Play + Friendship = Summer Camps
Don't miss out on this year's day camps running weekly from July 2 to August 30. Something fun for children and youth ages four to 17!
Categories include: Sports, Performing Arts, Nature & Exploration, Science, Multimedia, Arts, Leadership, Out Trips & more!
View Available Camps & Register!
Please Note: Programming is subject to change based on available resources.
All camps, unless otherwise indicated, run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Before and After Hours Care available.
Registration Information |
Play + Friendship = Summer Camps
Don't miss out on this year's day camps running weekly from July 2-August 30. Something fun for children and youth ages 4 to 17!
Categories include: Sports, Performing Arts, Nature & Exploration, Science, Multimedia, Arts, Leadership, Out Trips & more!
View Available Camps & Register!
Additional ways to register:
Drop-off |
Ajax Community Centre (ACC) - 905-427-8811
McLean Community Centre (MCC) - 905-428-7711
Audley Recreation Centre (ARC) - 905-427-2468
|
Mail |
Town of Ajax Recreation & Culture
Camp Registration: 65 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax, ON L1S 2H9
|
Summer Camps Registration Form
Payment Plan
|
Scheduled pre-authorized payment plans are available. Credit card or VOID cheque full payments will be processed as follows:
- Camps July 2-August 2 – Payments due June 5
- Camps August 6-August 30 – Payments due July 3
Register online and schedule payments with a valid credit card.
|
Before and After Care |
The Before and After Hours Program is an extension of our day camp program and cannot be registered for on its own.
Before Hours program operates from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and After Hours program operates from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and is for camps located at:
- Ajax Community Centre
- Audley Recreation Centre
- Carruthers Marsh Pavilion
- Greenwood Discovery Pavilion
- Hartrick House
- Lakeside Public School
- Lincoln Alexander Public School
- McLean Community Centre
- Paulynn Park
- Rotary Park Pavilion
Please register for camp before registering for Before and/or After Hours. Ensure the barcode you select corresponds to the correct week of camp. You will be instructed to select your child’s corresponding camp when registering.
Please Note: • Before and After Hours campers are bused to and from camp locations where required, as long as they arrive to Before Hours before 8:45 a.m. and attend camp until the end of the day. Busing fees are included in Before and After Hours. Campers who miss the bus will have to find alternative transportation to camp. • Pick-up from After Hours begins at 4:30 p.m. to accommodate bus arrivals. • DO NOT register for busing if you are using the Before and/or After Hours service.
Date | Location | Fee | Before | After |
July 2-5 |
McLean Community Centre |
$26 |
88138 |
88112 |
July 8-12 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88139 |
88113 |
July 15-19 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88140 |
88114 |
July 22-26 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88141 |
88115 |
July 29-August 2 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88142 |
88116 |
August 6-9 |
McLean Community Centre |
$26 |
88143 |
88117 |
August 12-16 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88144 |
88118 |
August 19-23 |
McLean Community Centre |
$33 |
88145 |
88119 |
August 26-30 |
Paulynn Park |
$33 |
88147 |
88166 |
August 26-30 |
Rotary Park |
$33 |
88328 |
88167 |
|
Busing
|
The busing drop-off and pick-up location is at the McLean Community Centre.
Departure: 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.
Return: 4:30 p.m.
Please register for camp before registering for busing.
Ensure the barcode you select corresponds to the correct week of camp. You will be instructed to select your child’s corresponding camp when registering.
