YMCA Camp Pine Crest

Overview
Here's what makes YMCA Camp Pine Crest stand out
YMCA Camp Pine Crest provides programming for those who want to gain independence, interact with nature, make life long friends, and develop leadership skills. Overnight camp trips are a staple of Pine Crest's programs. Pine Crest has a history of over 110 years of excellence in camping and offers leadership, traditional overnight, day and family camp experiences.

Special needs: Yes, specialized support.
A few of our campers have special needs.
Visit the YMCA Camp Pine Crest website

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; YMCA Camp Pine Crest currently has 2 programs available; 6 TBD.

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Type/Gender

Specialty

Location

Date

Bus

Cost

Camp Pine Crest Leadership Camps

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 13 - 14

Wilderness Out-tripping, Leadership Training

$3,200 to $10,500

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Jun 29-Aug 30

$3,200 - $10,500

One to Two Week Sessions

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 5 - 14

Traditional (multi activity) , Adventure (multi)

$545 to $2,800

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Jun 29-Aug 30

$545 - $2,800

1 Week Overnight Camp (5 nights)

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 7 - 11

Traditional (multi activity) , Adventure (multi)

$1,485

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

2 Week Overnight Camp with Canoe Trip

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 7 - 14

Traditional (multi activity) , Wilderness Out-tripping

$2,700

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Little Critters Day Camp

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Day Camp
Coed
Ages: 4 - 8

Traditional (multi activity) , Nature/Environment

$299

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

3-Day Overnight Camp: Pine Cones

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 5 - 7

Traditional (multi activity) , Adventure (multi)

$530

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

March Break Overnight Camp

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 9 - 12

Traditional (multi activity)

$875

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

March Break Overnight Leadership Camp

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 9 - 16

Traditional (multi activity) , Leadership Training

$875

Torrance, ON
1090 Gullwing Lake Road

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Financial Aid & Payment Details

Payment Options:

Deposit required with acceptance	Yes
Credit card payment	Yes

Reviews & Insider Perspectives
The Our Kids review of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

It’s been operating continually for more than a century, making Pine Crest one of the oldest continuous youth programs in North America. The YMCA has many camps, of course, and has also played a considerable role in developing what camp is and what it can do. Many of the kinds of programs that we associate with summer camp were developed in Y settings, so Pine Crest has a pedigree that goes well beyond its age. The program remains very traditional, and tripping is an important part of what the camp offers. The activities are based around growing skills as much as they are confidence, esteem, and cooperation. The staff is dedicated, and largely made up of people who themselves have grown up within the Y camping programs, either at Pine Crest or elsewhere. The setting is pretty much as good as it gets, nestled in Muskoka, an area rightly celebrated for its natural beauty. It’s gorgeous. Leadership programs for youth 13 to 16 are a particular draw.

Visit the YMCA Camp Pine Crest website

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum
Steve Lang, Parent

00:42 - What’s unique about this camp?
02:02 - What would you highlight about the camp?
03:06 - How did you know that this camp was the right fit?
04:17 - Was there any noticeable personal growth in your child after time at camp?
06:13 - How can parents overcome hesitancy to send their children away overnight?
08:46 - What would you tell other parents about the overall value of sending kids to this camp?
10:34 - What does your child say about this camp?
11:13 - Final thoughts?
Verified Reviews of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

(4.5)

Karen Seedhouse, Parent

My children were both extremely nervous on their ride up to Pine Crest. After they met their friendly counselors, their smiles returned. They both had even bigger smiles when we pick them up two wee...
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Rebecca Handler, Alum

Timeless

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Sylvia Hunter, Parent

Great Experience

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Alexander Liszka, Parent

Excellent Role Models

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Emma Warillow, Parent

Amazing All Around

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More reviews of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

Rebecca Handler, Alum

Timeless

I was a camper 20 years ago.. Absolutely loved the camp & now my son goes every year like I did & he feels just as excited as I used to get going.. So much fun excitement & adventure with good friends!

Sylvia Hunter, Parent

Great Experience

Six years of incredibly positive experience for my daughter, who started with 2 weeks at age 10 and just got back from a 6wk Leadership Adventure session. In her words, this year’s 33-day whitewater trip up to James Bay ... Show More

Alexander Liszka, Parent

Excellent Role Models

What a wonderful place. The young people that work here are a credit to humanity.

Emma Warillow, Parent

Amazing All Around

Both my daughter's have had exceptional experiences at Camp Pine Crest. Their well-trained staff, well organized programming and true camp environment make me unreservedly give them 5 stars!!!

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Meet the Staff

Director's Message

Greetings Camp Pine Crest Families (and future campers)!

I cannot wait to be back again for another summer at Pine Crest. I am so grateful for the work I get to do, but more importantly for the impact it has on our campers and families! This summer I am excited to watch as our campers make friends, take on responsibility, learn skills, connect with the natural world and develop independence. While it can be hard for both campers and parents to take the leap of faith, I know that the decision to go to camp will be worthwhile for you and your family!

