Central to Toronto, in a beautiful wooded valley @ Lawrence & Bayview. *Air-Conditioned-Door-to-Door Transport, & *Nutritional Lunches "BY ROSE REISMAN CATERING". Caring staff. Low Camper:Staff ratios. Talented specialists & a huge variety of activities. Sports Camps available. Superior Swim Program with *FOUR* In-Ground Heated Salt Water Pools. Tremendous spirit & great fun.

The Our Kids review of Crestwood Valley Day Camp

Founded in 1990, the Crestwood program has proven itself over nearly three decades. The facilities are exceptional, with a location that offers a rural camp experience in the heart of the city. On site pools, wooded greenspace, and outdoor fire pits add to the traditional camp feel. That said, the indoor facilities are just as complete, drawing nicely on the extensive resources of Crestwood School. Staff is experienced and engaged, with a high staff to camper ratio. It’s not a race, of course, but director Mike Levinsky brings a level and breadth of experience that you simply don’t find in day camping, including a long association with Camp White Pine, having been camper, counsellor, and storied program leader. Overnight options at Camp White Pine and Camp Manitou add even further dimension to the Crestwood offering. Even without those, Crestwood the closest that kids can get to a sleepaway camp experience—in terms of culture and range of activity—without leaving the city. Bussing, hot meals, and snacks, round out an already very attractive package. As far as day camps go, Crestwood truly has it all and then some. 

Mike Levinsky and Bobby Freeman, Co Directors
Mike, a Teacher at Crestwood School, Musical Theatre Director & a Lifetime Summer Camp Pro. Bobby, 25 years as Crestwood's Director & Crestwood School's Musical Theatre Director. *82* years of camping experience between them!

Camp is such a wonderful place to live, learn and play.  We have been fortunate to have grown up at camp, worked at camp and now have the greatest jobs in the world - watching kids and staff thrive at  camp.  Crestwood Valley is a magical day camp in the heart of Toronto in a beautiful green valley.  Kids can explore nature, play sports, learn through the arts, act, sing and dance on stage and most importantly make great camp friends.  It is a place where kids come back to year after year until they are ready for a new chapter or new experience (i.e. Overnight Camp).  Crestwood Valley is affiliated with Camp Manitou and Camp White Pine (2 great camps for our campers to experience an overnight camp experience).  We encourage parents to call the camp office and ask questions, come for a tour or come down to Crestwood on one of the Open House days.  "At Crestwood We're One Big Family"

Sleeping Accommodations

Washrooms Facilities

Sports facilities

Landscape

• A Fantastic First Day Camp Experience at Crestwood!!

  Hi Eric, I wanted to write you a note now that camp has ended for the girls, to let you know they both had a fantastic summer! Thank you. We were at first, a little nervous about Emma who is slow to warm up, and has a hard time transitioning. We are actually still in shock that Emma, our little Teddy, did not shed one tear the entire 6 weeks of camp! She loved boarding the bus with her big sister Jordyn, and Bob, the trusty bus driver each morning, happy to start her camp day. The girls' bus counsellor Jen, always met us with a big smile on her face and Emma especially loved holding Jen's hand as she eagerly got onto the bus. Aimee, Rikki and Casey were fantastic Teddy counsellors. We couldn't have asked for a better group for Emma. Every day at pick-up, Emma had a huge smile on her face as she recounted her morning for me. Emma did amazing at swim and even got her first badge! She showed such confidence in the water, so she was clearly a relaxed and happy kid. Jordyn, a second year Dino had an even better summer. Her counsellors, Sabina, Nicole and Devon were particularly attentive to her and Jordyn flourished. She truly loved every activity from nature, pottery, music and Lego, to yoga, drama and dance. She especially loved the theme days and got totally into the carnivals each session. She was placed into a great group of kids (some old friends, and some new) and had a wonderful time each and every day. I would often ask Jordyn, towards the end of her 6-weeks if she was at all getting tired of Crestwood.... Expecting some level of boredom, I was instead met with a resounding "No! I love camp!" Jordyn, a true camper, cannot wait to go back next summer. She too, earned a swim badge and we are very proud of her swim accomplishments. We are out of the country now on vacation and not back until Labour Day. However, both my girls will often hound me to go onto the crestwoodkids.com site to see some of their camp friends! They miss their counsellors too, not to mention the fun camp day. We hope you have a great rest of the summer and enjoy the final weeks of Crestwood Valley Day Camp! Thanks for a fantastic summer. Becky, Jeff, Jordyn and Emma Tannenbaum

• What a great summer it was!!