McLean Community Centre North Bus Route transports campers to and from camps located at:
- Audley Recreation Centre
- Greenwood Discovery Pavilion
- Hartrick House
- Paulynn Park
Date | Fee | Barcode |
July 2-5 |
$24 |
88155 |
July 8-12 |
$31 |
88151 |
July 15-19 |
$31 |
88152 |
July 22-26 |
$31 |
88153 |
July 29-August 2 |
$31 |
88154 |
August 6-9 |
$24 |
88150 |
August 12-16 |
$31 |
88148 |
August Aug 19-23 |
$31 |
88149 |
McLean Community Centre South Bus Route transports campers to and from camps located at:
- Ajax Community Centre
- Carruthers Marsh Pavilion
- Lakeside Public School
- Lincoln Alexander Public School
- Rotary Park Pavilion
Date | Fee | Barcode |
July 2-5 |
$24 |
88163 |
July 8-12 |
$31 |
88159 |
July 15-19 |
$31 |
88160 |
July 22-26 |
$31 |
88161 |
July 29-August 2 |
$31 |
88162 |
August 6-9 |
$24 |
88158 |
August 12-16 |
$31 |
88156 |
August 19-23 |
$31 |
88157 |
Please Note:
• If registering for busing, DO NOT register for Before and After Hours. These services cannot be combined. • Parent/Guardian is required to drop off & pick up at the times indicated above. Campers who miss the bus must find alternative transportation to camp. • Busing is available to and from camp locations unless otherwise noted in camp description. • Busing is not available the week of August 26-August 30 • We do our best to ensure that children arrive to and from camp on time. However, on occasion, unexpected delays do occur. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
|
Friday Pizza Lunch |
For those camps participating in Friday Pizza Lunch, orders will be accepted until Sunday at 11:59 p.m., prior to the start of the camp week that your child is registered for. To purchase pizza for your child:
- Visit www.healthyhunger.ca
- Select "REGISTER YOUR STUDENT" and create your account
- Login and add your child(ren) to your account
- Under "Select School" choose Town of Ajax
- Under "Select Grade" choose the camp your child(ren) will be attending
- Repeat steps 3-5 for each week you'd like to add pizza to
- Place your order and make payment online
|
Registration Tips |
The following will help to reduce the number of questions you are required to answer about each child for each week of camp.
New Customers – Register and pay for 1 week of camp for your child. Once that transaction is complete go back in and register for the remaining weeks. This way the questions you already answered during the first transaction will be retained in the system and you will not have to re-answer!
Returning Customers – Ensure answers to questions are accurate. Should an answer to a question change at any time (even during the summer, after registration) contact us as soon a possible.
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions |
What does my child need to wear/bring to camp each day? |
- Dress campers according to weather
- Campers must wear closed-toe shoes - no flip flops, crocs or sandals. Running shoes are recommended.
- For indoor camps, please send clean indoor shoes during inclement weather
- Hat and sunscreen
- Bug repellent is recommended for outdoor camps
- Label all articles worn or brought to camp with your child's name
- Send camper in older ‘play' clothing
|
What should I send to camp for lunch and snacks? |
Each day your child will be required to bring a lunch, drink and two snacks. To avoid loss or confusion, place your child's name on their lunch.
Please send your child with a refillable water bottle.
Due to severe allergies, all snacks and lunches must be nut free.
|
Can my child bring items from home? |
Please do not send cell phones, toys, books, electronics, money, or sharp objects to camp. Personal items brought to camp should be limited. There will be no sharing of personal items between participants. You will be notified in writing if your child is requested to bring specific items to camp.
|
What if my child is sick on a day of camp? |
If your child is sick on a day of camp, please keep them home to avoid the spread of the illness. Contact the Summer Camp Hotline at 905-619-2529, ext. 2267 (CAMP) or email camps@ajax.ca and they will notify the Camp Supervisor of your child’s absence.
|
What qualifications do the summer camp staff have? |
All staff have current Standard First Aid, CPR-C, HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development - a national certification, criminal record check, attend a comprehensive week-long, pre-summer training session and have received additional Health & Safety training.
|
Do I have to sign my child in/out? |
Please bring your child to the designated drop off area at the start of each camp day to sign-in. Please ensure that when you or the authorized pick-up person returns to pick-up the child that the child is signed out directly with the Camp Supervisor.
A child who is 10 or older may leave the program by themselves, and at any time, if the parent/guardian has agreed to it on the registration form or with a signed note from the parent/guardian.
