YMCA World Council Excursions
On Tuesday 21 July, YMCA World Council takes to the streets!
The second full day of the conference invites delegates to step beyond the main venue and into the energy of the Greater Toronto Area. Picture a day filled with discovery, as you explore Toronto’s dynamic neighbourhoods, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural tapestry. Every trip will also bring you closer to the work of local YMCA Member Associations.
All Excursions are linked to one or more of the four Vision 2030 themes:
Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet and Just World.
How Excursions will be assigned
Review the Excursions and pick your top three.
Registrants (including those in the spouse/guest programme) will be asked to select their top three preferences and we will allocate you a place based on availability.
While we will do our best to assign you to one of your preferred Excursions and to pair those in the spouse/guest programme with the World Council delegate they are attending with, this may not be possible in all cases due to capacity limitations.
Modify your Cvent Registration between 11 May - 7 June with your top three preferences.
On Monday 11 May, all registrants will receive a personalized email sent via the Event platform, letting you know the window for selecting your top three Excursions is now open.
You will need to use your individual Confirmation Number (supplied in the email) to modify your registration to select your top three Excursions. Be sure to click all the way through and confirm the changes to your registration.
In July, visit the event app once launched to find out your assigned Excursion.
After the selection period closes, we will assign delegates to Excursions. All delegates will be able to view their assigned Excursion on the event app once it is launched in July.
List of Excursions
There are 17 Excursions to choose from, offering a wide range of experiences.
Accessibility Note
Mobility and transportation information is provided to support individual planning and decision-making. Distances are approximate and reflect total movement over the course of each Excursion; actual distance may vary depending on route, pace, and participation choices. Excursions may include a mix of indoor and outdoor environments, varying surfaces, and different levels of activity.
If you use a mobility aid or have specific accessibility needs or questions related to terrain, seating, washrooms, sensory considerations, or transportation, we encourage you to contact us in advance. We will do our best to share additional details and explore options to support your participation.
The Province of Ontario, where all the excursions are held, has legislative requirements for accessible venues and services under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which has helped reduce barriers and strengthen accountability across many locations.
Excursion 1
Cooper Koo Family YMCA & Distillery District
Pillar: Community Wellbeing
Explore Toronto’s historic east end through a combination of community impact and culture. This excursion includes a visit to the Cooper Koo Family YMCA, showcasing innovative urban YMCA programming, followed by time in the Distillery District, a pedestrian-only heritage site known for arts, culture, and local shops.
Mobility & transportation: Public transit. Includes approximately 1–2 km of walking between locations on mostly flat, pedestrian-friendly streets.
Excursion 2
Royal Ontario Museum & University of Toronto
Pillar: Just World
Discover Canada’s largest museum and one of the world’s leading universities. Participants will explore curated collections at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), with a focus on world cultures, natural history, and Indigenous perspectives. The excursion continues with Philosopher's Walk, a self-guided walking path through the University of Toronto’s historic St. George Campus.
Mobility & transportation: Public transit. Includes approximately 2 km of walking along outdoor paths and campus walkways, with some uneven surfaces.
Excursion 3
McDonald Family YMCA & Wagner Green YMCA
Pillar: Just World & Meaningful Work
Visit two distinct YMCA centres that reflect the diversity of Toronto’s downtown core. The McDonald Family YMCA showcases a modern Centre of Community model in a brand-new urban development in the former City of Toronto waterworks building while the Wagner Green YMCA highlights housing programming for young people including shelter, employment support and drop-in services. Together, these visits offer an in-depth look at the essential role the YMCA plays throughout Greater Toronto and the YMCA’s impact across the city.
Mobility & transportation: Public transit. Includes approximately 1–1.5 km of walking between locations in an urban setting.
Excursion 4
Harbourfront Cruise & City Waterfront Tour
Pillar: Community Wellbeing & Sustainable Planet
Experience Toronto from the water with a scenic Harbourfront cruise, offering views of the skyline, islands, and waterfront landmarks. After the cruise, participants will have time to explore the city waterfront, including public spaces, cultural venues, and lakeside paths that reflect Toronto’s relationship with Lake Ontario. Toronto Society of Architects will provide a guided tour sharing stories of this multi-decade waterfront revitalization through buildings and landscapes.
Mobility & transportation: School bus (15 min) ride and boat cruise. Includes approximately 1–2 km of walking along waterfront paths after the cruise.
Excursion 5
Queen's Park & Central YMCA
Pillar: Meaningful Work
This excursion combines civic history with social impact. Participants will tour Queen’s Park, home of the Province of Ontario’s Legislative Assembly, learning about parliamentary traditions, architecture, and governance. The experience continues at the Central YMCA, highlighting a wide range of YMCA programs that support equity, inclusion, and community wellbeing in the heart of the city.
