Camp Choices
Policies, Things You Should Know
Our Guarantee
If your child does not absolutely love their first day at camp, we will give you
a full refund, no questions asked. Sorry, but no refunds will be offered after two days of camp.
Swim Safety Rules
We take swim safety very seriously. We want to assure you that we have put many safety precautions in place and our staff are
well trained in supervising group swims. In fact, many of the swim policies and procedures we invented many years ago are
now part of the City of Ottawa regulations for all swim groups and specifically camps.
SWIM RULES
- Our swim policies are firm. "If you don't follow our rules, you don't swim."
- All 5 year olds MUST wear a lifejacket. They are not permitted to take the swim test.
- All 6 and 7 year olds must wear a lifejacket in the deep end (big pool) or can choose to swim in the small pool without a lifejacket. They are not permitted to take the swim test.
- All 8 year olds and older must complete a swim test every day before they start their swim. Every camper must attempt
to swim approximately 10 meters (30 feet) unassisted (our staff are in the water). If a camper chooses not to do the test or
is unable to complete the test without assistance, we will make sure they put on a lifejacket. At this point, they will have a second
wristband (orange in color) put on to identify them as a "lifejacket kid". All campers wearing a lifejacket will be placed
in a group of 3 or 4 campers and assigned to a specific counselor who will stay with the group at all times.
- All campers (and staff) will wear a colored wristband to identify them as campers with Camps Canada.
- All campers will be paired up with a buddy for the duration of the swim.
- "Lifejacket kids" must keep their lifejackets on for the duration of the swim. We have a zero tolerance policy for kids who remove their own
lifejacket. Those who do, will be removed from the pool and sit out the rest of the swim. We will inform mom and dad at the
end of the day and discuss the procedure for our next swim.
AT THE WAVE POOL
- At the wave pool, all children ages 7 and under (without exception) must wear a lifejacket at all times. They will
also have a second wristband (orange in color) put on so we can identify them as "lifejacket kids". All campers wearing a lifejacket will be placed
in a group of 3 or 4 campers and assigned to a specific counselor who will stay with the group at all times.
- They must keep their lifejackets
on for the duration of the swim. We have a zero tolerance policy for kids who remove their own lifejacket. Those
who do, will be removed from the pool and sit out the rest of the swim. We will inform mom and dad at the end of the
day and discuss the procedure for our next swim.
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Age Groups
Campers are divided by age (not gender) into the following Cabin Groups:
| Freshman | 5, 6 year olds |
| Sophomore | 7, 8 year olds |
| Junior | 9, 10 year olds |
| Senior | 11, 12 year olds |
There is always at least one Teacher, Senior Staff or Returning Staff with each Cabin Group.
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Friend Requests
We can accommodate requests for siblings and friends to be in the same Cabin Group
as long as they are fairly close in age. Obviously, we can not group a 5 year old
with an 11 year old during sports time. Campers do spend a fair bit of time
together at our afternoon activities. Please provide friend requests on
your registration form.
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Pre and Post Camp Care
There is no fee for our pre and post camp care hours.
| Pre-camp hours: |
7:30 am to 8:30 am
(many off-site camps leave our locations at 9:00am sharp) |
| Camp hours: |
8:30 to 4:30pm |
| Post-camp hours: |
4:30 to 5:30pm. |
If you plan to pick your child up early from camp, be sure to communicate this to the Camp
Director so he/she can tell you where campers will be at your desired pick up time.
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Sign-In, Sign-Out
YOU MUST PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION EVERY DAY when picking up your child. This will help to ensure the safety of
your child. You are asked to sign your child in and out each day. This allows us to track your child's attendance and for security reasons to
make sure that we know who is picking them up at the end of the day.
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Lunch Plan (optional)
Our lunch plan is optional and may be added for a fee at the time of registration.
All food and snacks provided by Camps Canada are "NUT FREE".
We provide lunches at BOTH our Kanata and Barrhaven locations. Along with the main course, campers
also receive a drink of juice and a dessert like pudding, jello, or cookies.
| Monday | Pizza Pizza |
| Tuesday | Subway sandwiches |
| Wednesday | All Beef Hotdogs |
| Thursday | Subway sandwiches |
| Friday | Pizza Pizza |
Campers will be asked to choose the type and quantity of pizza, subway and hotdogs on their first day of camp each week.
Pizza choices are 1 or 2 slices: cheese only or cheese and pepperoni.
Subway choices are 6 inch or 12 inch on white bread: HAM (cheese, lettuce, ham) or VEGETARIAN (cheese, lettuce, tomato) or
3 MEAT (cheese, lettuce, pepperoni, bologna, salami).
Mayonnaise and mustard are provided on the side only.
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Adding Lunch to an Existing Registration
If you have not already done so, the deadline for adding the lunch plan to your existing registration is June 15. After
this date, the lunch plan can not be added to an existing registration. If you are interested in adding the lunch plan to your
registration, please send a quick email to matt@campscanada.com noting your child's name, which camp and which location they are
signed up for. Please send a cheque for $29.00 per week made payable to Camps Canada to: 1710 Marchurst Road, Kanata, ON, K2K 1X7.
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Nut Awareness
Camps Canada provides a nut free camp environment. We do not provide any
foods that contain nuts and nut products and we strongly encourage families
to refrain from sending foods with nut products to camp.
Staff training regarding life threatening allergies ensures a proactive
approach to food safety. Our staff are CPR and First Aid trained so that
they will respond appropriately should there be an anaphylactic reaction.
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Ratios
Our counselor to camper ratio is always a minimum of 1:8. There is always at least one Teacher, Senior Staff or Returning Staff with each Cabin Group.
