It’s the time of year you may be investigating some specific winter break camps for your child. Or maybe you’re looking for something for only a few days when you are in need of support, or to try out a place that offers enrichment programs year-round. If you are looking for something fun and fresh, we’ve got a variety of camp ideas for this winter holiday to keep kids occupied and engaged in many areas across Ontario!
Most of these options also offer camps in the spring and summer, PA Day camps as well as after-school programs you might be interested in. This is ideal for active families and parents with busy work schedules. And of course, if you can’t find one of these local to you, you may find something similar in your area run by a local business or community centre, so don’t be shy to call around and ask. Many of these ideas also have online options too!
Art Camps
ArtVenture Winter Camp at McMichael Canadian Art Collection
For art enthusiasts in Vaughan, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario is hosting a winter art camp for students between 5 and 12 years of age. Students will have the opportunity to learn under talented art instructors, go on gallery visits and exploratory hikes. As a bonus, McMichael members receive a 15% off discount for camp.
The Canadian Contemporary School of Art
The Canadian Contemporary School of Art in Toronto is a great educational camp that you may not be aware of if you live outside of the Toronto area. However, they have many workshops both in person and online during December, and even one camp that’s available as online only!
Freehand School of Art
The Toronto-based Freehand School of Art has registration open for winter break camps available to kids in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6. Students will explore Painting, Collage, Sculpture, Shadow Box Art, and Combination Media.
Winged Canvas
Winged Canvas is an online art school established in 2013 to make art education accessible to everyone. They have virtual art camps for the winter designed to spark and explore creativity, with multiple kinds of enrichment camps to choose from.
Community Centre and City Camps
Be sure to check your local community centre and city camps for flexible and affordable options that match your child’s school holiday calendar. There is no shortage of options near you!
Winter Wonderland Camp - City of Belleville
The Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre in Belleville offers full day camp options during winter break for kids between ages 4 to 13 years. Campers will enjoy a jam-packed day of crafts, sports and swimming too.
Holiday Break Camp – City of London
The city of London is offering camp that includes crafts, winter-themed activities, outdoor play and matches the Thames Valley District School Board and London Catholic District School Board schedule. There are many flexible options to select. Holiday day camp locations include Kinsmen Recreation Centre, South London Community Centre, East Lions Community Centre, and Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. Surprise holiday day camp locations include Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre.
Winter Holiday Camp with Dovercourt Recreation in Ottawa
For families who reside in Ottawa, Dovercourt Recreation hosts Kinder camps (junior and senior kindergarten students 4-5 years), theme camp (grades 1-4) and youth zone (grades 5-7). There is also a variety of specialty camps (SK-grade 5) including science and tech, sports and visual arts camps.
Holiday CampTO – City of Toronto
The City of Toronto offers winter break camp that includes arts and crafts, games and nature-based activities. This is offered at 20 locations across the city from December 27, 2922 until January 2 or 3rd, 2023 for students between 4 and 12 years of age.
Winter Break Day Camp with YMCA Outdoor Centre – Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo
Join the YMCA of Three Rivers Waterloo Region for Winter Break Day Camp with single day registration available and an overnight New Year’s Eve option (great for parents who want a night out). This camp includes transportation to and from Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo YMCAs, two snacks and lunch. Activities include snow shoeing, tobogganing, shelter building, low ropes, crafts, campfires, and active games! This camp is for students between 4 and 12 years of age.
Nature Camps
Evergreen Brickworks Winter Camp
For nature lovers in Toronto, check out the winter camp at the Evergreen Brickworks taking place over four sessions dates in January. This camp is ideal for students with an interest in hiking, outdoors and animals with exploration through the ravines in Toronto’s Lower Don Valley. For ages 6 to 12 years.
Outdoor Winter Camp at Clairville Conservation Area and Claremont Nature Centre
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) offers outdoor camps for students over winter break at Clairville Conservation Area in Brampton and Claremont Nature Centre in Pickering, Ontario. Classic winter activities include following animal tracks through the forest, making shelters and forts, and warming up around a fire with hot chocolate and friends!
Robotics, Coding, and STEM Camps
Ontario Science Centre
For residents who live nearby, the Ontario Science Centre based in Toronto has an onsite winter break camp available for children ages 5-10. Kids will get the chance to play, experiment and learn while they explore exhibit halls, make new friends and take part in interactive science activities. If attending camp is not possible, The Science Centre is open daily over the winter break, with the exception of December 25th.
Zebra Robotics
Located in Mississauga, Oakville, and Burlington, Zebra Robotics features year-round camps in both coding and robotics. Check their website to find what camps are available at the location nearest you.
Sports and Athletic Camps
Many gymnastics, dance and martial arts studios have customized programs that you may not find easily on a website because they are so region-specific. Be sure to call and check with local businesses if your child has a specific interest!
Play to Develop Program (Hockey)
Canlan Sports offers a variety of Hockey Camps open to students of various levels in multiple locations around the GTA including Etobicoke, Oakville, Oshawa, Scarborough and North York. Be sure to check their website to find one near you.
Snowhawks at Mount St. Louis Moonstone
Attention skiers and snowboarders from grades 2 - 12, Snowhawks offers Christmas Ski and Snowboard program for five days of skiing and snowboarding at Mount St. Louis Moonstone, an Ontario ski resort north of Barrie. There are convenient neighbourhood bus pickup locations to make it easy for families in the Toronto area, north, east and west.
TAC Sports
For people living in the north end or middle of Toronto, TAC Sports offers a variety of athletic camps at four locations including Havergal College, St. Joseph Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School, De La Salle College and Leaside United Church. Camps include Adventure, Soccer, Basketball, MultiSport, Swimming, and Dance. Check the location nearest you to find the winter camps available.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful in researching a variety of camps to keep students engaged and stimulated over the winter break!
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