Summer programs

Looking for a summer camp or program? Consider a play-filled choice at one of our community centres, parks or facilities.

On this page:

  1. Summer camp registration dates
  2. How to register
  3. Save time on registration day
  4. Kitchener summer camps
  5. Camp readiness
  6. Refund policy
  7. Inclusion support
  8. Fee assistance
  9. Play In The Park
  10. BYLD program
  11. YDI - Youth Drop In

Summer Camp Registration dates  

Summer camp registration for 2026 will open on:

  • Kitchener residents: 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24
  • Non-residents: 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31

Find out more on our registration page.

How to register

  • by calling 519-741-2907 

Save time on registration day

A form is now available to complete ahead of registration day, making registration for camp or programs easier and faster! Your answers will be saved and automatically populated in the form during registration, saving you time and helping you check out faster on registration day. 

To learn more, or to complete the form, visit Kitchener.ca/ProgramRegistration

Submit the form

Kitchener Summer Camps

The City of Kitchener offers weekly day camps packed with imagination, adventure, and big-time fun all summer long! With creative themes, hands-on activities, and a brand‑new experience every week, kids get to explore, discover, and dive into unforgettable summertime excitement—all across the city.

Exciting Improvements for Summer Camps 2026

This summer, families will experience a refreshed camp model designed to create more engaging, age‑appropriate experiences for every child. Camps will now be organized by birth year, allowing staff to plan activities that match each group’s developmental stage and interests. Together, these changes support stronger peer connections, more meaningful activities, and a better overall camp experience for kids of all ages.

  • Little Explorers (born 2020-2021)
  • Junior Explorers (born in 2017-2019)
  • Adventure Camp (born in 2014-2016)
  • Swim Everyday Camp (born in 2013-2018)
  • Specialty Camps (born in 2013-2019)

Have questions? Learn more from our summer camp frequently asked questions.

Our weekly Neighbourhood Day Camps include age-appropriate games, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, songs, water days, special guests, and walking trips - all with a weekly theme to engage your child to have a fun summer. Offered to three age groups:

  • Little Explorers Camp- children born in 2020–2021 
  • Junior Explorers Camp- children born in 2017-2019 
  • Adventure Camp -children born in 2014–2016  

Dates: July 6 – August 28 (weekly)  *Breithaupt Recreation Centre runs until Sept. 4  

Time:  9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.* 

Cost: $128.91/week 

* Before and aftercare available from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m. for an additional $14 per week  

Locations (ages vary by site):  

Breithaupt Recreation Centre (Little Explorers Only)

Bridgeport Community Centre (Little Explorers Only)

Centreville-Chicopee Community Centre (Little Explorers and Junior Explorers Only) 

Chandler Mowat Community Centre Summer Camp

Country Hills Community Centre Summer Camp

Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre Summer Camp

Downtown Community Centre Summer Camp 

Grand River Arena (Little Explorers Only) 

Huron Community Centre Summer Camp

Kingsdale Community Centre Summer Camp

Forest Heights Community Centre Summer Camp

Stanley Park Community Centre Summer Camp

Victoria Hills Community Centre Summer Camp

Williamsburg Community Centre Summer Camp

Dates:  July 6 – Aug 28 (weekly) *Breithaupt Recreation Centre runs until Sept. 4 

Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.*

Cost: $145.16/week

This weekly day camp includes all the fun of a neighbourhood camp (arts, crafts, games) as well as a regularly scheduled swim every day!  

* Before and aftercare available from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m. for an additional $14 per week  

Locations (age varies by site):  

Breithaupt Recreation Centre: Children born 2015–2018 - Registration link

Cameron Heights Pool/High School: Children born 2015-2018 Registration link

Grand River Arena/Lyle Hallman Pool: Children born 2015-2018 Registration link

Kiwanis Park: Children born 2013-2018 - Registration link

Starts July 6 (weekly)

Time:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (no before/after care)

Stanley Park Senior Public School  

Cost:   $103.13/week  

Registration link

Calling all young innovators! 

This camp is perfect for curious minds who love to build, experiment, and explore. Each day is packed with hands-on activities, exciting experiments, creative challenges, and problem-solving adventures. Campers will discover how things work, unleash their creativity, and develop teamwork skills while having tons of fun. 

Starts July 6 (weekly)

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No before/aftercare)  

Meadowlane Public School

Cost:   $103.13/week  

Registration link

Take center stage this summer! 

This camp is perfect for kids who love music, dance, drama, and creative expression. Each day is packed with exciting activities like acting games, crafts, dancing, and behind-the-scenes fun. 

Starts July 6 (weekly)

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (No before/aftercare)  

Lions Arena

Cost:   $128.91/week 

Registration link

Kick, push, and roll into an awesome summer! 

This camp is perfect for beginners and budding skaters looking to learn new tricks and build confidence on the board. Each day includes skill-building sessions, balance challenges, and fun games in other sports like kickball, dodgeball, and soccer.  

Starts July 6 (weekly)

Alpine Public School  

Time:  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No before/aftercare)  

Cost:   $103.13/week  

Registration link

Explore the wonders of nature and enjoy outdoor adventure activities, environmental art, nature-based crafts, and science activities. 

Through a play-based learning approach, participants will experience nature in unique ways, deepen their understanding of how the earth works, and see the positive impact they can have on their environment. Each day will include a variety of environmentally informed activities that provide opportunities to be creative and use our imaginations, with a focus on the environment and the impact of our actions on the earth around us. Join us to explore, imagine, learn and grow. 

For children born 2017-2019:

Don Maclaren Arena 

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (before/aftercare available)  

Cost:   $128.91/week  

Registration link

 

For children born 2013–2016:  

Lackner Woods Public School

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No before/aftercare)  

Cost:   $103.13/week  

Registration link

Get ready to move, play, and compete! 

Sports Camp is designed for kids who love action and teamwork. Each day is packed with exciting games and activities like soccer, dodgeball, volleyball, and more. Perfect for building skills, confidence, and friendships. Campers will learn the value of teamwork, practice good sportsmanship, and stay active while having tons of fun. Whether they’re trying a new sport or sharpening their favorite skills, this camp is all about energy, enthusiasm, and play.

 

 

Starts July 6 (weekly)

Location - Forest Hil Public School 

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (No before/aftercare)  

Cost: $103.13/week 

Bring your imagination to life!

This camp is designed for kids who love to draw, paint, and create. Each day is filled with hands-on art activities, such as painting, sketching, and mixed-media projects, that let campers explore color, texture, and technique. Campers will learn new skills, experiment with various materials, and express their creativity as they create unique masterpieces to take home. It’s the perfect camp for young artists ready to let their creativity shine!   

Registration link.

 

Golf Camp for children ages 6 to 8 (1/2 day)

Starts July 6 (weekly to August 28)

Location: Doon Valley Golf Club (500 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener)

Days: Monday to Friday

Time:  9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Cost: $190 per week

No lunch provided

Join us for a fun-filled week of golf, sports, games, competition, prizes and adventure.

No experience or equipment required.  

Register today! 

Golf Camp for children ages 9 to 15 (Full Day)

Starts July 6 (weekly to August 28)

Location: Doon Valley Golf Club (500 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener)

Days: Monday to Friday

Time:  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch provided)

Extended Care available – 8:30 a.m.to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - additional $40

Cost: $335 per week

Join us for a fun-filled week of golf, sports, games, competition, prizes and adventure.

No experience or equipment required.  

Register today!

Inclusion Camp (for persons with disabilities)

We offer Inclusion Camp and support for children and youth with disabilities. 

All camps are built around participants' interests. Campers will enjoy games, guest speakers, crafts, and swimming, while building friendships, developing life skills, and growing in confidence in a fun, supportive, and accessible environment. 

Explorers

Age: 5-8 years 

Week available: July 20-24, 2026 

Location: Williamsburg Community Centre 

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no before/after care) 

Cost: $180.40 

Explorers is a summer camp designed for children ages 5 to 8 who have a special need and/or disability and do not require one-to-one support.

This program offers a fun, structured, and inclusive camp experience filled with engaging activities, including arts, sensory play, sports, games, and nature exploration. 

With a low staff-to-participant ratio, Explorers provides a supportive environment that is responsive to each child’s sensory, emotional, and physical needs. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where campers can build confidence, make connections, and enjoy a safe summer full of meaningful experiences. 

Youth Sense - Inclusive camp

Weeks available: July 27-31 and August 4-7 (short week) 

Age: 9-14 years 

Location: Williamsburg Community Centre 

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no before/after care) 

Cost: $180.40 (short week $144.32) 

Youth Sense is a summer camp program specifically developed for participants with a special need and/or disability who do not require one-to-one support. 

This camp is for youth who thrive in a camp environment with a variety of activities, including arts, sports, games, guest speakers, and nature. The “staff to participant” ratio is low, allowing for increased opportunities to create a supportive camp environment that meets the sensory, emotional, and physical needs of the participants. Participants will get the opportunity to help design the activities and our staff are specifically trained to work in a supportive camp environment. 

It's all about YOUth camp

Weeks available: August 17-31 and August 24-28 

Age: 13-17 years 

Location: Stanley Park Community Centre 

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no before/after care) 

Cost: $180.40 

It’s All About YOUth Camp is designed for youth ages 13-17 with a special need and/or disability. Campers will participate in a variety of activities, including sports, crafts, and cooperative games, in a supportive camp environment that meets participants' sensory, emotional, and physical needs. Activities are designed with the interests and abilities of participants and will encourage building friendships, social skills and life skills. 

To register for Inclusive Camps, an inclusion membership is required.  

If your camper requires 1:1 support, please register them for the corresponding week of inclusion support (only available for Youth Camp).

Camp readiness

To be camp-ready, all campers must be able to:

  • take direction and instruction from a staff person
  • interact and participate within the camp environment (based on the camper’s abilities)
  • interact and participate in a way that is safe for themselves and others
  • attend school successfully (if school-aged)
  • be toilet-trained

Some campers may need more support to help them be successful at camp. 

City of Kitchener’s Every Kid Counts program can provide support for children and youth with disabilities attending City of Kitchener summer camps. The City of Kitchener also welcomes Private Support Workers into our programs.  

If a camper is not demonstrating they are program-ready, they may be removed from the program.  

Refund policy

Full refunds for Summer Camps are available only for cancellations received before June 15. For more information, visit our refund policy webpage. 

Inclusion Support

Our goal is to make city-run programs accessible to everyone. Summer camp inclusion support is available for children and youth with disabilities  

Our Inclusion Support Workers will be there to make your camper’s summer fun and safe. Families may register for up to 2 weeks of inclusion support each summer, subject to availability.  

Personal Support Workers and volunteers may also attend with a camper. If you provide your own personal support worker, you must indicate this when you register for camp and fill out our Support Worker Agreement. To learn more, visit our inclusion page. 

 Visit our inclusion support page, or call 519-904-5793 for more details. 

Fee Assistance

If program fees are preventing you, or a member of your family, from joining a city or neighbourhood association program, you could qualify for a yearly amount of $400 per person in Leisure Access fee assistance. 

To learn more, or to apply, visit  Leisure Access (fee assistance) page or call 519-741-2892. 

Play in the Park

Summer Fun Starts Here!

Get ready for another awesome summer—Play in the Park is back and bigger than ever. This year, we’re expanding to six park locations, running daily from June 29 to August 28.

Kids ages 4–12 can drop in Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (no program July 1 or August 3). This is a FREE program with no registration required—just show up and jump into the fun! This program does not replace parent/guardian supervision.

Our amazing City of Kitchener staff will be on-site leading outdoor games, creative crafts, and high‑energy activities that will keep your child laughing, exploring and staying active all summer long.

Summer 2026 Locations

  • Gzowski Park
  • Wilson Park
  • Idlewood Park
  • Elmsdale Park
  • Breithaupt Park (near the splash pad)
  • Heritage Park

 

BYLD program

Our Building Youth Leadership Development (BYLD) gives young people aged 12 to 15 the opportunity to learn leadership skills, responsibility and self-confidence.

Learn more and register on our BYLD program page.

Youth Drop-In (YDI)

Youth Drop-In will be available all summer long at local Kitchener community centres. Sign up at the door and make new friends each night while enjoying games, sports, arts and crafts, food and fun activities. All YDI programs are FREE. No pre-registration required - simply drop in!

