Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Camp STEAM! Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions related to summer camp 2023. When we launch summer camp 2024, we will update this information for the new season. You will also find some location-specific FAQs on the webpage for each location. If you don’t find the answer here for your question, we’re here to help:
- Email us at support@campsteam.ca
- Call us at 226-214-2050
- Complete our Contact Us form
General Information
What ages can come to Camp STEAM?
Children between the ages of 5-14 are eligible to enroll. Based on the activities and overall structure of the camp, campers must be at least 5 years old by July 1, 2023.
Can I review your entire 2023 Camp STEAM Guide?
What is your policy for special needs children?
We try very hard to accommodate special needs children where we can. There is no strict policy regarding special needs children as several factors depend on our ability to provide an environment suitable to them. Suitability and capabilities vary from site to site. Therefore, if you have a special needs child and they wish to come to Camp STEAM, please contact us and we will review each case independently. Unfortunately we are not able to offer 1:1 care for special needs campers.
Do you offer half day programs? Can my child enroll for 3 of the 5 days in a week?
Unfortunately, we do not offer half day enrollment or part time enrollment. While it is your choice to only send your child for half a day or a few times a week, there is no price discount. The full enrollment fee will apply.
Do you have a lost and found?
During a camp week, we hold on to left items for campers to pick up the next day. All unclaimed items are donated to a local charity at the end of every camp week. Please label everything to assist counsellors in returning items to your child. Please also check your child’s belongings at the end of each camp day and notify the counsellors at your camp during drop off the next day, if any item is missing.
How many counsellors are at camp?
Typically we have 1 counsellor for every 7 children, though some variations apply. If volunteer CIT’s (Counsellors-In-Training) apply they are most welcome as well. Each camp location has a Camp Coordinator, a Program Coordinator and regular counsellors.
Where do you find your counsellors?
The majority of our counsellors are university and college students looking for summer employment (and a few secondary school students are hired each year, as well). We also employ teachers who want to do something in the summer, and graduates of Teacher Colleges across Ontario. A recent Vulnerable Sector Police Check is a mandatory requirement for all counsellors. There will be at least one counsellor present at each camp location with their First Aid certification at all times.
What locations are you running in summer 2023?
You can see all our locations for summer camp 2023 here.
Are all your locations air conditioned?
Not all of the facilities we use are air conditioned. To know if your location has air conditioning, visit that page on our website (see all our locations here), scroll to the bottom, and in the location-specific FAQs we will post that information. The activities your children are involved in are of an academic nature and not strenuous. We will conduct activities under shade trees or in front of fans if it is hot but will not be refunding due to the weather being hot in the summer.
How do I register for summer camp?
Please register for camp here.
I purchased camp gear - when will I receive it?
During the registration process, you have the option of adding camp gear to your order. If you purchased camp gear, it will be delivered to your camper on the first day of their first camp week.
Activity Information
Are the activities for boys and girls?
Absolutely! When selecting themes for each summer, we strive to ensure activities appeal to all campers. Themes are based on the interests of campers 5-14 years old, based on movies, tv shows, computer games or the latest craze amongst kids. All our activities are created with both our male and female campers in mind. It is also important to note that while all activities relate to the weekly theme, more importantly, they are all STEAM-based and gender neutral. If your camper is interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, they will enjoy their week with us regardless of the theme! Read more about our themes and activities.
Are there lots of different activities for the kids?
Yes! We make sure that there are a lot of activities and options to ensure the campers are always busy learning and having fun! Many of our activities have extensions available if a camper needs a bit more of a challenge as well.
A Day at Camp
What are the Camp STEAM hours?
Our camp program operates from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.
We also offer early drop off starting at 8:00 a.m. and late pick up until 5:00 p.m. You can add this extended before care and/or extended after care to your cart at checkout when you register for camp, or purchase it later if you prefer. Before care for the whole week is $30, and after care for the whole week is $30 ($24 each for 4 day weeks). Please note, only entire weeks (not individual days) can be purchased.
Do you offer before and after camp care?
Yes! We recognize guardian work days sometimes extend beyond our 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. camp day, and so we offer extended care. Early drop off starts at 8:00 a.m. and late pick up is offered until 5:00 p.m.
You can add this extended before care and/or extended after care to your cart at checkout when you register for camp, or purchase it later if you prefer. Before care for the whole week is $30, and after care for the whole week is $30 ($24 each for 4 day weeks). Please note, only whole weeks (not individual days) can be purchased.
What does a typical day look like?
The first day of camp is an exciting and busy day. Some children will be experiencing nervousness about what to expect at camp, who they’re going to meet, and will they like it!? We get it!
