Camps

If your preferred camp is full, we recommend being placed on 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 for being 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.

Camp staff are carefully selected based on their child care 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

Summer Camps

Attendance is taken each day as campers arrive and leave. A parent or guardian is required to sign-in each camper at the designated camp location between 8:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Campers must be picked up between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please notify camp staff if you need to pick your camper up earlier. Parents or guardians are not permitted inside specified camp areas as per government orders.

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

Government-issued identification is required to be present every time you pick up your camper.

Playground Program

The Playground Program morning sign-in will be between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., afternoon sign-in will be between 12:45 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Participants must be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. for the morning locations, or 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. for the afternoon locations.

Please notify Playgrounds staff if your participant will not be attending the program. If your participant is absent or late and staff have not been notified, we will attempt to contact the parent or guardian. If you need to report a late drop off, early pick up or absent participant, please email your Playground Director.

Government-issued identification is required to be present every time you pick up your camper.

Each day, pack a nut-free lunch, snacks, drinks, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, hat (or appropriate outdoor weather clothing), running shoes and a change of clothes. Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your camper’s name.

• Food is not permitted at the Playground Program.

Please leave toys, electronic devices and valuables at home. Camp facilities and staff are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Mask or face-covering
All campers must wear a proper fitting non-medical face mask at all times when indoors and outdoors during activities where campers cannot maintain a physical distance of two metres. It is recommended campers bring at least 4 masks to change throughout the camp day; masks should be changed when soiled or wet.

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

Complete the Medication Administration Request Form and submit by Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (noon) the week prior to camp. If you submit a form the weekend before camp starts, we will not receive it in time.

If you fail to complete the form before the first day of camp, your camper will not be able to attend the first day. They can begin camp the following day once the completed form is submitted.

If your camper(s) requires an EpiPen, please indicate that on their Camper Information Form. Ensure you complete the Assistance in Administering an EpiPen Form and submit both forms Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (noon) the week prior to camp. If you submit a form the weekend before camp starts, we will not receive it in time.

If you fail to complete the forms before the first day of camp, your camper cannot attend the first day of camp. They can begin camp the next day after the completed forms are received.

Participants who may require EpiPens are responsible for bringing two EpiPens to camp each day. The participants must carry one EpiPen in an easily identifiable waist pack. The second EpiPen will be stored by staff in a secured location in case of an emergency. EpiPens must be brought home each day.

All campers and staff are required to wear sunscreen and hats when outdoors. Campers should arrive with sunscreen already applied. Staff will provide time during the day for the re-application of sunscreen. Participants will need to apply their own sunscreen. In extreme heat, camp staff will make accommodations to seek shade and limit campers' exposure to the sun. Parents should provide a labelled bottle of sunscreen for their camper (SPF 30+). 

Playground Program

In the event of a Heat Warning/Alert, Playground Program locations without adequate shade will be cancelled for the day.

Our camps’ goal is to provide a healthy, safe, positive and fun experience for all participants in our programs.

Due to concerns associated with the potential transmission of COVID-19, we ask that parents remind their campers of the importance of physical distancing and being respectful of other's safety. If a participant purposely puts the safety of another camper or staff member at risk, parents will be contacted to pick up their camper immediately. This behaviour may result in immediate discharge from the camp.

Given that there are active cases of COVID-19 in Durham Region, there is a risk that both symptomatic and asymptomatic transmission may occur. While measures attempting to control these risks have been implemented in our day camp environment, it is essential that parents and guardians are made aware of and understand these risks.

When campers from multiple families attend a day camp, there is an increased risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Campers infected with COVID-19 are more likely than adults to have a mild infection or present no symptoms at all. Nevertheless, campers can transmit the virus to other campers and adults at camp. Campers are also able to bring home an infection acquired at camp and put family members at risk.

All our day camps have a screening process to help detect infections when there are symptoms present. However, this screening process cannot detect infected campers or adults who are asymptomatic at the time of screening.

The risk of severe COVID-19 infection increases with persons who have chronic medical conditions that may put them at an increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 infection.

Active screening is the process of proactively checking for symptoms (e.g. temperature checks), travel history and possible contact with or care of a person who may have COVID-19.

A camper will not be allowed to attend camp if they or their household member(s) fit the criteria below and will need to self-isolate. The decision on when to return to camp is made in consultation with the Durham Region Health Department.

Criteria includes:

• If you or your camper(s) have any symptoms such as fever or cough or difficulty breathing;
• If you or your camper(s) have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days;
• If you or your camper(s) live with, provide care for or spent extensive time with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, suspected to have COVID-19 or who has a fever, cough or shortness of breath that started within 14 days of travel outside of Canada

Symptoms actively screened for COVID-19:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Nasal congestion*
• Nasal discharge*
• Sneezing*
• Sore throat

*unless common due to allergies, etc.

Campers or staff members who present symptoms of illness, or whose parent or other household members show signs of illness, as described above, will be asked to stay home from the day camp and self-isolate. The decision on when to return to camp is made in consultation with the Durham Region Health Department.

Staff will sanitize high-touch surfaces in the camp space and throughout the facility’s common areas throughout the day. Staff will also sanitize equipment regularly, and only materials that can be readily cleaned and sanitized will be used. 

All campers and staff members must practice physical distancing of two metres. Signs and visual markers will be used to emphasize campers, staff and parents/guardians must maintain a two-metre distance.

If maintaining a physical distance of two metres is not possible (i.e. staff interventions for behaviour management and first aid), staff will use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

To aid with physical distancing, camp capacities have been reduced.

Good hand hygiene and frequent hand washing will take place throughout the day. Facilities offering multiple camps will not allow camps to intermingle. Each camp will have its own designated space, entrance and exit. If sharing common spaces (i.e. gymnasium), the area will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.

If a participant begins showing symptoms of illness at camp, they will be brought to a room away from other campers. Symptomatic participants in the Playground Program will be separated from the group until the parent or guardian arrives.

Parents or guardians will be contacted and asked to pick the camper up immediately. The camper will remain in this separate space, with a staff member, until their parent or guardian arrives. A staff member will sanitize the area and all the items the camper used once the camper has been picked up.

The Durham Region Health Department will be contacted, and staff will follow the protocols for when there is a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case in the facility.

Please refer to Durham Region Health Department to stay up to date on the latest information on COVID-19. 

Evaluate your health and that of your camper(s) regularly. If any of you are sick, stay home. If any of you have a temperature (37.8 degrees Celsius or higher), stay home. If someone at home is sick, or you’ve come into contact with someone who became sick, stay home and keep your camper(s) home too.

Talk to your camper(s) about COVID-19 and the changes in routine they will find at camp. Let them know that camp groups will be smaller, their hands must be washed frequently and they need to keep apart from staff and other campers.

Talk to campers about the sign-in process, personal protective equipment and the possibility of being separated from the group with a staff member if they become ill.

A.M. and P.M. extended supervision will not be offered in Summer 2021. 

Activities will take place outside whenever possible. All activities will allow for participants to maintain a physical distance of two metres.

There will be no swimming, skating, outings, cooking, baking or special guests at camp.

Campers will be provided their own craft supplies for use over the week (e.g. markers, scissors, glue, etc.). These items will be disinfected by a staff member at the end of each day.

All campers must wear a non-medical face mask at all times when indoors and outdoors during activities where campers cannot maintain a physical distance of two metres. 

• It is recommended campers bring at least 4 masks to change throughout the camp day; masks should be changed when soiled or wet.

Indoor common spaces, playground structures, and splash pads will not be open for use.