Ah, summer. It’s the perfect season to relax, have fun and try new things, supporting different interests. And you don’t have to take the whole summer off work to make it happen. There is such a wide array of camps available now, catering to every hobby, interest and passion. They’re a great way for the kids to try out something new without committing to a whole season.
So have a discussion about what interests the kids, check out the options, and plan a summer of enrichment and experience
Peace Camp
This camp gives kids the chance to work for three weeks on an original production focusing on social issues and the children’s concepts of peace. It all culminates in a gala performance highlighting the growth and development that takes place over the session—an experience not to be missed.
Location: Taylor Creek Park, 260 Dawes Rd., East YorkAges: 8–13
Cost: $425 for 3 weeks
Centre of Gravity Circus Camp
Kids and the circus go together like PB and J. At this awesome camp, kids learn all about juggling, walking on stilts, tumbling, clowning and aerial acrobatics. It’s all done under the watchful eye of professional circus performers, and the kids will adore the outlet for their love of physical and creative movement.
Location: 1300 Gerrard St. E., TorontoAges: 5 and up
Cost: $305/week
Play Loft
We love the variety that Play Loft offers, with camps for kids as young as 2½ and half-day options. The camp includes lots of art, movement, make-believe and learning, through a ton of different activities and themes. (Medieval Times or camping week, anyone?) It’s a great camp for all siblings to attend.
Location:583 Danforth Ave., 2nd floor, TorontoAges:2½–4 (preschool) and 4–12
Cost:from $180/week
Clay Room
Half-day sessions at the Clay Room sound just perfect to get the kids out and about and creating. We love the weekly themes, from “lakeside” to “fantasy”, and just know the kids will have a great tactile experience squishing clay, beading and dreaming in vibrant colours.
Location: 279 Danforth Ave., TorontoAges: 7–11
Cost: $195/week
Art Lingo
This camp from Petite Maison Montessori combines two passions: language and art. What a great way to develop other languages in a fun and relaxed setting! There’s a massive art table around which so many creations revolve, as well as loads of fun outdoor time. Both French and Greek are taught (senior camp only), so you’ll certainly have some well-rounded cosmopolitan kiddos.
Location: 126 O’Connor Dr., TorontoAges: 4 (Junior Arts Camp) and 5–8 (Arts Lingo Senior)
Cost: from $150/week
p.i.n.e. Project
The summer camps offered through the p.i.n.e. project use one of the greatest experiences on offer: the environment and wilderness. There’s exploration and creative play developed through nature appreciation and learning about flora, fauna, tracking and what to do in emergency situations. A great fit for the wild child. Camps are offered at two parks, on Toronto’s east end and west end.
Locations:Taylor Creek Park, 260 Dawes Rd., East York
Etienne Brûlé Park, 13 Crosby Ave., Toronto Ages: 4–12
Cost: from $320/week
Belle Wood Equestrian Camp
Horse lovers will find their place at equestrian camp. With groupings based on skill and age, the pace and experience will be perfectly tailored for every pint-sized rider. Campers also learn about the proper care of horses and stables, and will enjoy taking care of the four-footed friends.
Location: 2745 6th Concession Rd., GreenwoodAge: 6 and up
Cost: from $250/week
Anti-Gravity AcroSports
How do Olympic-sized trampolines, a foam pit, Air Track, double mini trampoline, and aerial silks sound for a summer day camp? Pretty good, right? (Can the adults play too?) This camp is full of high-flying fun for anyone who likes to play, rounded out with other non-bouncy activities like arts and crafts
Location: 2055 Forbes St., Unit 2, WhitbyAges: 4–15
Ages: from $35/half-day
Pawsitively Pets
If you have an animal lover on your hands, you’ll know that all they want to do is to be around critters, big and small. There are different programs for various age groups, and the Markham location even has a Junior Dog trainer program that sees them working with a professional dog trainer. In the other programs, everything from reptiles to zoo animals will be the focus.
Locations:Waverly Road Baptist Church, 129 Waverly Rd., Toronto (Beaches)
DogEden, 60 Bullock Dr., Markham
125 Brentcliffe Rd., 2nd floor, Toronto (Leaside; main location)
Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave. (High Park)
1300 Sheppard Ave. W., North York (Junior Dog Trainer location)
4252 Davis Dr., Newmarket Ages: 4–12
Cost: from $185/week
Future Design Camp
There are strategies and solutions to learn to maximize success in the design world, and this camp focuses on them in a fun and interactive way. The young entrepreneurs will build prototypes and create and pitch a business. (Hello, Dragons’ Den!) Talk about creativity—this camp definitely supports right brain thinking.
Location: ventureLab 3600, Steeles Ave. E., MarkhamAges: 10–14
Cost: from $375/week
Camp Green Acres
Is this a day camp or a country club? It has towel service, snacks, two heated pools plus a waterslide park—pretty awesome! Options include swimming, sports specification, horseback riding, and learn-to-bike programs. The kids will never want to leave.
Location: 1123 Kennedy Rd., MarkhamAges: preschool–Grade 9
Cost: from $1240 for 2 weeks
Brick Works Academy
From Minecraft designer to Lego Robotics creator, there are so many wonderful different types of thinking developed at Brick Works academy. And that’s all balanced out with a minimum of 1.5 hours outside time every day, so they won’t miss the gorgeous weather. These are some seriously mad skillz being fostered at camp today.
Locations:140 Wineva Ave., Toronto (Beaches)
131 Farnham Ave., Toronto (North Toronto)
85 The Kingsway, Etobicoke
*Additional locations in Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Hamilton, Port Credit, Vaughan Ages: 6–14
Cost: from $275/week
Browse our Camps for Kids directory for more options nearby or elsewhere in the GTA.
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