Mobility & transportation: Public transit. Includes approximately 1–1.5 km of walking between locations; indoor and outdoor environments.
Excursion 6
Toronto Island and YMCA Day Camp
Pillar: Meaningful Work & Sustainable Planet
A short ferry ride brings participants to the Toronto Islands, an urban retreat featuring beaches, parkland, and car-free communities. The Excursion includes a visit to a YMCA Day Camp, highlighting outdoor education and youth development, along with time to explore the island environment and enjoy a shared picnic-style experience. There will be free time built-in so participants can enjoy the beach and island.
Mobility & transportation: School bus and ferry. Includes walking extended distances (approximately 3–5 km total) across island pathways, which are mostly flat and car-free.
Excursion 7
Evergreen Brick Works
Pillar: Sustainable Planet
Fondly known as Toronto’s backyard, Evergreen Brick Works is a former industrial site transformed into a global model for sustainability and community engagement. The goal of this national non-profit is to transform public spaces in cities to build a healthier future for people and our planet. This excursion offers a team-building experience to build community among participants. Discover the meaningful impact of giving back and building awareness by reconnecting with nature in the Lower Don Valley! Participants will explore the site’s trails, public spaces, and environmental initiatives, learning how nature, culture, and urban life intersect.
Mobility & transportation: School bus ride (15-20 min). Includes walking over the afternoon, across paved trails and outdoor spaces; some uneven terrain and inclines and includes optional activities.
Excursion 8
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre & Organic Farm
Pillar: Meaningful Work & Sustainable Planet
Escape the city for a day at the YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, situated on 263 acres of the Oak Ridges Moraine, where participants will have the opportunity to choose an activity, enjoy guided hikes, outdoor education, and team building. The visit also includes an introduction to Cedar Glen’s organic farm, with opportunities to learn about crop growing, harvesting, and tree planting.
Mobility & transportation: Coach Bus transportation (approx. 1 hr). Includes extended walking throughout a large outdoor property, with natural terrain and optional activities.
Sponsored by Sun Life Insurance
Excursion 9
Niagara Falls & Niagara YMCA
Pillar: Sustainable Planet
Visit one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, Niagara Falls, combined with community-focused remarks from the YMCA of Niagara. This excursion balances tourism with YMCA impact, offering insight into local programming while enjoying the dramatic landscape and surrounding attractions. Opportunity for self-guided exploration of Niagara Falls and the surrounding tourist areas including Clifton Hill.
Mobility & transportation: Approximately 2-hour Double Decker bus ride each way. Includes walking extended distances (approximately 3–5 km) in busy tourist areas.
Excursion 10
Woodland Cultural Centre
Pillar: Just World
Located at the site of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, the Woodland Cultural Centre offers powerful learning through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural programming led by Indigenous educators. It serves to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history; bringing the story of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs. This experience invites participants to reflect on history, resilience, and reconciliation.
Please note: topics may have a strong emotional impact on participants (colonization, racial discrimination, forms of harm of children and families)
Mobility & transportation: Approximately 1.5-hour Coach bus transportation each way. Includes light to moderate walking (approximately 1 km) within the site.
Excursion 11
Toronto Cathedral Walking Tour
Pillar: Just World
Explore some of the largest and most prominent churches in Canada through a cathedral walking tour (approximate 2.5k loop) of: St. James Anglican Cathedral, Toronto Metropolitan United Church and St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica (Catholic). Visitors will experience stunning architecture, rich history and the role these places of worship play in serving their communities located in the heart of Canada’s largest city. This tour will offer time for participants to reflect amongst the historic, quiet and peaceful surroundings. Participants will stroll through nearby St. James Public Gardens and walk past some of the City’s landmarks including Old City Hall.
Mobility & transportation: This Excursion is a continuous city tour walking approximately 2.5-3 km between sites.
Excursion 12
Rogers Centre & Roundhouse Park
Pillar: Community Wellbeing
Start at the Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square, a landmark designed to foster teaching, learning, sharing and healing for Indigenous communities and all who visit. We will then walk to go behind the scenes at Toronto’s iconic Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, with a guided ballpark stadium tour offering access to player facilities, field views, and the history of one of Canada’s most recognizable sports venues. Participants will also have the chance to explore nearby Roundhouse Park which features an original and fully restored collection of full-sized railway equipment. It is home to the Toronto Railway Historical Association live steam miniature railway and other outdoor exhibits.
Mobility & transportation: Walking between downtown locations covering approximately 3-4 km; includes both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sponsored by FM Insurance
Excursion 13
Blanket Exercise
Pillar: Just World
The Blanket Exercise is a guided, experiential learning activity that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous peoples in Canada. During this three‑hour workshop, led by an Indigenous Elder, participants gather around blankets laid on the floor representing the land and are guided through a scripted journey covering pre‑contact, treaty‑making, colonization, and resistance. Some participants may be invited to read brief scrolls aloud or respond to cues, while facilitators guide the group through each stage. The experience concludes with a facilitated talking circle to reflect, ask questions, and share insights together.
