Day camps

Day camps are a safe and fun way for kids to stay active and make friends. The City offers a limited number of modified day camps seasonally at select community centres. Find information related to our 2022 and 2023 fall and winter PA day and holiday camps, and March break camps on this page.

Register for a day camp session

COVID-19 safety measures

Health and safety protocol will be updated regularly in alignment with current direction from the Middlesex-London Health Unit, the Province of Ontario, and the City of London.

Per guidance from the Province of Ontario, all campers may choose to wear masks when indoors, if that is their preference.

Protocols will be in place if a participant begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 while in their registered program, including immediate notification to the parent or guardian and the need for immediate pick-up. The registered participant will await in an isolation area, with a staff member, until pick-up. A parent, guardian, or emergency contact will be required to pick up the ill participant within one hour of receiving notification.​​​​​​

Fall and winter day camps

Registration for our holiday day camps is currently available. Registration for our January PA day camps taking place on January 20, 2023 and March Break camps taking place from March 13 to March 17 is currently available. Additional information can be found below.

Please visit Play Your Way online or call 519-661-5575 to register for a November PA day camp. If you require financial assistance, please visit our child care fee subsidy program page. 

We are accepting waitlist applicants for 1-to-1 inclusion support during our holiday day camp programs. Please send your registration request and information to recreation@london.ca to be added to the waitlist. You will be contacted by a day camp supervisor if a spot becomes available.

Holiday break camps 

Day camp programs are offered during the winter holiday break that aligns with that of the Thames Valley District School Board and London Catholic District School Board. These programs involve crafts, winter-themed activities, outdoor play and more!

When will holiday break camp be offered and how much will it cost?

Registration for our holiday break camps will open on Tuesday, November 22 at 8:30 a.m. 

  • Wednesday, December 28 to Friday, December 30, 2022
    • General day camp: $93
      • AM care: $18
      • PM Care: $18
      • AM and PM Care: $27
    • Surprise day camp: $98
      • AM care: $18
      • PM Care: $18
      • AM and PM Care: $27
  • Tuesday, January 3 to Friday, January 6, 2023
    • General day camp: $124
      • AM care: $24
      • PM care: $24
      • AM and PM Care: $36​​​​​​
    • Surprise day camp: $130AM care: $24
      • PM care: $24
      • AM and PM Care: $36

Where will holiday break camp be offered?

  • Holiday day camp locations: Kinsmen Recreation Centre, South London Community Centre, East Lions Community Centre, and Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre
  • Surprise holiday day camp locations: Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre
  • Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Extended care hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
PA day camps

What is the cost for PA day camp?

  • $31.00

What is the cost for extended care during PA day camp?

  • AM (morning) care only: $6.00
  • PM (afternoon) care only: $6.00
  • AM (morning) and PM (afternoon) care: $9.00

Where and when are the PA day camps offered?

Friday, January 20, 2023

  • Locations: Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre (additional locations will be offered if available)
  • Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Extended care hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 19, 2023

  • Locations: to be released closer to registration date. Keep checking here for updates!
  • Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Extended care hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, June 2, 2023

  • Locations: to be released closer to registration date. Keep checking here for updates!
  • Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Extended care hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
March break camp

Day camp programs are offered during the March Break holiday that aligns with that of the Thames Valley District School Board and London Catholic District School Board. These programs involve crafts, spring-themed activities, outdoor play, and more!

When will March Break camp be offered?

  • Monday, March 13, to Friday, March 17, 2023

Where will March Break camp be offered?

  • Locations: Kinsmen Recreation Centre and Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre (additional locations will be offered if available)
  • Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Extended care hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., and 4:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Leadership Program

Leadership in Training

The leader in training program is a three-tier program that focuses on building leadership in our teen community members, while also preparing them for child and youth recreation leadership opportunities.

Please visit Play Your Way online or call 519-661-5575 to register for our  Leadership in Training programs. 

