Hey! Thanks to supporters like you, RBG Summer Discovery Camps won the Gold medal for best summer camps in Hamilton Community News’ 2010 Readers Choice Awards.
Thanks! – Jason van Veen

Camp Mission and Values: Royal Botanical Gardens’ Discovery Camps strive to promote healthy environmental attitudes and lifestyles through safe, respectful, fun and diverse outdoor learning experiences.

Registration open March 20

Day camps for kids ages 4 to 5
Day camps for kids ages 6 to 7
Day camps for kids ages 8 to 9
Day camps for kids ages 10 to 12
Garden Discovery Camps for kids ages 5 to 8
Leadership Development Programs for 13 to 17 year-olds

	Discovery Day Camps: View QuickTime movie (streaming large file, may take a moment to start)

Forest Explorers (Weeks, 2, 5, 8)
Follow in famous footsteps as we take you on an adventure to explore and marvel at the magical world beyond our doors Whether rambling through the woods, canoeing in the marsh, finding creatures in a pond, looking for life in a log or investigating insects in a field, we answer all your questions during this week of hands-on exploration of our amazing Carolinian forest. Crafts, games and stories help to teach us about the wonders of nature.

RBG’s Wide World of Nature (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
Through nature walks, canoeing around Cootes Paradise Marsh and lots of fun eco-games come discover and help protect the beautiful forests, fields and wildlife sanctuaries of Royal Botanical Gardens. Come along as we hike, play great games, make cool crafts and are amazed by the creativity and wonder of Mother Nature’s fragile beauty. Explore our world from the familiar to the unusual, and find out why plants, animals, weather and conservation play such an important role in our lives.

register online

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6 to 7 years
Animal Wonders (Weeks 1, 4, 7)
Discover caterpillars and butterflies hiding in the garden, hand feed the chickadees and chipmunks along the trails, search for reptiles and birds using binoculars, view the world through bug eyes and visit our cedar maze. This program has been specially designed for high-energy, hands-on learners interested in discovering the world of animals through entertaining and exciting activities. What could be more thrilling than spending time with your forest friends?

Green Kids (Weeks 2, 5, 8)
If you love nature and your idea of a perfect day is one spent outdoors in a beautiful setting coming up with ways to save the planet, then this camp is for you! Join us for exciting games, fantastic nature hikes, canoe explorations of Cootes Paradise Marsh and involvement in projects that will help some of the rare and threatened species that live on RBG property and across the planet. Learn, play and enjoy this week as you become as green as you can be!

NEW
Young Naturalists (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
Explore the natural world of birds, bugs, plants, weather, cycles and everything that’s found in your own backyard. The 25 kilometres of nature trails that crisscross our 10 square kilometres of forests and wetlands make Royal Botanical Gardens the perfect setting to get your hands on nature and discover some spectacular places. Come along as we spend the week exploring the science behind the natural world. Learn to observe and understand the connections and relationships that make up our special lands through hiking, canoeing and playing.

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8 to 9 years
An optional overnight camp-out is part of the 8 to 9 year-olds’ camp. See below for details and registration. This camp-out fee of $25 includes Thursday evening dinner and campfire snack, and Friday breakfast, lunch and snacks.

The Outdoor Experience (Weeks 1, 4, 7)
GPS, canoeing, extended hikes: experience it all at Royal Botanical Gardens, a biodiversity hot spot (where else can you find almost 1,200 wild plant species,
277 different kinds of birds, 29 types of mammals, 68 species of fish, 13 species of reptiles and 9 types of amphibians?). Get the most out of the outdoors during this week of adventure, discovery, environmental appreciation and outdoor adventure. With active games, great crafts and environmental awareness you’ll enjoy the best of what Royal Botanical Gardens’ Discovery Camps are famous for.

NEW
The Science of Nature (Weeks, 2, 5, 8)
This week is all about discovery! With over 750 hectares of forested habitat, RBG is home to a rich diversity of unique woodland communities. Come explore the interactions, connections and fascinating lives of plants and animals from our forests, fields and marshes. You’ll have hours of fun enjoying in-depth nature walks, canoeing, eco-adventures and fun environmental games during our amazing investigations. Just imagine the possibilities!

Earth Quest (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
Challenge yourself and gain a better understanding of our natural world. This fun and exciting program goes beyond basic camp activities and challenges campers on longer hikes, bigger, wider games, conservation projects and the opportunity to explore larger and wilder areas of our Carolinian forest. Experienced and passionate guides lead you on canoeing, hiking and restoration adventures as we go beyond the basics and provide the perfect opportunity to get to know the plant and animals species that make up our amazing bioregion.