  Hi Bobby and Everyone at Crestwood, I just wanted to take a moment to tell you what a wonderful time Isabelle and Ethan had this month. Everyone from the bus driver to the office staff was an absolute delight. The kids loved their counselors. The bus counselor Rachel, greeted us everyday with a huge smile and still had the same smile when she dropped the kids off. In short, I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to experience your camp. Thank you for making it an exceptional experience. Have a great year! Alison Adler

• Crestwood Family

• Crestwood Family

• Crestwood Family

• Activities

  Arts & Crafts In Dino (ages 2 1/2 - 5 1/2) Arts and Crafts we focus on developing children's artistic skills while having fun. In Senior (ages 6-10 1/2) Arts and Crafts, children are challenged with more intricate masterpieces: papier mache, salt and wire sculptures, and African masks, are only a few of their favourites. The Jewellery Shop Bracelets, necklaces, pins and more! Using plastic lacing, wire, rope and beads. Pottery Crestwood is fortunate to have superior instructors. Our facilities include two large kilns. Children make at least two creative projects per session. Children are in charge of the entire creative process; they start with the raw clay and continue working on it throughout the session until it arrives on your living room coffee table! Drama This activity includes dress up, improvisation and mime. The oldest campers put on a show at the end of the month, involving singing, dancing and acting. The campers are active in both on- and off-stage activities, such as costuming, set making, and design. The end product is both rewarding and entertaining. The children gain knowledge of all the arts while having fun. Dance The Preschool Dance specialists prepare activities that include body movement, balance, and rhythm. Children are taught simple routines to their favourite songs. Senior Dance specialists concentrate on modern jazz routines, dances from foreign countries, and prepare the children for the many performances that they put on at the all-camp gatherings. Computers In Computers, campers learn basic computer skills and usage. Campers receive keyboard and mouse instruction. Activities that campers have done in computers include making cards, drawing pictures in KidPix, making their own sheet of stickers, innovative design work, as well as using entertainment software. The campers are also able to bring home full-colour printouts of their work. Camp Craft At Crestwood, senior campers enjoy roasting marshmallows, pitching a tent, orienteering with compasses, making trails and tying knots with licorice. Campers of all ages enjoy mini-hikes and campfire sing-alongs. Nature Our beautiful wooded valley provides a wonderful location for environmental studies. Campers study many forms of plant life and trees and learn to examine cells and bugs through the microscope. 'Hiking' through many natural trails is a favourite! Crestwood enjoys a cozy on-site petting farm where the animals become special friends to the campers. Magic Forest Magic Forest is a specialty specifically directed at the younger campers. When children enter the Magic Forest at Crestwood, they are greeted by larger-than-life cutouts of multicoloured trees, castle walls, gates, and bushes. This program combines drama with music and storytelling in order to give the campers a sense of self-confidence in the arts. *Steve Shnier's "Puppets School" This specialty is a combination of performance and creative art. Children make a wide variety of puppets using a multitude of materials, and create small performances with them. Our instructors have weekly puppet-show days, where they entertain the children. Our puppets also participate in all our special events as the comical hosts. Music In Music, children have the opportunity to sing along with their instructor, who is trained in guitar and/or keyboard. They also play clapping games and use rhythmic instruments, such as tambourines, triangles, bells, etc. There is variety in our music program to coordinate with the many special events. Low Ropes Challenge Course CV and Senior Section campers will benefit and be excited by our Low Ropes course, designed and maintained by one of Canada's leading ropes companies, The Canadian Ropes Course Company. The emphasis of each trip to "Low Ropes" will be strength, endurance, teamwork and fun. Each cabin will learn co-operation while facing challenges as a group, forming and implementing their own strategies and finally, bonding with their cabin-mates through the feeling of accomplishment achieved by successfully completing the course as a team. This specialty area is operated by a fully certified Canadian Ropes Course Instructor. *Crestwood Cinema Academy* Stop-Motion,Claymation, Movie Trailers & Green-Screening Crestwood Cinema Academy is a premiere education company delivering unique, hands-on computer programmes for children that are as entertaining as they are educational. Crestwood Cinema Academy, Exclusively created by Television Professional-Steve Shnier(Inspector Gadget, Freaky Fridays) for Crestwood Valley Day Camp, provides it's two most popular programmes: Animation and Digital Video Production. Animation introduces campers to the fun world of Claymation and Stop-Motion technology, as campers are able to create their own clay figures and story-lines, and turn them into full-fledged animations with sounds, music, special effects and titles. Our Digital Video Programme wows everyone who participates. Using Green Screen technology, campers and staff can find themselves flying over the moon or swimming with sea-life as they create their very own video adventure. Yoga For All Ages... Children will practice skills that improve their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. The campers will also focus on exercises that integrate the left and right brain which leads to better whole brain function. This comprehensive training includes breathing exercises, yoga poses, games and visualization and relaxation techniques. These tools help create a more focused, calm and harmonious camper Yoga For All Ages...our goal is to engage campers of all ages to become healthy, active and confident citizens through the use of non-competitive activities. For campers of all ages! Magic You won't believe your eyes! Just when you think you've seen it all, there is definitely more than meets the eye. Play, Practice and Perform InterActive Magic in this incredible programme provided by Canada's top sorcerer "Magic Mike" For 20 years,Magic Mike has designed magic and illusions for live theatrical productions, movies, television, commercials and music videos and has been performing for audiences all over the world. He has worked with and for such celebrities as Richard Dreyfuss, Siegried & Roy, Tony Curtis, Jon Woo and Ringo Starr. Mike is also artistic director of Magic Unlimited Theatre Productions, a touring children's theatre company, teaching magic to children through the TDSB and, is founder of Canada's only summer camp for young magicians -- "Sorcerer's Safari". Magic Mike's instructors are all talented, creative performers who inspire, instruct & entertain all of our campers.

