YMCA CAMP WANAKITA
In 2024, Ayalik Expeditions established a new partnership with YMCA Camp Wanakita, in Haliburton, Ontario. There are two components to the program:
Continuation of the remote wilderness canoe trips in Temagami or Kipawa, for older youth 16-17, which are now outfitted by Wanakita;
A new program to introduce 14-year-olds to the traditional summer camp experience, mixing with other youth from across Canada, developing swimming and canoeing skills while enjoying the wide range of camp activities.
Following the success of the initial “trial run” in 2024, Ayalik Expeditions and YMCA Camp Wanakita decided to expand the program considerably, a move made possible, in part, by the generosity of Wanakita alumni who wanted to see this work.
New targets were set:
Continuation of the remote wilderness canoe trips in Temagami or Kipawa, for older youth 16-17, which are now outfitted by Wanakita;
A new program to introduce 14-year-olds to the traditional summer camp experience, mixing with other youth from across Canada, developing swimming and canoeing skills while enjoying the wide range of camp activities.
Following the success of the initial “trial run” in 2024, Ayalik Expeditions and YMCA Camp Wanakita decided to expand the program considerably, a move made possible, in part, by the generosity of Wanakita alumni who wanted to see this work.
New targets were set:
- To have eight boys and eight girls join the in-camp program for 14-year-olds each summer.
- To outfit from Wanakita separate senior canoe trips for 16-17-year-olds, eight girls and eight boys, in the Temagami or Kipawa wilderness regions, in August of each year.
The first cohort of Inuit youth to attend YMCA Camp Wanakita, summer 2024, standing in front of the Ayalik Wall, where each camper installs their own plaque as a record of their attendance at Wanakita.
Matthew Ayaruaq, 14, from Rankin Inlet, proudly points out his plaque in 2024. Matthew so enjoyed camp, and was so successful, that he was invited back for a month at the Wanakita “leadership training” program in 2025.
