Transcript of our interview with Lindsay, Parent

How did you know City of Toronto Camp was the right fit?

City of Toronto Camp was certainly one that had good feedback. My daughter's friends had had some great experiences at City of Toronto Camps, so we thought we’d give it a try that way. The thing that drew us in mostly, other than my daughter being comfortable in her camp with friends, was the level of safety. When I was doing the research about what City of Toronto had in store for their campers, it was pretty outstanding in comparison to other day camps I had looked at.

The City of Toronto seemed very stacked with components of their staff receiving first aid training. They apparently go through some emergency first aid training—what to do with campers on site in the location that they’re in. It made me feel very safe and comfortable knowing that was a priority for the organization.

The theme-based activities were also a highlight. The camp my daughter went to had a different theme each week, and the storyline carried through every single day. Last summer, it was a pirate ship, and the pirates carried out a story every day. My daughter was so excited to go back the next day because she wanted to see what was going to happen next based on that story. They also rolled out a special event each week related to the theme.

The trip they went on was phenomenal. It wasn’t related to the theme, but it was geared toward the appropriate age group and very safe. The City of Toronto was really good at addressing any concerns we had ahead of time regarding staff-to-child ratios, the number of kids at the camp, and procedures during travel time. That made us feel really comfortable.

What’s unique about the camp?

My daughter felt really connected to the staff there. Other parents I’ve spoken to felt the same—that the City of Toronto staff really took an interest in the kids, even though it was a day camp. They really took ownership of who the children were and got to know them on a personal level.

The staff always put the safety of the kids first, which was great—giving them reminders. My daughter would come home talking about the things she learned, for example, when they went to the pool—safety and walking to the pool and things they learned in the water from the staff. It really took a personal spin, and I really appreciated that. I feel like it’s unique in that sense compared to other day camps I’ve heard of.

Was there any personal growth you saw in your child?

Yes, absolutely! My daughter is not one to be at the forefront of attention. She actually shies away from that. One of the first weeks we put her in, she only knew one other friend at the camp, but they weren’t in the same group. It was really hard for her to go into that environment, especially being young and in kindergarten.

By the end of the fifth day, she was coming home talking about how wonderful the camp was and how she had made friends. She was asking about having playdates with these new friends she met at camp. Her confidence level grew exponentially even in that short first week. She just felt more comfortable. Having fun wasn’t as stressful as she thought it was going to be, and she became more open to the idea of camp.

The City of Toronto was really informative. We got a letter home at the beginning of each week with an agenda that highlighted what was going to happen. That really helped us at home with our daughter.

How can a parent support their child to get the most out of this experience?

When she came home from camp, if there were any uncertainties, we would reflect on the day and talk about what happened. She’d say, “Oh, Mommy and Daddy, it was so much fun because we got to do this craft or participate in this activity.” We’d also be able to look ahead and talk about what was happening the next day.

That was really exciting, and I appreciated that as a parent because it helped us support her with anything she was feeling—whether it was excitement or anxiety. In addition to that, the camp had an opportunity for parents to come in and have a discussion and ask questions before camp started. That really helped us prepare her for the summer experience.

What would you tell other parents about the overall value of sending kids here?

Mainly, it’s the people. It’s the community. It’s the care that the City of Toronto took, particularly and personally, with our daughter. The personalization of it, the safety of it—I feel very strongly about that. As a parent, especially when sending your child to camp for the first time, you want it to feel like an extension of your home.

You want to feel that your kids are somewhere where they’re being taken care of and that the same thought, concern, and care are there when you’re not with them. Not for a second did I have to question that, and that meant everything to us. She loved it. She said, “Mommy, when are we going back?”

What does your child say about the camp?

Registration was just last week, and she was so excited to know she was going back. She was excited to meet up with some of her friends from last summer. She really loved the dance camp. She loved the music and the camaraderie and the connection between all of the campers who were doing dance together. She loved the instructor.

Overall, she was just happy being part of something—the collectiveness of enjoying the same thing and being there to have so much fun.

Any final thoughts?

It's just all the small things. On the first day, they had staff lined up in the hallway—not in an overwhelming way—but it was just a very welcoming, happy vibe. They had some music playing, and it helped put both parents and kids at ease.

By the end of the first day, staff were walking through the halls as we picked up the kids, giving high fives and calling them by name. Not all of them, but even that happening on Day One says everything. As a parent, you work so hard to create a happy environment at home, and when you’re not with them, the space they’re in should feel like an extension of that. I felt that for our daughter. It was very happy and welcoming, and the staff were just on point.