As you will appreciate this is a constantly changing situation and our priority is to keep everyone safe. There will be different requirements with the different levels as per the government guidelines which we will strictly adhere to.
We currently sit at Alert Level 2, the measures we will have in place are:
– Parents will be required to sign themselves in at the reception of each venue before proceeding to complete the programme sign-in for their children.
– Physical distancing between families will need to be observed while completing the sign-in process.
– Parents will be required to drop and collect their child off at the entrance to each programme, but will not be allowed to enter the programme room themselves, (ie Papa Hou, Bishopdale Stadium or Riccarton Hall).
– Hand sanitising/hand washing on entry, and before and after meal times will occur, and be encouraged throughout the day.
– If a child or member of the family is unwell please remain at home. If a child is to fall sick on programme, collection will be required immediately.
Programme activities are subject to change due to ongoing risk assessments. We will endeavour to keep you informed with any changes as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
When choosing a programme or camp, we have lots of options! You can choose one of our age-specific holiday programmes which are designed with age appropriate activities, or choose from a range of full-week specialised programmes for children aged 9-15 years. Within our residential camp programmes young people are also grouped in specific age brackets, so activities can be tailored for their needs and abilities.
Online enrolments open approximately 5 weeks prior to the start of holidays.
*Please note, enrolments close the Thursday prior to the start of each week. Late enrolments may incur a $15 late booking fee.
**If you are enroling a child who is not a NZ resident or citizen but in NZ on a student or visitor visa, the cost of the programme will be 45% more than the advertised price. Parents of international students should be aware that if their child knows little English they may find participating on these programmes difficult.
Payment for enrolments is made via credit card online, or discuss with the Children’s Services Supervisor about making direct bank payments.
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) Subsidies are available for our all of our programmes and Y Camp, so please enquire with your local WINZ office to learn more about if you qualify. You can also read more about the subsidy application process on the WINZ Website.
October Holiday ProgrammesCity, Bishopdale, Riccarton |
Rock Climbing ProgrammeYMCA Adventure Centre |
Y CampYMCA Wainui Park |
Alpine CampYMCA Arthur’s Pass |
| WEEK 1 28 September – 2 October WEEK 2 |
WEEK 2 5 October – 9 October |
WEEK 1 27 September – 2 October |
SPRING EXPEDITION 5 – 9 October |
| MON 28 SEP | TUE 29 SEP | WED 30 SEP | THU 1 OCT | FRI 2 OCT | |
| FUN 5-7s based at Middleton Grange, Riccarton |
Craft Day | Inflatable World | Spring Time Gardening |
Arion Farm | Frontrunner Led Sports Day |
| FUN 5-10s based at Middleton Grange, Riccarton |
Craft Day | Inflatable World | Spring Time Gardening |
Arion Farm | Frontrunner Led Sports Day |
| EXPLORE 10-12s based at Bishopdale YMCA |
Scavenger Hunt | Airforce Museum | Driving Range | Sports Day | Inflatable World |
| ACTIV8 based at City YMCA |
Adrenalin Forest | Driving Range | Godley Head Day Walk |
Flip Out | Beach Day |
| FRONTRUNNERS based at City YMCA |
Team Building – Rock Climbing |
Community Outreach Day |
Inflatable World | Leadership Planning & Prep |
Leading the 5-10s Sports Day |
| MON 5 OCT | TUE 6 OCT | WED 7 OCT | THU 8 OCT | FRI 9 OCT | |
| FUN 5-7s based at Middleton Grange, Riccarton |
Messy Play | Gymnastics | Baking Day | Clip ‘n Climb | Chipmunks |
| FUN 5-10s based at Middleton Grange, Riccarton |
Messy Play | Gymnastics | Baking Day | Clip ‘n Climb | Chipmunks |
| EXPLORE 10-12s based at Bishopdale YMCA |
Gymnastics | Master Chef | Flip Out | Swimming | Frontrunner Led Challenge Day |
| ACTIV8 based at City YMCA |
Bridal Path Day Walk |
Mountain Biking | Spencer Park | Gymnastics | Rock Climbing |
| FRONTRUNNERS based at City YMCA |
Team Building – Flip Out |
Community Outreach Day |
Driving Range | Leadership Planning & Prep |
Leading the 10-12s Challenge Day |
| MON 5 OCT | TUE 6 OCT | WED 7 OCT | THU 8 OCT | FRI 9 OCT | |
| 10-14 years – ROCK CLIMBING based at YMCA Adventure Centre |
Clip ‘n Climb Intro to Rock Climbing |
Intro to Abseiling | Knots & Devices Abseiling |
Outdoor Climbing Cattlestop Crag |
Outdoor Climbing Albert Terrace |
You can book & pay online by clicking the “Book Online Now” button on this page when enrolment is open
Yes! Please contact our Children’s Services Supervisor – holprog@ymcachch.org.nz. We don’t want to have the price of our programmes be a barrier to your children participating, so please if you need support get in contact with us and we can discuss payment plans and/or subsidies.
Yes! Our holiday programmes are approved for the OSCAR Subsidy unless stated otherwise. We prefer for your programme to be paid for in full before the holidays begin and once WINZ send the subsidy to us we are able to refund the subsidy to you. If you are unable to pay in full, but you know you will be receiving a subsidy, then you can fill in a Declaration to Honour Payment Form and pay small deposit to secure your booking.
All OSCAR Subsidy forms will need to be signed off by the OSCAR coordinator at the City YMCA. The form will be completed and returned for your to send to your local WINZ office. You can read more about the OSCAR Subsidy on the Work & Income Website here.
No. We have day programme options for children as well! You can enrol in any of the day(s) that are available for our age-group Day-Programmes. Our smaller more specialised Week-Long programmes must be enrolled for the full week, unless otherwise discussed with the OSCAR Coordinator. These include Arts, Activ8 Junior, Activ8 Youth, & Frontrunners.
All programmes begin at 9am and conclude at 5pm. For parents dropping their children off at the City YMCA to be transported to their programmes offsite, you must drop off your child by 8:45am to ensure they are on the 9am shuttle.
Our staff are all fantastic individuals with a real passion for working with young people. Most of our Supervisors are trained or trainee teachers, while our Activ8 supervisors are all outdoor professionals or training to be. Our volunteer leaders are all 15 years or older and work with us out of their own motivation and passion.
All of our Holiday Programme Staff are required to undergo our OSCAR Holiday Programme Training, referee checks, & complete a NZ Police Vet (returning nil record) before they can work on our holiday programmes. For this reason we believe we have the best team of staff possible to run safe & fun holiday programmes.
A programme outline of each day’s activities is available above as well as at the Sign In/Out desk. Each day your child will need to have a packed lunch & snacks, a drink bottle full of water, and appropriate clothing for the weather/activities.
Please ring the City YMCA on 03 366 0689 or you can contact the supervisor directly. Their cell phone number is available at City YMCA reception during the holiday programme period.
Regardless of what programme your child is on, please ring the City YMCA on 03 366 0689 to let us know your child will be absent.
We value your feedback! Your first port of call for any issues or concerns is the programme supervisor. Alternatively, if you have anything else you want to talk about please don’t hesitate to contact our Children’s Services Coordinator at holprog@ymcachch.org.nz
P 03 366 0689 E holprog@ymcachch.org.nz
