In-person summer camps for kids in Ottawa

This is the first summer in a couple of years that summer camps are starting to feel like they’re back to what we’re used to pre-pandemic. Check out this list of some of the summer camps available this year to see if they still have spaces available for registration!

Dovercourt Day Camps

https://www.dovercourt.org/camps/

Beginning August 4th, half-day camp programs are 4 hours – 4.5 hours with pick up and drop off. These longer half-day programs will now be offered to children who have just finished Kindergarten (5.5yrs old) to 12yrs old. 

Starr Gymnastics

https://www.starrgymnastics.ca/

National Kids Camps

http://www.nationalkidscamps.com/

Tennis, mountain biking and more!

ORC Academy

https://www.ocracademy.ca/camp/

Full-day camps in their indoor obstacle course

GNAG at the Glebe Community Centre

GNAG at the Glebe CC offers fantastic recreational day camps and a wide range of specialty camps including: Acro Dance, Art/Pottery, Musical Theatre and Cooking. GNAG’s well loved Leadership camps offer an opportunity for youth to be their best self. Camps are geared to children ages 3-16 years; we do our best to send everyone home happy and excited for the next day!

https://gnag.ca/camp/

YMCA Day Camps - Camp Otonabee

https://www.ymcaywca.ca/camps-outdoor-education/day-camps/neighbourhood-day-camps/

https://www.ymcaywca.ca/camps-outdoor-education/day-camps/camp-otonabee/

City of Ottawa

https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-programs/summer-camps-and-other-camps

Summer camps (full day) with lots of outdoor time, sports, games and crafts.

Gloucester Pottery School

https://gloucesterpotteryschool.com/programs/

2-hour pottery camps, morning or afternoon.

Ottawa Circus School

https://ottawacircusschool.com/circus-day-camps/

Full day, outdoor seasonal location behind the church at 55 Appleford Street in Ottawa, Ontario. 8 weeks of camp beginning July 6th for kids aged 8-15 years old.

The Ottawa New Edinburgh Club

https://www.onec.ca/

Sailing and Tennis camps for ages 7 to 17.

Rideau Canoe Club

https://rideaucanoeclub.wildapricot.org/event-4689198

The Canoe Fun Summer Camp is a one-week half-day camp with an introduction to all aspects of safe paddle sports, including canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) for kids aged 7 to 12.

ORCC Ottawa River Canoe Club

https://www.ottawarivercanoe.com/pages/summer-camps

Ages 8 to 14. Campers receive instruction in various types of paddling from certified coaches and enjoy spending time on the water practicing what they’ve learned in both single and team boats. 

Good Morning Creative Arts & Preschool

https://www.gmcaps.com/

Located on First Ave, camps run daily for kids 3-8 from 9am- 1pm and have weekly themes. Contact them directly at goodmorningpreschool@gmail.com for more information.

Pedalheads Biking & Trail Riding Camps

https://www.pedalheads.com/ontario

Ottawa School of Art

https://artottawa.ca/register-for-a-class/?focus=Summer+camps

uOttawa Camps

https://www2.uottawa.ca/campus-life/athletics-recreation/camps

Corona School of Gymnastics

https://www.coronagym.ca/pages/birthdays-camps/summer-camps

RA Centre camps

https://www.racentre.com/child-youth-programs/2022-ra-camps/

Carleton Athletics Camps

https://athletics.carleton.ca/camps/summer-camps/

Ottawa Art Gallery

https://oaggao.ca/learn/activities-and-public-programs/kids-and-family-programs/art-camps/

Ottawa Catholic School Board Camps

https://conted.ocsb.ca/summer-programs/summer-camps/

Community Activities Group of Old Ottawa East

https://www.ottawaeastcag.org/summer-camps

Old Ottawa South Community Association

This year’s programming has options for ages 3-17 including some programs like Dungeons and Dragons (for 3 hours in the afternoon) and pottery, for older teenagers.

https://oldottawasouth.ca/

Nepean Sailing School Camps

Nepean Sailing School offers a variety of summer sailing camps for children and youth, ages 7 to 17. Our programs create the perfect mix of learning and fun for all levels from never sailed to the advanced racer. Programs are offered Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm during July and August. After Sail child care is available to 6 pm. Non club members are welcome.

https://nsc.ca/web2/sailtraining/youth/

Patro Ottawa day camps

Located in Vanier, the theme for these day camps all summer long is Patro Lympique.

https://www.patro-ottawa.com/camp-de-jour-ete-2022

School of Rock

Located in Orleans these camps are great for students 7-13. Students will put on a live performance at the end of the week.

https://www.schoolofrock.com/music-camps

Skateboarding & Scooter Camps with Evolve Camps In Ottawa

Sports camps come in many varieties from the general all-sports camp offered for all ages to intense training for a specific sport. We get it - choosing the right summer camp for your child is not easy. Evolve Camps operates action sports programs for children across Canada including here in the Capital.

