Winter Camps

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 at www.rbg.ca/camps 
• 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 camp program if the minimum number of participants is not reached. If RBG cancels a camp, registrants are fully refunded. Refunds are not issued for inclement weather. 5 business days prior to the registered camp program is the cut-off date for camp refund requests by purchasers. 

Winter camp registration change or modification requests must be submitted in writing to camps@rbg.ca and will be put in sequence to be processed. 

All changes to camp registration are subject to a non-refundable administration fee: 

• More than 10 business days before the start of the registered camp program: Full refund less 10% of the registration fee. 
• Within 10 business days before the start of the registered camp program: Full refund less 25% of the registration fee.

Introductions, expectations, and icebreakers. Camp leaders will give your camper’s group some expectations for the day and let them know what they can look forward to during their day 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.    

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! 

Each day your child will be involved in a variety of fun and educational activities. To ensure that your child has the best possible camp experience, please follow these requirements: 

• With a focus on environmental conservation RBG has taken steps to reduce the quantity of single use plastics that are brought onto our properties. Please take the steps to pack a litter-less lunch to help keep harmful plastics from entering our ecosystems. 
• Please pack a nut-free lunch and at least two snacks from home. Don’t forget some extra drinks and a reusable water bottle. Campers tend to need more food at camp than at school, so pack accordingly. 
• We are an outdoor camp and as such, we are outside in all sorts of weather— please send your child with weather-appropriate clothing including weather appropriate outdoor gear.  To be prepared for outdoor activities, it is important that your camper arrives with cold weather clothing including mittens, a hat, and warm boots. If rain is forecast for your camp day, please also bring a waterproof outer layer. It is recommended that your camper brings additional warm clothing. Please note that for safety reasons rubber boots are not weather appropriate winter wear.   
• To keep the Nature Interpretive Centre (and your child’s socks) as clean as possible, we request that a pair of indoor shoes be brought to camp.  
• Please pack an extra change of clothing. 
• Camp is a time to make friends, learn, and explore all of the wonders of our natural world. Please make sure electronic toys, virtual pets, music devices, video games, trading cards and toys in general stay at home. 
• Please ensure that everything you bring to camp is labeled with your child’s name. RBG is not responsible for lost or waylaid items

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 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. In an effort to maintain cohorts and minimize mixing of campers, we will not be offering extended care this summer.

Winter camp programs are based out of the Nature Centre in the Arboretum, 16A Old Guelph Road, Dundas

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

Camper pick up and drop off will be in the same location outdoors 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:  

1. a) a primary caregiver; 
2. b) an individual authorized for pickup; 
3. 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 by an email sent to Emma Baker, Education Program Officer at ebaker@rbg.ca with a parent/ guardian signature. 

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