• Kids' Camps

Kinds of kids’ camps in Kanata

Kanata’s growing population means that there are also a growing number of kids’ camps and programs in the area. OurKids.net lists over 200 activities, many of them included in the links below. Links to your favourite activities in the lists below will take you to our advanced search where camps specializing in that topic are at the top of each list, followed by camps that offer each as an activity.

Camps just outside of Kanata

If you commute into Ottawa or are willing to drive elsewhere outside of Kanata, find links to pages about camps in nearby towns and cities below. Some nearby camps are overnight camps, allowing your kids to try out this experience. Find camps in the following cities as listed:

How to find the best camp for your child(ren) 

Every family starts looking for camps with things like proximity, costs, fit with schedule, and kids’ interests, of course. You can filter for all those things in the list above. Once you shortlist your options, here are 18 questions that will help you find a great camp: 

On counsellors and camp safety

• What’s the ratio of leaders to campers? 
• How big (or small) are camp or session groupings? 
• What training related to discipline and bullying do counsellors have?
• How often are police and other safety checks renewed for counsellors? 
• Can you meet counsellors before the camp?
• Will you have an individual email or contact with your child’s counsellor?  

On issues related to food and drink

• What are the camp policies regarding food allergies, like nut products?
• Are children allowed to bring their own snacks or are those provided?
• Are beverages or water readily available on hot days?
• What are all the rules about snacks, food, water, etc?

On legal and practical matters

• How much time is spent on the key activities your child cares about? 
• Can the camp share a sample schedule? 
• What are pick-up and drop-off times, and how rigid are they?
• Do families have to sign a waiver? Can they summarize the waiver?
• Is the camp accredited by the OCA? If not, why not?  
• What testimonials from parents or kids can the camp share?

On matters related to ESL and exceptional needs

• How does the camp support children with exceptional needs? 
• Are Education Assistants (EAs) or Personal Service Workers (PSWs) present?

Benefits kids gain from camp

There’s a good reason over a million families send their kids to camp in Canada, annually. There are many benefits, starting with the following:

• Kids get out of the house and away from gaming and other mostly passive screen-based activities, and they get physically and socially active. 
• They expand their comfort zone and their view of the world and they meet new kids from their city or even from further afield. 
• They get to indulge in new activities and they get introduced to some they may never have encountered before. 
• It keeps them occupied physically and intellectually in a safe, positive setting.   

Beyond that, though, there are benefits that aren’t so immediately recognizable: 

• Camp helps kids accelerate their growth in independence, responsibility, and leadership. 
• Specific camps like sports camps, for example, help kids grow courage and  resilience, in addition to physical literacy and awareness. 
• Other camps encourage kids to develop creativity, generosity, religious faith, self-regulation, interpersonal skills, and curiosity. 

There are still other ways of looking at the benefits of camp. And while most parents associate camp with summer, you can also use our site to find after school programs and lessons that augment kids' learning, as can March break camps. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Kanata summer camps are there?
There are 6 Kanata summer camps that are Our Kids trusted members. In addition, there are 1 options that bus from the area. Use the filters to narrow options by age or type, then click on each organization to read reviews, browse program schedules, and access registration details.

What are the fees to attend Kanata summer camps?
Fees for Kanata summer camps range from $125 to $1,000 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

What age do Kanata summer camps start at?
There are programs available for children starting at age 2. Family and adult programs are also available.