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 5-12 years old with their father figure.  

Events 

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game

• Thursday, July 29 at 6:35 pm.  Open to EVERYONE! $8 a ticket with patch 

Fall Campouts 

• Friday, September 17 -19 (Princess I)
• Friday, September 24 - 26 (Guides)
• Friday, October 1 - 3 (Princess II)
• Friday, October 8 - 10 (Princess III)
• Saturday, October 16 - 17 (Family Camp)

Father Daughter Dance at the Science Museum  

• Saturday, January 29.  Additional Cost 

Snow Tubing at Wintergreen  

• Sunday, February 6.  Additional Cost  

Pinewood Derby  

• Saturday, February 26

Spring Campouts

• Friday, March 11 - 13 (Princess I)
• Friday, March 18 - 20 (Guides)
• Friday, March 25 - 27 (Princess II)
• Friday, April 22 - 24 (Princess III)
• Saturday, April 30 – May 1 (Family Camp)

 Additional events may be added throughout the year.  

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

WEEKEND CIRCLE CAMPOUT 

If you are new to the program and need to be placed in a circle group or would like to start a new circle group, please email AdventurePrograms@ymcarichmond.org. Circles that are not listed below, please reach out to YMCA leadership.  

Friday, September 17 - 19 / March 11 - 13 (Princess I)

C’est Le Vie
Chicas du Solis
CROW
Dancing Crows
FoxPups
InTentCity
Koda Bears
Midlothian Maniacs
Psuedo
Reeds Landing

Friday, September 24 - 26 / March 18 - 20 (Guides)

All Guide Circles  

Friday, October 1 - 3 / March 25 - 27 (Princess II)

Ancient Octopi
Atlee Arrowheads
Firecrackers
Ginger Ninjas
Mattapaninis
Thunderclap
Unicorns

Friday, October 8 - 10 / April 22 - 24 (Princess III)

Big Thunder
Chickahominy Chicks
Chicks with Saws
Gaga Girls
Peace Keepers
Rambo Unicorns
Shy Anne
Westend Wildflowers

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 7 p.m. 
Sunday: Check-out by noon 

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

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE CAMPOUT? 

Water, meals (talk to your circle chief for food assignments), snacks, activewear (including closed toed shoes), mask, program vest, sleeping supplies, tent, flashlights, bonfire materials (ask about vendor contacts), rain jacket.  

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

Adventure Programs Manual (Updated August 2021)

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/ 

Health Precautions for Adventure Programs 

Our Adventure Programs allow fathers and father figures to spend one-on-one time with their child in a fun environment, while also adhering to the latest guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health. 

Health Precautions for Adventure Programs

Our Adventure Programs allow fathers and father figures to spend one-on-one time with their child in a fun environment, while also adhering to the latest guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health.

• Tent camping locations only, designated by Camp staff.  Cabin locations will not be used.
• Saturday Ceremonies will occur on the upper field to provide more space for social distancing.
• Each circle will have a schedule to follow to keep social distance. A block will be open to fish, hike, or just relax.
• Health screening form will be mandatory upon arrival.
• All activities will be cleaned and sanitized after each rotation.
• Masks should be worn in areas where 6 feet of distance cannot be observed.