The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA Outdoor Centre

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1 The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA Outdoor Centre 3738 Hessen Strasse, St. Clements, Ontario (59)

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3 The Solarium This state-of-the-art building features its own waste management system. The Living Machine is a natural ecosystem that uses living organisms (plants, fish and bacteria) to clean the wastewater from the washrooms. The spectacular greenhouse walls reach toward the sky to fill the building with passive solar heat in winter, and an innovative ventilator design draws cooler air from the earth to keep the building cool in the summer. This fantastic educational resource is also used for meetings, day programs and other functions. The YM CA Outdoor Centre is a dynamic learning and recreation centre for all ages children, youth and adults - located at Paradise Lake in St. Clements, just 0 minutes from Waterloo. The site comprises 77 sprawling acres of land a wonderful natural setting for education, exploration and adventure. Amoung the natural features of the site are grassy meadows for sports and land games, hiking trails throughout the forest, wetland ponds, a pine plantation, and an amphitheatre for campfires. Our buildings, which are unique in design, construction and function, reflect careful planning and integration with the site s natural surroundings. The intent of the YMCA Outdoor Centre is to create a learning environment where the whole site buildings and surroundings explore environmental values without compromising convenience or comfort foyer 2. offices 3. washrooms 4. greenhouse 5. great room 6. mechanical room

4 Straw Bale Cabins This unique method of building is a proven and practical alternative to more conventional building methods. Amoung the interesting and environmental features in these units are the use of solar power for lights and radiant in- f loor heating. Each cabin sleeps 0 and houses its own washroom. Lower Level Loft Level Your Program at the Outdoor Centre In order to best meet the needs of your group, we offer many program components that are excellent if run independently, or as part of a complete program. Groups can choose one of our specialty programs, along with supplemental recreational activities, or the group organizer can work with our program director to create a program tailored more specifically to your goals and objectives vestibule 2. 8-bed room 3. 2-bed loft Please refer to the inserted brochures to learn more specifically about your program options. Teachers: Please speak to our program director for more specific information about the many direct links between the Ontario Curriculum and elements of our program at the Outdoor Centre. Our Staff We carefully select a group of experienced, skilled college and university aged individuals who are dedicated to providing the high quality programs for which the YMCA is well known. The Outdoor Centre staff members uphold the highest safety standards, and their knowledge, skills and dedication enhance the learning experience for all participants.

5 Black Walnut Ridge. 0-bed room 2. 6-bed room 3. 0-bed room 2 3 This accommodation area has two identical double cabins which sleep up to 52 using a traditional bunk bed configuration. Each cabin has 26 beds in 3 separate, yet adjoining rooms. These cabins were recently winterized and finished in bright knotty pine. The washrooms, which are also winterized and fully functional with flush toilets and hot and cold running water, are only a short walk outside the doors. Sample Menu Breakfasts - fresh fruit, cold cereal, juice and milk Some options include: scrambled or boiled eggs cheese omelettes pancakes french toast bagels toast muffins cinnamon rolls Lunches - vegetables and dip, juice Some options include: make your own sub or sandwich BLTs tacos burritos or quesadillas pizza hamburgers chicken fingers and fries The Dining Hall & Food Service Our comfortable and spacious dining hall seats up to 50 people for meals, meetings and programming options. Tasty and nutritious meals are prepared in our modern kitchen facilities, and special dietary requirements can be easily accommodated with advance notice. Depending on the program and its schedule, meals are served either country style or buffet in the dining hall, Solarium or as a BBQ outside. Meals are also prepared and packaged in our kitchen for out trips and picnics. Dinners - caesar, greek or mixed salad, milk Some options include: pizza lasagna or spagetti with garlic bread chicken fajitas chili with nachos

6 The Burrows Our Facilities and Buildings The planning and construction of our newer accommodations employed many innovative methods that saved both energy and materials. The basic premise of sustainable development is that the facility must function within the ecosystem and its constraints, rather than separately. Many preliminary studies and environmental assessments identified key resources and potentially sensitive features on our site, long before the construction process even began. The countless innovative energy saving features throughout our buildings include the masonry fireplace in the Burrows and a self contained wastewater management system in the Solarium. These fascinating, educational and completely functional buildings are fully winterized, clean and comfortable foyer 2. power room 3. common area/program space 4. 6-bed room 5. 6-bed room 6. 6-bed room 7. 6-bed room 8. 4-bed room 9. 4-bed room 0. 4-bed room. 4-bed room 2. washrooms This building is aptly named as it is literally built into the north side of a hill, surrounded by earth as it employs a natural form of climate control that keeps the building cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The Burrows has a large common area where visitors enjoy the view of a marsh rich with wildlife, while being warmed by the heat of a masonry fireplace. The Burrows has overnight accommodation for up to 40 people in 8 rooms. The common area can be used as a meeting space or a programming alternative.

7 The YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo is a charitable association, creating opportunities to develop individuals, families and communities. Core Values Our values are based on our Christian Heritage. Acceptance - Welcoming and open to all Balance - Developing people in spirit, mind and body Caring - Responding to the needs of others Giving - Contribution of time, skills and money Responsibility - Accountable for yourself, others and the world we live in The K-W YMCA is committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information handling practices, in keeping with privacy laws. We collect and use personal data in order to better meet your service needs, to ensure the safety of children in our care, for statistical purposes, to inform you about the YMCA program or service in which you are registered, and to satisfy government and regulatory obligations. You may receive periodic mailings from us with information about other YMCA programs and services that may interest and benefit you. For more information on our YMCA commitment to privacy, please visit our website