Flashback: Summer Camps with the City of Ottawa
/Summer is quickly approaching! Here is a post by Carly about summer camps through the city. by Carly
I'm a big believer in recreation and the Little Man has enjoyed and benefited from the fantastic and highly-trained staff who look after the City of Ottawa's summer Day Camps. Every time we drive by the community centre where he first went to a half day camp two years ago, he begs again to go back to "Animal Adventures"! Whether you're in need of childcare this summer or just want to give the kids (or yourself?) a break for a week here and there, the options abound. I took a few minutes to go through the City's Summer Activity Guide and picked out a few camps that caught my eye, for kids from 2 years of age and up.
Fun in the Sun A fun filled, action packed summer with arts and crafts, games, sports, special events, outdoor activities and local trips. This camp for 4-6 year olds has full or half day options for maximum flexibility and takes place in Orleans, at the brand new AQUAVIEW COMMUNITY BUILDING, 318 Aquaview Drive. Call 613-580-2782 for more info.
Kinder Korner Community Camps If you live or work in the Nepean area, you’ll find these preschool camps right in your own backyard! Amazing staff offer camps that are just the right size for your little ones. Children 2-5 are welcome, camp runs from 9-11:30am from Monday to Thursday at a number of COMMUNITY BUILDINGS throughout Nepean. Call 613-580-2424 ext. 41238 for more info.
Aqua Preschool Do you have a little swimmer on your hands? Brewar Pool (613-247-4938), Deborah Anne Kirwan Pool (613-247-4820, Plant Recreation Complex (613- 232-3000) and St. Laurent Complex (613-742-6767) all offer half or full day aquatic camps for kids 3-5 years of age. Games, crafts, and lots of fun are all on the agenda.
Big Art and Clowning & Cartooning Have a budding artist looking for a creative outlet this summer. These two camps, taking place at the ROCKCLIFFE PARK RECREATION COMPLEX are just the thing. Drama, games, animation techniques and the art of clowning are all on the menu. Call 613-842-8578 for more info.
Drama, Drawing, Photography and Much More The NEPEAN CREATIVE ARTS CENTRE, 35 Stafford Road, offers a multitude of camps on everything from dance to printmaking, music to movie making. Call 613-596-5783 for more info.
Interior Design, Project Runway & Top Chef Those are just some of the themes offered at AVALON PUBLIC SCHOOL, 2080 Portobello Drive and in French at ÉCOLE ÉLÉMENTAIRE JEANNE SAUVÉ, 1917 Gardenway this summer. Older kids will love expressing themselves through fashion, design and cooking. Call 613-580-2782 for info.
Computer Camps Computer camps are offered in partnership with FutureKids of Ottawa right across the City. Kids will love creating their own animated cartoon, elaborate video games, learning how to make digital movies or exploring the world of robotics. Check out pages 24-26 of the City of Ottawa Activity Guide (link below) for a location near you, or visit www.futurekidsottawa.ca.
Into the Woods Looking to get your kids out of the house and into the great outdoors this summer? Get back to nature with this eco-friendly camp and get down and dirty planting gardens, following bugs, exploring forests and going on fun trips. This camp for kids 4-12 years of age (with full or half day options) takes place at the GENERAL BURNS COMMUNITY BUILDING, 86 Argue Drive in Nepean. Call 613-580-2424 ext. 41238 for more info.
Leadership The city offers a wide range of Leadership camps for youth 12 years and up, from Orleans to Kanata and many places in between. Learn communication skills, program planning, team building, child development and camping skills. Have a teen on your hands who loves working with children in recreation? These programs are a must prior to working for the City and many offer hands-on learning experiences in camp settings. Check out pages 38 and 86 of the City of Ottawa’s Recreation Guide for more details.
Equestrian Camps Does your pre-teen or teen dream of spending the summer on horseback? Both the ST. LAURENT COMPLEX, 525 Coté and the NEPEAN NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN PARK, 401 Corkstown Road offer a wide variety of camps for the horse lover in your family. For more info on the camps at St. Laurent Complex, call 613-742-6767. For more details on those offered at the Equestrian Park, call 613-829-6925
Skateboarding, Soccer, Swimming, Hockey, Rope Skipping, Beach Volleyball, Cheerleading & More! Pages 40-47 of the City of Ottawa Recreation Guide are chock full of outstanding sports camps for children and youth. Pre-teens and teens have their choice of sport and camps are offered throughout the City.
Summer Youth Centres Perhaps your teen just want to get out of the house and hang out with their friends this summer. Join us for sports, movies, games, special events, camping, outings and more! TANGLEWOOD COMMUNITY BUILDING, 30 Woodfield Drive and LARKIN HOUSE COMMUNITY BUILDING, 76 Larkin Drive are open Monday to Friday from 3pm to 10pm. BELLS CORNERS P.S., 3770 Richmond Road and LESLIE PARK P.S., 20 Harrison Drive are open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 9pm. Call 613-580-2424 ext. 41232 for more info.
More information on any of the camps listed above, as well as many more fantastic options can be found by visiting www.ottawa.ca/recreation. Financial assistance is available to qualified applicants for all recreation programs, including day camps.
Carly has red hair and occasionally the temper to match. She loves potatoes, rainy nights, photography, her husband and her 4 year old son, Jacob. Probably in reverse order. She also blogs.
