Camps & School Break

P.A. Days take place on Friday, Sept. 26, Friday, Oct. 24 and Friday, Nov. 21. Programming runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with the exception of the Paint Your Own Pottery, which is a two-hour workshop). P.A. Day camp programming is geared to kids aged to three to 14 years.
 

General

December Break camps run Dec. 22, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026. Camps are not offered on the following statutory holidays: Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1. Programming runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) where camp ends at noon. Flexible drop-off and pickup are available from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Keep information up to date

When registering, ensure all personal information is up to date, including emergency contacts, adult(s) who are permitted to pick-up your child(ren) from camp site, medical history and dietary restrictions. Camp staff will contact parents/guardians if the personal information contained in your client profile is not up to date. This information will be verified at least once during the camp calendar year.

Safety is our top priority

If your child is sick, they must stay home and parents/guardians must inform the Camp Director.

Age requirements

• Camps for ages 4–6: Required to be 4 years old by start of camp – no age override allowed.
• Camps for ages 7+: Required to be 7 years old by end of year (December 31, 2025) – no age override needed.

Our programs are carefully designed to be age-appropriate, with your child’s development, safety, and maturity in mind. Children must meet the minimum age required by the start of a program except for school break and summer camps, where children must be within the age range of the camp by December 31 of the year the camp is taken. For preschool camps with a minimum age of 4, children must be of age at the start of camp.

Age exemptions will only be considered in extenuating circumstances, and we are unable to consider requests that pose a risk to children’s safety (e.g., aquatic programming). To be considered for an age exemption or to discuss alternate programming options, speak to the Community Centre Lead at your local community centre or email rec@vaughan.ca.

Aquatic Camps

All campers must be of age at the start of any aquatic camp. Due to health and safety guidelines, the City of Vaughan swim admission policy, and the requirements set by the Lifesaving Society, there will be no age overrides for aquatic camps. Refer to our Swimming Lessons: Frequently Asked Questions or email swim@vaughan.ca.
for further inquiries.

Recreational swimming

Children in full-day camps located at a facility with a pool (refer to the list of recreation facilities) will participate in recreational swimming throughout the week. Parent/guardian permission is required for campers to participate in camp recreational swimming. This can be indicated when completing the questionnaire upon registering. Recreational swim times, supervised by qualified City of Vaughan lifeguards and camp staff, have been scheduled into camp programs. Campers aged under 7 years will not participate in recreational swimming. Alternate programming will be provided. For campers aged 7–9 years who do not pass the admission standard, we will attempt to place the camper with a camp counsellor where resources allow. Should this not be possible, alternate programming will be provided. Please review our Pool Guidelines & Safety Standards to clarify admission and supervision requirements for your camper.

Camper group requests
Unless otherwise stated, campers are grouped according to chronological age and/or skill level. Occasionally, circumstances arise whereby it may be desired to group a child together with their friends or family of a similar age in the same program. Indicate your request when registering and we will attempt to accommodate to the best of our ability for no more than two campers of the same age. All parties involved must be aware and request this when registering. These requests cannot be guaranteed.

Campers with disabilities
If your child has a disability or requires 1-on-1 support, please email inclusion@vaughan.ca.

Camper lateness, absenteeism or changes to pick-up/drop-off
Leave a message for the Camp Director if your child is going to be late, absent, or if there are any changes in your pick-up/drop-off routine. We will follow up with a phone call if a camper has not arrived by start time. Remember to pick up your child(ren) on time after their long (but fun!) day at camp. Repeated lateness will be subject to a late fee and may result in removal from the program for the duration of the session with no refund.

• 0–10 minutes: $15
• 11–20 minutes: $30
• 21–30 minutes: $45
• 31–60 minutes: $60

Pick-up procedures

• Photo ID will be required at each pick-up.
• Self sign-out is allowed for campers 10 years of age or older with signed permission.
• Campers will be released only to those people listed on the PerfectMind client profile.

In case of emergencies
Call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 and ask for the customer service desk at the community centre of your child’s camp to contact the Camp Director during camp hours.

Lost & found
Please inquire at drop-off/pick-up regarding any lost items. Lost items will be kept for one week following the end of camp. Note: The City of Vaughan does not accept responsibility for items brought to camp, which are lost, stolen, or damaged. To avoid disappointment, campers are encouraged to leave personal items or money at home.

Camper safety & security
Our camps aim to create an atmosphere where each camper feels safe and respects the rights of others. Recreation staff will make every effort to integrate a participant into programming and accommodate their individual needs. If a child demonstrates challenging or difficult behaviour, we will endeavor to provide the necessary assistance using positive behaviour management strategies. If your child is involved in any incidents, parents will be notified immediately. Through the City of Vaughan’s Corporate Health and Safety Policy and under Recreation Services’ Safe Community Centres Policy, we reserve the right to remove and withdraw a participant from the program should their behaviour pose a potential risk of self-harm, or harm to other participants, staff, patrons, or property.

Guidelines on food allergies

• Campers must not share food.
• Due to the number of life-threatening allergies to peanuts or nuts, all camps are an “allergy aware” environment. Due to the public space of our buildings, we cannot guarantee the environment to be allergen-free.
• All parents share responsibility to read food labels and not send products that contain or may contain traces of peanuts/nuts, or that do not carry a complete list of ingredients (e.g., bulk food, on-site bakeries).
• Where there is a life-threatening allergy to nuts or other allergens (confirmed by a family physician), parents will be notified by letter and requested to avoid sending the identified food.
• Campers with items known to cause life-threatening reactions will be moved to a private area to eat their food. Staff will instruct campers on proper handwashing techniques before and after meals.

Medical information & medication
Ensure all medical information is up to date on your PerfectMind client profile. Learn more about viewing and uploading documents to your customer profile on our Registration FAQs webpage. Campers requiring medication at camp must affix a recent photo to a signed Medication Dispensing Form. Medication must be stored in original containers only and will be kept in the camp office. Camp staff can assist campers with dispensing medication; however, staff cannot administer medication. Note: Recreation Services staff are not responsible for lost or damaged medications left in the campers’ care.

Life-threatening allergies
Campers with a life-threatening allergy are required to complete the Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan early to ensure the camp site is well prepared for the camper’s needs. When complete, upload the plan to your PerfectMind client profile under the documents section.