Camp

In order to make the most of your child's experience at camp, it is important to send all the appropriate items that will enhance your child's camp experience. Signing up for our
 e-newsletter gives you all the info you need each week.

Please remember to include the following items with your camper each day and make sure they are clearly labeled with their names. 

• Nutritious lunch;
• Healthy Snacks (3 snack times per day);
• Sunscreen;
• Hat;
• Appropriate footwear (closed-toed running shoes);
• Rain gear; and a
• Water bottle.

Personal items such as hand held electronics, games, Pokémon cards, cell phones, iPads/iPods and any other item of value are to be left at home.

Campers are not permitted to make purchases at camp.

Lunch break generally take place between 12 and 1 p.m.

In addition to lunch, campers will have three snack times; mid-morning, mid-afternoon and extended care.

Please pack a lunch with enough to sustain your campers for the day, including healthy snacks and water. Campers will be active throughout the day and need enough snacks and water to keep them going.

• Children can NOT share or trade food with other campers;
• Please ensure that your child is eating the food that you send;
• Campers are NOT permitted to purchase snacks or lunch at the Sportsplex, Muskoka lumber Community Center or on trips.

Participants registered in Summer Fun Fest Camp will be going on bus trips throughout the summer. Trip locations vary through the summer, check the weekly newsletter for what is planned for each week.

Please ensure your child arrives at camp on time so that the bus may leave promptly. Special trips may require an earlier departure. Buses will not be held back for late arrivals.

Some programs offer the opportunity to go swimming. Please send your camper with a bathing suit, towel, sandals or waterproof shoes, and a dry bag.

Each camper will be tested to determine their level of swimming ability. Qualified lifeguards are always on duty during these times.

Bracebridge Sportsplex Pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Little Wanderers;
• Mighty Explorers;
• Great Adventurers; and
• Roving Rangers.

Kirby’s Beach on Friday's

• Creative Trekkers; and
• Sport Trekkers.

Annie Williams Park during the week and Kirby’s Beach on Friday's

• Specialty Camps

Every child should arrive at camp with sunscreen on and bring sunscreen to reapply throughout the day. A large-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt may also be appropriate depending on your child's needs.

Staff will check periodically to ensure that children are wearing their sunscreen and suggest they reapply, but do not apply the sunscreen for campers.

All children must be fully toilet-trained to attend all programs that do not require parent/guardian participation.

Programs have washroom routines, although it would be helpful if parents take their child to the washroom prior to the start of the program. Please pack additional clothing for younger campers in the event that an accident occurs.

Pick up and drop off locations for your child will be at the Bracebridge Sportsplex or Muskoka Lumber Community Centre. Some specialty camps, sport, and Creative Trekkers may have alternate pick up/drop off locations. Check the camp newsletter each week to confirm pick up and drop off locations.

For your child's personal safety, DO NOT drop your child off before 7:30 a.m. as camp staff is not available to supervise campers. Please remember to be courteous and pick your child up no later than 5 p.m. A late pick-up fee will apply after 5 p.m. 

It is our goal to ensure a safe daily arrival and departure for all campers. Parents will be required to sign their campers in upon arrival and out at the end of the day.

At the end of the day, children will only be released to people indicated on the registration form. Photo ID is required.

For older campers who have written permission from a parent/guardian to come and go on their own, they will be greeted by a camp staff and their arrival time recorded. Permission must be provided in advance of camp starting.

Please Note
Families covered by subsidies must register in person. Approval documentation can be submitted in advance of the registration date at charris@bracebridge.ca.

Please note if your child is NOT attending camp or is going to be late please call 705-645-3037 before 9 a.m. to reception or extension 3740 to leave a message. Our staff will call your home/work if your child is registered and we have not heard from you by that time.

Expectations of our participants/parents/visitors:

• I will be honest and respect of myself, others and the environment.
• I will listen and follow all directions and rules to ensure everyone is kept safe.
• I will not act violently towards another participant or staff member. (push, name call, shove, hit, fight).
• I will not use/practice disrespectful conduct or language (name calling, spreading rumors, demean, swear, embarrass).
• I will be responsible for my own actions, attitudes and behaviors.
• I will stay within program boundaries.
• I will play fairly.
• I will do my best to have fun.

We will endeavor to provide a program that includes the following:

• We will provide a safe and inclusive space for all campers.
• We will provide choices.
• We will provide an opportunity for each child to participate.
• We will encourage friendship and play.
• We will ensure an opportunity for skill development, and mastery.
• We will provide a caring atmosphere.