The event begins and ends with ceremony, and participants are asked to arrive on time and remain for the full duration. To support respectful participation, cell phones will be put away. Shoes will be removed; please bring socks or indoor footwear (such as moccasins or slippers) to ensure your comfort. Additional details will be shared with participants once excursions are assigned.
Please note: this experience contains upsetting content including but not limited to mentions of colonization, racism and violence against children, families, and animals.
Mobility & transportation: No travel required; this activity takes place on‑site at the Sheraton Hotel. You will be walking/standing for a large portion of this event. Modifications are possible for those who are unable to stand for the duration.
Excursion 14
Blanket Exercise + Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Pillar: Just World
The Blanket Exercise is a guided, experiential learning activity that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous peoples in Canada. During this three‑hour workshop, led by an Indigenous Elder, participants gather around blankets laid on the floor representing the land and are guided through a scripted journey covering pre‑contact, treaty‑making, colonization, and resistance. Some participants may be invited to read brief scrolls aloud or respond to cues, while facilitators guide the group through each stage. The experience concludes with a facilitated talking circle to reflect, ask questions, and share insights together.
The event begins and ends with ceremony, and participants are asked to arrive on time and remain for the full duration. To support respectful participation, cell phones will be put away. Shoes will be removed; please bring socks or indoor footwear (such as moccasins or slippers) to ensure your comfort. Additional details will be shared with participants once excursions are assigned.
Afterwards, participants will visit the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, a longstanding community hub supporting Indigenous peoples through cultural, social, and community-based programming. This excursion offers space for learning, reflection, and dialogue.
Please note: this experience contains upsetting content including but not limited to mentions of colonization, racism and violence against children, families, and animals.
Mobility & transportation: On-site activity followed by public transit. Includes approximately 500m–1 km of walking at the destination. You will be walking/standing for a large portion of this event. Modifications are possible for those who are unable to stand for the duration.
Excursion 15
Royal Conservatory of Music
Pillar: Community Wellbeing
The mission of The Royal Conservatory - to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts - is based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and social cohesion. Advancing the transformative effect that music and the arts have on society lies at the heart of everything The Royal Conservatory does. This Excursion offers a visit to the Royal Conservatory of Music to explore their wide range of artistic programming as well as to take part in an interactive music session where all are invited to participate – both beginners and seasoned musicians. Participants will also explore the Conservatory’s magnificent performance spaces, including the internationally acclaimed Koerner Hall, Temerty Theatre, and Mazzoleni Concert Hall in historic Ihnatowycz Hall.
Mobility & transportation: Public transit. Includes approximately 500m–1 km of walking within the venue and surrounding area.
Excursion 16
Aga Khan Museum & Ismaili Centre of Toronto
Pillar: Just World & Community Wellbeing
This rich cultural excursion brings together global perspectives through visits to the Aga Khan Museum and the neighbouring Ismaili Centre of Toronto. The Aga Khan Museum sparks curiosity and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures. The museum is considered a deeply spiritual space that encourages contemplation and reflection through its architecture, light-focused design, collections and gardens. Participants will experience a guided tour that explores art, history, culture as well as the impressive architectural features of the museum. There will also be free time for exploring the courtyard and landscaped gardens as well as a vibrant exhibition entitled “Game On!”. Participants will also be offered a guided tour of the Ismaili Centre of Toronto which is dedicated to understanding of the values, ethics, culture and heritage of Ismaili Muslims, and of the work of the Aga Khan Development Network.
NOTE: Participants must have ID for visit to neighbouring Ismaili Centre (can be a photocopy of passport)
Mobility & transportation: School Bus transportation. Includes approximately 1–1.5 km of walking across museum galleries, grounds, and adjacent buildings.
Excursion 17
Scotiabank Arena & Roundhouse Park
Pillar: Community Wellbeing
Start at the Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square, a landmark designed to foster teaching, learning, sharing and healing for Indigenous communities and all who visit. We will then walk to a 1-hour guided experience for the perfect introduction to Scotiabank Arena—Canada’s premier sports and entertainment venue. Led by a passionate and knowledgeable guide, the tour explores key behind-the-scenes areas while learning about the rich history of the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey), Toronto Raptors (basketball), and the Scotiabank Arena building itself. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, sports enthusiasts, or anyone curious about what goes on beyond the seats. Participants will also have the chance to explore nearby Roundhouse Park which features an original and fully restored collection of full-sized railway equipment. It is home to the Toronto Railway Historical Association live steam miniature railway and other outdoor exhibits.
Mobility & transportation: Walking between downtown locations covering approximately 3- 4 km; includes indoor and outdoor spaces.