Summer Camps

About our staff

We carefully select camp staff based on their childcare experience, leadership skills, enthusiasm and sound judgment.

Qualifications include:

• Extensive pre-camp training
• Valid certificate in First Aid and CPR
• Satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Age requirements

Each camp program has specific age requirements. Campers must be the required minimum age before the start of camp.

Cancellation and waitlists

Register early to help ensure you will get your first choice of camps. If we do not have enough registrants for a camp, it will be cancelled. If a camp is cancelled, you will be contacted to choose a different camp (if space is available) or provide a full refund.

If your preferred camp is full, we recommend adding your name to the waitlist. If a space becomes available campers will be contacted in order of being placed on the waitlist and offered the available space. There is no charge to be added to the waitlist. If you are already registered in a camp and wish to transfer to the now available waitlisted camp, you may do so for no additional charge.

 Financial assistance

Assistance programs are available to Oshawa residents wishing to access camps. These include the Durham Region Social Services Certificate Program, Canadian Tire Jumpstart and the Recreation Fee Assistance Program.

To receive financial assistance for an activeOshawa camp, community members must complete their program registration in person at an eligible recreation facility. Visit Assistance and Support for more information.

Inclement weather

Camps will continue during inclement weather and heat alerts; however activities may be modified to low-energy and additional water breaks added when necessary. Please dress your camper appropriately for the weather.

Toileting

Campers must be fully toilet-trained to attend all programs.

Communication before camp

Camp staff will call parents/guardians before their camper's first day at camp. Camp staff will also correspond with parents/guardians by email as much as possible. Please ensure staff have your most up-to-date email address on file.

What to bring to camp

Each day, pack a nut-free lunch, snacks, drinks, reusable water bottle, indoor shoes, sunscreen, a change of clothes and appropriate outdoor weather clothing.

For camps that offer swimming, children should bring a labelled towel, bathing suit and appropriate shoes for the pool deck, in a separate plastic bag. 

Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with the camper’s name. Please leave toys, electronic devices and valuables at home. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

The Camp Lunch Program is available for an additional fee at most camps. To place your order, complete the Camp Lunch Order Form.

Extended supervision

Most of our camps offer extended supervision before and after camp for an additional fee. Please register for both the Summer Camp course ID and extended supervision course ID.

Attendance and absences

Attendance takes place each day as campers arrive and leave. A parent or guardian must sign in each camper at the designated camp location between 8:45 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Campers must be picked up between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please notify camp staff if a camper needs to be picked up earlier.

Please notify camp staff if your camper will not be attending the program. If a camper is absent or late and staff have not been notified, attempts will be made to contact the parent or guardian. Please email the Camp Director to report a late drop off, early pick up or absent camper.

Medications

Camp staff will hold prescription medication only as directed on the label, provided you sign the necessary forms. Campers will be required to administer the medication themselves.

Complete the Medication Administration Request Form and submit it the week before camp with the other required camper forms.

Anaphylaxis and EpiPens

If a camper(s) requires an EpiPen, please indicate that on the Emergency Contact and Consent Form. Complete and submit the form the week before camp starts, with the other required camper forms. Campers who may require EpiPens are responsible for bringing two EpiPens to camp each day. The camper must carry one EpiPen in an easily identifiable waist pack. Staff will store the second EpiPen in a secured location in case of an emergency. Campers must take their EpiPens home each day.

Camp lunch program

Many of our camp locations offer a camp lunch program for an additional fee. Information about camp lunch programs at your specific camp will be included in your communication before camp. 

The Summer Camp lunch program has concluded for the year. We appreciate your participation this season. See you next summer!

Swimming at camp

Camps that offer swimming have rules in place to keep your campers safe:

• Campers who are non-swimmers must wear a lifejacket and must be accompanied by a camp counsellor who is responsible for their direct supervision, with a maximum of four children per counsellor.
• Campers seven to nine years of age who are able to pass a swim test may be admitted to the pool unaccompanied without direct supervision of a camp counsellor.
  • If your camper has passed the swim test and has a swim test card, please bring it on the first day of camp.
  • Campers can and get complete a swim test before camp during select leisure swim times.
• Children 10 years and older may be admitted to the pool without direct supervision by a camp counsellor. To enter the deep end of a pool campers must pass the swim test.

Camper responsibilities

All campers and staff are expected to show respect for all people and property while attending City of Oshawa recreation facilities. Please report any incidents and concerns to staff. Coarse language, bullying, non-compliance, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour are not permitted at camp. These behaviours will be documented and reported and may result in removing a participant from camp.

Inclusion support

Campers requesting inclusion support must register with their preferred camp course ID and the Inclusion Services course ID.

Requests are processed in the order they are received and based on the availability of inclusion staff. Participants may provide their own support staff to assist if desired.

Please visit the Inclusion Services for more information on registration requirements.