Camp Volunteers support Camp Counsellors during Summer Camps with activities, games, crafts, and daily camp operations to help create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for campers. Volunteers are expected to model positive behaviour, work as part of a team, and follow all camp policies and procedures. This opportunity allows volunteers to gain leadership experience, build transferable skills, and contribute meaningfully to the community.

The amount you volunteer is varied. You can commit to as little or as much as you would like.

Please register for the weeks you are interested in here.

Volunteers can collect hours towards high school requirements. Camp Coordinators will sign off at the end of each camp week.

Volunteers must complete the Volunteer Application Form and submit it to Andrea James at AJames@bracebridge.ca. Volunteers will then receive information about our orientation day and how to sign up for specific weeks of camp.

·Expectations of our Campers:

• 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 (push, name call, shove, hit, fight) towards another participant or staff members.
• 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 endeavour 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.

Please see our R-Zone Policy for more information.

The Recreation Department makes every effort to ensure staff are appropriately trained in behaviour management. Staff will use positive, supportive, and consistent approaches grounded in logical consequences to allow Campers to take responsibility for their own actions.

Conflicts or undesirable behaviour will be handled in the following manner:

Step 1: Staff will address behaviour by helping the Camper to understand the rules and take responsibility for changing their behaviour.

Step 2: Supervisory staff will meet with the Camper to discuss and implement solutions.

Step 3: Supervisory staff will meet with Campers Caregiver to establish clear objectives for improved behaviour.

Step 4: If further negative or undesirable behaviour continues, the Camper will be asked to leave for the duration of the Camp program. Any additional situations will result in discussions regarding the next steps.

All Staff, Campers, Caregivers, and Visitors 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.

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.

The lunch break generally takes 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 refillable water bottles. Campers will be active throughout the day and need enough snacks and water to keep them going. Muskoka Lumber Community Centre does not have water fountains - only refill stations.

• 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 and Kirby’s Beach on Friday's

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

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

• Sports Trekkers,
• Creative Trekkers
• Select 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.

The Town of Bracebridge Recreation Department can work with you to apply for funding through Community Living South Muskoka to have inclusion support in our camp. Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will receive funding, we recommend starting this process in early January of the current year to ensure adequate time for the application and approval process.

1. Complete the Camper Medical and Behavioural Form and email Mitchell Evershed, Recreation Programmer for Camp at mevershed@bracebridge.ca to set up an Inclusion Meeting to complete the Grant Application forms.

2. Caregivers are responsible for reviewing our camp offerings online.

3. Caregivers are responsible for completing the registration process. Inclusion Campers may not attend camp unless a spot is reserved through the registration process.

*Please Note: Grant funding approval is completed in April and May, after registration is completed. If funding is not approved, a full refund will be processed. If funding is approved, the Recreation Department will work to hire a staff member to work with your child. Sometimes campers will receive partial funding and will share an inclusion staff with another camper. The Programmer will reach out to confirm if a 1:1 Inclusion support staff has been found and matched with the Inclusion Camper. We regret that if funding is not received or a suitable staff member is not available, we may not be able to support your child’s needs.  

Caregivers, friends or family may join camp as a volunteer to support Inclusion Campers. Or caregivers may choose to hire a support person independently or accessing other funds (ie. Respite) that they have available to them through other avenues.

If you are interested in providing your own support in camp please contact Mitchell Evershed, Recreation Programmer for Camp at mevershed@bracebridge.ca. We will do a volunteer orientation and require a Vulnerable Sector Check on file to allow additional adults supporting campers in our programs.

District Municipality of Muskoka – Child Care Subsidy Program 

The District of Muskoka can subsidize some or all the childcare costs. To learn more about the program, click here.

 1. Apply for fees subsidy and follow the district intake steps. We recommend starting this process in early January of the current year to ensure adequate time for the application and approval process.

2. If approved for funding, the district will send the approval letter to the Recreation Department and the parents. This letter may include a parental portion, which is due at time of registration.  Without this letter, the Department will not register or process any registration. The approval letter details what weeks are approved and what the parental portion is per day. Please be advised that this approval letter does not guarantee that parents will get the weeks of care that they need.

3. Caregivers are responsible for reviewing our camp offerings online and contacting Catherine Harris at charris@bracebridge.ca prior to camp registration to request dates of registration.

The Town of Bracebridge Recreation Department cannot guarantee camp placement; however, every effort is made to accommodate all registrations. Parents are welcome to register independently and pay the $30.00 per week per child deposit online and contact Catherine Harris for further discussion.  705-645-3037 ext. 3702.

