News Release
June 10, 2020

The City of Toronto will begin to offer summer camps across the city starting on July 13 as part of its CampTO initiative, following the Province of Ontario announcement that summer day camps can operate during the Province’s Stage 2 reopening.

CampTO will offer more than 32,000 registered camp spaces for children between the ages of 6 and 12, over eight weeks of camps at approximately 150 locations across the city.

CampTO will offer traditional day camp experiences, including dance, drama, music, arts and crafts and active games. In addition to camps offered at Parks, Forestry and Recreation locations, CampTO will also be offered at six Toronto History Museum sites and one City art centre.

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 lower ratios and capacity, physical distancing, mandatory health screening and enhanced facility cleaning.

Programs will be available for viewing on Saturday, June 13 at toronto.ca/camps.

Registration for CampTO will take place beginning at 7 a.m. on:

  • Wednesday, June 24 for Etobicoke/York and Scarborough districts
  • Thursday, June 25 for Toronto/East York, West Toronto/York and North York districts

The quickest and easiest way to register is online at efun.toronto.ca. Phone registration will also be available at 416-396-7378. As Civic Centres and community recreation facilities remain closed, in-person registration will not be available.

Residents can call 416-396-7378 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for help preparing for registration. Extended hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be offered on June 22 and 23.

Information on free programs and subsidies for recreation programs is available at toronto.ca/lowcostrecreation.

Summer camps provide children and youth with important opportunities for social interaction, and parents and caregivers with necessary childcare. The City’s CampTO program can provide needed respite for children and parents, during the COVID-19 pandemic. City summer camps also provide employment opportunities for many young people across Toronto.

Approximately 68,000 summer camp registrations were cancelled in mid-May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Quotes:

“Summer camps are so important for so many of our kids and I’m glad that we will be able to provide the experience this year – even in the midst of the pandemic – to thousands of families. This is a critical piece of our recovery and rebuild efforts. City staff have worked hard to get to the point where we can offer this program safely. I offer on behalf of all of the people of Toronto my thanks for their incredible efforts and I know they are looking forward to getting kids back to camp just as much as I am.”
– Mayor John Tory

“As families begin to go back to work and summer is here, CampTO will be an important childcare option for Toronto, providing a high-quality camp experience, enhanced health and safety measure, and the same traditional camp activities kids know and love. It’s great to be able to get Toronto kids safely back to what we all know is a treasured summer activity.”
– Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6 York Centre), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee,

“The City of Toronto’s annual summer camps have long been a safe and enjoyable annual event for kids and staff alike. Summer camp provide positive social interactions, childhood development, and youth employment. These programs are especially important for vulnerable kids. Learning to live with COVID-19 will be challenging, but with significantly enhanced health measures under CampTO, Toronto summer camps can go on”.
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York), Chair Toronto Board of Health

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.

Media Relations