If your child is 9 or under, and going to the same home as an older sibling, they may walk home together. Otherwise, a caregiver 14 years or older must pick your child up.
|
Who can pick up my child from camp? |
The safety of the campers is our number one priority. It is imperative that the person registering the camper provides us with the names of all people permitted to pick up your child. Your child will not be released to anyone not on the list. There is no exception to this rule.
If a name needs to be added to the pick-up list please call the Summer Camp Hotline at 905-619-2529, ext. 2267 (CAMP) or email camps@ajax.ca starting July 2, 2024.
Prior to July 2, 2024 please call 905-427-8811, 905-428-7711, or 905-427-2468.
|
What are the camper age guidelines? |
For those camps listed for ages 4-7 years old, your child must be 4 years of age or older at the start of the camp week. There will be no age exceptions made for campers under the age of 4 years old.
For camps listed 5 years old and older, you may register your child if their age falls within the calendar year.
Please note: No age exceptions will be made for the following camps: Kindercamp, Mini Treasure Hunters, Saplings, Camp Taparac Jr., Dodgeball!, Sports Centre, Elevate GirlSport Camp, Sportball, Camp Finale and Skateboard Camp. For these camps, campers must meet the minimum age requirements by the start of the camp week.
Please email camps@ajax.ca or call 905-619-2529, ext. 7233 (Children’s Camps), ext. 7508 (Youth Camps), or ext. 7259 (Contracted Service Provider Camps) to discuss any age exception requests.
|
How do you group campers? |
- Staff to Camper Ratio ranges between 1:10 and 1:13 (depending on age of campers).
- Groups are based on chronological age
- Please notify us at the time of registration if you wish to have your child placed in a group with a sibling or friend. We will try our best to accommodate your request.
|
What happens on rainy days? |
All camps operate on rainy days. If it is raining at the start of the camp day, Camp Mtigwaki, Saplings, Camp Taparac, Lake to Land, Mini Treasure Hunters and Camp Finale may be relocated by bus to the Ajax Community Centre, Audley Recreation Centre or Village Arena. These camps will return by bus to their locations by 3:30pm to get ready for end of the day sign-out. All other camps remain at their regularly assigned locations and will move indoors for programming. Should inclement weather occur during camp, adequate shelter will be provided to accommodate all campers. The Summer Camp Hotline will be updated to inform whether or not the above camps have been moved.
|
What is the heat management plan? |
Outdoor camps operate under the following conditions when temperatures are under 40 degrees Celsius with humidex:
- Staff will take daily conditions into account and plan activities accordingly.
- Water breaks will be scheduled every 20 minutes.
- Sunscreen will be applied every 2 hours or after water play.
When temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius with humidex the following provisions will be made:
- All camp programs will run indoors at their scheduled locations.
- Outdoor play will be limited.
Camp Mtigwaki, Saplings, Camp Taparac, Lake to Land, Mini Treasure Hunters and Camp Finale may be relocated by bus to the Ajax Community Centre, Audley Recreation Centre or Village Arena. These camps will return by bus to their locations by 3:30pm to get ready for end of the day sign-out. The Summer Camp Hotline will be updated to inform whether or not the above camps have been moved.
|
What happens on swimming days? |
Some camps participate in recreational swimming at the Ajax Memorial Pool (unless stated otherwise) under the guidance of qualified lifeguards. Campers will be transported to the pool and back on our camp buses. Camps do not swim on the first day of a camp week. Swim information will be included in your child’s first day letter.
On the first visit to the pool, your child will be screened for swimming ability and visually identified (coloured bracelet) for supervision according to skill level. While in the water, campers will also be supervised by camp staff. All campers are expected to change into proper swimming attire. All participants are encouraged to swim during swim times. Those not swimming will participate in supervised land activities.
- All campers 6 years old and younger must wear a lifejacket and remain in the shallow end, regardless of swim ability. This is to meet the Town’s Admission Standards. They will swim with a camp counsellor in the water.
