Ages 4 to 12, weekly
Summer Camp at Doon Forest
A summer that happens mostly outdoors. Weekly themes, the Grand River trails on our doorstep, and children who come home tired, grubby, and full of stories.
Our summer camp is built for children who would rather be outside. Each week has a theme, but the spine is the same: real time outdoors, hands in the dirt, and the kind of unstructured play that summers used to be made of. We are in Doon, with the Grand River corridor and trails close by, and we use them.
Camp runs for children aged 4 to 12, grouped by age. Weeks can be booked individually, so you can match camp to the weeks you actually need. Spaces fill, so families on our waitlist hear first.
What this program is, in practice
Mostly outdoors
Camp lives outside. Trails, water, dirt, shade, and real play, with indoor space for the hottest part of the day and storms.
Weekly themes
Each week has a theme to hang the days on, but the focus stays on doing and exploring, not sitting and listening.
Book by the week
Register for the weeks you need. Mix camp with family vacation however your summer works.
Grouped by age
Younger and older campers are grouped so the day fits. A six-year-old's week looks different from an eleven-year-old's.
A day in the summer camp room
- 7amDrop-off and slow morning play.
- 9amMorning gathering and the day's plan.
- The big outdoor block: trail time, water play, building, and the week's theme activity.
- 12pmLunch outdoors when the weather is kind.
- Afternoon project, games, and a second outdoor stretch.
- 6pmPickup.
A rhythm, not a stopwatch. The room flexes to the children in it on any given day.
What to pack
- Sun hat and sunscreen, applied before drop-off
- A labelled water bottle (refilled all day)
- Closed-toe shoes for the trail
- A change of clothes that can get wet and dirty
- Swim gear on water days
- A packed lunch and snacks unless meals are included for your week
Questions parents ask
What ages is summer camp for?
Ages 4 to 12, grouped by age so the day fits each child. Younger campers and older campers do not run identical days.
Can I book single weeks?
Yes. Camp is booked by the week, so you can match it to the weeks you actually need and work around family plans.
How much of the day is outdoors?
Most of it, by design. We use the trails and green space around Doon, with indoor space for the hottest part of the day and for storms.
Do you provide lunch at camp?
It depends on the week. Some weeks include meals and some ask you to pack a lunch. Your registration will say clearly which applies.
When should I register?
Early. Camp weeks fill, and families on our waitlist hear first. Join the waitlist and tell us which weeks you are eyeing.
Is summer camp covered by CWELCC?
CWELCC applies to children under six in licensed full-time rooms. School-age summer camp sits outside it. Ask us about rates for your child's weeks.
Come see it for yourself
The best way to know if we are right for your family is to walk through during a regular day. Your first visit is free.