Recreation

Summer Camp Information for Parents

This webpage is a helpful resource for parents interested in summer camps in Burlington. It provides essential information about registration details, and what to expect when sending your kids to these fun and educational programs.

About Our Staff

All program locations are staffed with a minimum of two caring and qualified leaders. Our program staff are typically university, college and high school students who are committed to participants' safety and enjoyment.

All program staff receive training in leadership, recreation programming, group dynamics, risk management, communication, behaviour management, problem solving and more. In addition to internal training, staff are also required to have:

Standard first aid and CPR-C certification
A Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector screening for those eligible
HIGH FIVE^® Principles of Healthy Child Development certification
Behaviour Management Systems Training

Summer Camp Forms

Program Information

Arrival and dismissal

As part of our safe arrival and dismissal procedure, parents or guardians must sign their child in and out. Program participants will only be released to those indicated on the Participant Information Form.

Everyone picking up a child will be asked for photo identification before the child is released from the program. Participants are permitted to sign themselves in and out as long as this is noted on the Participant Information Form. Participants will be dismissed at times other than the posted program end times only with parent permission.

Code of Conduct

The goal of our programs is to provide enjoyable, age-appropriate activities in a safe and positive environment. All participants, parent and guardian are required to sign off on the code of conduct when completing the Participant Information Form.

Camper Expectations

The City of Burlington is committed to providing an enjoyable experience for all.

On the first day, camp staff will discuss rules and expectations with campers. Not following the rules and expectations may lead to the dismissal of the participant from camp.

We expect that everyone participating in camp will:

Complete daily health checks.
Wash hands when instructed or use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
Respect staff, other campers, the facility and equipment. Harming other campers, and staff including, name-calling, hitting, spitting, kicking, is unacceptable.
Be cooperative and willing to participate in program actives.
Use acceptable language while at City of Burlington facilities.
Stay with your group, follow sign-in and sign-out procedures and do not leave the program space without permission.
Leave personal belongings at home. (i.e. toys, electronics, books, etc.).
Tell a staff if you, or a friend need help.
Have Fun!

Photographs

Occasionally, photographs may be taken for promotional purposes either by Recreation Community and Culture staff or local papers.

If you have any objections to your child being photographed, please inform the senior leader or a staff member at your site. Please also indicate this preference on the Photo Release Form.

Supervision

Leader to participant ratios vary but are no larger than 1:15 onsite. In addition, participants are not permitted to leave the group to which they are assigned.

Air quality

Our programs encourage outdoor activity. Please note that not all program facilities are air conditioned. During periods of poor air quality, staff will ensure participants are in shaded areas, have access to water and participate in low intensity games and activities. We encourage you to keep your child at home on these days if you have concerns. Visit the Air Quality Ontario website for more information about air quality in the Halton-Peel area.

Holidays

There will be no programs running on Civic and Statutory Holidays.

What to bring to program

Please ensure participants bring the following:

Sunscreen
Hat
Lunch – no nut products – easily accessible by participant without assistance
Two nut-free snacks
Labelled water bottle/jug (reusable)
Running shoes (for safety, please keep sandals at home)
Active clothes that can tolerate some program fun and are weather appropriate
Medications if needed (Must accompany completed Medication Information Form)
City of Burlington camps follow existing Provincial and Regional regulations and guidelines. Dr. Meghani, Halton’s Medical Officer of Health, strongly recommends Halton residents to continue wearing high quality masks in indoor settings where physical distancing may be a challenge. There are situations where participants must wear a mask at camp. For more information on when participants must wear a mask please visit Halton Region's COVID-19 Information and Guidance.

Program refund policy

You will receive a full credit or refund if you withdraw from a program up to 10 days prior to its start date. A cancellation fee of 10 per cent will be applied if you withdraw from a program nine days or less before its start date. No refunds are granted after the program start date.

Medical Information

Participant Information Form

We want to make sure participants have a safe and enjoyable program experience. Please complete all information on the Participant Information Form. An additional Medication Consent Form is required for anyone that may bring medications onsite during the camp program.

Medical Administration

Does your child require medication to be administered during program hours? Complete the Medication Consent Form to provide us with the information we need to be sure your child receives their medication safely. All medications must be in the original container with proper labelling of the medication and recipient. Only send enough medication for one day at a time.

EpiPens and Inhalers

Participants who need an EpiPen or inhaler must bring it with them in a separate fanny pack and wear it at all times. Please check the expiry date on supplies before starting a new program.

Food Allergy Alert

Due to an increased number of children with nut allergies, we request that you do not send peanut products with your child to the program. If your child has a food allergy, please ensure you have leaders record it on both the Participant Information Form and Medication Consent Form.

In case of illness

You may be asked to pick up a participant immediately if they become ill at program. If your child shows signs of severe illness or communicable disease, please follow the guidelines outlined on the Halton Region Department website. City of Burlington camps continue to follow Provincial and Regional regulations and guidelines related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit Halton Region's COVID-19 School and Child Care Information for Parents.