Summer Nature Camps

Camps run weekly from June 20th 2022 – August 19th 2022. Each camp is five days in length (Monday to Friday) from 8:30am to 3.45pm. We meet daily at Takhini Elementary School at 8:30am to pick-up your child and again between 3:15pm and 3:45pm for camper drop-off.

Please see our online store for schedule, theme descriptions and up-to-date availability.

Camps cost $305 + GST / camper / week.

Our prices include transportation to and from Whitehorse.

Member Discount

If you are hold a current YWP Membership, use the code muskoxrule at checkout to get a 10% discount. Please note, we will invoice you for the amount of the discount if you use the code without a valid membership.

Get a Membership!

Go here to buy or renew your membership online.  Memberships are good for 1 year from the date of purchase. Find out more about YWP memberships here.

To participate in 2022 Discovery camps children must have turned six (6) years old by December 31st 2021. The December 31st 2021 age policy follows that of the school system and ensures that camp participants have finished Grade One by the start of camp.  

To participate in 2022 Explorer camps children must have turned eight (8) years old by December 31st 2021. 

My child is 8 years old as of December 31st 2021. Which camp should I register them in?

This is your choice based on the needs and personality of your individual child! Both camps will be good options for this age. Here are some things to consider when registering your individual child:

• Both camps have activities designed to suit this age
• Older 8’s registering in Explorer camp allows more 6 & 7 year olds the opportunity to participate in Discovery Camp
• If your child will be 9 by the start of camp, please register them in Explorer Camp
• Eight year olds in Discovery Camp will have more skill and mastery over the activities they participate in
• Some eight year olds in Discovery Camp enjoy stepping into a mentorship role for younger participants in their group
• Eight year olds in Explorer Camp will be a little fish in a big pond. They may be in a group with 11 & 12 year olds
• Explorer Camp Activities are geared to also meet the needs of the upper age-limit campers. These activities may challenge younger group members as they refine their skills

NOTE: If your child benefits from an inclusion and support worker in school, we welcome this to continue in camp! Please connect directly with us to ensure arrangements can be made!

Inclusion & Support Workers

We can typically accommodate support workers. If a typical school day would not be accomplished without a support worker, it is very important to communicate this in advance. Please contact our Manager of Programming & Education at 867-334-3338 / education@yukonwildlife.ca to make arrangements.

Some things to consider:

For summer 2022, we have a 24-passenger bus, which will carry 22 campers plus 2 Wildlife Educator staff. For Inclusion and Support Staff, this means that we need to make sure we have a plan for transportation, as space will be limited. The more notice we have, the easier it will be to accommodate.

For campers who may experience challenges throughout a typical school day related to learning or behavioural needs, it is essential to be prepared for this to affect their camp experience. Please communicate this prior to the first day of camps, so that staff can prepare to do their best. Our goal is to do everything we can to make camp accessible for all, while ensuring the comfort and safety of all campers. Please let us know any tips or wishes you might have regarding how we can make sure your camper has the best possible experience.

NOTE: Cancellation Policy updated due to COVID

Given the uncertainty we all continue to face, we are keeping our modified cancellation policy for this season. These updates are intended to enable you to make the right choice, should COVID come into your life. As a non-profit charity in these uncertain times, our ability to absorb additional financial stress is also limited. If you need to cancel due to COVID-19, we can provide a full refund; however, we respectfully invite you to consider leaving a portion of your registration fee invested in the program if this is an option for you. Our cancellation policy for Summer 2022 states:

Guardians may register their child(ren) on waiting lists through the registration website. In past years we have had waiting lists on almost all weeks. When a spot becomes available, ALL individuals on the list for that week will automatically receive a notice that a space is available. Registration for the newly available spot will be first come, first serve.

The majority of camp takes place at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, located 30 km from downtown Whitehorse. Camps also include field trips to local attractions (that fit with the camp theme).

The bulk of Nature Camp will be conducted outdoors. Camps are based out of a dedicated 1600 sq. foot learning centre at the heart of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. This space is great for inclement weather.

YWP staff make daily pick-ups and drop-offs at Takhini Elementary School.

Our staff will be at the pick-up location from 8:30am to 8:45am to pick-up your child. The bus will depart at 8:45am sharp.

Our staff will return to Takhini Elementary School at 3:15pm and you must pick up your child by 3:45pm . Late pick-up fees may apply.

Please ensure that your child is dressed suitably for spending time outdoors and brings everything they need for a day at camp. This includes a daily backpack with:

• Rain gear;
• Good sturdy shoes that they can run in;
• A hat, jacket & sunglasses;
• A mask and a spare mask;
• Sunscreen;
• Packed lunch, water & snacks;
• Refillable water bottle; and
• Extra change of clothes;
• Extra layers for chilly days;
• Bug spray

Other items may be encouraged for specific camps and may include PFDs (Personal Flotation Device), rubber boots, long pants, etc.

Note: We have a no electronics rule at nature camp, please encourage your children to leave their devices at home!

We are confident that camps will be a delightful part of our summer this year. The Preserve’s operational approach to camps in 2022 will be to follow recommendations and requirements set out by the Yukon government and CMOH to ensure a safe and healthy environment with respect to Covid-19. Please see guidelines for Summer Camps provided at yukon.ca/covid-19. 

As we continue to navigate the pandemic and as it continues to evolve, additional modifications may be required to adapt to the guidelines, as such, updates will be made as soon as they are available.  

Risk of Cancellation:

The YWP will follow the recommendations and guidelines of the CMOH.  The risk of reinstating public health measures remains and at any point we could be required to cancel Nature Camps without notice.  The YWP reserves the right to cancel or change programming due to the evaluation of the public health emergency.  

YWP’s Cancellation Policy:

Given the uncertainty we all continue to face, we are modifying our cancellation policy for this season. These updates are intended to enable you to make the right choice, should COVID come into your life. As a non-profit charity in these uncertain times, our ability to absorb additional financial stress is also limited. If you need to cancel due to COVID-19, we can provide a full refund; however, we respectfully invite you to consider leaving a portion of your registration fee invested in the program if this is an option for you. Our cancellation policy for Summer 2022 will now state: