Virtual Summer Adventures about to begin

The City of Vaughan’s first-ever Virtual Summer Adventures series, which will bring summer camp activities and recreational programs straight to homes across the city, will start Monday, July 6, with City instructors livestreaming the programs remotely via Zoom. Classes will run until Friday, Sept. 4. Pre-registration is required at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. 

Registration is on a weekly basis and a materials and supply list will be emailed to everyone registered in advance of the course start date. Fees start at $75 per week and participants will receive a summer camps drawstring tote, while quantities last, available for curbside pickup at a pre-assigned community centre.  

To keep the fun going all summer long, whether virtually or in-person, the City has a variety of programming available for kids of all ages. 

Online recreation programs 

The virtual recreation program offers activities for 45 minutes to one hour each week. There will be up to nine weeks of programming with fees starting at $40 to $120. Programs are available for people of all ages, from preschool to older adults. There are also family lessons for parents and children to participate in programs together. Choose from creative and culinary arts, enrichment, health and wellness and sports. 

In-person summer camps 

Registration is underway for the City’s in-person summer camps, taking place from Monday, July 20 to Friday, Sept. 4. In light of recent COVID-19 developments, the City launched this modified on-site program to keep kids active, entertained and safe. In-person summer camp programming will feature daily activities geared toward children aged six to 12, including outdoor and nature-based play, games, arts and crafts and special-themed days.  

The in-person program will follow all guidelines and health precautions set out by the Province of Ontario and York Region Public Health, including physical distancing and smaller camp sizes. Each group, with no more than eight campers, will be assigned its own space for defined activity periods, a dedicated washroom and a designated camp counsellor who will remain with the same group of children all week. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols have also been implemented. For more information on camp programing or guidelines, visit vaughan.ca/camps. 

Key information about in-person Summer Adventure Camps:

• Camps run for one-week sessions, starting Monday, July 20 to Friday, Sept 4, 2020.
• Camp programming will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with assigned drop-off times between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. Pick-up times are between 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Pre-registration is required online (no drop-in’s will be accepted).
• Fees start at $195 per week.
• Camps will run at most community centres and other select City locations across Vaughan. 

The City Playhouse Theatre will also feature a modified on-site Summer Arts Camp. This camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for the month of August. Programming will be available for kids aged nine to 12 for $225 per week. Please note this camp will not feature the traditional end-of-week performances in response to the global pandemic. 

Maple Community Centre will also offer the Summer FUNtastic Camp, designed for participants with different abilities and special needs. This camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, for kids aged nine to 14 and the fee is $195 per week. For the health and safety of all participants, registrations must be screened according to COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines. Those interested in registering are first required to join a waitlist for the program, and then staff will contact them to assess eligibility by completing a COVID-19 intake assessment form. Upon meeting the criteria, participants will be registered and contacted for payment. Please email specialneeds@vaughan.ca for more information.  

To view the On-Site Summer Camp descriptions and locations, visit the Registration Portal at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For more information or to obtain a registration barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. 

As the pandemic continues to unfold, receive the City’s latest updates by checking vaughan.ca/COVID19, signing up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and following the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels. 

Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19. 

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