Summer Day Camps

It may not seem like it if you look out the window, but March is the time to plan for summer!

If your child would enjoy a weeklong summer adventure, here’s a list for you. This is a sampling of the biggest and most popular; feel free to comment below about other opportunities your child has enjoyed!  Not all programs for the general population offer disability supports, but many more are accessible if you have self-managed respite.

Note: information such as costs and dates are subject to change.  We’ll do our best to keep up, but please consider this a rough guide to what’s available. 

Click on titles for links to program websites.

If you are interested in having a child attend a particular program with Children’s disAbility Services funded staffing support, you will need to provide the needed forms to your Family Services Worker by mid-April.  If you are using self-managed respite, deadlines depend on the specific program.  Make sure you check with your Family Service Worker about your plans – they will keep you aware of deadlines and requirements for support funding!

Inclusive Day Camps

Mini-U Sports Camp (University of Manitoba)

• Ages: 5-16
• Duration: One or two week camps; sessions run all summer
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm; supervision is available before and after.
• Location: University of Manitoba, with some activities off campus.
• Cost: varies – around $200 per week
• Inclusion Supports: Children’s disAbility Services has contracted with MiniU to provide support staff, so you do not need to hire your own.  Registration for special needs children must be in person, and you must confirm that they are eligible to receive funding for staff support by identifying their Family Services Worker. There is also a subsidy program for families with special needs children, covering 75% of program fees.
• Registration: Brochures/online information are available starting in February.  Parents of children with disabilities must register in person, and identify their Children’s DisAbility Services support worker.

Mini U offers a variety of recreational options, including fun and fitness, drama, art, computers, sports, and swimming (included in all camps).

Contact: Ashley at 204-474-6508 with questions.

Rady Centre – Summer Day Camp

• Ages: 6-12
• Duration: One or two weeks; one or two week sessions run all summer
• Time: 9 am – 4 pm
• Location: Rady Centre, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg
• Cost: Varies according to theme, $170-220 per week
• Inclusion Supports: Support staff are hired by the camp.
• Registration: Brochures are available from the Rady Centre or online.  Register directly with the Rady Centre.

Activities range from sports, gym time, swimming, outdoor play, some excursions and more.

Contact: Jasmin Fox at 204-477-7545 or jfox@radyjcc.com with questions.

Summer Escape and Sports Camps – City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide

• Ages: 6-12 (Summer Escape), 6-14 (Sports Camps)
• Duration: One or two weeks; sessions run all summer
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm
• Outdoor Locations: Kildonan Park and St. Vital Park
• Cost: Varies. The City of Winnipeg provides for consideration of requests from economically disadvantaged individuals for reduced fees for programs and services – all requests must be submitted in writing, along with the completed registration form.
• Inclusion Supports: support staff are provided by Children’s DisAbility’s summer coordinator, or families can use self-managed support.
• Registration: Check Leisure Guide for details – brochures are released in early March and can be picked up at libraries, 7 Elevens, or accessed online. Registration is directly through City of Winnipeg’s registration office.

YMCA/YWCA Day Camps

• Ages:  5-12
• Duration: one week sessions all summer
• Time: 9 am to 3 pm; early drop off available starting at 8:15
• Location: Gordon Bell High School, 3 Borrowman Place
• Cost: $150/week
• Inclusion Supports: This program accepts five special needs children per week.  A “To Whom It May Concern” form must be sent to the camp once families register, confirming that the client is eligible to receive supports through CDS.  Staffing support is arranged through the Children’s disAbility Services summer coordinator.
• Registration information is mailed out to past campers or can be picked up a local Y, or online.  Contact the Children’s Program Coordinator (South Branch: 233-3476; E.K. Branch: 668-8140; Downtown Branch: 947-3044; West Portage Branch: 889-8052)

The YMCA day camps offer onsite activities including arts & crafts, music & dance, co-operative games, gym time and swimming  as well as a weekly excursion to Camp Douglas.