Some Great Questions Ask Your Child

Many times parents like yourself think to themselves “I found the best program, I can’t wait to register my child for this they are going to love it!”, but they do not consult their child before signing them up. In most cases, the parent just ends up with an unhappy camper because the child was put into a program they were not excited about.

Before choosing a program - whether it is with Evolve Camps or not - make sure you ask some of these questions to your child:

• What do you want to do this summer?

• Do you want to skateboard or scooter every day?

• Do you want to learn how to ski or snowboard this winter?

• Would you have fun at a sleep-away overnight camp?

• Do you want to just hang out at home?

• What are some of your friends doing this summer/winter?

• Do any of your friends want to try skateboard/scooter/ski/snowboard with you?

• I found this program called [Evolve Camps]. Here is what they do; how does it sound?

• Out of the camp options that [Evolve Camps] offers, which would you prefer?

About Our Skateboarding & Scooter Summer Camp Sessions In Ottawa

Drop off Summer Camps vs. Bussed Summer Camps

Summer camps also offer a variety of services to help you have easier mornings and even easier afternoons. Generally speaking drop off summer camps are cheaper. These type of summer camp options are great for parents or guardians who work from home or have a flexible schedule a camp.

Evolve Camps like many other programs offers a pick-up and drop off service in various areas throughout Ottawa. The beauty of Evolve’s program is that the kids visit different skateboard parks throughout Ottawa. Campers get picked up in the morning between 7:45AM and 8:30AM and drop off back at the same spot between 3:45PM and 4:30PM.

Some of the pick up locations include:

Earl of March Secondary School, Merivale High School, Hopewell Public School, Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School and Broadview Avenue Public School. Full Details HERE.

Read Online Reviews

We could spend all day telling you about all the amazing things that your child will experience as a camper with Evolve Camps in Ottawa. Rather than hearing it from us, you can read for yourself from our many reviews on Facebook and Google that were written by parents of other children that had a great experience with Evolve Camps. We encourage you to hear first-hand from these parents about the positive growth and benefits that they have seen in their child since attending one of our programs. We also recommend to do the same for any other camp you are considering.

Kids In The Capital Discount

If Evolve Camps skateboarding and scooter camp in Ottawa sounds like a good fit for your child use the following code to SAVE $25 of any session. At check out use KIDSINTHECAPITAL.

Register here: https://www.evolvecamps.com/scooter/ottawa-scooter-camp/?dp=OTTAWA

Follow Evolve Camps online:
Evolve Camps: http://www.evolvecamps.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/evolvecamps @evolvecamps
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evolvecamp

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Evolve Camps.

Welcoming Our New Sponsor: The JCC of Ottawa Day Camps

Kids in the Capital is excited to welcome our new Sponsor: JCC of Ottawa Summer Camps.

The Jewish Community Centre (JCC), located in Nepean near Carling and Maitland Avenues, runs some pretty cool summer camps from July 2 – August 23. The JCC Camps include the Day Camp (age 2-15), the Traveling Sports Camp (age 7-15) and 16 amazing Specialty Camps (age 5-15). Instructional swimming lessons and a daily free swim in their huge outdoor pool are included in both the Traveling Sports Camp and Day Camp. The facilities, including their outdoor pool, grassy fields, full-sized gym and air-conditioned rooms are all kid-friendly, clean and pretty awesome.

Each week of Day Camp offers a fun and fabulous theme. This summer, the kids will Splash Into Summer, go on Captain Jack’s Pirate Adventure, have some Aloha Summer Fun with Silly, Slimy Silicon & Rocking Rhythms, find their Spirit, join the Circus discover Ottawa’s Next Top Chef.

In addition to the day camp, The JCC Traveling Sports Camp offers kids a truly unique summer experience. It’s the only camp in Ottawa that takes campers on a different action packed adventure trip every day. The campers spend each morning at the JCC where they learn about a variety of sports and have swim lessons. After lunch they travel by bus all around the Ottawa area going to water parks, going horseback riding, ice skating and more.

The JCC is also proud to offer a whole slew of specialty camps. Some new for this summer include Band Camp, You GLOW Girl, Boot Camp and The Directors Cut. Returning favourites include Radical Reactions-Chemistry and Crime, Girls on the Go, Powered Up LEGO Camp, Summertime Splash, Horseback Riding Camp, The Great Adventure, Tennis Camp, Soccer, You Go Girl, Basketball, Girl Power and Last Blast.

