• Summer Camps

Positive effects of kids' camps include:

Social. We're social animals, and it's good for kids to expand their circle of friends and experiences, no matter who they are, extroverted or introverted. Camp is always a new social experience, even if kids attend the same one, year over year. An Oshawa or Pickering kids camp removes some personal barriers found in more formalized settings like the classroom. There are opportunities that go beyond academics, with unique activities like talent shows, for example. Many kids open up in the freer summer camp environment, while they may have anxiety or other detriments in a school environment. In camp, you just never know what can happen.

Exposure to new things. Mixed activity camps or multisport camps are just two ways that kids can encounter experiences they would not otherwise face. In some cases, this can be eye-opening for some kids, where they can learn about something they never knew they liked doing. Sometimes, camp can be the only opportunity for kids to learn more about something in which they are only casually interested, such as game design, for example.

Physical activity. Camps open up kids to a variety of physical activities, beyond sports. Fun, essentially non-competitive camp activities like dodgeball, foursquare, capture the flag and other such games get kids active and having fun in a more inclusive, less competitive way than that seen in some sports summer camps.

Learning. Camps in Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax offer intensive learning experiences, such as that found in science or tech camps. That said, any kind of day camp offers learning, of course. If you are interested in education-focused camps (including those outside Durham Region) you can use our site to learn more about learning camps ranging from STEM camps to zoology camps to writing and journalism camps.

Not just for summer!

A number of camps in the region offer these experiences round the year. March break camps and other holiday camps are intensive learning opportunities lasting the week. Like summer camp, these are a great way to spend off-school time in a positive environment with unique growth possibilities. Learn more about March Break kids' camps.  Similarly, after school programs in the region are a helpful means of augmenting learning and physical activity.