Welcome to Today’s Family Camp Programs!
Today’s Family is open for play all year round. We engage children and families with fun and innovative camp programs throughout the neighbourhoods we serve. Our programs are built around emergent curriculum following “How Does Learning Happen?” pedagogy. We believe learning happens best through play, with engagement, expression, belonging, and well-being at the centre. Our camp programs provide opportunities for children to meet new friends, explore their communities, and have a lot of fun!
Are you thinking about joining us this summer? Learn more about our camp programs and look at what we have planned this summer on this page. If you have any questions, please connect with us!
Day camp program spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. At this time, our day camp programs are not quite ready across all of our day camp sites and we are NOT accepting registrations until Spring 2024. Offering high-quality, engaging, and fun opportunities for children to play during the summer is important to us.
Tentative Locations for 2024 Summer Camps
Weekly Rates
| Region | Summer Break Camp Week Cost | |
| Hamilton | Kinder Camp – $107.50* Adventure/Extreme Camp – $220.50 |
|
| Halton | Kinder Camp – $108.68* Adventure/Extreme Camp – $230.00 |
|
| Haldimand -Norfolk | Kinder Camp – $92.23* Adventure/Extreme Camp – $195.20 |
*Rate Reduction from CWELCC has been applied to kinder camp programming for eligible families
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cancellation Policy?
We understand circumstances and plans can change. Due to increased demand for all Today’s Family programming, our cancellation policy has been updated. Should you need to cancel, regardless of impacted week, parents/guardians must provide written notice with your intention to withdraw from Summer Camp to childcare@todaysfamily.ca by June 1, 2024. Failure to provide notice will result in full program fees charged.
For more information on terms, location details and fees, please see our parent handbooks. Parent Handbooks can be found here: https://www.todaysfamily.ca/locations/
What is a Family Meeting? Why is this required?
To ensure success of all children in our programs, Today’s Family holds Family Meetings as part of the camp registration process. This allows us to show the child and family the location where they will be attending camp, allow your family to get to know the Program Supervisor and for us to get to know your child. It helps to ensure a great transition into program! Family Meetings are in person and may be group sessions. You can request an individual appointment, should you want to discuss your child’s needs or require accommodation. Please reach out to childcare@todaysfamily.ca for more information.
Do we have to sign up for the entire summer?
You can sign up on a week-by-week basis.
What are the program hours?
Today’s Family Summer Camp Programs operate from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. We are closed on statutory holidays.
Are you peanut-free?
We enforce a strict “nut free” policy. And more than that, we are also “allergy aware,” meaning that certain foods will be prohibited at certain centres based on the needs of the children at that centre. Please contact your local program supervisor for more information.
What should my camper bring to camp each day?
- Lunch (nut-free)
- Outdoor clothing
- Refillable water bottle
- Comfortable shoes
We ask that campers not bring any valuables to camp. This includes: cell phones, electronic devices, and games.
Is financial assistance available?
Qualifying families may be eligible for subsidy through the Social Development and Early Childhood Services Child Care Fee Subsidy Office. For further information, please call:
905 546-4870 City of Hamilton
905 825-6000 Halton Region
519 426-6170 Haldimand Norfolk
What do I do if my camper is not a strong swimmer?
We have many protocols in place to ensure everyone’s safety during their time at camp. All the Kinder Campers are kept within arm’s reach of a staff member at all times and will not enter water beyond waist deep. Kinder Campers will only be visiting pools and lakes with gradual entry overseen by certified lifeguards.
Regardless of age, should your camper require a lifejacket, please bring one along. If this is not possible, all the locations that we visit offer the use of life jackets for the day.
What protocols are in place to ensure well-being?
At Today’s Family, the health and well-being of children, families, and our staff is our upmost priority. In order to reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses within our program environments, we:
- Ensure that all of our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19
- Follow the advice of local public health officials
- Enhance cleaning and disinfecting
- Encourage mask use and physical distancing
Ensure that individuals self-screen every day before attending program using the provincial screening tool. All individuals must follow the monitoring and isolation advice outlined in the screening tool.
Access the provincial screening tool.
Policies
Weather Policy To ensure the health and safety of all, camp staff will modify activities to accommodate for weather. There will be outdoor time every day, weather permitting.
Hot Weather Policy To ensure the health and safety of all, camp staff will modify activities to accommodate for hot weather. There will be more indoor time and less strenuous activities with more frequent water breaks. This will allow all campers to enjoy even the hottest days.
Volunteer and Student Supervision Policy Only Today’s Family employees will have the direct responsibility for the supervision of children in the camp programs. Please note: Volunteers and students are not considered part of the staff / caregiver to child ratio.
Nutrition Policy Today’s Family provides snacks in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. Menus are posted and copies are also available to parents and families. Please be sure to alert us of any allergies or food restrictions. If possible, we will try to provide an alternative. Please bring a nut-free lunch and refillable water bottle every day.
Guiding Behaviour Today’s Family use re-direction and positive behaviour guidance techniques appropriate to the child’s age to promote self-discipline and respect for others and their environment.
Serious Occurrences Serious occurrences that happen in your child’s Camp Program are posted at the program location for your information.
What is so great about Today’s Family Summer Day Camps?
They are run by Today’s Family. Although we don’t usually toot our own horn, it’s true that we are one of the leading providers of early learning and child care in Ontario with more programs than you have fingers or toes. With over 40 years’ experience in play, we are a non-profit, charitable agency serving more than 4,000 children (and their parents and caregivers) in Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand-Norfolk and surrounding areas.
They are peanut-free and healthy, too! All our snacks are vegetarian as well, and we try to avoid all the common allergens.
We explore the natural world. Our camp programs take full advantage of local parks and play spaces throughout our communities. In partnership with the children, we engage in outdoor play that helps build meaningful relationships with nature.
We explore your community. Our programs belong to the community. Throughout the week, our camp programs make connections to community spaces (e.g swimming pools and libraries), events, and partners that help to enhance opportunities for play and allow for children to build a strong sense of belonging within their neighbourhoods.
We encourage children to lead. We believe that learning happens best through play. Working in partnership with children, we invite them to express and pursue their interests. We encourage children to be curious, ask questions, and express their ideas.
