Weeks - Dates: July 2 - 14, 2022

The Spanish River is located in Northern Ontario near Sudbury. Participants will paddle through some of the world’s largest red pine and white pine old-growth forest while learning about themselves and experiencing the challenges of whitewater paddling.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fee: $2,900

Algonquin Provincial Park - 4 Weeks - Girls Dates: August 6 - September 1 - Boys Dates: July 2 - 28, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 1/4
Fee: $5,300

Coulonge River - 4 Weeks - Girls Dates: July 2 - 28 - Boys Dates: August 6 - September 1, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fee: $5,800

Leadership-In-Training

Born July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008

Intermediate programs have a greater focus on group development and performance. Groups will examine topics like group formation, communication and conflict resolution, and healthy group dynamics. Participants are expected to take responsibility for themselves and others to ensure that learning objectives and positive experiences are achieved. Small group success on the out-trip is a main component for learning and performance in these programs.

Lake Superior Sea Kayak - 3 Week - Dates: August 6 - 25, 2023

Generally considered the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and is absolutely breathtaking in beauty. Participants will paddle from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to Rossport over the course of 16 days. As they travel they will weave their way through islands covered in wildlife, lighthouses and areas to explore.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fee: $4,300

Temagami - 4 Week - Dates July 2 - 28, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 1/4
Fee: $5,500

Bloodvein River - 5 Week - Dates: July 16 - August 18, 2023

The Bloodvein River offers exciting, high volume whitewater experience 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.
Skill Level: 4/4
Fee: $7,000

Wabakimi Provincial Park - 4 Week - Dates July 2 - 28, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 3/4
Fee: $5,500

Dumoine River - 4 Week - Girls Dates: July 2 - 28, 2023 - Boys Dates: August 6 - September 1, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 3/4
Fee: $6,000

Missinaibi River - 5 Week - Dates: July 9 - August 11, 2023

A staple of the north's historic waterways, the Missinaibi River offers an exciting opportunity to navigate one of Ontario's longest free-flowing rivers. Beginning their journey at Missinaibi Lake, paddlers will traverse numerous rapids, leading them through expansive marshland and around spectacular waterfalls before descending through the Canadian shield and mixing into the salty waters of James Bay. Participants will have the opportunity to hone both their technical and leadership skills in this challenging but rewarding program through the unspoiled beauty of one of our great rivers.
Skill Level: 4/4
Fee: $6,500

Senior Leadership

Born July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007

Senior programs aim to prepare participants for leadership in all areas of their lives. Senior programs focus on planning, delivery, and evaluation of programs, camp or community initiatives, and the out-trip. Skills are practiced during placements around camp, working with cabins or support departments, and on the canoe trip.

French River - 4 Week - Both Male & Female Dates: August 6 -September 1, 2023

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.
Skill Level: 1/4
Fee:$4,000

Attawapiskat River - 6 week - Dates: July 16 - August 25, 2023

This trip is ideal for Senior Leadership participants who want to maximize their time on water. With only a few days in camp at either end of the trip, participants get to experience the Northern most wilderness of Ontario beginning at the Otoskwin River. Paddling east onto the Attawapiskat River, participants eventually end their journey by emerging into James Bay after having gained valuable practice on their white water skills and learning important skills to lead future canoe trips.
Skill Level: 4/4
Fee: $7,800

Coppermine River - 8 week - Dates: July 9 - September 1, 2023

This program is ideal for Senior Leadership participants who want a chance to explore one of Canada’s most spectacular areas of wilderness, while taking the next step as experienced canoe-trippers. The Coppermine runs north through the Northwest Territories, traversing series of lakes, forest, tundra, mountain ranges and gorges for over 670 kms, before ending up at the mouth of the Coronation Gulf of the Arctic Ocean. Following their return, participants will have the opportunity to enoy a week in camp to relax and reflect on their experiences.
Skill Level: 4/4
Fee: $11,000

Sea Kayak Exchange - 4 week - Dates: July 2 - 28, 2023

This 4-Week Senior Exchange program is ideal for Senior Leadership participants who wish to expand upon their leadership, navigational, and kayaking skills in an exciting new setting. Participants will spend their first few days at Pine Crest before departing for the East Coast and YMCA Camp Big Cove. Once there they will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight into how different camps work in advance of an 8-day sea kayaking trip to Cape Breton. They will finish out their two weeks at Big Cove before returning home for some valuable time at camp to reflect on their experiences at both sites.
Skill Level: 2/4
Fees: $4,500

map and compass

High School Credits

Participants in many leadership programs will also have the opportunity to earn a High School Course credit. Leadership programs that are 4-8 weeks in length can participate in a Grade 10 Physical Education course or a Grade 11 Physical Education course.

In addition to registering for an eligible Leadership Program, campers who are interested in earning a credit must also register for the High School Course ($250). The credit courses have been designed around the leadership curriculum so the assignments fit seamlessly into the program delivery. All leadership participants will complete the work and demonstrate the skills needed to earn the credit.

The course is delivered in partnership with the YMCA Academy, a school run by the YMCA of Greater Toronto in the city. Credit reports will be generated after the summer and sent to the Academy. From here, reports will be mailed to each student’s school and home. Families are encouraged to check in with their guidance office once they receive their report to ensure the student’s transcript has been updated.

Please email camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org if your participant has an IEP or will require any additional support.

High School Credit Eligibility Information

Below are the High School Credits you can earn while on the associated Leadership program.

High School Credit Eligibility Chart>
PAI2O - Healthy Active Living	Temagami
PLF4M - Recreation and Healthy Active Living Leadership	French River, Coppermine, Attawapiskat River

High School Credit Eligibility Chart
PPL2O - Healthy Active Living	Missinaibi River, Wabakimi Provincial Park, Bloodvein River, Temagami, Dumoine
PLF4M - Recreation and Healthy Active Living Leadership	French River, Broadback River, Attawapiskat River

White Water Clinic ($1400: August 20 - 25, 2023)

The white water skills clinic is a program designed to teach the skills associated with paddling in rapids. For anyone who is new to white water paddling this is a great starting spot.

For one week on the French River, participants will learn all about canoeing in rapids. Most of their time will be spent paddling rapids with brief breaks to discuss how to understand the features of a rapid, paddling strokes, white water rescue, and how to swim in white water. The white water clinic is short and sweet — participants are always surprised by how much fun they have and how much they learn. Participants are also able to attend the clinic without joining another Leadership program.

Skill Level: 1/4

White Water Skills Clinic ($1400: July 2 - 7, 2023)

The white water clinic is a program designed to teach the skills associated with paddling in rapids. Anyone who has paddled white water in the past but would like to improve their skills or build confidence should also consider this program.

For one week on the Madawaska River, participants will learn all about canoeing in rapids. Most of their time will be spent paddling rapids with brief breaks to discuss how to understand the features of a rapid, paddling strokes, white water rescue, and how to swim in white water. The white water clinic is short and sweet — participants are always surprised by how much fun they have and how much they learn. The white water clinic is always offered in the first week of the summer so participants are able to pair it with a Leadership program involving white water paddling.

Skill Level: 2/4

Contact Us

YMCA Camp Pine Crest
1090 Gullwing Lake Rd
Torrance, ON
P0C 1M0
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Email: camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org

Main Office: 1-877-878-9622
Registration Office: 1-877-303-2267