Continue using
Canada's Guide to Camps & Programs
or visit Focus on Nature's website
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
Get in touch with Focus on Nature directly
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are requiredFocus on Nature
-
-
Focus
Photography -
Cost
$250 to $1,070/week -
Main language
English -
Ages (Gender)
8 to 18 (Coed) -
Capacity
10 to 24
Focus on Nature is a registered charity that inspires young people to explore and connect with nature through photography. We conduct workshops in schools and day camps in the summer and during March Break.
Throughout our summer camps children will learn the technical skills to shoot and edit great photos while also exploring nature in a safe environment.- Special needs: Yes, mild support. A few of our campers have special needs.
- LGBTQ+ friendly community
-
Focus
-
Programs, Rates & Dates
Programs and Sessions Calendar
Focus on Nature is one of the few photography camps that specialize in bringing children outside and growing their passion for nature. We teach them how to edit their photos, how to take macro photography, as well as other photography styles. Children are allowed to explore their creative freedom in a safe environment where we can help grow and nurture their curiosity for nature and the environment. We have found positive feedback from teachers and parents who have been given the opportunity to have their students participate in our program, especially around their confidence, creativity, and physical health.
Focus on Nature currently has 2 programs available; 1 TBD.
Filter by activities .
Filter Activities
Registration Details
We open our registration near the beginning of January for the upcoming camp season. Registration is not confirmed until payment is received. Please include an early drop-off or late pickup fee of $5 per half-hour if required. If payment is not received one month before camp and there are campers waiting on the waitlist then your spot will be forfeited to the next person on the waitlist. All spots are first come first serve, and you will be informed if you are on the waitlist and your position in line. We will refund fees in full up to 30 days before camp starts. After that, we can still refund if we have a camper on a waiting list.
Financial Aid & Payment Details
Payment Options:
Maximum installments available 2 Scholarships & awards:
-
Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington Free to Grow Program
Type: Need basedAmount: $300 Deadline: Rolling annually
Age: 8 to 12
Details: Focus on Nature is proud to partner with the Children’s Foundation and their Free to Grow Program.
The objective of this partnership is to remove the financial barriers in order for all youth to participate in summer camp and to maximize their outdoor opportunities through photography in their community.
The Children’s Foundation Free to Grow Program provides financial assistance for children in need so they can participate in recreational and life-skill development activities. We are proud to partner with this incredible organization to provide opportunities for many youth in our community. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please go to their website at https://www.childrensfoundation.org/what-we-do/free-to-grow.
If you need assistance in completing your application for funding please call the Children’s Foundation directly at 519-826-9551.
Application Details: Please find all application details on their website. -
Hamilton/Burlington Financial Aid
Type: Need basedAmount: $300 Deadline: Rolling
Details: Funding has been generously donated by the Hamilton Community Foundations Spectator Summer Camp Fund to help cover camp costs for kids from low-income families. Please review our Focus on Nature Camp Subsidization Application Form for more information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccOZSPQHrfogC1Gix0ThGuplwRrq9hochVEglgq5pn8me-Ow/viewform
Application Details: You will need to fill out our application form. If selected for approved funding, you would need to provide proof of your 2025 financial status, such as a Notice of Assessment T451 or proof of Disability support, Ontario Works, or Canada Child Tax Benefit. -
Waterloo Region Financial Aid
Type: Need basedAmount: $300 Deadline: Rolling
Details: Funding has been generously donated by the Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation to help cover camp costs for kids from low-income families. Please review our Focus on Nature Camp Subsidization Application Form for more information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccOZSPQHrfogC1Gix0ThGuplwRrq9hochVEglgq5pn8me-Ow/viewform
Application Details: You will need to fill out our application form. If selected for approved funding, you would need to provide proof of your 2025 financial status, such as a Notice of Assessment T451 or proof of Disability support, Ontario Works, or Canada Child Tax Benefit.
-
Reviews & Insider Perspectives
Focus on Nature reviews on OUR KIDS
Get a range of perspectives to understand the day-to-day experience, the program quality, and the skills and personal growth kids gain. Star ratings are calculated from verified written reviews only.
