To contact us about camp, use our Contact Form and select Day Camp in the drop down list.
Heartland Forest is committed to the safety of our camp participants. Our summer camp has been modified in order to comply with new COVID-19 guidelines for Camp from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
- How will camp be different?
- What are your group sizes?
- Can my child change cohorts?
- Will cohorts share equipment with other cohorts?
- What activities have been cancelled due to COVID-19?
- What about inclement weather?
- Will my child be remaining physically distanced within their cohort?
- Are Facemasks required?
- Daily screenings
- What about cleaning and disinfecting?
- Are their separate washrooms for each cohort?
- Can my children be in the same group?
- Can I stay with my child while they settle in or stay to observe them?
To protect Children and Staff at camp, we will be making modifications to group sizes, camp activities, physical distancing, cleaning and sanitizing. Safety Protocols and Response Plans are in place to comply with the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Due to modifications to this year’s camp and staffing, we are unable to offer inclusive camp spots as we have done in previous years. If your child is a returning camper with special needs who previously enjoyed and participated in an 8:1 ratio please contact us to discuss registration.
Small group sizes – 8 campers and 2 counsellors per group or “cohort”. There are only two cohorts per week that are operating separately from one another Each cohort will have a dedicated sign in and out area, lunch location and washrooms.
No, members of each cohort including counsellors must stay together for the week and not directly interact with other cohorts.
Cohorts will have designated equipment that is not shared with other cohorts without proper disinfecting. Cohorts will separately schedule use of equipment/spaces that are shared so that they may be disinfected between uses. Furthermore, activities have been chosen to minimize the sharing and frequency of touching of objects, toys, equipment and surfaces by different individuals.
To comply with COVID-19 requirements, there will be no food prep activities or special guests during camp. We can introduce some of our live animals but we can’t touch them. Large group games and activities (over 10 people) or games that encourage close contact with other participants will not be played. Camp staff has carefully chosen fun activities and games that can be played while physically distanced.
Camp locations have been chosen to ensure there is adequate, climate controlled space for each Cohort. In case of inclement weather including heat warnings and lightening, one cohort will have use of the Nature Centre Art Studio and adjacent
bathrooms. The other cohort will have use of the Nature Centre Forestview and adjacent bathrooms. To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 programs will be operating outdoors as much as possible.
Campers will always be encouraged to physical distance within their cohort. Games and activities have been selected and modified to promote distancing and still have fun! However distancing may not be possible at all times and parents should be aware that their children will likely have close or direct contact with others within their cohort.
Face masks will not be required to be worn within cohorts but a child may be asked to wear PPE provided by our Staff in certain scenarios. Please pack a mask for your child. Campers may choose to wear face masks if parents/guardians prepare their children to do so. Please note that face coverings should be changed if visibly soiled, damp, or damaged.
A copy of the daily screening form will be sent along with your Welcome Letter for your use each morning before traveling to Heartland for camp. Please follow directions and stay home if needed.
Counsellors will perform a screening with parent/guardian and campers before children can enter camp including a touchless temperature reading.
Cohorts will have designated equipment that is not shared with other cohorts without proper cleaning and disinfecting. Activities have been chosen to minimize the sharing and frequency of touching toys, equipment and other surfaces. High touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently and all camp equipment is cleaned and disinfected after cohort use. Additional opportunities have been scheduled in for performing and promoting frequent, proper hand hygiene.
Instead of gendered washrooms, each cohort will have their own dedicated washrooms which will allow for one participant at a time. Increased cleaning and disinfecting will also be practiced in the washrooms.
Cohorts are in groups of ages 5-6 or 7-9. This aligns with social bubbles and contact tracing purposes. Allowances will be made for siblings close in age to be in the same cohort. If a sibling is age 6 or 7 you may choose to place them in with a sibling in the younger or older cohort.
Unfortunately due to strict requirements on gathering sizes, parents will not be able to accompany their child into the camp area. Our staff will be sharing photos, updates and videos with parents throughout the week to ensure you can share in your child’s experience at camp.