During the COVID-19 pandemic, many sports camps and dance studios are opting to move instruction online for summer 2020. It might seem contradictory to plug in a tablet or computer to get moving, but YouTube sensations like Go Noodle! and Cosmic Kids Yoga prove that it can be successful.
Whether you’re looking for a fun way to break up the day and get the blood pumping, or you have a dedicated athlete or dancer looking for serious training this summer, these physical-distancing friendly camps can deliver.
Prices are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Royal City Soccer Club
Virtual Royal Camp @ Home combines games, activities, and soccer skills with an emphasis on safety and engagement. Groups have a maximum of 12 children.
Ages: 7–13
Cost: $59/week
Hours: weekly 5-day camps are 1 hour/day; 10 am–7 pm time slots
J’Danse Studio
Free virtual summer dance and movement classes take place Monday through Friday. Sign up for hip-hop, ballet, acro, lyrical, contemporary, Greek dance, and/or yoga.
Ages: 2–14
Cost: Free
Hours: each class is 30 minutes; schedule varies
Camp Journey
This online-only camp was launched in 2020 and offers a 50% discount to frontline workers (though the camp is open to all). It combines dance, yoga, and fitness with arts and crafts, games, cooking, and much more. Opt for a single specialized session like Socacize Fitness, or an “all-access” membership good for all programming for one to eight weeks.
Ages: 2–12
Cost: From $90 for 8 weeks of 1 program to $800 for 8 weeks of unlimited programming
Hours: 5 days/week, 9–4:30 pm (campers participate in one or more sessions during the day)
Mayfair Clubs Online
This fitness club with four Toronto locations has launched a host of online programs for kids, including family karate, tennis clinics with certified instructors, and unique triple-threat dance/drama/music virtual camps.
Ages: 3–17
Cost: From $15/session
Hours: Days and times vary by program
Elite Camps
Sign up for online weekly basketball lessons or semi-private or private training with experienced instructors at this Toronto basketball academy. Training ratios are 15:1 for group lessons, 6:1 for semi-private training. Not all programs require a basketball net.
Ages: 7–17
Cost: from $15/session
Hours: times vary; weekly sessions are 75 minutes
Camp Webby
While this online camp incorporates a bit of everything—music, art, science, and even magic—exercise, yoga, and movement are key components. No surprise, given that camp directors are fitness and yoga instructors.
Ages: 5–11
Cost: $180/week (multi-week discounts)
Hours: weekly 5-day camps are 2½ hrs/day; morning or afternoon sessions
Active Scholars
At these unique virtual camps, kids do a one-hour STEAM learning session that might include building, coding, or special guests, followed by an hour of physical activity. Each week has a new theme, such as Discovering Nature or Around the World & Beyond.
Ages: 7–13
Cost: $80–$100 per household
Hours: weekly 5-day camps @ 9:30–noon
Soccer Super Stars
Multisport camps and Dribble soccer and basketball camps are Zoom-ed into your living room for two hours each day from this US-based sports camp for kids.
Ages: 4–10
Cost: US$199/week
Hours: weekly 5-day camps @ 8:45–11:45 am or 11:45 am–2 pm
Carleton Athletics Camps
In addition to some in-person camps, Carleton University in Ottawa has a Summer Online Conditioning camp to help young athletes develop structured training habits and improve athleticism.
Ages: 10+
Cost: $119
Hours: weekly 5-day camps @ 10–11:30 am
Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre
This Toronto dance studio has three online dance programs during summer 2020: Summer Arts (ages 4–8) mixes creative movement with visual art and music; Ignite! (ages 15+) is an auditioned one-week summer dance program; and SunDance (ages 11–19) is a summer intensive with some of Canada’s top dance instructors, combining RAD Ballet and Limón Modern.
Ages: 4–19
Cost: Summer Arts $200, Ignite! $450, SunDance $1500
Hours: 1-week, 5-day camps; times vary
