Day Camps

Programs are available for campers aged 5 to 12 years old. Specialty Camps have different age requirements that are listed in the respective program descriptions.

All children must be toilet trained to attend camp.

Camp programs will provide age appropriate programming. Camper groups will be determined based on the age of registrants in particular programs, while abiding by mandatory staff supervision ratios.

The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to providing inclusive and quality programs. To foster safe and enjoyable experiences for all, staff and volunteers uphold the highest standards in regard to appropriate behaviours while at camp. All campers and staff are to do their part by showing respect for all people and property while attending City of Kawartha Lakes camps. Please report any incidents or concerns to staff promptly.

Behaviour Code of Conduct

All camp participants are to follow the guidelines below and interact appropriately in a group setting at all times.

• Demonstrate respect in their interactions with other campers, camp leaders, staff, and volunteers;
• Keep hands and feet to themselves at all times;
• Respect the property of other campers, staff, volunteers, and the municipality;
• Listen to camp leaders, staff, and volunteers.

If a child is unable to follow the Behaviour Code of Conduct, the following steps will be taken:

• Re-direct the child to a more appropriate behaviour;
• Review the Behaviour Code of Conduct with the child;
• Leaders will notify the Program Supervisor and a discussion will take place to determine how the child can be best supported moving forward;
• Camp leaders and staff will document the occurrences;
• The Emergency Contact(s) will be notified of the behaviour/incident;
• If the behaviour persists, the City of Kawartha Lakes staff reserve the right to remove the child from the camp program.

The following behaviours may result in immediate removal from camp programming:

• Endangering the health and safety of oneself, other children, camp staff, or volunteers;
• Theft or damage of municipal personal property;
• Leaving/running away from the program without permission;
• Use of profanity, vulgar, or obscene language;
• Acting in a lewd manner.
• Bullying, harassment, threats, and/or violence.

Bullying Policy

The City of Kawartha Lakes’ day camps have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying. Actions and behaviours that qualify under definitions of harassment or threats are included under this policy and are not tolerated among City of Kawartha Lakes camp programs. Each of our campers deserve the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities delivered in a fun, active, and safe environment that is free from harassment.

Camp leaders and staff will act to quickly address incidents of bullying and take the appropriate actions to remediate the issue. Caregivers will be notified if staff become aware or suspect that their child is being bullied or has engaged in bullying. In the event of continued or recurring acts of bullying, the City of Kawartha Lakes reserves the right to remove participants that are unable to follow the behaviour expectations as outlined in the Behaviour Code of Conduct above.

Attendance and Absences

To report camper absences, call 705-324-9411 extension 1307 and leave a message with the date, the child's first and last name, and the camp they are registered for.

If no absence is reported and your child has not arrived to camp by 10am, calls home will be made to confirm whether your child will be attending the program that day. This is in an effort to ensure your child’s safety during the hours of camp programming.

Pick Up and Drop Off

To ensure camper safety, all caregivers picking up campers must have government-issued photo identification with them and be listed on the Emergency Contact and Consent form with permission to sign-out the camper.

Government-issued identification is required every time you pick up your camper. Individuals without identification and/or those not included on the Consent form (completed during registration) are not permitted to sign the camper out.

The Parks and Recreation Division is proud to offer an Inclusion Support program, intended to foster accessible and inclusive opportunities for participants of all abilities. One-to-one support can be requested for participants who benefit from additional support to be successful in a typical recreational program. Inclusion support may be suitable if the participant: receives support at school; engages in behaviours that could affect the safety of themselves or others; and/or is associated with a support agency.

Participants who require assistance with toileting or continence-related needs will be asked to attend with an external support worker/caregiver to assist with these needs. Camp staff are not responsible for assisting with toileting or continence-related needs.

Register in the Inclusion Support course for the week of your choosing to ensure your request for support is received. The Program Coordinator will confirm once the request for support is fulfilled. Requests are processed in the order they are received, and are contingent on inclusion staff availability.

All camp participants are to abide by the Behaviour Code of Conduct. The Parks and Recreation division reserves the right to remove camp participants that are unable to follow the behaviour expectations as outlined in the Behaviour Code of Conduct; this includes behaviour that jeopardizes the safety of the camper themselves, program staff, and/or other participants.

External Support Workers

Participants are welcome to provide their own support staff while attending camp. Families with external support workers are required to complete the Outside Support Worker Release form prior to attending the program.

Prior to attending the program, external support workers must submit a Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Search (issued within the last six months), and provide proof of valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification. The municipality may request personal information from the support worker, in case of emergency.

For further information, contact our Program Coordinator by phone at 705-324-9411 extension 1307.

Weekly newsletters are sent to caregivers via email on the Wednesday of the week prior to your camper’s first day at camp (by the end of day). This will include information regarding daily schedules, weekly theme, and other important details to help prepare for camp.

Communications will be sent to the email address that is associated with your online Program Registration account. If you do not receive an email, please be sure to check your junk/spam folder and do not hesitate in contacting us at recreation@kawarthalakes.ca.

Campers are required to bring their own litter-less lunch, snacks, and reusable water bottle to camp each day. There will be two nutritional breaks, in addition to a lunch period. Snacks and/or meals will not be provided during camp programming, with the exception of our Pizza Lunch program.

• We are a nut-free camp. Peanut butter, nuts, tree nuts, and/or any food that contains nuts are not permitted.
• Refrain from sending food that needs to be refrigerated or heated.
• Food will not be shared or traded amongst camp participants.

Friday Pizza Lunch will be available for order each week of the summer! The $5 order will include one individual-sized pizza (8 inch crust) from Boston Pizza. Orders will be accepted until 5pm on the Wednesday prior to your child’s Friday Pizza Lunch.

Camps will continue during inclement weather and heat alerts. Activities will be modified to low-energy and additional water breaks will be added as necessary. Many of our daily activities take place outdoors, we ask that caregivers help with participant sun safety by ensuring campers:

• Pre-apply sunscreen before arriving at camp.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lots of water, and cool clothing.
• Clearly label participant sunscreen with their first and last name.

All camp programs include a weekly swim and have related rules in place to keep all campers safe while in the water. Campers are asked to bring a towel, bathing suit, and appropriate shoes for the pool deck/outdoor water play.

• All campers under six are required to wear a lifejacket in the pool, and are supervised closely by camp leaders.
• Campers, seven to nine years old, that do not pass the swim test must wear a lifejacket and be supervised by a camp leader while in the pool.
• Campers, seven to nine years old, who are able to pass the swim test may be admitted to the pool unaccompanied and without direct supervision of a camp leader.
• Children 10 years and older may be admitted to the pool without direct supervision of a camp leader. To enter the deep end of the pool, campers must pass the swim test.

If your camper has passed the swim test and has a swim test card, please let staff know at drop-off on the first day of camp. Campers with valid swim test cards are not required to take the swim test.