• To Our Crestwood Family

  We can't begin to thank you for the incredible time Jory had at camp this summer. Every morning was an exciting new day and she couldn't wait for the camp bus to arrive so she could hurry off and be be with all her friends. Her counsellors, unit heads, swim and specialty instructors, and even the bus staff were all so wonderful and she had great stories to tell us each day about their adventures together. Of course, camp is never camp unless there are lots of cheers and songs to sing and Jory put on a show for us every morning and every night. She managed to learn not only the Crestwood Song and her unit cheers but also the cheers of all the other units! We continue to to sing them even now that school has started and she love to lead us in cheers and pretend she is the counsellor and we are her campers. Jory was so proud each night of all her accomplishments at camp. She brought home beautiful art and pottery and our nights were not complete without a funny story about something that happened that day. Her swimming improved aso much and she just loved being in the pool! Jory's summer at Crestwood was such a positive experience. She grew more confident and gained a remarkable sense of indpendence. We are so proud of her and are thankful to Crestwood for it all. Erin & Justin

• TO THE STAFF AT CRESTWOOD VALLEY DAY CAMP

  We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff for their dedication, commitment and hard work. This was Irene and Christina's firts year of camp and we wanted it to be a good experience for the girls. Not only did it turn out to be a great experience, but a most memorable one. No only were our expectations met, but they were surpassed. Every day the girls were so excited right from the morning to the time they got home. The counsellors on the bus were so kind and helpful that they would help the girls with their knapsacks and even carry the girls off the bus if they fell asleep. The bus driver would even help too and all were so pleasant and kind. Irene and Christina would not stop talking about their day at camp...whether it would be about a theme day, puppetry, nature, jewelry-making, pottery, archery, and the list goes on. The girls loved their counsellors and would always comment on their helpfulness, kindness and how fun they were. We would also like to send a special thank you to the swimming staff. Both of our daughters werre very uncomfortable in the water and us as parents were very hesitant on swimming lessons if one of us could not be there to watch. Crestwood reassured us that the girls would be well taken care of and the staff would do everything to build their confidence. By the end of the summer both girls have made such progress that they love being in the water and have learned so many skills. Everyday they looked forward to swimming where before, it was a struggle to even get them to go to lessons. We can’t thank you enough for that. Irene and Christina had a great summer at Crestwood and are still singing the "Crestwood Valley Day Camp" song and the cheers. You will all be missed until next year. Thank you for the memories and the great memorabilia that the kids created throughout camp. Kindest Regards, Tom, Kathy, Irene & Christina Drimoussis

• Dear Eric & Bobby

  Well, after five amazing years, the Greenberg Family will be taking a little break from Crestwood as Julia goes off to White Pine and Miley is not yet old enough. I just wanted to express to you how wonderful I think the camp is, however, this year was by far the best one yet. You have phenomenal staff. Julia's counsellors in CV14 were fantastic. She spoke about them at every dinner. The only thing that stopped her from talking about them was her excitement when she talked about Callum (instructor) at 'musical theatre'. The Open House performances were exceptional and Callum was so friendly and warm. I had to speak with the unit-heads a few times over the summer & I had the pleasure of dealing with Corey (Cv's). I always walked away from those interactions thinking "Wow". He was as exceptional with the parents as I know he was with Julia. She adored both Corey and Kim. Lastly, Julia's bus counsellor Becca arrived at our house every day with a smile (even when we were running behind). So, I guess what I'm saying is THANK YOU for taking such great care of my kids for the past 5 years. Jordan & Amy Greenberg

• To Our Crestwood Family

  We can't begin to thank you for the incredible time Jory had at camp this summer. Every morning was an exciting new day and she couldn't wait for the camp bus to arrive so she could hurry off and be be with all her friends. Her counsellors, unit heads, swim and specialty instructors, and even the bus staff were all so wonderful and she had great stories to tell us each day about their adventures together. Of course, camp is never camp unless there are lots of cheers and songs to sing and Jory put on a show for us every morning and every night. She managed to learn not only the Crestwood Song and her unit cheers but also the cheers of all the other units! We continue to to sing them even now that school has started and she love to lead us in cheers and pretend she is the counsellor and we are her campers. Jory was so proud each night of all her accomplishments at camp. She brought home beautiful art and pottery and our nights were not complete without a funny story about something that happened that day. Her swimming improved aso much and she just loved being in the pool! Jory's summer at Crestwood was such a positive experience. She grew more confident and gained a remarkable sense of indpendence. We are so proud of her and are thankful to Crestwood for it all. Erin & Justin