If your child needs quality care during school holidays, is between five and 12 years old, and enrolled in primary school – they will love YMCA School Holiday Programs!

About us

We're proud to support families in the Bendigo area with our YMCA School Holiday Program based at Lightning Reef Primary School.

This program is run by YMCA Children's Programs – part of YMCA Victoria.

Next program

Bookings are now open for our Winter 2023 School Holiday Program based at Lightning Reef Primary School.

The program runs between Monday 26 June to Friday 7 July, on weekdays.

We've prepared a range of engaging experiences that will spark your child's interests and connect them with new friends.

Current families can sign into My Family Lounge to make a booking.

New to our programs? Follow the steps outline on our School Holiday Program Bookings page.

Date

Activity details

Week 1
Monday
26 June
OSHC Party
Celebrate the school holidays! Let's groove to the ultimate party playlist, eat party food and play party games.
Category: Incursion
Cost: $90.90
Tuesday
27 June
Super Science
Learn about chemical reactions in a range of creative science experiments. Including self-inflating bags, chemical rockets and dry ice.
Category: Incursion
Cost: $90.90
Wednesday
28 June
Gymnastics Galore
Join us for some jumping, twisting, tumbling and balancing as we discover all things gymnastics at our very own facility.
Category: Excursion
Cost: $90.90
Notes: Arrival by 9:00am
Thursday
29 June
Y Talent Show
We're putting on a talent show! Show us your talents or crazy skills and learn some new ones from your friends.
Category: In-House Day
Cost: $90.90
Friday
30 June
Winter Wonderland
Join us for a variety of winter-themed craft activities, inspired by the falling snow. We’ll also play outside and drink hot chocolate.
Category: In-House Day
Cost: $90.90
Week 2
Monday
3 July
Indigenous Creations
Explore our Indigenous history, culture and learn Dreamtime storytelling, Indigenous music making and unique craft activities. 
Category: Incursion
Cost: $90.90
Tuesday
4 July
Spies and Detectives
Calling all detectives... There's a mystery and we need your help. Invisible ink, hints and clues will help you solve this puzzle!
Category: In-House Day
Cost: $90.90
Wednesday
5 July
Welcome to England
Come dressed up in your Red and White clothing and do traditional cookings, games and dancing!
Category: In-House Day
Cost: $90.90
Thursday
6 July
Movies - Village Cinemas Bendigo
Lights, camera, action! Sit back and relax, because we’re heading to our local cinema to watch the latest new release movie.
Category: Excursion
Cost: $90.90
Friday
7 July
Party Time!
Today will be filled with party games, food and a silent disco. Show off your cool dance moves to some of your favourite songs.
Category: In-House Day
Cost: $90.90

  

Activities and learning outcomes

YMCA School Holiday Programs offer a variety of activities to interest your child, such as:

  • arts and crafts
  • music and movement area
  • outdoor and physical space
  • puzzles and board games
  • reading and quiet space
  • science, nature and sensory activities
  • incursion and excursions.

Strict departure hours apply for excursions (please note the times when booking the activity).

Session times

To accommodate our families, we offer YMCA School Holiday Programs between 07:00 and 18:00 during the holidays (see the 'Next program' section above for dates).

 

Co-located programs

The Y also offers the following services at the same location:

What to bring

  • Lunch and snack (nutritious & NUT FREE)
  • SunSmart hat and sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Weather appropriate clothing and shoes
  • Where activity involves water, please bring swimwear, towel and a change of clothes as required

 

Inclusion

We believe in an inclusive society for all children and families. Children with additional needs are welcome to attend our program. Families must contact the OSHC Coordinator at least four weeks prior to the holiday program to discuss the individual needs of your child and complete any funding applications. Find out more about inclusion at YMCA Children's Programs.

Activity types, prices and subsidies

YMCA School Holiday Program runs three types of activity days, which include:

  • In house: activities run by our Educator Team;
  • Incursion: activities run by visitors to our service;
  • Excursion: activities run at an off-site location.

Each activity day incurs a cost that is confirmed prior to each holidays when bookings are opened.

Program tables are available to view under the ‘Next program’ section, prior to the start of each school holiday. These detail the daily activities types and associated fees. 

Fees listed on program tables are not inclusive of any Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements, which may reduce your out-of-pocket expense.

Debit process

Our programs operate on a fortnightly debit cycle, which withdraws payment for the next two weeks of care your family has booked.

If you book an additional day of care during our School Holiday Program, your account will be back charged in the following debit cycle.

Visit our debit process page for a list of forthcoming debit dates.

Bookings and enquiries

To enrol your child in a YMCA School Holiday Program or submit a booking request, go to the bookings page for step by step instructions on how to to get started. Bookings are managed through an online system called My Family Lounge.

If you're not quite ready to book and have a few more questions, our team will be happy to help – simply fill in our enquiry form and someone will get back to you.

Contact details

 

Location

Bendigo YMCA School Holiday Program is located at:

Lightning Reef Primary School
74-88 Holmes Road
North Bendigo
VIC 3552

Other programs available at this location