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10 to 12 years
All Senior camps include an overnight camp-out. Thursday dinner and a campfire snack as well as Friday breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. See below for details.

NEW
Adventure Quest (Weeks 1, 4, 7)
Looking for an adventure? Spend a week exploring Royal Botanical Gardens’ 10 square kilometers of nature sanctuary. Explore the fascinating and challenging nature trails of the Cootes to Escarpment Park System, launch your canoe on extended outings throughout Cootes Paradise and try adventurous games that will challenge the way you see the great outdoors. This camp includes hikes up to 8 km long and canoe excursions lasting up to three hours so participants should be physically capable of taking part in such activities.

Eco-Warriors (Weeks, 2, 5, 8)
The forests and wetlands that make up Royal Botanical Gardens are known as Canada’s biodiversity hot spot, with close to one-quarter of Canada’s wild plant species found growing wild here. With visits from local conservation and biodiversity experts and by participating in active conservation efforts and projects, campers get up-close experience in the field of conservation exploration and investigation. Each day holds a variety of stewardship based projects and activities that aim to restore and conserve local marsh, field and forest habitats and animal species. Participation in this camp will increase your awareness of the importance of preserving plant and animal species and their habitats.

Mission: Nature Survival (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
One of our most popular camps is back for another year! Outwit, outplay, and outsmart the other team while you grow and learn through some very interesting challenges. Challenges balance physical, mental and leisurely activities so that everyone can participate. Activities focus on team building, co-ordination, balance and skill, and we throw in some just-plain-fun games too. The hikes are longer, canoe expeditions take us farther and the games are more challenging than any other camp.!

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Garden Discovery Camps
RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
5 to 8 years

Art in the Garden (Weeks 1, 4, 7)
This hands-on program introduces you to the joys of creativity in gardening, growing and of course art! Campers have the opportunity to paint, draw and create while exploring our many gardens, visiting with professional gardeners, playing cool games, creating with plants and of course, planting your own seeds, flowers and fun! Let your creative side shine during this week of all things artistic.

Green Thumbs (Weeks, 2, 5, 8)
The world is at your fingertips this week as we explore and protect the plants and ecosystems of our local forests and wetlands. By journeying into over one square kilometer of cultivated gardens, 25 kilometres of nature trails and 10 square kilometers of forests and wetlands, we play, discover, create and conserve. This fun and unique program combines nature-focused activities with hands-on gardening and is for campers who love both and want to help protect Earth.

Burst into Bloom (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
From small flowers to towering trees the world is full of strange and wonderful plants. Royal Botanical Gardens offers an enormous array of gardens, greenhouses and natural lands waiting to be explored. If you have ever loved a garden or a green space, this week of fun games, crafts, garden outings, planting and outdoor adventures is for you! .

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Leadership Development Programs
for 13 to 17 year-olds
These fun and educational programs are designed to develop leadership and life skills. Through hands-on cooperative activities, participants explore and learn about teamwork, problem solving, communication and leadership. Develop skills that will help you in every aspect of life and have a great time being part of a dynamic team. Learn more about yourself and others while gaining valuable work experience and becoming more skilled at working with children in an educational environment.

We encourage our past campers to expand their leadership potential in our development programs, though new participants are welcome as well. All participants are required to attend a precamp training session in order to qualify for these programs..

LEADER IN TRAINING
13 to 15 years
Too old for camp, but love the experience? Fill your summer days with hiking, canoeing, crafting, cooperative games and challenges. Develop leadership, communication, self-confidence and group management skills through training sessions, hands-on activities and workshops led by our junior staff supervisor. Learn how to successfully lead games and crafts, capture the attention of campers and find out how to make learning fun through motivation and co-operation! Leaders in training are mentored by camp counselors and are expected to assist in facilitating day camp programs. The focus of the program is on building leadership skills and gaining confidence. Please indicate the choice of sessions on the attached camp health and registration form. Our leadership development programs may qualify for volunteer credits required by your school.

Minimum three consecutive week commitment:
Session I: July 5 to July 23
Session II: July 26 to August 13
Session III: August 16 to September 3

RBG family member: $195; Non-member: $215
Location: Nature Interpretive Centre
Maximum: 15 participants/session
Register early to avoid disappointment.
See mandatory pre-camp training information on this page. .

