The current labour disruption has made accessing child care and children’s recreation programming extremely challenging.  Parks, Forestry & Recreation offer many excellent and popular programs and services, and parents who have enrolled their children are now looking for alternatives while the waiting for the strike to be resolved.

A number of organizations and agencies offer day and overnight camps for children.

YMCA

The YMCA offers a variety of day camp opportunities and activities across Toronto.  For more information, visit http://www.ymcatoronto.org

Ontario Camps Association

The Ontario Camps Association is a non-profit organization that offers a resource for parents to find camp opportunities.  Their online search feature offers a listing of over 100 camps in the GTA at various levels of affordability, including information on those that have subsidies.  For more information, visit http://www.ontariocamps.ca/

Toronto Community Housing Summer Camps

TCHC and community partners offer camps for children and youth living in its communities.

• Moorelands Camp - Seven nights and eight days on an island. Cost: $10.00 For more information, please contact Sheila McGregor at 647-212-0394 or email sheila.mcgregor@torontohousing.ca.
• Camp Towhee for Children with Learning Disabilities - Located in Haliburton, this camp is a program for children and youth with learning disabilities and related psychosocial disabilities.  Subsidy is offered. For more information, contact the Integra Foundation at 1-800-839-3950 or email info@camptowhee.ca.
• YMCA -Camp Pine Crest - One week at a residential camp outside of Toronto. For more information, call 1-800-223-8024 or visit http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/camps/residential-camps/pinecrest-overview/index.htm.
• Tim Horton’s Camp - Tim Horton’s has a number of one week summer camps for children and youth from low income families.  For more information, call 1-888-585-0829.

Distillery District Early Learning Centre

The Early Learning Centre offers several programs and day camp options.  For details, visit http://distillerydistrictelc.com/home or contact 416-360-4042 or e-mail info@distillerydistrictelc.com. Located at 55 Mill Street, Building 9 Suite 200.

Dixon Hall

Located at 58 Sumach Street, Dixon Hall offers a Day Camp and a Music Camp.  For more information, call 416-863-0494 or visit www.dixonhall.org/children_youth.html.

Canadian Opera Company

The COC offers two summer opera camps, with subsidies available. For more information, visit http://www.coc.ca/ or call 416-203-2377.  Located at 227 Front Street.

Toronto Kiwanis Boys’ and Girls’ Club

Located in Cabbagetown at 101 Spruce Street, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club offers a variety of programs.  As of June 30, there are still spots available for summer day camps in a variety of age ranges.  Camps run from 9-5, with extended care available from 8-9 and 5-6. For details, visit http://www.believeinkids.ca/clubs-gerrard.html or call 416-925-2243 ext. 2.

Yonge Street Mission

The Yonge Street Mission, located at 270 Gerrard Street East, offers a day camp and a computer camp.  For details, call 416-929-9614.

Toronto City Mission

Located at 608 Spadina Avenue, the City Mission offers a Family Camp, a Sunshine Day Camp, and a Junior High Camp.  For information, call 416-922-6223.

519 Church Street Community Centre

The 519 provides support, information, referrals and skills building and community-building opportunities for families with children 0 – 12 years of age. This is done through a variety of programs ranging from their Family Resource Programs for families and their children 0-6 years of age, Summer Day Camps for children 6-12 years of age, Special Events and advocacy projects.  Subsidies are available.  For more information and registration, please visit www.the519.org or call (416) 392-6874.

City Hope

The St. James Town Safety Committee has teamed up with City Hope to bring children’s camps to the area. Visit http://addea.net/CityHopeHome.aspx or stop by the City Hope office (562 Sherbourne Street) or the St. James Town Safety Committee office (240 Wellesley Street East, Basement) for details.

Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto

A special free summer camp for children or teens who have, or know someone who has, cancer. Located at 110 Lombard Street, for details call 416-214-9898, ext. 539, or visit http://www.gildasclubtoronto.org/gc.php.

University Settlement

Located at 23 Grange Road, University Settlement offers a range of programs for all ages.  Visit http://www.usrc.ca/index.html or call 416-598-3444, ext. 228.

Cabbagetown Youth Centre

Located at 650 Parliament Street, the Cabbagetown Youth Centre offers a variety of programs for children and youth.  Visit http://www.cabbagetownboxing.on.ca/cyc/program.html or call 416-513-9802.

Harbourfront Community Centre

Regular recreation and family programs will run all summer, with children’s programs starting July 6 until August 30.  Summer Programs include full-day camps for children between the ages of 6 - 12 along with weekly classes that include karate, Bollywood, and Hip-Hop.  Located at Bathurst and Queens Quay. For details, visit www.harbourfrontcc.ca or call 416-392-1509.

Harbourfront Centre

A wide range of arts-based, specialty, marine, and sports camps run all summer.  Located at York and Queens Quay, Harbourfront Centre Camps operate from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.  For more information, visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/camps/summer/?ref=fp or phone 416-973-4093.

Harbourfront Centre also hosts “Reach for the Rainbow”, which allows children with physical and/or developmental disabilities to participate in summer camp programs.  For more information, visit www.reachfortherainbow.ca or call 416-503-0088.

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Eight different art camp programs encourage children aged 6 - 13 to explore their imagination in the AGO (317 Dundas Street West).  For more information, visit http://www.ago.net/camps or call 416-979-6648.
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If you know of other organizations or resources to help children access programming, please send details to councillor_mcconnell@toronto.ca.  This page will be updated as new information and opportunities is received.

Of course, there are a number of informal arrangements that neighbours can make with one another, such as trading childcare days with parents taking turns to look after children, or arranging group play dates.  By working together, we can help our neighbours who have fewer options and make sure that our children have an enjoyable summer.