Wellness Institute

• Ages:  5-12
• Duration: one week sessions all summer
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm; early drop off available starting at 8:00
• Location: 1075 Leila
• Cost: $160/week.   Some programs have excursions, for which parents will have to pay admission for the support worker.
• Inclusion Supports: Staffing support is arranged through the Children’s disAbility Services summer coordinator, or families can provide their own support worker.
• Registration information is mailed out to past campers or can be picked up at the Wellness Institute, or online.  Register directly with the Wellness Institute.  For more information, call 204-632-3912.

Summer camps at the Wellness Institute offer a combination of daily physical activity and creative play.  Unique themes may feature medical, nutrition and fitness experts from the Wellness Institute or Seven Oaks Hospital. All themes include pool time.

Day Camps for Children with Disabilities

Leisure Links Program: City of Winnipeg

• Ages:  13-17 (Youth), 18-21 (Young Adult)
• Duration: 7 week program
• Time: 9 am to 3 pm; early drop off available starting at 8:15
• Location: Gordon Bell High School, 3 Borrowman Place
• Cost: $65 per week.  No fee waiver is provided.
• Inclusion Supports: This program is specifically for CdS and CLdS clients.  Support staff are provided.
• Registration is through the Children’s disAbility Services Summer Program Coordinator.  Forms and fees can be sent to Josie Hammerton, 5-2015 Portage Avenue.

Expect lots of walking in this community based program.  Weather permitting, participants head out to locations throughout the downtown area, such as Old Market Square and The Forks.  Each group also enjoys three out of town excursions.

Sun and Fun Camp – Rehabilitation Centre for Children

• Ages:  6-12 (with complex needs), 12-21 (wheelchair dependent or have difficulty with mobility or gross motor skills)
• Duration: Six week period from the beginning of July to mid-August – families can register their child for up to two weeks.  If families require more weeks of programming, their names will go on a wait list and be given the space if it is available.
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm; early drop off available starting at 8:00
• Location: St. John’s High School or SSCY
• Cost: $130/week
• Inclusion Supports: Support staff are a part of the program, provided by RCC.
• Registration is through the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.  Contact Carol Kehler at 204-258-6537, or Kristin Ryz at 204-898-1364 if you have questions.  Mail to Yvonne Kash, 1155 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg R3E 3G1.

The Sun and Fun Camp is designed for children and teens to experience fun-filled days structured to challenge their abilities and expose them to new activities with opportunities to learn new skills.  Options include swim camp, swim and art camp, music camp, chef/gardener camp, or out and about camp.

Rady Centre – Teen Connection Camp

• Ages: 13-21
• Duration: two-week sessions, either mid-July or mid-August
• Location: Rady Centre, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg
• Cost: $490 members; $540 non-members – includes transportation and admissions
• Inclusion Supports: the camp hires their own support staff, but you can also choose to send self managed support.
• Brochures and registration forms are available from the centre or online.
• Registration: Brochures are available from the Rady Centre or online.  Register directly with the Rady Centre.

A unique program designed for teens and young adults with disabilities which promote age-appropriate activities and excursions, providing opportunities for friendships.  Activities include facility use and community excursions: swimming, yoga, gym activities, cooking, shopping, sailing at Fort Whyte, and the Forks.

Contact: Jasmin Fox at 204-477-7545 or jfox@radyjcc.com with questions.

YMCA/YWCA Special Summer Program

• Ages: 13-21
• Duration: 8 week program
• Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Location: Grant Park High School, Nathaniel Street
• Cost: $150 per week.
• Inclusion Supports: Participants can be both ambulatory or needing mobility support.  If an individual has behavioral concerns a safety plan must be attached to the registration form.  Support staff are provided by the camp.
• Brochures and registration forms are available from the centre or online.
• Registration forms are available through your Family Services Worker and should be mailed directly to the Y along with a “To Whom It May Concern” form from your Family Services Worker confirming that the client is eligible to receive supports through CDS.   Contact Nicole Penner (204-953-7318) or Erica van Landeghem (204-942-1615) if you have questions.  Deadline is May 31.

On site and community based activities include swimming at the downtown YMCA, the Forks, Old Market Square, and Steinbach Water Park.

