Register Here (Registration begins July, 1, 2023)

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

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.

• September 9 at noon, YMCA Camp Thunderbird
• March 6 at 6:30 p.m., Zoom

Fall/Spring 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 2023-2024 year, we will place them below under each weekend.  Here are the circles who we have listed so far:

September 22 - September 24 / March 22-24 (Guides II)

• Bro Hawks
• Coal Miners
• Guardians of the Forest
• Mighty Monkeys
• Talking Tacos
• Wild Turkeys

September 29-October 1 / April 12-14 (Guides 1)

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

October 6-8 / April 19-21 (Princess I)

• C'est le Vie
• Chicas Du Soleil
• Dancing Crows
• Fox Pups
• InTentCity
• Peace Keepers

October 13-15 / April 26-28 (Princess II)

• Ancient Octopi
• Atlee Arrowheads
• Crow
• Firecrackers
• Ginger Ninjas
• Mattapaninis
• Thunderclap
• Unicorns

October 20-22 / May 5-7 (Princess III)

• Big Thunder
• Chickahominy Chicks
• Chicks with Saws
• Gaga Girls
• Rainbow Unicorns
• Rambo Unicorns
• Reeds Landing
• Shy Anne
• Westend Wildflowers

Holiday Bash

• December 2 at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. - YMCA Camp Thunderbird
• FREE EVENT

Father Daughter Dance - Location TBD

January 20 at 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

• Registration per individual (Registration opens December 1)

Pinewood Derby  

• February 17 at YMCA Camp Thunderbird Lodge
• Car Pick-up nights available at the Father Daughter Dance, Tuckahoe Family YMCA, Midlothian Family YMCA, and Shady Grove Family YMCA

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game

• July 27 at 6:35 p.m. - The Diamond
• Open to EVERYONE! $8 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 7 or 8 p.m. depending on the season.  
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!

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/