- Campers 7 years of age and older can take the swim test, with parent/guardian consent, in order to swim in the deep end of the pool.
- Campers aged 7-9 who do not pass/take the swim test will swim with a staff member in the shallow end of the pool. Campers 10 years of age and older who do not pass/take the swim test will swim in the shallow end of the pool.
|
What if my child requires emergency transportation? |
We provide emergency transportation to the hospital, if required. A staff member stays with your child until parents/guardians arrive. Your child will never be left alone. Parents/emergency contacts are notified as soon as possible. |
What is the Town of Ajax's Photography Policy? |
The photography policy allows you to take photographs of your own family only. If you wish to take a photo of the counsellor or any other camper, you must obtain permission from the counsellor and the parents/guardians of the other camper before taking any photos. In order to respect the privacy of all participants, any photos or videos taken are for personal use only. Please do not post photos to public social media websites (e.g. YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc). |
What if my child needs to take medication or a puffer while at camp? |
The following procedures must be followed when sending medication and/or puffer(s) to camp:
- You must read, sign and fill out the medication consent form (form can be requested at the front desk of any community centre or will be made available by camp staff)
- Send the medication to camp in the original prescribed container
- Only send the correct dosage for the day
- Any medication should be given directly to the camp supervisor to hold or be stored
- Puffer(s) will stay on the camper at all times
|
What if my child needs to bring an Epipen to camp? |
The following procedures must be followed when sending a child with an Epipen to camp:
- You must read, sign and fill out the allergy alert poster and Epipen consent form (forms can be requested at the front desk of any community centre or will be made available by camp staff)
- You must send 2 Epipens to camp - 1 stays on the camper at all times, the other is secured in the camp office and will be returned at the end of the session
- If a camper forgets their Epipen and there is not a second Epipen stored in the camp office, the camper will be removed from the camp and a parent/guardian will be contacted to bring an Epipen or pick their child up
|
|
Withdrawals and Refunds |
Complete the Activity Withdrawal Form BEFORE camp begins. A $11.20 +HST administrative fee per camp withdrawal per camper will be charged. Withdrawals after the camp session has begun will not receive a refund. |
|
Play + Friendship = Summer Camps & Playgrounds
Please note the Playgrounds program is cancelled for Tuesday, July 16 due to inclement weather.
A free and supervised drop-in program for Town of Ajax residents. An excellent opportunity for children to meet new friends in their local community and enjoy active and passive games, make crafts, attend off-site trips and more! Each site offers a unique summer experience that should not be missed!
No pre-registration required. Simply sign up on location with the site leaders any time throughout the summer.
Playgrounds Program Ages: 6-12yrs Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, August 23, 2024 Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. AND 1-4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cancelled: Monday, August 5, 2024 (Civic Holiday)
Introducing Preschool Hour (formerly known as Pints) Ages: 3-5yrs Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, August 23, 2024 Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Excluding Trip Days Cancelled: Monday, August 5, 2024 (Civic Holiday)
Map - Playgrounds Locations |
Welcome to the Playgrounds Program map feature, to help assist you with finding your nearest Playground Program site. The Blue and Green bubbles correspond to the Playground Program locations offered.
Playground Program Locations North of Delaney Dr., Magill Dr. or Kerrison Dr. W. will be blue bubbles & South of Delaney Dr., Magill Dr. or Kerrison Dr. W. will be green bubbles.
Once your location has been found, zoom in to find out approximately where your Playground Program site will meet every morning and afternoon.
