City of Toronto Camps

Transcript of our interview with Lindsay, Parent

How did you know City of Toronto Camp was the right fit?

City of Toronto Camp was certainly one that had good feedback. My daughter's friends had had some great experiences at City of Toronto Camps, so we thought we’d give it a try that way. The thing that drew us in mostly, other than my daughter being comfortable in her camp with friends, was the level of safety. When I was doing the research about what City of Toronto had in store for their campers, it was pretty outstanding in comparison to other day camps I had looked at.

The City of Toronto seemed very stacked with components of their staff receiving first aid training. They apparently go through some emergency first aid training—what to do with campers on site in the location that they’re in. It made me feel very safe and comfortable knowing that was a priority for the organization.

The theme-based activities were also a highlight. The camp my daughter went to had a different theme each week, and the storyline carried through every single day. Last summer, it was a pirate ship, and the pirates carried out a story every day. My daughter was so excited to go back the next day because she wanted to see what was going to happen next based on that story. They also rolled out a special event each week related to the theme.

The trip they went on was phenomenal. It wasn’t related to the theme, but it was geared toward the appropriate age group and very safe. The City of Toronto was really good at addressing any concerns we had ahead of time regarding staff-to-child ratios, the number of kids at the camp, and procedures during travel time. That made us feel really comfortable.

What’s unique about the camp?

My daughter felt really connected to the staff there. Other parents I’ve spoken to felt the same—that the City of Toronto staff really took an interest in the kids, even though it was a day camp. They really took ownership of who the children were and got to know them on a personal level.

The staff always put the safety of the kids first, which was great—giving them reminders. My daughter would come home talking about the things she learned, for example, when they went to the pool—safety and walking to the pool and things they learned in the water from the staff. It really took a personal spin, and I really appreciated that. I feel like it’s unique in that sense compared to other day camps I’ve heard of.

Was there any personal growth you saw in your child?

Yes, absolutely! My daughter is not one to be at the forefront of attention. She actually shies away from that. One of the first weeks we put her in, she only knew one other friend at the camp, but they weren’t in the same group. It was really hard for her to go into that environment, especially being young and in kindergarten.

By the end of the fifth day, she was coming home talking about how wonderful the camp was and how she had made friends. She was asking about having playdates with these new friends she met at camp. Her confidence level grew exponentially even in that short first week. She just felt more comfortable. Having fun wasn’t as stressful as she thought it was going to be, and she became more open to the idea of camp.

The City of Toronto was really informative. We got a letter home at the beginning of each week with an agenda that highlighted what was going to happen. That really helped us at home with our daughter.

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of this experience?

When she came home from camp, if there were any uncertainties, we would reflect on the day and talk about what happened. She’d say, “Oh, Mommy and Daddy, it was so much fun because we got to do this craft or participate in this activity.” We’d also be able to look ahead and talk about what was happening the next day.

That was really exciting, and I appreciated that as a parent because it helped us support her with anything she was feeling—whether it was excitement or anxiety. In addition to that, the camp had an opportunity for parents to come in and have a discussion and ask questions before camp started. That really helped us prepare her for the summer experience.

What would you tell other parents about the overall value of sending kids here?

Mainly, it’s the people. It’s the community. It’s the care that the City of Toronto took, particularly and personally, with our daughter. The personalization of it, the safety of it—I feel very strongly about that. As a parent, especially when sending your child to camp for the first time, you want it to feel like an extension of your home.

You want to feel that your kids are somewhere where they’re being taken care of and that the same thought, concern, and care are there when you’re not with them. Not for a second did I have to question that, and that meant everything to us. She loved it. She said, “Mommy, when are we going back?”

What does your child say about the camp?

Registration was just last week, and she was so excited to know she was going back. She was excited to meet up with some of her friends from last summer. She really loved the dance camp. She loved the music and the camaraderie and the connection between all of the campers who were doing dance together. She loved the instructor.

Overall, she was just happy being part of something—the collectiveness of enjoying the same thing and being there to have so much fun.

Any final thoughts?

It's just all the small things. On the first day, they had staff lined up in the hallway—not in an overwhelming way—but it was just a very welcoming, happy vibe. They had some music playing, and it helped put both parents and kids at ease.

By the end of the first day, staff were walking through the halls as we picked up the kids, giving high fives and calling them by name. Not all of them, but even that happening on Day One says everything. As a parent, you work so hard to create a happy environment at home, and when you’re not with them, the space they’re in should feel like an extension of that. I felt that for our daughter. It was very happy and welcoming, and the staff were just on point.

Transcript of our interview with Keith , Camp Lead supervisor

Who are you and whom do you represent?

My name is Keith Storey, and I'm the Supervisor Camp Lead in the Recreation Division with the City of Toronto. The City is the largest provider of recreation programs for people of all ages, skill levels, and interests. CampTO is especially important to me as I started my career in public service over 30 years ago as a camp counselor, and I still say it was my favorite job ever.

What is unique about your camp?

We offer a range of camp programs to fit the needs and abilities of our campers. CampTO has indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, sports, and more. CampTO Explore builds on that with extras like with workshops, local trips, or visits from a special guest. CampTO Plus focuses on specific interests like visual or performing arts, sports, science, nature, cooking, and more.

All of our programs provide fun, full-day experiences that include water play or swim days, depending on the location. We also offer adapted and inclusive versions of CampTO Explorer and CampTO Plus for those needing extra support. Programs are available for different age groups: Early Years (4–5), Child (6–12), and Youth (13–16). You can find the full list at toronto.ca/campto.

What type of child is successful at your camps?

We offer camps in every neighborhood across Toronto because we know each child has unique needs. With a variety of camps, age groups, interests, and ability levels, our goal is to help every child find success at CampTO.

Is the camp schedule structured or more relaxed?

All our camps run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. CampTO and CampTO Explore are a bit more flexible, while CampTO Plus offers more structure with 2-3 hours of specialized instruction each day. We also provide extended hours for before and after supervised care, offering extra flexibility for parents and caregivers.

How do your staff deal with behavioural issues?

All of our staff are trained to recognize and work with children and youth at different developmental stages, including strategies for conflict resolution, customer experience, and inclusive programming. They are also equipped to de-escalate situations. Our staff work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure we provide the best support for our campers, utilizing all the resources available in our recreation branch.

What do students value most about their experiences at the camp?

The friendships, skills, and confidence that children gain through our CampTO programming is invaluable. We want every camper to have their shining moment and be successful. Our camp staff are always looking for ways to make these special moments possible.

What message do you have for new campers?

"Everywhere we go, people always ask us who we are, so we tell them we are CampTO, the Mighty, Mighty CampTO." And if they haven't heard of us, then I hope you have now.

You'll have an amazing time, so make the most of it. Have fun, learn with us, grow, and make lasting friendships and memories along the way. Our camp staff are looking forward to meeting you.