Leader in Training 1

This program is the first step in the Leadership Training continuum. It consists of 14 classroom hours and 6 to 8 hours of placement experience in a City of London children’s program (experience will be COVID-19 dependent). Some topics covered are communication skills, leadership styles and child development. Placement hours can be used towards high school volunteer hours. Participants MUST attend ALL classes in order to receive certification.

  • Cost: $82
  • Age: 13 to 18 years old
  • The Leader in Training 1 program is a pre-requisite for Leadership in Training 2
Leader in Training 2

This program is the second step in the Leadership Training continuum. It consists of 16 classroom hours and 15 to 20 hours of placement experience in a City of London children’s program (experience will be COVID-19 dependent). Some topics covered are program planning, organizational skills, and teamwork. Placement hours can be used towards high school volunteer hours. Participants must attend ALL classes in order to receive certification.

  • Cost: $148
  • Age: 14 to 18 years old
  • The Leader in Training 2 program is a pre-requisite for Leadership in Training 3
Leader in Training 3

This is the final step in the Leadership Training continuum. It consists of 20 classroom hours and 15 to 20 hours of placement experience in a City of London children’s program (experience will be COVID-19 dependent). Some topics covered resume writing, interview preparation and certification in HIGH FIVE. Placement hours can be used towards high school volunteer hours.

  • Cost: $192
  • Age: 15 to 18 years old

 Forest City Leaders

This program, intended for those ages 14 to 18, will develop the next generation of leaders, introducing them to specific content and subject matter that can be applied to becoming a leader in their community. Topics covered include self-empowerment, career literacy, financial literacy, environmental sustainability, and more! This course is completed through 20 in class hours. The cost is $115.00. The Leader in Training program is not a pre-requisite for Forest City Leaders

Day camp inclusion support

The City of London is pleased to provide inclusion staff and adapted program options to campers who require additional support. To be eligible for 1 to 1 designated inclusion support, your camper must meet at least one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Your camper is prone to running away from supervision/into danger/not following instructions to stop and/or prevent this behaviour.
  2. Your camper has a history of acting aggressively toward themselves, their peers, and/or their caregivers/guardians/teachers, etc.
  3. Your camper requires assistance with personal care and hygiene such as toileting, eating, dressing, etc.
  4. Your camper works with and/or is supported by an educational assistant at school.

If your camper is between the ages of 4 to 12 years old and meets one or more of the four criteria listed above, you are encouraged to participate in the inclusion intent to register process. Click the 'inclusion intent to register (summer 2022)' drop-down below for more information. 

Types of inclusion supports

The City of London offers three different designated inclusion support options at our group day camp locations.

  1. 1 to 1 designated inclusion support is available for up to two weeks of camp.
  1. Family-hired support (City-funded): The City will accommodate and pay for a family’s support person for up to two weeks of summer camp and to attend any location (limited spots available). Some restrictions may apply; please contact our Camp Recreation Supervisors for details.
  2. Family-hired support (Family funded): If families are providing their own support worker, they can attend as many weeks of the summer as they would like at any location. Some restrictions may apply; please contact our Camp Recreation Supervisors for details.
Inclusion intent to register (summer 2023)

The link to complete and submit the inclusion intent to register survey will be available here on Thursday, February 9, 2023.​​​

The intake process for 1 to 1 designated inclusion support and family-hired, City-funded support will be completed in three steps for summer day camp programs in 2022. Please note these  spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on the time of your survey submission. If the spaces are available, you will receive a phone call from our Camp Supervisors regarding placement opportunities. If the spaces are unavailable you will be notified via email that you have been placed on a waitlist.

1. The intent to register process will open on Thursday, February 9, at 10 a.m. Requests submitted before this will not be accepted. You can find a preview of the questions you will be required to answer below. We encourage you to download the document below, fill it out in advance of the process opening, save it on your computer or print out a physical copy and have it ready for when process submissions opens in February. Submissions over phone or email will not be accepted.

2. After you submit the form, a camp supervisors will reach out to you to let you know if there is a spot in one of our camps or if your child is on the waitlist.

3. If assigned a space, families must complete the financial transaction and formal registration process with a member of our customer service team.

