• Kids' Camps

Types of camps in Sault Ste. Marie

Summer camps and kids programs offer a wide variety of specializations and activities. You can use our site to find everything from soccer camps to STEM camps to acting classes, coding classes, and zoo camps. Not all of those types of camps are available in Sault Ste. Marie, but you will find many different types of camps, as linked to in the lists below. 

Other camp opportunities to consider

OurKids.net is Canada’s top guide to kids’ camps and programs, listing opportunities across the country. Here are some more ideas for families from Sault Ste. Marie, who want to fully explore camps for kids.:

Overnight summer camps offer the quintessential camp experience for teens and older kids. It's a unique opportunity for accelerated personal growth (see below).

Camps in Blind River give kids the overnight camp experience in a town that's still a reasonable drive from Sault Ste. Marie. 

Overnight camps in Southern Ontario give kids from The Soo a taste of life in more urban centers. 

The benefits of summer camp

Camp can be a big commitment in both time and money. Here’s a reminder of the many good reasons to send kids to a summer camp in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Friendship opportunities. Camp is a fresh opportunity for new friendships. Kids feel freer, more themselves than they might in school. They meet kids who share their interests and passions as well as a variety of local kids from different backgrounds. 

Improved social skills. Camp gives kids and teens new chances to collaborate and cooperate with others, away from the oversight of parents and teachers. They learn to compromise and to listen to others better. Camp can be an important part of kids developing deeper emotional intelligence, which they carry with them into adulthood. Learn more about how camps help kids improve social skills.

Independence, resilience, and responsibility: Camp accelerates kids’ and teens’ maturation—especially when you go often. At camp, kids take responsibility for their stuff. They face challenges and beat them, in a supportive setting. They flourish in a freeform setting where there’s minimal intervention. Look at this in more depth in pages discussing how kids develop resilience, independence, and responsibility.

Physical fitness: Summer camp gets kids outside, active, and engaged in healthy fun. Fun activities like swimming and field sports mean they forget how much exercise they’re getting! Many camp activities focus on fun over competition, so kids who are not into sports get a good feel for exercise. It’s a way of surreptitiously engaging kids’ physical literacy, a character trait they carry throughout their lives.

Confidence: Camp’s non-competitive setting encourages growth in self-esteem. It’s an essentially supportive environment, with unique creative challenges. Kids set goals and accomplish them, cheering each other on in a setting that's focused on light fun. 

Creativity: Camps provide many different opportunities for kids and teens to express themselves creatively. There are arts and crafts activities and chances to make music, draw, and act. It’s a place where kids can dip into creative outlets. For some it can be a means to important self-discovery in arts or expression. (Read Rick Mercer’s camp story.) 

Leadership growth: All of the skills above are important aspects of leadership. And then there are camps that focus on leadership development. In camp, kids are given the opportunity to lead activities, develop projects, and more. In the process, they learn a lot about themselves and others. They discover that leading is easy—and it can be fun!

Summer and off-school learning: There are camps focused on subjects like science and math, and there are also coding camps and Minecraft programs. Every camp, though, is a freeform setting, where kids feel less pressure than in a school setting. They take a break from screens, and hands-on activities foster their cognitive and social development. Camps offer equipment, activities, and expertise they simply can’t get anywhere else. 

Love for nature and the outdoors: Almost every camp features activities outside, and of course, there are eco camps, as well as overnight summer camps that immerse kids in nature. Kids get outside, away from screens, and learn to appreciate nature at summer camps in Sault Ste. Marie.

How to find the right camp for your child

Finding the right camp for your child starts with asking camps the right questions. When reaching out to camps through the links in the list above, ask them:

• What does a typical day or week look like? Can you share a calendar or schedule? Then consider how the list of activities matches your child’s interests and needs. 
• Is there care after camp? When do I have to pick up my child by? Consider how responses match your schedule. 
• What training and certification do camp counsellors have? Are they trained in First Aid? Are counsellors trained in a program like The ASAP Camp Safety Program? 
• Are there any prerequisites?
• What will my child need to pack for camp?  
• What is the take-home or end goal of the camp? Consider whether or not you think this is worth it, for your family. 
• How are campers grouped? What is the ratio of campers to leaders in each group?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Sault Ste. Marie camps are there?
There are 1 Sault Ste. Marie camps that are Our Kids trusted members. 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 Sault Ste. Marie camps?
Fees for Sault Ste. Marie camps range from $180 to $340 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

What age do Sault Ste. Marie camps start at?
There are programs available for children aged 5 through 14.