JUNIOR LEADER — Honorarium position
14+ years
Have the fun of summer camp but reap the benefits of being a leader! Work for a minimum of five weeks with an enthusiastic staff team who share a common interest and learn more about the environment, science, horticulture, arts and crafts, canoeing, camping and working with children. Junior Leaders learn to care for children in an educational setting through training, job shadowing and supported leadership activities. You are expected to lead back-pocket games, crafts, create and brainstorm activities and facilitate camp programs. Participants receive a honourarium, letter of reference and certificate and staff shirt. See information on mandatory and optional training sessions, and application requirements on this page.
Maximum: 12 participants/session

ASSISTANT COUNSELLOR — Honorarium position
15+ years
Assistant counselors work side by side with counseling staff in all levels of program planning and execution. They receive ongoing feedback from the counseling staff on areas of growth and improvement. This program requires increasing responsibility, initiative and proactive approaches to activities. Assistant counselors are called upon to lead a variety of activities throughout the week. Acceptance into this program is based on leadership experience, teamwork and flexibility as well as a sense of initiative and a willingness to learn new skills. Participants are required to make a minimum seven-week commitment (plus mandatory staff training), although they are encouraged to register for additional weeks. Assistant counselors receive an honorarium, a whistle, staff T-shirt and a reference letter for completing this program. See below for information on mandatory and optional training sessions, and application requirements.
Maximum: 6 participants/session

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR JUNIOR LEADER AND ASSISTANT COUNSELLOR:
Junior Leader: 14 years of age or older
Assistant Counsellor: 15 years of age or older
• Leadership experience (i.e. babysitting, Scout/Guide helper, sports captain, previous Royal Botanical Gardens leadership training)
• Teamwork skills and flexibility; self-initiative and willingness to learn
• Minimum commitment of five consecutive weeks for Junior Leader; seven consecutive weeks (full summer preferred) for Assistant Counsellor
• Preference given to those who have First Aid, CPR, Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association accreditation or canoe skills, experience working with children in an organized environment, a demonstrated interest in outdoor education/environmental science, pure science or teaching or those who have participated in previous leadership training at RBG or other organization.

PRE-CAMP TRAINING WEEKEND— All participants in our leadership development programs must participate in a weekend training session Saturday, June 26 through Sunday, June 27. There are also training sessions held during the last week of June; information will follow.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING— The following specialized training courses are suggested for ALL leadership development program participants:

FIRST AID— A requirement for Royal Botanical Gardens camp staff, and highly recommended for leadership trainees to obtain prior to the start of camp (call Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance for course times in your area).

CANOEING CERTIFICATION— If you are interested in assisting with canoe instruction, you must have a Level 1A Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association certificate. This is a provincially recognized program on flat-water canoeing. Certification is offered at Royal Botanical Gardens and there is a participant fee. Date and fee: TBA

HOW TO APPLY:
LIT program: Register online
Junior Leaders and Assistant Counsellors: Download and fill out the Junior Staff Questionnaire. Send the completed questionnaire, your résumé and a letter outlining your interest in the program and the weeks of your availability by April 30, 2010. Interviews for qualified candidates begin in April and continue until positions have been filled. Space is limited, so apply early.

By mail: Camp Director, Royal Botanical Gardens
P.O. Box 399, Hamilton, ON L8N 3H8
Hand deliver to: Nature Interpretive Centre/Arboretum
20A Old Guelph Road, Dundas
Fax: Attention Camp Director, 905-527-5752
Email: jvanveen@rbg.ca.

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CAMP FACTS AT A GLANCE
register online

Download a registration form (pdf)
Please complete one registration form for each camper.

FEES
For children in 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and RBG Centre 5-8 year-old camps:
5-day camps, Members: $210; Non-members: $230
*4-day camps Members: $175; Non-members: $190
Optional overnight camp-out for 8–9 year-olds: $25

For campers in 10–12 year-old camps (includes overnight camp-out):
5-day camps, Members: $235; Non-members: $255
*4-day camps Members: $200; Non-members: $215

TIME AND LOCATIONS
Camps take place at one of two locations:
1. Unless otherwise indicated, camps take place at Nature Interpretive Centre/Arboretum, 20A Old Guelph Road, Dundas (see map).
2. Garden Discovery Camps are held in Room 5 at RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington.
All camp programs run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., unless otherwise stated. We offer free extended care between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Additional extended care is available from 8 until 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at a cost of $5 per day per child. Please register in advance for extended care.

OUR STAFF TEAM
Our camps are led by trained, experienced and passionate counsellors who are enthusiastic high school, college and university students or graduates. Camp counsellors are assisted by Junior Leaders, Assistant Counsellors and Leaders in Training from our Leadership Development Program, resulting in an average leader to camper ratio of 1:7. All of our staff members (including support staff) undergo intensive training that focuses on healthy child development, safety, environmental appreciation/education and program management. All counsellors are certified in First Aid and canoeing (Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association). All staff members over the age of 18 are screened using local police criminal record checks. All camp programs are planned under the direction of certified teaching and recreational professionals.

