With our Parent and Guardian's Handbook, we've gathered information and helpful tips about summer day camps in one place.
- Choosing a day camp
- Registering for a day camp
- Inclusion support services
- What to expect
- Camp supervisor contact list
- Going to day camp: what to know
Choosing a Summer Day Camp in Saanich
Saanich offers hundreds of summer day camp options to help your campers create lasting summer memories, build friendships, and grow their skills, confidence, and abilities. Here’s what you need to know about our different camps:
- Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Program (SNPP) camps are our most affordable option. They are offered at multiple convenient park locations throughout Saanich and operate outdoors, rain or shine. While offering professional, engaging supervision by Saanich staff, these camps also incorporate many opportunities for imaginative and unstructured play. SNPP camps offer a payment plan option at the time of registration.
- Saanich staff-led camps offer engaging programming in our recreation centres and local middle school campuses. Developed and facilitated by Saanich staff, these camps often make use of specialty facilities like gymnasiums, pools, art studios, and more.
- Partner-led camps are run by professional contracted operators at various Saanich locations, including our recreation centres. These camps often focus on skill building or learning while also incorporating outside and inside play and social time. Many of these camps have full and half-day options.
- All summer day camps observe the two summer statutory holidays, Canada Day, July 1, and BC Day, August 4.
Registering for Summer Day Camps
Remember, registration for summer day camps opens on April 9 at 6am.
Tip #1: Do this one thing before registration day
Your camper’s participant and emergency information is required at the time of registration. We strongly suggest that you pre-register your camper(s) for 139300 before April 9 so that this information will auto-populate during registration, saving you valuable time and making check-out faster and easier.
Tip #2: Make sure all guardians’ names match their photo identification
Anyone you authorize to pick up your camper will be asked for government-issued photo identification (ID). Make sure the name(s) you specify at the time of registration matches the name on their ID.
Tip #3: Create a wish list
Take advantage of Saanich RecOnline's wish list feature to make registration easier and faster. When you find a camp you’re interested in, click the heart icon to add it to your wish list. On registration day, your wish-listed camps will be in one place and ready to add to your cart!
Tip #4: Didn’t get your camp? Join the waitlist!
Registration day will be busy, and some programs will fill quickly. If one of your camps is full, don’t be discouraged! Join the waitlist. Spaces often open before camp starts, and you’ll be contacted if one becomes available. You can also contact the camp supervisor for more specific information regarding any waitlists your camper may be on.
Tip #5: Double-check that we have your correct phone number
If a waitlist space becomes available, we’ll call you to ask if you would like to enroll your camper. Ensure that your correct contact details are in Saanich RecOnline (or call customer service at any Saanich recreation centre) and consider adding Saanich recreation centre phone numbers so that you don’t miss our call. In most cases, you will be given a deadline to respond.
Tip #6: Share any unique needs at the time of registration
We want your camper to have the best week possible! To better prepare us, please share any unique needs, support requirements, or limitations your camper might have in the registration prompts during registration or afterwards with the camp supervisor (see contact information below). In some cases, extra documentation may be required to help your camper have a safe and enjoyable time at camp.
Understanding camp charges
SNPP camps offer upfront payment at the time of registration or the option for a payment plan.
Saanich staff-led and partner-led camps are charged in full at the time of registration.
Understanding our refund policy
We know that your plans can change. Refunds will be issued for withdrawal requests received and processed by Saanich recreation centre customer service (reception) staff no later than 12 noon, five calendar days prior to the camp start date.
Example: if camp starts on the following Monday, the deadline for withdrawal is 12 noon on the Wednesday prior.
Withdrawals after this deadline are accepted without a refund in accordance with our refund policy. Please contact customer service (not camp supervisors) with all withdrawal requests.
Financial assistance options
If financial assistance would help you cover program fees, please visit our website or email us at financialassistance@saanich.ca to learn more about options available to those who qualify.
The Saanich L.I.F.E. program assists individuals and families living on a low income to access recreation services and programs. Qualified clients receive two free weeks (every two years) of SNPP or Breakout Adventures camp for each child in their household. Children 5-18 also receive a $120 credit toward registration in any Saanich Recreation registered program (including camps).
Inclusion support services
Saanich partners with the Supported Child Development Program at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health to provide one-on-one staff assistance for campers aged 5 to 12 who need extra support for a successful experience.
Inclusion support spaces are limited. When registration opens, parents and guardians may enroll in up to four weeks of inclusion support and are encouraged to join the waitlist if spaces are full. For more information, please contact Loryn Anderson by emailing inclusionsupport@saanich.ca or calling 250-475-5473.
| Inclusion Registration Barcodes | |
| Inclusion Week: | Barcode |
| Week 1: July 2-4 | 138016 |
| Week 2: July 7-11 | 138017 |
| Week 3: July 14-18 | 138018 |
| Week 4: July 21-25 | 138019 |
| Week 5: July 28-August 1 | 138020 |
| Week 6: August 5-8 | 138021 |
| Week 7: August 11-15 | 138022 |
| Week 8: August 18-22 | 138023 |
If your camper will have a private or external support worker, please contact inclusion@saanich.ca before the start of camp.
Campers with significant allergies requiring an EpiPen
After registration and before camp begins, parents and guardians are asked to fill out an Anaphylaxis Action Plan form for campers with allergies and an EpiPen. Campers with anaphylactic allergies must carry a non-expired EpiPen.