On the first day, we encourage you to arrive a bit early (we suggest between 8:30 am and 9:00 am) on the first day only. This will allow parents and children time to acquaint themselves with the drop off/pick up location and procedures. This is a great time to meet one of the camp leaders and counsellors, ask questions you may have and request special groupings with friends/sibling/cousins, etc…
For anyone who has booked Before Care, early drop off is 8:00am – 9:00am. If you are running behind and will arrive after 9:00am to the campsite, please call our Support team at (226) 214-2050 (press 1 for Parents/Guardians) and our team will notify the camp. Most facilities will have their doors locked after programming begins at 9:00am, this is for security reasons. Alternatively, if you need to pick up your child(ren) from camp prior to the end of programming at 4:00pm, we also ask that you call our Support team or notify camp leadership when you drop off your child(ren) at the start of the day.
Programming concludes at 4:00pm and the pick-up process begins.
After Care service is provided from 4:00pm – 5:00pm and is available for purchase through the camp registration process, or by calling our Support team to have it added to your account.
What should my camper bring to camp?
It is important that all campers come prepared for a full day of great activities and fun. Please be sure your camper has the following items every day:
- Lunch and snacks are provided by parents/guardians, Camp STEAM does not provide food to campers. There is one lunch period and 2 snack breaks, where children will have an opportunity to eat, refresh and play games. We encourage parents to pack nut free lunches and snacks (we are a nut aware camp, not a nut free camp, unless the site is nut free, which will be noted on that location’s page on our website). Be sure to read the section on allergies and restrictions later in this document. There is absolutely no sharing of food allowed at Camp STEAM. Please send reusable containers as garbage items will be sent home with your camper.
- Water bottle
- Facial covering (if required by public health)
- Pencil case containing basic school supplies (pencils, erasers, scissors, markers and/or pencil crayons)
- Weather appropriate, comfortable clothing (packing a change of clothing is also advisable)
- Closed toe and heel shoes must be worn to comply with camp safety rules (preferably running shoes)
- Sunscreen (in addition to bringing sunscreen, please ensure to apply it prior to arriving at camp in the morning as well)
- Bug spray
- Hat and sunglasses
- Any doctor prescribed medications (Camp STEAM staff will not administer medications except in the case of a life-threatening situation such as administering an EpiPen which is provided by the parent)
Please do not bring toys to Camp STEAM and please leave all electronic devices (including cellphones) at home. If you need to contact your child, call our Support team (519-475-6600) and we will contact the camp to relay messages or plan for your child to call you if it is urgent.
Does my camper need to bring a device with the to camp?
No, campers will not need to (and we request that they do not) bring any devices to camp. We are very pleased to provide a laptop for all campers at our Camp STEAM locations. This ensures all campers have equal access for all camp activities.
What do sign in and sign out procedures look like?
To ensure their safety, all campers must be signed in at the time of drop off and signed out at the time of pick up, by their guardian. Guardians must indicate the names of the authorized persons for pickup on their online registration form and everyone must show identification in order to sign out a child. You will be required to show identification every day, even if we know you. No child will be permitted to leave camp without being signed out by an authorized adult. The same safety rules apply to all. Should a parent wish to add an authorized person(s) to the approved pick up and drop of list for their child, they may login to their account or call Head Office (226-214-2050).
How do we know where to drop off and pick up our children?
We post this information on the location pages as soon as we receive it from our partner sites. In the case where Camp STEAM is located at a university or a college this information can take a while to be forwarded to us as they have internal procedures they must follow to make drop off and pick up as seamless as possible for parents. An email is sent prior to the start of each Camp STEAM weeks to all enrolled parents with this information.
Do you group the kids by ages?
As much as possible, we will be grouping the campers by grade. However, this depends on the camp location and the enrolment of any given week. As a not for profit organization, we do not have the means to employ extra staff to break down into smaller groups if we cannot group easily by age or grade. We cannot guarantee the ages of the campers prior to the camp week, nor can we guarantee how they will be grouped.
Health & Safety
Will my child have to wear a mask?
The Mississauga location current requires masking, however that may change by summer. Please check the page for each location prior to camp, as we will be updating those as more information comes in.
But please keep in mind that as rules change, they may or may not change for summer camps, as well.
Where can I review your COVID-19 related policies and procedures?
Please note, we will continue to follow the rules and regulations outlined by the Ontario Government and local Public Health Units for each camp location. Therefore, we reserve the right to update Camp STEAM’s Health and Safety policy as necessary.
Do you administer medication?
There is at least one staff member at every site that has their First Aid and CPR certification, however, Camp STEAM counsellors DO NOT administer medications (unless it is an emergency such as the use of an EpiPen). If your child needs medication throughout the day please arrange for a parent or a designate to come and do so. Also, please ensure this information is communicated clearly on the application form when enrolling your child.
Are counsellors certified in First Aid and CPR?
There is at least one staff member at every site that has their First Aid and CPR certification.