Dates: July 6, 2026 – August 28, 2026 

Ages: 12-17 

Days: Monday to Friday 

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Locations: 

· Centreville Chicopee Community Centre (141 Morgan Avenue) 

· Chandler Mowat Community Centre (222 Chandler Drive) 

· Country Hills Community Centre (100 Rittenhouse Drive) 

· Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre (150 Pioneer Drive) 

· Downtown Community Centre (35 Weber St. West) 

· Forest Heights Community Centre (1700 Queens Blvd.) 

· Huron Community Centre (80 Tartan Avenue) 

· Kingsdale Community Centre (72 Wilson Avenue) 

· Stanley Park Community Centre (505 Franklin Street) 

· Victoria Hills Community Centre (10 Chopin Drive) 

· Williamsburg Community Centre (200 Rosenburg Way) 

If you have any questions about Youth Drop-In, contact youth@kitchener.ca 

Looking to volunteer at Youth Drop-In?

The Kitchener Youth Crew provides kids ages 12 to 17 with opportunities to share their skills and talents by helping at any of our Youth Drop-In (YDI) programs across the city. To join the Kitchener Youth Crew, talk to staff at any YDI program. It’s a great way to earn your community volunteer hours for school while gaining leadership skills and having fun! 

Discover more about the Kitchener Youth Crew

Mobile skatepark

Visit our mobile skatepark page to find the skatepark schedule and more information.

Summer camps frequently asked questions

While the 2026 school-year calendar results in a 10-week summer break, the City will continue to offer nine weeks of camps, like we did in 2025. Because of Canada Day and required staff training, the week of June 29 will be reserved for camp preparation. To support families that week, the City is expanding its free Play in the Park program from three locations to six. Families can learn more on our summer programs page.

Our camps have been redesigned to offer more age-appropriate experiences. Instead of one program for ages 4–12, families will now register based on their child’s birth year.  

The new groups include Little Explorers (2020–2021), Junior Explorers (2017–2019), Adventure Camp (2014–2016), Swim Everyday Camp, and various Specialty Camps (ages vary by location). Full details are available on our camps landing page.

The city updated its camp model because families and staff found that the previous 4-to-12 age group made it difficult to offer consistently high quality, age-appropriate programming. Grouping children by birth year allows staff to plan activities that better match each age group’s developmental needs and interests, leading to safer, more engaging, and more inclusive camps. It also improves staff training, since leaders can prepare specifically for the age group they’ll be supporting. Overall, the new model creates a more positive experience for both campers and staff. 

We understand that managing multiple drop-offs can be challenging. Because not all camp types run at every location, siblings may need to attend different sites based on their age group. While children must stay within their designated age category, we aim to offer camp options across the city. Families can review locations and details on our summer camps landing page.

Because camps are now designed at a developmental stage, children must register in the program that matches their birth year. This means siblings of different ages can’t be in the same program, though some locations offer multiple camp types, allowing siblings to attend the same site. This approach ensures each child receives programming that’s safe, engaging, and appropriate for their age. 

Camper to staff ratios remain aligned with childcare guidelines and the City’s standards.  The age-grouped model allows us to staff camp more intentionally, ensuring ratios meet the unique needs of each stage (e.g. younger children require lower ratios). 

Drop‑off and pick‑up for families with children in different camps at the same location is designed to be simple and convenient. On the Thursday before each new camp week, you’ll receive a Parent Handbook with detailed, site‑specific instructions for where each camp group should be dropped off and picked up. While regular drop-off and pick-up locations may differ by camp, all before‑ and after‑care drop-offs and pick-ups take place in one shared location. 

Because the camp model is built around development stages, we cannot accommodate exceptions to move children outside of their designated age groups.  However, we encourage families to explore camp locations where multiple camp programs operate on-site, which will allow siblings to attend the same facility, even if they are in different groups. View the camp locations and options on our summer camps landing page. 

 

To keep programs fair, consistent, and safe, all campers are placed strictly by birth year, even if they’re advanced or mature. This ensures proper supervision, balanced group sizes, and developmentally appropriate activities. If your child needs disability support or accommodation, you can contact Inclusion Services at inclusion@kitchener.ca. 

Some camp programs have activities – such as sports, arts or daily swimming – that lend themselves to multi- age participation.  These programs are designed to be inclusive across a wider age span, ensuring safety and appropriate challenge levels.  Age ranges may vary by location due to facility amenities and staff expertise.  

Contact Us

City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca