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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.

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father and young child at ymca adventure camp

Explore Our Adventure Programs

The Adventure Program 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, 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 for Adventure Programs.
  • 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

father and young daughter child at adventure camp

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 for Adventure Programs:

Princess I

October 3-5, 2025/ March 20-22,2026
  • October 3-5, 2025/ March 20-22,2026 (Princess I)
  • C’est le Vie
  • Chicas du Soleil
  • CROW
  • Dancing Crow
  • Westend Wildflowers
  • Wild Fire
  • Woodlake Willows

Guides 1

October 10-12, 2025/ April 10-12, 2026
  • Boyz in the Woods
  • Eagles
  • Fish Hawks
  • GOTF
  • Roaring Lions

Guides II

October 24-26, 2025/ April 24-26, 2026
  • Bro Hawks
  • Coal Miners
  • Mighty Monkeys
  • Red Wolves
  • Rutland Renegades
  • Talking Tacos
  • Wild Turkeys
  • Windtalkers
  • Wolf Pack

Princess Ii

November 7-9, 2025/ May 1-3, 2026
  • Ancient Octopi
  • Atlee Arrowheads
  • Firecrackers
  • InTentCity
  • Peace Keepers
  • Thunderclap
  • Unicorns

Princess IIi

October 17-19, 2025/ April 17-19, 2026
  • Big Thunder
  • Chickahominy Chicks
  • Chicks with Saws
  • Dynamic Daisies
  • Fox Pups
  • Gaga Girls
  • Ginger Ninjas
  • Rambo Unicorns
  • Shy Anne

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, zip-line 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:

Standing Bears Trading Post

Stock or Custom Patches:

The Patch Store (Note: this site contains some old patches that do not reflect the program as it is today)
Advantage Emblem and Screen Printing
The Patch Corner

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ITS TIME TO FIND YOUR Y

JOIN THE GREATER RICHMOND YMCA TODAY

Join today and gain access to all 16 of our locations
throughout the greater Richmond area, with no contracts, no join fees, and access to income-based memberships

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Become a member

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts

HERE. Thriving Starts