CANOEING
All camps that take place at the Nature Interpretive Centre participate in daily canoe programs. All Garden Discovery Camps at RBG Centre participate in canoe programs up to twice per week. We own a fleet of canoes that can accommodate over 30 people on the water at any one time. Experienced canoeing specialists lead canoe programs which stress comfort on the water, fun and skill-building. All canoe instructors are certified by the Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association. Canoeing takes place on Cootes Paradise Marsh, a shallow (average depth 1 m) wetland which is located a short walk from the Nature Interpretive Centre. All canoeing equipment, including personal flotation devices and paddles, is provided. Royal Botanical Gardens’ Discovery Camps promote active participation in all activities; however no camper is pressured to participate in any activity they are not comfortable with. If you do not wish your child to participate in canoeing please notify your child’s counselors and the camp coordinator.

SHUTTLE BUS
Royal Botanical Gardens offers its visitors the opportunity to explore the many garden areas through the use of an inter-garden shuttle bus. On occasion camp programs may utilize this service in order to explore other areas of our property. This is a valuable service that adds to the camp experience. Speak with your camp leaders if you wish to find out when your child’s camp group will be riding the shuttle bus.

FOOD
Your child needs to bring lunch and a healthy snack for both morning and afternoon snack breaks, as well as a refillable water bottle. To help us model good environmental behaviour, please pack a litterless lunch.

NO-NUTS POLICY
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of our campers, please ensure that lunches and snacks are free of nuts, nut products and traces of nuts. Snacks that “may contain traces of nuts or nut products” are not acceptable and food that does not comply with our policy will be replaced with a healthy alternative. Try searching “nut-free” on the Internet for websites that provide ideas for nut-free lunches and snacks.

CAMP-OUT INFORMATION
On Thursday nights the 8 to 9 and 10 to 12 year-old camp programs offer an overnight camp experience. This is a great opportunity to explore the forest at night and experience a camp-out in a safe and fun atmosphere. Overnight accommodation is in waterproof, nylon tents with four to five same-gender children per tent. Counsellors are in adjacent tents and campers are supervised at all times, and will sleep indoors in the event of severe weather. Healthy meals and snacks for the evening and the following day are provided. The overnight is included in the 10 to 12 year-old camp programs and fees, however the 8 to 9 year-old program overnight is optional and an additional $25 fee is required (please indicate if you wish to register for this on your application form).

HOW TO REGISTER
Advanced registration is required. Participants may register online, in person or by mail. Phoned in or faxed registrations are not accepted.

REGISTER ONLINE (open March 20). Our secure, online service requires your email address in order to immediately send you a confirmation email and receipt. Please print and save receipt for income tax purposes.

Download a registration form (pdf)

By mail or in-person: Please fill out the registration and health form in full and mail or deliver to: Discovery Camps Summer 2010, Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4.

Registrations are accepted on a first-come basis. Registrations are not accepted if they are missing any required information. You must include a working e-mail address as you will receive a confirmation e-mail outlining more detailed information about camp, including what to bring. Please read this letter with your family so that everyone has an understanding of camp needs.

For more information: 905-527-7962; 905-527-1158 or 1-800-694-4769 ext. 270; email: camps@rbg.ca

MEMBERSHIP
Members of Royal Botanical Gardens enjoy a discounted rate for camp programs. Our family membership fee for one year is $80 if processed before May 1 and $92 if received afterwards. Fee includes all applicable taxes (HST). Family membership covers two designated adults and all children under 18 years of age. You may purchase a membership at the time of registration. If you are using a family/ grandparent membership to take advantage of the discount, please note that a receipt will be issued in the member’s name only. Members of the Gardens enjoy many perks including discounted admission and discounted program fees. Please visit membership and support for more information.

Members of the Gardens enjoy many perks including discounted admission and discounted program fees. Please click here for more information.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUND POLICY
Royal Botanical Gardens reserves the right to cancel any program if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In this event, applicants are given their choice of a credit or refund. Refunds may be made for registrant withdrawals made up to two weeks prior to the start of camp; however these are subject to a 25% cancellation fee. After that date, no other refunds are made. Changes to dates made on original registration are subject to a $10 administration fee.

LIABILITY
Royal Botanical Gardens is not responsible for any accident, injury or loss — howsoever sustained — to your child or child’s property, or for personal injury or mishap. Our programs include outdoor hikes on our nature trails in hilly terrain, canoeing, crafts, and active games, as well as short audio-video components to reinforce concepts and themes. All activities are at the risk of the participant. If you do not wish your child to participate in certain activities, please notify the Camp Coordinator. Please label all belongings.

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