Speaking as a mom who sent my girls to the JCC Day Camps for many years, the JCC’s mature and highly qualified staff is chosen for their ability to work with children . I saw this every day as my girls ran to greet their counselors each morning and were hugged back in return. The songs, crafts, games and stories they came home with each day was proof to me that I made the right choice in sending my girls to the JCC Day Camps.

I know the snow is still on the ground but the fabulous camps at the JCC fill up early so if you haven’t started thinking about summer yet, you may want to start.

A big welcome to the Soloway JCC!

The Soloway JCC welcomes everyone, regardless of race, religion, or ability. Anyone can be a member and take advantage of our fantastic facilities and outstanding programs.

Flashback: Ray Friel Summer camps

As my 3 kids (and Joel too!) are taking part in City camps again (though not at Ray Friel) this summer this post seemed like a great one to bring back (they're heading to Calypso on Thursday, Kiernan is over the moon excited!). This year my 3 year old twins are taking part in the half day camps offered by the city! ~lara By Vicky

My son Joel just completed a week at Camp Central, a city of Ottawa day camp offered at the Ray Friel Rec Centre for kids ages 4-7.

The description said, [kids will] take a walk on the wild side, with weekly themes and some of the wackiest games and activities ever! I wasn't sure what to think, with this somewhat vague description, but this camp definitely did not disappoint!

Every day, the kids did a craft, went swimming, AND skating, and had a special activity at the end of the day. If they preferred not to swim or skate, there were other options for them, so they never felt pressured to do something they weren't comfortable with. They went to a nearby park, watched a movie, and even had a field trip to the Papanack Zoo!

Every morning we'd arrive for the morning wake-up, which was a bit overwhelming for a 4 year old. There was a room full of kids of all ages, and camp counsellors, shouting cheers and songs at the top of their lungs. Boy did it bring back memories! I wanted to join right in when they started "A booma chicka booma chicka rocka chicka boom!" (Tell me I'm not the only one who remembers that one!)

I can't say enough about the camp counselors. These kids are responsible, well trained, and genuinely love what they are doing. They doted on Joel, gave him lots of attention and I could tell that he really bonded with them by the end of the week.

If you live in the East end and are looking for a camp for your kids, I'd recommend Camp Central! You can register on the City of Ottawa's 123 Go registration page by searching for 'Camp Central'. It is offered until the week of August 8-12, 2011 for a cost of $150.50.

Vicky is the mom to 4.5 year old son named Joel and 2 year old daughter named Mieka. You can read her blog at blog Some Kind of Mom. She also is a Peekaboo Beans Independent Stylist, visit her on Facebook to find out more! www.facebook.com/ottawabeans

Camp Wannahaha!!!

Despite the weather of late, I have been looking into summer activities for the kids.  there is no shortage to choose from, either through the City of Ottawa or local churches and organizations.  This year we chose two from the City and one called "Camp Awesome" through one of our local churches.  I hear it's "awesome"  hee hee. This is all well and good, but summer can be LOOOONG for a mom of two demanding active children.  Last year I came up with a way to make summer both fun for my lovelies as well as easy for me to get things done without being "ON" 24/7.  Summer camp at home!! We did as all good camps would do, we planned out each weeks activities from crafts to excursions.  We came up with a fancy camp name "Wannahaha"  Then we made a flag and a sign which we hung outside the house.  We made up camp rules and chores for cleaning up.  Then we made a camp shirt.  That took care of the first week.  There were also door labels to put up in the house.  The kids thought is was awesome.

I made three jars with labels.  Each morning the children had to pick an activity from each jar.  They were labeled "Chore", "Craft/Science" and "Extra".  The kids had to do the chore first and then we could go onto the other activities.  The "Extra" category is a mixture of things that everyone wanted to do. ie: trip (great for touring the city), cooking, outdoor activity (sprinkler), movie etc...  If the children chose to do more than one chore, they could earn an extra activity a week - although this year I will make a BONUS jar instead. It will have big things in it.  For example - go to a movie, the beach or a big cost item.

For the most part, I tried to keep the activities close to home (or AT home more like) and on the lowest cost side as possible.  it may sound like a daunting task, but in fact we had way more activities to do than we had time.  Here is the list we used last here.

I have also since found new sites that have low or no cost activities at home than can be used.  Like this one.

I almost think this is more fun than going to a camp for younger children since it is tailor made for your individual children and they get to program all their own activities.

With summer fast approaching, what are some ways you're planning to keep your children entertained?