This morning, the City welcomed close to 2,500 campers to their first day of summer camp. The City of Toronto is offering summer day camps across the city as part of its CampTO initiative, following the provincial government’s announcement that summer day camps can operate during the Stage 2 reopening. Beginning today, CampTO will run in weekly sessions over eight weeks this summer, until the end of August, at approximately 130 Toronto locations. To date, there have been approximately 16,650 registrations from more than 4,500 campers.
CampTO is a new creative camp experience that offers outdoor and physical activities, active and quiet games, arts and crafts, and nature-based activities. CampTO features additional staff for smaller camper to leader ratios to help maintain physical distancing and ensure safe supervision of campers. CampTO is designed for maximum fun and safety for campers six to 12 years of age.
While camp will look different for campers and their caregivers this year, there are plenty of fun activities in store. Camp staff have been hard at work adapting games and activities to maintain physical distance between campers. Each camper will have their own supplies for all activities to eliminate shared supplies and equipment. CampTO will not feature bus trips or use public transit, but instead will be exploring local neighbourhoods during outdoor programming and walks to parks.
The campers’ safety is the City’s first priority. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, CampTO programs will meet health guidelines designed in consultation with Toronto Public Health and in alignment with provincial health guidelines for day camps. Guidelines include enhanced ratio of staff to campers and reduced group sizes, use of masks indoors, physical distancing, mandatory health screening and enhanced facility cleaning. Each camp group will stay together for the entire week, and not interact with other campers. Caregivers received a phone call prior to camp start to review procedures and do a pre-camp health check.
Masks or face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces. CampTO campers and staff are expected to wear cloth face coverings or masks while indoors. Campers will be required to bring two to three clean face coverings or masks to camp each day. Campers will not be required to wear a face covering while outdoors at CampTO.
Currently, CampTO is 70 per cent full and spaces remain available for caregivers who wish to send their children to CampTO this year. Registration for CampTO is available online at efun.toronto.ca and by phone at 416-396-7378. More information about CampTO is available at toronto.ca/camps.
“CampTO is a great way for kids to experience summer camp this year while keeping them and our staff safe. Our programs were uniquely designed to help kids transition back into social groups within the boundaries of Toronto Public Health guidelines. This ensures that Toronto children can have a safe and fun camp experience, while making new friends and happy memories during this unique time. I want to thank staff for helping bring CampTO to life quickly and safely so that we can all ensure that our campers have a great summer!”
– Mayor John Tory
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