Conflicts will be handled in the following manner:

• Step 1: Staff will address behaviour by helping the individual to understand the rules and take responsibility for changing their behaviour.
• Step 2: Supervisory staff will meet with the individual to discuss and implement solutions.
• Step 3: Supervisory staff will meet with individual/parent or guardian to establish clear objectives for improved behaviour.
• Step 4: If further negative behaviour continues, individual will be asked to leave for the duration of the program or event. If additional situations occur, at this point, discussions regarding next steps will occur.

The Recreation Department makes every effort to ensure staff are appropriately trained in behaviour management. Staff will use positive, supportive, consistent approaches based on logical consequences, so campers will learn to take responsibility for their own actions.

Please note that our facility is NOT a peanut-free environment and therefore we CANNOT guarantee a peanut-free surrounding for your child.

If your child has a nut-allergy we urge you to be aware of this when enrolling your child in any camp programs at the Bracebridge Sportsplex or Muskoka Lumber Community Centre. Advise camp staff of allergies and ensure to send appropriate medication and comple the Medication Form.

Please inform the reception staff at the Bracebridge Sportsplex or Muskoka Lumber Community Centre of any special instructions (i.e. medications, behaviour etc.) when registering your child. Fill out a camper intake form to assist with ensuring a positive camp experience. If your child requires support at school, it is in their best interest to share that information prior to camp registration so that we can support them in having a positive experience at camp.

Our goal at summer camp is to ensure the safety of your children. If your child requires medications on a regular basis, please note the following procedures for sending medication to camp:

1. You must read, fill out and sign the Authorization Form and the Administration of Medication Form stating the type of medication, dosage, and optimum time to dispense. Forms are available at Customer Service.
2. Please send the medication in the original prescribed container.
3. Only send the prescribed dosage for the day. Staff will not be responsible for holding or storing a supply of medication.

The Recreation Department promotes a healthy, nutritious and physically active environment by improving nutritional intake of the campers and providing daily physical activity to help contribute to the prevention of chronic disease.

Practices that support a Healthy Nutrition Environment in Day Camps are listed below:

1. Only foods/beverages with a maximum or moderate nutritional value will be offered by day camp staff.
2. A water promotion plan that makes drinking water freely available and accessible throughout the camp day will be in place. Children must bring a water bottle to camp.
3. Day Camp Counsellors are expected to practice healthy eating and refrain from eating/drinking foods and beverages of minimal nutritional value when campers are present.
   
   

All children, staff and parents who participate in our programs and facilities are expected to treat others in a respectful manner. The Town of Bracebridge is committed to zero tolerance for bullying, racism, sexual harassment, substance abuse and disrespectful behaviour. Cases that cannot be resolved may result in the removal of a non-compliant participant from a program or facility.

Camper safety is our number one priority. Each camp location has a fully stocked first aid kit and access to a telephone. All staff members are certified in Standard First Aid and is required to carry a first aid kit loaded with first aid supplies as part of their uniform.

In addition, staff are trained to inspect program sites for potential hazards. All activities are planned with participants safety in mind.

In the unlikely event of a serious injury to your child, emergency services will be contacted immediately to respond to the situation; a senior staff member will contact you immediately with information regarding your child and the incident.

Should your child show signs of illness while participating in our program, the camp staff will ensure they are monitored and kept comfortable until our office can reach a parent or guardian to advise of the child's condition and arrange for pick up.

It is the parent’s responsibility to provide contact information for someone who can pick up your camper during the day if required. 

That’s totally normal, especially on the first day. Our camp staff are trained to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all campers. We use icebreakers, buddy systems, and small group activities to help children feel comfortable and make new friends quickly. If your child needs extra support, let us know during registration so we can help make their transition smoother.

We do our best to accommodate friend requests, as long as both children are registered for the same camp week and are in the same age group. Please include the friend's name in the designated spot during registration. While we can’t guarantee all requests, we’ll do our best.

Camps run rain or shine. We have access to indoor facilities for crafts, games, and other fun activities when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Please send your child with weather-appropriate clothing and a change of clothes just in case.

We ask that all personal electronics (phones, tablets, handheld games, etc.) be left at home. Our camps are designed to keep kids active, engaged, and screen-free during the day. If a camper needs to contact a parent, staff are happy to assist. The Town will not be responsible for any lost devices.

Yes. Each facility has a designated lost and found area. We strongly encourage labeling all of your child’s belongings with their name to help us return misplaced items. Unclaimed items will be donated or discarded after two weeks.