Manitoba Possible (formerly SMD) Day Camp

• Ages: Children (age 6-12) or Youth (age 13-17) day camps
• Duration: Campers can register for 1 or 2 weeks – program runs throughou the summer.
• Time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Location: Various locations throughout Winnipeg – Kildonan Park, the Forks, Assiniboine Park, Camp Manitou
• Cost: $165 per week, including transportation to and from home and all admission costs.  The short weeks (July 3-6, Aug 7-10) is $130.
• Inclusion Supports: Support staff are provided by the camp.
• Registration begins in January and space is limited to 10 campers per week, and families receiving service from SMD or by Children’s Disability Services.  Contact Rambel Palsis at 204-981-0145, rpalsis@smd.mb.ca or Bill Muloin at 204-975-3261, bmulion@smd.mb.ca

SMD Day Camp operates under a field trip structure with campers visiting different locations throughout the week.  Each day begins at North Centennial Pool for a morning swim, then the group ventures out into the community.  The youth day camp includes a weekly cooking program, participation in field trips such as Fun Mountain, Tinkertown, Birds Hill Park and Kildonan Park.

OHEYS Middle Years Adventure Camp

• Ages: 10-14
• Duration: 1 week, July 9-14
• Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Location:  Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, 1771 Pembina Hwy
• Cost: $300 per week.  Lunch is included.
• Inclusion Supports: Support staff are provided by the camp. You can send your own coach if you choose, but all coaches must participate in a training session before camp starts.
• Registration begins in January and space is limited to families receiving service from SMD or by Children’s Disability Services.  Contact your Family Services Worker for more information.

OHEYS runs this camp specifically for early teens (age 10-14) on the Autism Spectrum. Focus is placed on peer group social skills, physical activity and games and getting ready to explore the world.  Pre-camp interviews establish child-specific individual goals.

Eligible campers are verbal and interested in participating in group activities. OHEYS Camp provides 1-1 coach support for this program.  Activities will include a variety of pair (2), mid-sized group (4-6), and large group (10+) activities and games.

OHEYS Jobs and Sports Work Experience Summer Camp

• Ages: 15-18+, must be able to actively participate.
• Duration: 1 week
• Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, dropoff at 8:45.
• Location:  Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, 1771 Pembina Hwy
• Cost: – Registration fees are $360/week. Includes lunch and field trips. $111.00 is paid back in wages to campers at the end of the week (2018 MB min. wage $11.00 x 10 hrs = $111).
• Inclusion Supports: Support staff are provided by the camp. You can send your own coach if you choose, but all coaches participate in a training session before camp starts.
• Registration is through the OHEYS website.  Your youth should be supported by MB CSS through the summer camp support program (see attached)
  If your youth is NOT supported, please contact OHEYS.

OHEYS “Jobs & Sports” is an adolescent activity based program, which addresses two challenging areas: potential employment and lifelong physical activity. Screening will be done over the phone and through a family/teen pre-camp intreview to set goals.  Lunch is provided by camp to encourage social communication and sharing of experiences with the group.

I Can Shine Winnipeg

I Can Shine Bike Camp will not be running in Winnipeg this summer, but the organizers plan to offer it again in 2019.

• Ages: 8 and up
• Duration: 1 week, 1 1/2 hour sessions
• Location: East End Arena & Community Club 517 Pandora Avenue, Winnipeg
• Cost: $150
• Inclusion Supports: Volunteers support riders 1:1
• Registration: for information or to register for this bike camp please e-mail Sean and Lori Frain directly at icanshinewpg@gmail.com.  Information can also be found on the Facebook page.

This is not a day camp in the usual sense, but an opportunity for people with disabilities to learn to ride a bike.  80% of people with Autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never have the experience of independently riding a conventional two-wheel bicycle during their lifetime – which is why this program exists.

Another Idea: Day Care

All children up to age 13 may be able to access school age daycare spots for the summer as children who regularly attend day care may be away on holidays. For listing of school age daycares in your area, call Child Daycare at 204-945-0776.  You may also access a listing of daycares in your area at the Child Care Registry online.  Day care subsidy information is also available on the website.

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For more summer planning ideas, check out these websites:

Winnipeg Parent

Manitoba Camping

For opportunities out of province: Camps.ca: Autism Camps