Children’s Foundation of Muskoka – Summer Camp Subsidy Program

·        The Children’s Foundation of Muskoka can subsidize one week of day camp. To learn more about the program, click here.

1. Apply for fee subsidy and follow the application process.

2. If approved for funding, the foundation will send the Recreation Department the approval letter. Without this letter, the Department may not register or process any registration.

3. Caregivers are responsible for reviewing our camp offerings online prior to camp registration and contacting Catherine Harris at charris@bracebridge.ca to request dates of registration.

The Town of Bracebridge Recreation Department cannot guarantee camp placement; however, every effort is made to accommodate all registrations.

Jumpstart – Individual Child Grants

·        Jumpstart can subsidize camp by providing funding towards a wide variety of programs. To learn more about the program, click here.

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.

If your child does have specific requirements and/or has one-on-one support at school, please complete our Camper Medical and Behavioural Form to inform our staff of any more specific needs and support. To access the form, click here.

This form includes special instructions on medical history, medications, allergies, behavioural or other support and ensures our staff have the required information to support a positive experience for Campers.

Please note that our facility is NOT a peanut-free environment and therefore we cannot guarantee the environment is free from any allergens. If your child has a severe allergy we urge you to be aware of this when enrolling your child in any camp programs at the Bracebridge Sportsplex, Muskoka Lumber Community Centre or Satellite Camps. Advise camp staff of medical conditions and/or allergies and ensure to send appropriate medication. Please ensure any allergies are communicated during the registration process and complete Camper Medical & Behavioural Form here.

Any Campers that require administration of medication during camp hours must follow these steps:

1. Complete the Camper Medical and Behavioural Form. To access the form, click here.

2. Send the medications in the original prescribed container.

3. Send only the prescribed dosage for the day and hand into a staff member. Staff will keep the medication secure and dispense when required.

For campers with emergency rescue medication (epi pen or inhalers etc.) this medication MUST remain on the camper’s person for older campers or with their counsellor for younger campers. The medication MAY NOT be left in the camper’s backpack. Please provide a fanny pack for your camper to carry their medication. If you prefer camp staff can hold onto the medication for the week of camp and return at the end of the week.

For any other questions, please contact the Recreation Programmer.

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.

• 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.

Please keep any sick or ill campers at home to reduce the spread through camp programs.

If a camper shows signs of illness while participating in our program, the camp staff will ensure they are monitored and kept comfortable until a caregiver can be contacted to advise of the camper's condition and arrange for pick up.

Caregivers will provide contact information during the registration process. Please add secondary numbers incase the primary contact cannot be reached.

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.

Camper Ratio varies by age from 1:8 to 1:12. Our camp ratios are also supplemented with support from Assistant Counsellors and Camp Volunteers.

Camp is primarily an outdoor activity, however time inside, and out of the sun in prioritized between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

If extreme temperatures occurs (below -24°C or above +30°C) activities will be modified to reduce activity and time outside.

In the event that air quality is a concern the following steps will be taken

• AQHI 5-6 limit outdoor time to 60 min at a time
• AQHI 7-8 limit outdoor time to 30 min at a time
• AQHI 9+ - programs continue indoors

Permission is given during the registration process for photographs of campers to be taken at any time for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to have photo consent, please contact Customer Service to update your account.

PA Day Camp and Holiday Camps have one program for registration, and campers will be split up during camp by age or activity preference.

Summer Camps are categorized by age as of Dec 31 of the current year:

• Little Wanderers – (age 5)
• Mighty Explorers – (age 6)
• Roving Rangers – (age 7)
• Sport Trekkers – (age 9-12)
• Theme Camps – (age 5-8)
• Satellite Camps – (age 5-12)
• Great Adventures – (age 8)
• Creative Trekkers – (age 9-12)
• Activity Camps – (age 9-14)

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.

Cancellations

Customer Service must be notified at least 7 days prior to the start of the camp week to receive a refund, minus a $30.00 administration fee. 

Withdrawals made less than 7 days before the start date will be charged the full amount, with no refund provided.

Registrations will not be prorated for campers who register or withdraw partway through a week.

Transfers

Withdrawals made at least 7 days before the camp week begins may be transferred to another week at no cost, pending availability.

Our camp programs generally fill quickly, we recommend going on the waitlist and if a spot opens up you will be contacted by email to reserve the spot. 

You can pay in full at time of registration with credit card online, debit or cash (in person).

Payment plans are available with a $30 deposit per camper/per week and the balance due two weeks prior to camp starting. A pre authorized payment form and EFT information or a credit card must be provided at time of registration for post dated payments

If you are set up for post dated payments you are welcome to come in and pay the balance prior to the due date.