Register Here 

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

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 6, 2025 at 12:00pm, YMCA Camp Thunderbird

2025-2026 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 2025-26 year we will place them below under each weekend.  Below are the circles who we have listed so far:

October 3-5, 2025/ March 20-22,2026 (Princess I)

• Westend Wildflowers
• Dancing Crow
• Chicas du Soleil
• CROW
• C’est le Vie
• InTentCity
• Fox Pups
• Peacekeepers
• Wild Fire

October 10-12, 2025/ April 10-12, 2026 (Guides I) 

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

October 17-19, 2025/ April 17-19, 2026 (Princess III)

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

October 24-26, 2025/ April 24-26, 2026 (Guides II)

• Talking Tacos
• Mighty Monkeys
• GOTF
• Wild Turkeys
• Coal Miners
• Bro Hawks

November 7-9, 2025/ May 1-3, 2026 (Princess II)

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

Flying Squirrels Baseball Game

• Friday, July 25 at 6:35 p.m. - The Diamond
• Open to EVERYONE! $10 a ticket with a patch
• Additional events may be added throughout the year.  

 Holiday Bash

• Friday, December 13, 2025

Daddy Daughter Dance

• Friday, January 24, 2026

Pinewood Derby

• Friday, February 7, 2026

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(8+) and alpine tower(8+). 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/