Adventure Programs provides scheduled time and memory-making activities between fathers or father-figures and their children.
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.
For questions, please contact us at AdventurePrograms@ymcarichmond.org
Events
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
October 11 – 13, 2024/ March 28 - 30, 2025(Guides 1I)
- Bro Hawks
- Coal Miners
- GOTF
- Mighty Monkeys
- Talking Tacos
- Tomahawks
- Wolf Pack
October 18 – 20, 2024 April 11 - 13, 2025 (Princess II)
- Ancient Octopi
- Atlee Arrowheads
- Chick With Saws
- CROWS
- Firecrackers
- Fox Pups
- Ginger Ninjas
- Tiger Lilies
- Thunderclap
- Unicorns
October 25 – 27, 2024 / April 25 - 27, 2025(Princess III)
- Big Thunder
- 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
- Chickahominy Chicks
- Dancing Crow
- InTentCity
- Peace Keepers
- Unicorns
- Westend Wildflowers
Flying Squirrels Baseball Game
- July 24 at 6:35 p.m. - The Diamond
- Open to EVERYONE! $10 a ticket with a patch
- 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/