Please note: Families will be required to complete and submit a recent All Kids in Camp Form once registration is complete.

All Kids in Camp Form

Summer programs

Neighbourhood playground programs

The City offers a limited number of free neighbourhood playground programs at parks and schools in communities across London. Neighbourhood playground programs are available for children aged 6 to 12. Core program hours are Monday to Thursday, running in either morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) half-day sessions during the months of July and August. Check back in June 2023 for more details.

Summer day camps

The City offers a limited number of summer day camps across London at select community centres for children aged 4 to 12 in July and August. Core program hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with assigned parent or guardian pick-up and drop-off times. Extended care is available at all summer day camp locations. Check back in early 2023 for more details.

Learn more
Summer day camp offerings

Senior Camp

For campers aged 7 (entering grade 2 in 2022-2023 school year) to age 12.

Junior Camp

For campers aged 4-7 (entering grade 1 in the 2022-2023 school year). Campers must be “school ready” to register for camp, including being toilet trained. No age exceptions for this camp. No three-year old's are permitted.

Summer day camp activities

Each camper group will participate in a diverse selection of activities, including active and quiet games, arts and crafts, nature-based activities and outdoor activities when space and weather permit. In addition, we are excited to announce the return of field trips and swimming!

For field trips and swimming, parents or guardians will be notified ahead of time to grant permission for their camper to participate, and complete an associated form. Our camp coordinators are also excited to share fun on-site options like virtual field trips and virtual fitness activities.

Surprise day camps

Surprise day camp is a specialized summer day camp program to support youth between the ages of 12 to 21 years old with special needs. These programs operate in a 1:3 staff to camper ratio. Surprise day camp staff can support lifts/transfers, feeding, changing, and toileting. We cannot support GI tube needs.

Learn more

Participants engage in several activities, such as crafts, movies, nature exploration, board games, and more! Seasonally, participants may also attend trips to local pools, splash pads, and other fun field trips. Core program hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended care is available at all summer day camp locations. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the hours of operation for camp?

Core program hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with drop-off occurring at 9 a.m. and pick-up at 4 p.m.  

Will there be extended care offered?

Yes, extended care is currently being offered during the following hours:

Before morning (AM) care: 

  • 7:30 to 9 a.m.
  • $32.00

After afternoon (PM) care:

  • 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • $32.00

Before morning (AM) and after afternoon (PM) Care:

  • 7:30 to 9 a.m., and 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • $ 47.00

Please visit Play Your Way online or call 519-661-5575 to register for our extended care camp programs.

What is the refund policy?

The effective date of any withdrawal is the date the request is received by Recreation & Sport Customer Service, regardless of whether a participant attended the program.

  • For withdrawal requests made more than 7 days prior to the start of the program, your account will be credited in full.
  • For withdrawal requests made 7 days or less up until the start of the first class, your account will be credited 75% of the program fee.
  • For withdrawal requests made after the first class up until the start of the third class, you will be credited 75% of the program fee after a per class fee for all program dates that have already occurred (regardless of attendance) have been deducted. Credits can remain on your family account for any future use towards programs or services.
  • Requests for withdrawal or transfer beyond the third class will only be considered for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. Supporting documentation for these requests must be submitted prior to the completion of the program.
Will I have the opportunity to speak to a staff member prior to the camp? 

You will receive an email one week prior to the program start date with forms you will need to fill out, instructions on our drop-off and pick-up procedures, other program details and guidelines that you and your child need to be aware of as well as general information about the program. If you still have questions after reading through the information, the email will include an option to have a phone conversation with the Coordinator prior to the program start date. As our staff are busy with preparations and training, we ask that you wait to ask questions until you receive this email.

NOTE: Please ensure your Play Your Way Online registration account includes an email address you check frequently. 

What are the staff ratios this year?

Our staffing model will be one leader for each group of eight to twelve children, with additional staff present for planning, oversight, coordination and cleaning. 

I have an urgent question. Who can I contact?

Urgent questions can be forwarded to recreation@london.ca. We will reply as soon as possible.

Last modified:Thursday, December 01, 2022