What is your allergy (including nut) policy?
In general, Camp STEAM is nut aware, in that we ask parents to provide nut free food for their children, but there may be some nut food products present at the camp facilities, as we rent our camp facilities and do not have control over what may be in the building. Please review our Camp Guide.
Cancellations & Refunds
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
Participants that have purchased camp sessions, services or merchandise products prior to May 1, 2023 may request a full refund (minus the 2.4% Credit Card Surcharge) for ANY reason, if such a request is made to Head Office on or before April 30, 2023. Please contact our Support team via email at support@campsteam.ca by calling (226) 214-2050.
Camp Session purchases made on or after May 1, 2023, through to August 25, 2023, are considered FINAL SALE. No cash refunds will be granted, or credits issued, for ANY reason. Please be aware of this when purchasing camp sessions on or after May 1, 2023. If you are not agreeable to this condition, do not proceed in purchasing camp sessions. Before and After Care services are refundable at any time, including throughout the camp season, as long as the service you purchased is cancelled a minimum of one full business day prior to the start of the camp session for which you purchased the service. To cancel Before or After Care, please contact our Support team via email at support@campsteam.ca by calling (226) 214-2050.
In the event the Company cancels a camp location, session, day, service or merchandise product, before or after May 1, 2023, a full refund will be issued to the Participant. Reasons for cancellation include, but are not limited to: funding availability, lack of enrolment, insufficient staffing, or supply chain issues. Decisions to cancel camp locations is done with consideration of families searching for summer care options for their child(ren) and best efforts are made to finalize these decisions by May 1, 2023, however this is not always possible.
In the unlikely event that Camp STEAM Canada is forced to shut down due to a government order (ie. Pandemic related restrictions), the Participant will receive a credit for the full value of their purchase, to be used in the 2024 camp season.
Participants may switch their camp week(s), if notice is provided to Head Office by contacting our Support team. This must be done a minimum of 14 days in advance of the start date of the original purchased camp session and is contingent on available spots for the requested week(s). There is no guarantee that sessions will be available for your requested date(s) and location(s). To contact our Support team, please email your request to support@campsteam.ca or call (226) 214-2050 to speak with one of our Support team members.
Camp STEAM Canada reserves the right not to offer refunds or credits after May 1, 2023, under any circumstances, including, but not limited to:
- Inclement weather or unforeseen facility closures
- No air conditioning in a facility or it is hot outside
- A child is removed from Camp STEAM Canada as a result of inappropriate behaviour or as a result of parental bullying of Camp STEAM Canada staff
- A health or safety situation, including situations resulting from a pandemic, epidemic or other health-related matter
- The Participant’s decision not to attend for any reason at any time
- Unforeseen illness or injury
- A child decides that they are “not enjoying” Camp STEAM Canada. This happens in life, and we are not under any illusion that Camp STEAM Canada is for everyone. Please talk with the camp staff about strategies to make the camp more enjoyable but realize that sometimes a child just does not enjoy something. This is no one’s fault, and children need to learn how to cope with situations that are not, in their opinion, ideal for them.
Can I switch my child/children to a different week?
Participants may switch their camp week(s), if notice is provided to Head Office by contacting our Support team. This must be done a minimum of 14 days in advance of the start date of the original purchased camp session and is contingent on available spots for the requested week(s). There is no guarantee that sessions will be available for your requested date(s) and location(s). To contact our Support team, please email your request to support@campsteam.ca or call (226) 214-2050 to speak with one of our Support team members.
What happens if my child comes to Camp STEAM and doesn’t like it after the first day? Do I get a refund?
No. We suggest that parents evaluate their situation closely prior to enrolling their child and that should a situation occur where the child indicates they are not “having fun” or “didn’t learn anything”, strongly encourage them to try their best the next day. Children often focus on one thing during the day they did not like but in actuality they had 10 other positive things happen. Another suggestion would be to discuss the situation with the Camp Coordinator on site as there is often more to the story.
Do I get a refund if the government makes an announcement that day camps are not allowed to open?
In the unlikely event that Camp STEAM Canada is forced to shut down due to a government order (ie. Pandemic related restrictions), the Participant will receive a credit for the full value of their purchase, to be used in the 2024 camp season.
Payment & Credit Details
What are my payment options?
Payments can be made by credit card during the registration process. VISA and Mastercard are accepted.
Do you have any subsidies for low income families or single parents?
As a not for profit, Camp STEAM does not have a formal subsidy program as our fees are already at cost. We suggest parents contact their local service clubs and agencies to enquire about existing summer camp subsidy programs. A call to your local MPP and MP offices could also provide some funding ideas.
What is the Credit Card Surcharge?
There is a 2.4% Credit Card Surcharge added to all transactions to cover the fee that payment processors charge. This is a non-refundable fee and it is applied at checkout.