Camps

Programs are developed to meet the age and stage appropriateness of campers within the listed age range. Please register your child in the appropriate camp for their age.

Online Registration: Advanced registration is required. The best way to register is to do so online. When available, registration links will be posted here at rbg.ca/camps. You can find the links above, underneath the specific camp you are interested in (March Break, Summer, etc.)

Reminders Before Registering:

• The fastest and easiest way to register is to do so online
• Full payment MUST accompany registration
• Incomplete registration forms ARE NOT PROCESSED – please ensure all fields are filled out accurately

Royal Botanical Gardens reserves the right to cancel any program if the minimum number of participants is not reached or due to inclement weather with little to no notice (ticket purchasers will be contacted by email). If RBG cancels a program, registrants will receive a credit on their account that is equal to the amount of the original purchase. The credit can be applied towards a future program or event of their choosing.

Program Change Requests

• All requests for changes to registration must be received 10 business days prior to the start of the registered program.
• All requests for changes to registration received 10 business days or less prior to a program start date are non-transferable and are not eligible for a refund.

Program Cancellation Requests

• All refund requests must be received 10 business days prior to the start of the registered program.
• All refund requests received more than 10 business days prior to the start of the registered program are subject to a non-refundable processing charge of 10% of the original registration fee.
• All refund requests received 10 business days or less prior to a program start date are non-transferable and are not eligible for a refund.

Introductions, expectations, and icebreakers. Camp leaders will give your camper’s group some expectations for the week and let them know what they can look forward to during their week at camp. Campers will play games and participate in activities that will give them a chance to know each other and their camp leaders!  

Discovery. At RBG, the foundation of our programs is inquiry-based and experiential learning. We want campers to ask questions and follow their curiosity. This part of your camper’s day inspires curiosity, discovery, and connection in a natural setting. 

Games. Whether active or cool-downs, reflective or silly, the aim of our camp games is to have fun together. Campers will be able to engage in activities and games that foster a sense of community within their group and connection to the natural world.   

Snack and lunch breaks. Whenever possible, our campers will have snack and lunch outside. Campers will practice proper handwashing before and after meal breaks and will practice physical distancing while eating.  

Hike and nature exploration. Campers will spend time exploring RBG’s trails and gardens, learn about the animals and plants that make their homes here, and take advantage of all that nature has to offer. 

Creative adventures and/or skills sharing. We take time each day to foster your camper’s creativity. Whether it’s learning a skill or diving into their artistic side, your camper will come home from their week of camp having learned something new.  

Goodbyes. The group will wrap up their day with their counsellor, reflecting on the fun experiences they’ve had that day and looking forward to the next!   

Campers need the following items to be prepared for all activities:

• To ensure a healthier environment please pack a litterless, nut-free lunch and two snacks from home. Extra masks, drinks or water bottles are encouraged.
• The NIC is a nut-aware facility. 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 permitted. Food that does not comply with our policy will be replaced with a healthy alternative.
• We are outside in all sorts of weather— please send your child with weather-appropriate clothing including hats, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.
• Please pack a pair of indoor shoes, and an extra change of clothing.
• Camp is a time to make friends, learn, and explore all of the wonders of our natural world. To facilitate this, please make sure electronic toys, music devices, video games, trading cards and toys in general stay at home.
• Please ensure that everything brought to camp is labeled with your child’s name.
• RBG is not responsible for any items your child loses at camp. Please label all of your child’s belongings with their first and last name and leave all valuables at home. Campers are asked not to bring items of any significant value. RBG does not provide refunds for damaged or lost belongings. Please do not bring electronic devices to camp.

Every camper needs to bring a healthy and peanut / nut safe lunch and snack for morning and afternoon snack breaks, as well as a refillable water bottle to nourish them throughout the day. To help us model good environmental behaviour, please pack a litterless lunch.

Nut Safe Policy: To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of our campers, please ensure that lunches and snacks are free of peanuts, nuts, nut products and traces of nuts. Food that does not comply with our policy will be kept in your camper’s lunch to enjoy at home. 

Camps are led by mature, experienced and passionate leaders who have a personal interest in ensuring that your child’s experience is one that will be cherished and remembered for many years. Our leaders are enthusiastic, carefully screened high school, college and university students or graduates. Many leaders and support staff have been with us for several years. These individuals provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which your child can learn, play and have fun. Camp leaders are assisted by supervisors, support staff, and junior staff, resulting in an average leader to camper ratio of 1:8. All of our staff members undergo intensive training that focuses on safety, healthy child development, environmental appreciation/education and program management. All leaders are certified in First Aid and canoeing. All staff members over the age of 18 are screened using local police criminal record checks.

Do you know someone who would be interested in becoming a camp leader? Current opportunities are posted at rbg.ca/careers

All full-day camp programs run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off begins at 8:30 a.m., pick up ends at 4:30 p.m.

Before and After care is available from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Winter Camp programs take place at the Nature Interpretive Centre in the Arboretum, 16A Old Guelph Road, Dundas.

March Break and Summer Camp programs are based at one of two locations (see individual camp descriptions for more information):

• Nature Interpretive Centre in the Arboretum, 16-A Old Guelph Road, Dundas
• RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington

Camp program throughout the year may be based at one of two locations.

Please make sure you know at which location the camp you have registered for takes place.

• Nature Interpretive Centre Camps are located in the Arboretum, 16-A Old Guelph Road, Dundas.
• RBG Centre Camps take place at RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington.

Camper pick up and drop off will be in the same location each day. Only individuals authorized for camper pick up will be able to take their camper home. We check ID to verify authorized individuals for pick up.

In order for anyone other than the person who dropped off and signed the camper into the program, to sign out and pick up a camper they must show photo identification and must be listed on the child’s registration as either:

a) a primary caregiver;
b) an individual authorized for pickup;
c) an individual listed as an emergency contact. The individual must be over the age of 18 years. Any changes to these names on your initial registration must be noted in writing by letter addressed to Camp Director and be accompanied by a listed caregiver’s signature.

Campers are not required to wear a face mask at camp, but are welcome to wear a mask if they desire.  

Although we are an outdoor based program and campers are expected to come to camp prepared for the weather of the day, there may be times when we will shelter from inclement and extreme weather. The camp group will retreat to an indoor space used for that camp cohort until the weather event passes. Camp staff will make decisions to modify time spent outdoors in order to provide the best possible experiences for campers based on numerous weather factors including wind levels, precipitation, temperature, etc.

Royal Botanical Gardens’ Discovery Day Camps strive to create a positive and safe community through safe, respectful, fun and diverse learning experiences. Communication and coaching are used to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience. Behaviour that is seen to go against a positive atmosphere and is seen as unacceptable behaviour is dealt with swiftly and according to RBG’s behaviour management procedures. Campers who, given guidance and opportunities to correct their behaviour, fail to comply with these guidelines, are subject to progressive discipline up to and including having their privilege to participate in camp revoked. Refunds are not given for any camper who is sent home or removed from program for disciplinary reasons.

• to be observant of signs of distress or suspected negative incidents at camp
• to report any suspected incidences of physical or emotional violence

• to enjoy the benefits of a safe and inclusive environment
• to be observant of signs of distress or suspected negative incidents at camp
• to respect camp expectations as well as the physical and emotional safety of others
• to report any acts of physical or emotional behaviour against themselves or another camper

• to be role models in words and actions
• to be observant of signs of distress or suspected negative incidents at camp
• to report and record all incidences of physical or emotional violence
• to handle all situations with compassion and objectivity