Adventure Programs

REGISTER

Go with your child on a journey of discovery with YMCA Adventure Programs. The program allows fathers and father figures to spend one-on-one time with their child in a fun environment. Its purpose is to foster a strong parent-child relationship through quality time spent together.

The yearly registration includes access to a circle group, a camp out at Camp Thunderbird as a Circle in the Fall and Spring, some events throughout the year, and opportunities in our YMCA branches.

Campouts are where the big moments happen! On Saturday, enjoy what Camp Thunderbird has to offer; canoeing, fishing, archery, marksmanship, gaga, art, and alpine and zip-line for those who are 8 and older, with ending the night with a ceremony for those who are entering the program in the Fall and graduating out of the program in the Spring.

WHO CAN REGISTER?

Children 5 - 15 years old with their father figure.

HOW TO REGISTER

Click REGISTER to start the online process.
If you are a YMCA member or already have a YMCA account as a non-member, enter your login information. For new participants, choose the “Sign Up” option in the upper right, choose any location you live near, and select the “Non-Member” option on the bottom.
Complete registration for your first child, which includes one child and one father.
If you have additional children, each additional child should be registered under the child’s name on your YMCA account.
After registration, you will receive a separate email from PlayerSpace (prior to the Fall season) to fill out information regarding your circle.

For questions, please contact us at AdventurePrograms@ymcarichmond.org

Events

Circle Leadership Meetings and Trainings

Each circle leader will be asked to attend a mandatory virtual meeting to go over the campouts, events for the year, and any additional changes to the programming.

• March 1, noon, YMCA Camp Thunderbird

2024-2025 Campouts

Circles, or groups of fathers and their children, will be assigned to a weekend. Once we receive confirmation that a circle will be attending for the 2024-25 year we will place them below under each weekend. Below are the circles who we have listed so far:

October 4 - 6, 2024 / March 21 - 23, 2025 (Guides I)

Boyz in the Woods
Eagles
Red Wolves
Roaring Lions
Rutland Renegades
Windtalkers
Wolf Pack

October 11 – 13, 2024/ March 28 - 30, 2025(Guides 1I)

Bro Hawks
Coal Miners
GOTF
Mighty Monkeys
Talking Tacos
Tomahawks

October 18 – 20, 2024 April 11 - 13, 2025 (Princess II)

Ancient Octopi
Atlee Arrowheads
Firecrackers
Fox Pups
Ginger Ninjas
Tiger Lilies
Thunderclap
Unicorns

October 25 – 27, 2024 / April 25 - 27, 2025(Princess III)

Big Thunder
Chickahominy Chicks
Chicks with Saws
Dynamic Daisies
Gaga Girls
Rambo Unicorns
Shy Anne

November 8 – 10, 2024/ May 2 - 4, 2025 (Princess I)

C'est le Vie
Chicas du Soleil
CROW
Dancing Crow
InTentCity
Peace Keepers
Unicorns
Westend Wildflowers

Holiday Bash

December 7, 6:30 - 8 p.m. - YMCA Camp Thunderbird
FREE EVENT

Father Daughter Dance

January 18, 7 - 9 p.m.
Registration per individual (registration opens December 1)

Pinewood Derby

March 1, YMCA Camp Thunderbird
Car pick-up nights available at the Father Daughter Dance, Tuckahoe Family YMCA, Midlothian Family YMCA, and Shady Grove Family YMCA

Additional events may be added throughout the year.

WEEKEND CIRCLE CAMPOUT

WHAT DOES A CAMPOUT ENTAIL?

Circle groups will tent camp at Camp Thunderbird and make lasting memories.

Friday: Check-in starts at 4 p.m.
Saturday: Activities are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with an hour lunch break). Ceremony starts at 8 p.m.
Sunday: Check-out by noon

Saturday activities include archery, marksmanship, art, rock wall, zipline and alpine tower. Open activities include gaga, hiking, fishing, basketball, soccer and more.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE CAMPOUT?

Water, meals (talk to your circle chief for food assignments), snacks, activewear (including closed-toed shoes), program vest, sleeping supplies, tent, flashlights, bonfire materials and rain jacket. Firewood must be purchased separately. The YMCA does not provide firewood for your campsite.

If you are brand new to the program and need to be placed in a core Circle group, please contact adventureprograms@ymcarichmond.org to be placed in a Circle based on your neighborhood and your child’s school. We strongly encourage new participants to sign up with a few neighborhood friends or close friends to create a new circle!

Resources for Program Participants

Vest Purchasing:

https://www.cowcatcher.us/
https://www.sbearstradingpost.com/Yguides_AdventureGuides.html

Stock or Custom Patches:

http://www.thepatchstore.com (Note: this site contains some old patches that do not reflect the program as it is today)
http://www.advantageemblem.com/
http://www.patchcorner.com/

YMCA of Greater Richmond