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Reluctant, First-Time Campers
For many children, attending camp is the highlight of their summer. For
others, usually first-timers, preparing for camp can cause a great deal
of anxiety. For them, a new environment, meeting new friends, and
adjusting to a new counselor are events that may cause discomfort and
apprehension. Not to worry. "I won't go" or "I don't want to go"
are not unexpected responses. With care and positive exposure to camp,
apprehension quickly disappears.
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Managing Your Account
You can view and manage your account by signing in to your secure Camps Canada account using your PIN and Email. This will allow you to change information
online, like your mailing address, telephone numbers, email, etc.
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Receipts
Did you know that receipts for camp are often tax-deductible?
As soon as you complete registration, you will receive an official receipt. It will be sent by email
along with your confirmation. If you misplace your receipt or wish to print it at any time, simply
sign in to your secure Camps Canada account and print it from there.
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Confirmation
As soon as you complete registration, you will receive confirmation. It will be sent by email
along with your receipt. If you misplace your confirmation or forget what week(s) you signed up for,
simply sign in to your secure Camps Canada account and view it from there. You will also receive an
automated email reminder on the Friday before your chosen camp week.
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Post-Dated Cheques
You may pay your camp fees by post-dated cheque. However, please be advised
that your child’s spot in camp for that week is not guaranteed until your
cheque has been received in our office. In order to reserve your spot
instantly, please complete our online registration form and make payment
by credit card. Otherwise, you run the risk of having the camp fill up
before your cheque has been received.
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Cancel Registration
Requests for cancellation must be made using our Cancellation Form.
Our deadline for cancellation is March 1 for March Break Camp and June 1 for Summer Camp. After this date, you have two options to choose from when
cancelling a registration. Please note your choices below.
Option 1
Refund Cheque - You can receive a refund cheque for your full amount paid less a $50
cancellation fee.
Option 2
Credit Note - You can receive a credit note for your full amount paid with no cancellation
fee. This credit note allows you to register in a Camps Canada camp at a future date this summer or next.
Your credit note will expire on Sept 1 of next year. Your camp credit is transferable to any person and may be used for any Camps
Canada camp.
* We cannot put an amount back on your credit card as we do not save your credit card information. We
will process your "Cancellation Form" once received in the office.
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Change Registration
Change Requests must be made using our Change Form.
Our deadline for changes to your registration is March 1 for March Break Camp and June 1 for Summer Camp. After this date, a change fee of $20 per change
will be levied. We will provide confirmation by email of your change once we have received:
1. Your "Change Form" form by scan, mail or fax
2. A cheque ($20 per change).
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Horseback Waiver
All parents with children attending Horseback Camp will need to complete a Horseback Waiver.
You can download, complete
and bring a copy to camp on the first day or simply complete one when you arrive at camp on the first day.
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Extreme Heat Policy
A heat warning is automatically declared when Environment Canada
forecasts a humidex of 40 or more for at least two consecutive days.
Our staff understand the damaging effects of overexposure to the sun's rays and so we have
established some specific policies that protect our campers and still allow them to enjoy the
outdoors. Our staff teach campers to protect themselves by asking them to do the following:
1. wear a hat
2. wear light coloured clothing
3. always wear sunscreen - water proof sunscreens are designed to last the entire day
including up to an hour in the water. Sunscreen reminders are made several times throughout
the day and campers are encouraged and assisted by counselors to re-apply during the day.
Waterproof sunscreen should be applied at home prior to arriving at camp.
4. stay in the shade or in the pool as much as possible
5. take frequent breaks
6. increase fluid intake
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Rain or Shine
All camps will operate rain or shine. However, as disappointing as it is, we reserve the right to hold
back our off-site camps due to rain and especially forecasts of thudershowers and lightning. We will make decisions
at camp on a case by case basis. Golf, Horseback and Swim Camps in particular will be affected. These campers will
have a choice to join either our regularly scheduled indoor Arts and Crafts or MultiSport programs. Unfortunately,
we do not offer refunds for inclement weather.
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Administering Medication
Camps Canada will administer medication only after parents have completed a
"REQUEST FOR
ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION" form. This form provides permission to employees of Camps Canada
to administer medication and/or emergency injections to campers during camp hours as per details provided on
the form. Administration of medication will not be provided without this completed and signed form.
The parent/guardian of a camper with a serious health concern is strongly encouraged to have
proper identification on the student at all times (i.e., Medic Alert Bracelet) and is responsible for
providing, in advance, medication/supplies for any treatment required in a life-threatening situation.
These health concerns include, but are not limited to: severe allergies and anaphylactic shock, severe
asthma, seizures and diabetes.
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Epipens, Life-threatening Allergies
We have a perfect safety record in dealing with life-threatening allergies. In today's climate
it's something that is quite common. Staff training regarding life threatening allergies ensures a proactive
approach to safety. Our staff are CPR and First Aid trained so that they will respond appropriately should
there be an anaphylactic reaction. Please be sure to complete a
"REQUEST FOR
ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION" form if your child carries an epipen. See "Administering
Medication" above.
Please bring two (2) epipens and one (1) photo of your child to camp. Your child should keep an epipen on them at all times (in
a fanny pack) and we will keep the other in our first aid kit, which is always close by. Sending a small photo
of this camper is also very helpful.
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Lost and Found
There are two laws of camp Lost and Found. First, more is lost than found. And second, if it can get lost, it
will. On a regular basis we try to comb through the Lost and Found bin to reunite articles with their owners. To
make the process easier, please label everything clearly.
Despite our best efforts to return lost articles to their owners during the summer, there are always,
inevitably, several bags of Lost and Found at the end of the season. It continues to be our policy to
make every attempt to return any labelled clothing at the end of the summer. Lost and Found is brought
to our office in late August where it may be picked up. We will phone you and let you know that the
found item is in the office.
After SEPTEMBER 1, all unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to a local charity.
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