View 2024 Playground Locations
Please Note: Playground locations are subject to change based on available staffing resources.
|
Important Dates |
Playgrounds program participants have the option to participate in off-site excursions in Ajax. For exact dates of when YOUR Playground Program site will be attending any of the following, please ask a site leader:
- July 11, 2024 – Audley Recreation Centre Swim
- July 25, 2024 – Audley Recreation Centre Swim
- August 1, 2024 – Audley Recreation Centre Swim
- August 13, 2024 – Special Event – Group A (ask Leaders for group specification)
- August 14, 2024 – Special Event – Group B (ask Leaders for group specification)
To ensure safety in supervision and ratios, our trips are for our 7 to 12 year old participants.
|
Frequently Asked Questions |
Is this a registered program? |
No, this is not a registered program, but we do collect contact information and special instructions in case an adult needs to be reached.
Please Note: Programming is geared toward a fluctuating number of participants. This gives participants the flexibility to come and go from this drop-in program at any time. Older children with permission may come and go on their own. Children can drop by the program at any time throughout the summer.
|
What qualifications do Playgrounds staff have? |
All staff have current Standard First Aid, CPR-C, HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development - a provincial certification, criminal record check, attend a comprehensive week-long, pre-summer training session and have received additional Health & Safety training.
|
What should my child bring to the Playgrounds program? |
Participants are required to wear closed-toe shoes. It is also suggested that participants bring a hat, sunscreen and water (reusable container is encouraged). Snacks are not permitted as our programs are Peanut Aware Zones.
Please Note: Electronics/toys, items of value, sandals/crocs, money (unless required for a trip), etc. should not be on site at any time.
|
What do children do during the unsupervised lunch hour? |
The Playgrounds program runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. AND 1 to 4 p.m. There is no supervision during the lunch hour. Children are asked to leave the program site during lunch and may return at 1 p.m. to continue their Playgrounds program experience.
Please Note: There is no afternoon (p.m.) program on Fridays.
|
What if my child needs to take medication or a puffer while at Playgrounds? |
The following procedures must be followed when sending medication to Playgrounds:
- You must read, sign and fill out the medication consent form (form can be requested at the front desk of any community centre or will be made available by Playgrounds leaders on site)
- Send the medication to staff in the original prescribed container
- Only send the correct dosage for the day
- Any medication should be given directly to the Playgrounds staff to hold or be stored
|
What if my child needs to bring an EpiPen to Playgrounds? |
The following procedures must be followed when sending a child with an EpiPen to Playgrounds:
- You must read, sign and fill out the allergy alert poster and EpiPen consent form (forms can be requested at the front desk of any community centre or will be made available by Playgrounds staff on site)
- You must send 2 EpiPens to Playgrounds - 1 stays on the participant at all times, the other is secured in a locked box on site and will be returned at the end of the visit
- If a participant forgets their EpiPen and there is not a second EpiPen stored on site, the participant will be asked to return home and a parent/guardian will be contacted to bring an EpiPen or pick their child up
|
What happens during inclement weather? |
In the event of heavy or consistent rain, Ajax Playgrounds locations close for the duration of the rain. The program will resume 30 minutes after the rain has stopped, time permitting. In the event of extreme heat which compromises the well-being of staff and participants, Ajax Playgrounds sites will close at the discretion of administration and the program will re-open when it is safe to do so. Check www.ajax.ca for updates during program disruptions.
|
Do I have to sign my child in/out? |
Leave Program Policy – A child/participant that is 10 years of age or older may leave the program unaccompanied by an adult if they are given written permission from the parent/guardian to do so. Children are then able to leave the drop-in program at any time.
|
Can I volunteer with Playgrounds? |
Much like our staff, our volunteers must go through specific training and Town of Ajax orientations in order to volunteer at the Playgrounds program.
Volunteer Information
|
Do Playgrounds participants go on off-site trips? |
Yes! Each Playgrounds location will get the opportunity to go on a number of off-site trips throughout the summer. Trips are on a first come, first served basis and space is limited. Please Note: There is a cost and special instructions associated with each trip. Please ask your Playgrounds leaders for more information or contact a Playgrounds Director.
|
Are there washrooms on site? |
Each Playgrounds program location has access to either school washrooms Monday to Thursday or a portable potty. It is suggested that participants go to the washroom before attending the program.
|
|
Contact Information |
|
|