What to expect at Saanich Summer Day Camps
Enthusiastic, friendly, professional leaders
Our day camps feature leaders who are approachable, professional, and fun! Their mission is to help your camper have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
All Saanich staff, contractors, and volunteers have undergone a Police Information Check and received training in the District’s Child Protection Policy, which includes appropriate conduct with children, recognizing signs of neglect and abuse, and responding to disclosures.
All Saanich camp staff are required to have current emergency first-aid certificates.
In SNPP and Saanich staff-led camps, your camper will be greeted by and interact with uniformed Saanich staff (look for purple and orange T-shirts). Your camper’s leaders may also include those participating in the WYLD (Willing Youth Leading Diversely) youth mentorship program. WYLD is a natural progression for teens who have aged out of camp and wish to gain the experience and skills to become a day camp leader. Look for the teal T-shirts to identify WYLD volunteer leaders in your camp!
In partner-led camps, your camper will be greeted by and interact with employees of Saanich contractors, whether at a Saanich recreation centre, a local middle school, or a private facility.
Respectful behaviour expectations and the Camper Code of Conduct
While participating in summer day camp programs, we expect all campers to act in accordance with our camp rules and expectations. These are based on the guiding principles of making smart, healthy choices for the well-being of all camp participants and are founded on the three R’s:
- Respect yourself
- Respect others
- Respect the environment and the equipment
In the event of extreme behaviour that poses a risk to the safety and well-being of participants, the public or property, immediate removal from the program may be required. In partner-led camps, Saanich staff and contractors will work together to maintain respectful behaviour standards in all situations.
For more information regarding behaviour expectations and the Camper Code of Conduct, please contact your camp supervisor.
Swim testing and PFD usage
If your child is attending camps that include swimming in our recreation centres, here’s what you need to know:
Campers 7yrs and under:
- At Saanich Commonwealth Place, campers 7yrs and under will be required to wear a PFD regardless of ability and will swim in small groups.
- At Gordon Head Recreation Centre, campers 7yrs and under will be required to wear a PFD while in the 25m lap pool, regardless of ability, and will swim in small groups.
Campers 8yrs and older:
- At Saanich Commonwealth Place, campers 8yrs+ will be required to complete a swim test to swim without a PFD in the wave pool, teach pool or dive tank.
- At Gordon Head Recreation Centre, campers 8yrs+ will be required to complete a swim test to swim without a PFD in the 25m lap pool.
Program adaptations in the case of inclement weather
Our summer day camp programming may be subject to change during inclement or extreme weather.
SNPP camps operate outdoors rain or shine – so plan and pack accordingly! In the event of extreme heat, poor air quality, or other extreme weather events, our staff will consult weather advisories and adapt programming as necessary to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience.
Saanich staff-led camps that offer outdoor play may limit time outdoors when necessary.
Day camp supervisor contact information
| CAMPS | SUPERVISOR |
| Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Program (SNPP) | Tyler Smith 250-475-5462 TylerA.Smith@Saanich.ca |
| WYLD Leadership Program Breakout Adventures |
Maddie Parks 250-475-7624 |
| Urban Adventures | Shannon Phelps 250-475-7111 Shannon.Phelps@saanich.ca |
| Inclusion Support |
Loryn Anderson |
| Saanich Commonwealth Place Falcon Gymnastics Elk and Beaver Lake |
Paige McKinlay 250-475-7610 Paige.McKinlay@saanich.ca |
| Cedar Hill Recreation Centre |
Nathan Bailey (racquet camps)
Jessie Demers (arts camps)
Stephanie Arnott (ceramics camps) |
| Gordon Head Recreation Centre Gordon Head Middle School |
Jen Pero 250-475-7107 Jennifer.Pero@saanich.ca |
| G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre Colquitz Middle School Layritz Park |
Sadeep Keram 250-475-5451 Sadeep.Keram@saanich.ca |
| Big Dig Volleyball Royal Oak Middle School Claremont Secondary School |
Heather Galey 250-475-7618 Heather.Galey@saanich.ca |
| Greek Church Victoria Rowing Club |
Rob Phillips 250-475-7609 Rob.Phillips@saanich.ca |
| Lambrick Park Lambrick Park Secondary School Tyndall Park |
Dan Atagi 250-475-7106 Dan.Atagi@saanich.ca |
Going to camp: what to know
What to bring
- Sun hat
- Water bottle
- Running shoes (or other closed-toed shoes)
- Sunscreen
- Bathing suit and towel (if needed)
- Backpack with change of clothes
- Healthy lunch and two snacks (ideally nut-free)
Please clearly label all belongings.
Depending on the program, campers may be asked to bring additional items.
What NOT to bring
Please leave all electronic devices and toys at home. Thank you for helping us promote a personal-technology-free zone.
On the first day of camp
Please check in with the camp leader and be prepared to review your child’s emergency contact information.
Campers who may sign themselves out
Parents or guardians of campers 10-16yrs may authorize them to sign out of camp by themselves by completing the Parental Permission for Child (10-16) Sign In/Out Form. Campers 11yrs+ may also be authorized to sign-out a sibling under 11yrs. Youth 17yrs+ do not require parent or guardian authorization to sign out of camp.
All persons authorized to pick up your camper must be specified at the time of registration or added to your camper’s file by contacting your camp supervisor.
Photo ID is required at pick-up
For safe and smooth pick-up, staff will for photo identification; please ensure that all authorized persons carry their government-issued photo ID.