• Summer full-day camp options

  We offer a wide variety of full-day camp options for school age children. We have both facility-based camps that meet at our centres and outdoor camps that meet outside.

  Facility-based camps
  Campers start and end their day inside an NVRC facility. We spend time both indoors and outdoors!

  Outdoor camps
  These camps are outside rain or shine. We will explore our local parks, trails and beaches! We may go inside for a swim or skate, but the majority of our activities are outdoors. In the case of extreme weather events, alternate plans will be made. 

   

• Part-day camp options

  NVRC offers part-day camps for preschoolers, school age children and youth.

  Part-day summer camp opportunities include art, certification and leadership, learn and play, and sport.

  View our camps in our online registration system. 

• Camp code of conduct

  At NVRC, we believe camps are a fun, safe, inclusive and meaningful way to spend school breaks. This camp code of conduct is an agreement and reminder of what is expected of everyone in camp.

  Camp code of conduct

  You, your child and NVRC staff will:

  • Treat everyone (children, parents, volunteers, staff and community members) fairly, and with respect and dignity. 
    Be kind and use positive language.

  Your child will:

  • Listen to instructions and stay with the group for their safety and the safety of others. 
    Respect public property and the property of others.

  Be kind, be safe, have fun!

  NVRC staff are there to support campers to follow the camp code of conduct. If campers are unable to follow the camp code of conduct, parents/guardians will be contacted and their child may be asked to leave camp either during or at the end of the day, at the discretion of facility staff.  

  Violent or abusive behaviours such as verbal threats or insults, attempts to intimidate, and physical aggression are unacceptable in camp.

  Please review this camp code of conduct with your child and ensure they understand the expectations.  

• Age ranges

  Age requirements for full-day camps are calculated as of the child’s age on Dec 31 in the current year, as NVRC follows the same system used by schools. 

  This is designed so that children are in camps with their school grade peers. For example, children turning eight during that year will be in the same camp whether they were born in March or September. 

  Age requirements for part-day camps are calculated as the child’s age at the course start date.

• Camp forms

  Camp forms can be completed online in your family account. View this video to learn how.

   

• Camps inclusion

  NVRC welcomes participants of all abilities to our camps. While we do not provide one-on-one or individualized support, we have inclusion spots available in some of our full-day summer camps. Visit our access services page if your child would benefit from attending camp with a little extra supervision.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: How are staff chosen & trained?

  Every parent should have peace of mind that their child is well cared for.  That’s why we choose our staff carefully.  All of our staff undergo a vigorous screening process including a police records check.  Camp leaders are certified in High Five* and First Aid. Each summer leaders receive eight to sixteen hours of additional training**. 

  *High Five is a national certification program that teaches the principles of healthy child development. Leaders also learn how to design programs that are welcoming of diversity, safe and developmentally appropriate. Find out more here!

• Q: How much communication can I expect from the camp leaders?

  Relationships are important to us and our leaders do their best to connect with all families.  Please keep in mind that pick up and drop off times are busy and leaders are managing the kids, so staff may not be able to connect with each family every day.  Rest assured, our staff will communicate all “need to know” information to you. Please approach our leaders if you would like to chat about something specific to your child.

• Q: Can I have my camp leader’s cell number?

  We’re sorry but the leaders are unable to take your call – they’re too busy taking great care of your child. Please contact our customer service staff at 604-987-7529 or the program supervisor. They are happy to help you.

• Q: How can I get my child to tell me more about their day?

  Nothing is more frustrating than asking about your child’s day and getting no response.  This is normal, especially for young children, and is more common in boys than in girls.  Learning to reflect on the day is an important skill.  
  Here are some tips! 

  1. Try asking specific questions. Avoid questions that require these answers: yes, no, good, bad or fine.  The idea is to find out one specific thing and then expand on that answer.  “Who did you play with today?” “What did you do together?”  “What did you do after lunch today?” ​ “What made you feel happy today?”
  2. Timing is everything – wait until your child has had some downtime to process their day.  They probably won’t be able to tell you at pick up time.  Ever wonder why your child has so much to say at bedtime?
  3. Be a good listener. Turn off your phone, sit with your child, and make eye contact.  This non-verbal communication shows your child they have your undivided attention.
  4. Keep trying and be consistent. Like any skill, it will take your child time to master the art of communication.
• Q: How can I help my child settle in at camp?

  Our leaders are here to help. Many of our camp programs start with self-directed activities so that children can relax and get used to their surroundings.  

  Encourage your child to introduce themselves to others – it’s an important life skill. Our volunteers and staff are happy to lend support to your child as they practice this skill. Once all the campers arrive, the leaders will take attendance, give children an orientation, and talk about camp rules and expectations. They will also play some ice breaker games to help the children and leaders get to know each other if it’s age appropriate. 

• Q: My child is bored. How are you going to make sure they have fun tomorrow?

  Our leaders work hard to plan great days however sometimes kids do get bored at camp. Trust us here … being bored is not such a bad thing.  When kids get bored of being bored – great things can happen. They develop their creativity and imagination; they engage in new activities and discover that they have control over how much fun they have at camp. 

• Q: My child just plays all day at camp, are they learning anything?

  We couldn’t be happier that your child is playing at camp and we hope you are too! Our camps are play-based. In fact, playing is an important form of learning where the child is ‘in charge’ of what they are thinking and doing. During play, children think critically and creatively, test and explore boundaries and ideas, negotiate with peers, and make decisions. We’ve prioritized time for child-directed or ‘unstructured play’ so your child has the opportunity to develop these important life skills. Our staff will be there to provide guidance but won’t be telling kids what to do or solving their problems. 

• Q: I’m so nervous! Is my child safe? 

  You can rest assured that we are taking good care of your child. Our leaders are well trained in child supervision. Children feel safer when they know what to expect from an activity and what to do ‘just in case’. That’s why our leaders work carefully with the children to help them know what to do in different situations. Children learn important ‘predict and react’ skills by thinking through situations before they happen.  

• Q: What is the camp discipline policy?

  Camp is a time for learning and developing confidence.  Camp leaders know that children don’t have it all figured out yet, that’s why we try to help campers to solve their own problems by providing guidance. We encourage children to be respectful, responsible, honest and safe. Occasionally children need quiet time to collect their thoughts and relax their body, so they can calmly think about the situation that is upsetting them. Camp leaders will help your child identify how they feel, how the other participants are feeling, possible solutions and how to prevent the problem from occurring in the future.  

  At times, camp staff will have firm rules to keep kids safe. Staff will explain why the rules exist and ask for your child’s cooperation.  When campers cooperate, their leaders can trust them more and the camp experience improves. By the way, we do have an official policy that protects children from abuse and inappropriate discipline. Just ask us if you’d like to read it.

• Q: Can I drop my child off for camp late or pick them up early?

  Please do not arrive late to camp. Our camps are on the move and we don’t want to miss you. Picking up early is discouraged for the same reason, but sometimes we can accommodate this. Please make arrangements with the camp leaders or programmer.  We will try and accommodate an early pick up; however, we may need to adhere strictly to our pick up processes.