Just like we have done for more than 100 years, Pine Crest is committed to making sure your camp experience is about more than fun. In addition to having the time of your life, you will learn to thrive in your life outside of camp. I love hearing the feedback that after visiting Pine Crest a camper developed the confidence to make new friends at school, or has started volunteering to take responsibility at home by doing the dishes. To me, having fun and learning is the best combination possible - a combination we strive to perfect every summer at Pine Crest.

I hope you will join us next summer for fun, learning, lifelong friendships and incredible memories!

In Camp Friendship,

Leigh King

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Location & Operations

Address

1090 Gullwing Lake Road, Torrance, Ontario, P0C 1M0, Canada

Busing

Central Grosvenor YMCA (Bus fee: $25.00)

Location	Address	Pick up	Drop off
Toronto Central YMCA	20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, ON, Canada	10:00 am	1:00 pm

North York (Bus fee: Included)

Location	Address	Pick up	Drop off
Hollywood Public School	360 Hollywood Avenue, North York, ON, Canada	10:30 am	1:00 pm

Mississauga YMCA (Bus fee: Included)

Location	Address	Pick up	Drop off
Mississauga YMCA	325 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga, ON, Canada	10:00 am	1:00 pm

Scarborough YMCA (Bus fee: Included)

Location	Address	Pick up	Drop off
Scarborough YMCA	230 Town Centre Court, Toronto, ON, Canada	10:30 am	1:00 pm

Property Details

Sports facilities

Archery Range
Climbing Wall
Rope Course

Landscape

Forested Area
Lake/Pond/River
Nature Trails

More details about property: One of Pine Crest's greatest assets is it's property. We have 650 acres of beautiful forested land in Muskoka, and over 10km of shoreline split between three lakes. We have a variety of trails for campers to hike on, campsites to paddle to for an overnight or just for lunch and even a beaver pond where groups can study ecology. Our main site is 60 acres full of open spaces for activities like land sports, archery, and four ropes courses. Of course we also have a great waterfront on Clear Lake with ample space for water sports like canoeing, kayaking, sailing and swimming including four separate swimming areas from sandy bottoms, to docks and rocky outcrops.

Accommodations

Sleeping Accommodations

Cabins
Dorm or Building
Platform Tent

Amenities

Electricity in Sleeping Area

Washrooms Facilities

Flush Toilets
Showers (indoor)

More details about accommodations: We have a few different options for accommodations. 1 and 2 week campers and traditional leadership participants stay in recently renovated cabins with full electricity. Our younger campers have washrooms within the building, while older campers have washroom facilities within 100m of their cabin. Some of our leadership participants stay in teepees during the short time they are at camp.

Are meals provided? Yes.

Is YMCA Camp Pine Crest technology free? Yes. Pine Crest provides incredible opportunities for genuine connections between campers and nature. To facilitate those connections we ask that all phones and tablets are left at home.

Rentals & Services

Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
Our Outdoor Education creates meaningful group experiences fostering personal growth, skill development and teamwork. We welcome elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, retreats and other community and youth organizations year round.

Available for private rentals: Yes

Associations

What's New
Stories

Pine Crest Rocks!
Dear Pine Crest, Last year I was a junior and my experience at Pine Crest was amazing. We went canoeing and swimming and did kayaking and art. I also got to jump off the tower and into the water. My favourite part was the outtrip, the campfire and the activities. My cabin was the wolves and I enjoyed that cabin a lot and made so many new friends. The food was great and I had so much fun at Pine Crest. We even got to make smoreoes that taste great- they are oreos with marshmallows inside. On our outtrip we canoed alot and I got blisters on my hands, but canoeing was the best. The bad thing was that we had to cancel the portage and when we got to camp we were so tired of canoeing. I had the best summer last year and I have hope of coming back next year. Michelle

Leadership is the best!
"I love Camp Pine Crest. The LIT program was the best summer of my life and I can't wait to go back. I made some of the best friends there, have learned that I can push myself to do anything I want and am ready to try new challenges. The highschool credit was great this summer and I'm so glad I took it"!

Best experience for a first timer!
"I was pleasantly surprised to find after a week of worrying about my son going to camp for the first time that he returned from Pine Crest confident, happy and as he said- ready to go back for 2 weeks! Thank you to the staff for being so caring and attentive to him while at camp and so supportive of a new camper parent!! We will definitely be back for 2015!"
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YMCA Camp Pine Crest

Overview

Here's what makes YMCA Camp Pine Crest stand out

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Financial Aid & Payment Details

Reviews & Insider Perspectives

The Our Kids review of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum

Steve Lang, Parent

Verified Reviews of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

(4.5)

Karen Seedhouse, Parent

More reviews of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

More reviews of YMCA Camp Pine Crest

Rebecca Handler, Alum

Sylvia Hunter, Parent

Alexander Liszka, Parent

Emma Warillow, Parent

Gallery

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Meet the Staff

Director's Message

Location & Operations

Address

Busing

Property Details

Accommodations

Rentals & Services

Associations

What's New

Stories

Social Feeds

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