OUR KIDS review of Focus on Nature
Campers and parents alike praise the positive impact of Focus on Nature camps, emphasizing its blend of artistic education, nature exploration, and personal growth. Indeed, Focus on Nature stands out for its mission to inspire young people to connect with nature through photography. In a world increasingly oriented towards digital technology, the camp successfully merges the excitement of being in nature with the creative possibilities of photography. Children don't just learn to capture images, but also to view the natural world through a new lens, developing skills in macro photography and other styles while exploring their creative freedom. The camp's approach is inclusive, catering to campers with mild special needs and fostering a supportive environment for all. The staff, trained in first aid and CPR, ensure a safe setting for every participant. Activities at Focus on Nature extend beyond the camera. Campers engage in guided photo walks, outdoor games, and nature-themed crafts, alongside learning photo editing skills. Equipped with cameras and laptops, they create a final slideshow of their work, encapsulating their experiences and learnings at the camp.
-
Gallery
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
-
Meet the Staff
Director's Message
Hello,
Focus on Nature is a registered charity operating in Southern Ontario that inspires young people to explore and connect with nature through photography. We conduct workshops in schools and day camps in the summer and during March Break. We envision a world where our connections to nature create a healthy, flourishing planet. We see a critical role for the arts in fostering these connections.
The particular value of photography in enhancing the child-nature connection is its relevance to today’s digitally savvy youth, its capacity to enhance the excitement of nature experiences, and the opportunities it allows for sharing both nature appreciation and creative expression with others.
In 2026, Focus on Nature is pleased to offer its popular camp program in several locations that provide safe and exciting venues for young photographers to explore the natural world! We encourage campers to be visual artists, see the beauty in the details of nature, and learn how to capture it with their cameras. Throughout the week your child will get to experience nature in a new light, from guided photography walks, to games and crafts all around nature.
We hope to see your child at camp this summer and if you have any questions about our camps please don't hesitate to contact me.
Warm Regards,
Sarah Fontes
Executive Director
[email protected]Staff and Counsellors
We have a high standard for our staff, who undergo a rigorous selection process. All of our camp counselors and coordinators pass a police check for the vulnerable sector. We also ensure that they all complete their first aid training and CPR level C training as well. Additionally, all of our staff go through difficult behavior training, inclusive facilitation at camp, equity and inclusion training, AODA, and OHRC certification before the start of camp. Our camp coordinators also go through specialized training around working with campers who use communication devices at camp to help provide the best experience possible for everyone.
-
Location & Operations
Address
Guelph, ON200 Arboretum Road, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1Stoney Creek, ON77 King Street West,, Stoney Creek, Ontario, L8G 1H9Algonquin Park, ONHighway 60 at 14 1, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, P0A 1E0Kitchener, ON99 Strange St,, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1R4Cambridge, ON63 Grand Ave North, Cambridge, Waterloo - Wellington, N1S 2L1Property Details
Landscape
- Forested Area
- Lake/Pond/River
- Nature Trails
- Open Field
More details about property: Surrounding nature varies on camp location and week selected.
Accommodations
Sleeping Accommodations
- Tents
Washrooms Facilities
- Composting Toilets
- Flush Toilets
Are meals provided? Yes. Only for the Overnight Outdoor Adventure Camp. No meals provided for the Day Camp Experiences.
Is Focus on Nature technology free? Campers will be using laptops and cameras provided by us. Our laptops will not have access to the internet and are only used for photo editing. Campers are welcome to bring their own digital cameras if they desire to camp.
Rentals & Services
Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
The Focus on Nature workshop is a full-day experience with a focus on teaching visual design skills and nature appreciation in a dynamic format. Designed to align with the Ontario Arts Curriculum, our workshops have been well received in classes from grades 3 to 11, including specialty art programs.
Focus on Nature provides the technology needed to complete the workshop in hopes that every school is able to participate. If your school uses Google Classroom, we ask that each student have a Chromebook for the editing session.
Thanks to government, business, and community support, we can offer our workshops to classes of up to 30 students for $360.
We start with an interactive talk covering the Elements of Design, composition ideas, and the basics of using a digital camera. Students are then given the opportunity to practice what they learn on a morning adventure walk to a nearby natural area. Our program leaders guide students in nature awareness and sensory activities.
In the afternoon, students are taught how to edit their photos and are engaged in creative outdoor activities, such as building nature sculptures. The students share their best shots with the class in an end-of-day slideshow! We leave each class with their Top Shots and a newfound appreciation for nature. -
What's New
 |
Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
| |
Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
Interested in:
Run by Focus on NatureQuestions about Focus on Nature?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
By logging in or creating an account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Information presented on this page may be paid advertising provided by the advertisers [schools/camps/programs] and is not warranted or guaranteed by OurKids.net or its associated websites. By using this website, creating or logging into an Our Kids account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Please also see our Privacy Policy. Our Kids ™ © 2023 All rights reserved.