Frequently Asked Questions
WHERE IS ADVENTURE CAMP LOCATED?
Adventure Camp is located just north of Mount Albert on Highway 48.
HOW LONG HAS ADVENTURE CAMP BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Adventure Camp began in the mid 1990s and has been located at The Farm in Mount Albert since 2008. It is a division of York Professional Care and Education Inc., a non-profit organization with charitable status, established in 1986. It is a multi service agency providing child care centres, before and after school programs, licensed home childcare, literacy programs, and day camp programs in York Region and Simcoe County.
HOW MANY CHILDREN ATTEND ADVENTURE CAMP EACH WEEK?
We can accommodate up to 100 campers during a camp session. Our camp program is co-ed, but divided by age groups.
HOW DO MY CHILDREN GET TO CAMP?
The camp bus is the best way to get to camp.
We provide busing from Aurora, Sharon, Keswick and Mount Albert.
Learn more about Camp Transportation
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT MAKES ADVENTURE CAMP DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CAMPS?
- Adventure Camp has a maximum of 100 campers, and an overall camper to staff ratio of 8:1. Our small camp population ensures that each child receives individual attention and care. A family-like environment encourages the building of relationships and ensures that no child gets “lost in the crowd”.
- Adventure Camp offers a 2 week session, which allows campers to get comfortable at camp and have many accomplishments in the program.
- We pride ourselves on creating an environment that promotes courtesy, respect, responsibility, confidence & care (CRRCC). There is zero tolerance for bullying or any violent behaviour.
WILL MY CHILD FIND THIS A HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE?
Your camper is supervised by experienced and trained program staff. Each one has a heart for bringing out the best in children and youth. Our 6:1 camper to staff ratio ensures that each camper, from the beginner to the experienced, receives the encouragement and support they require to make new friends and experience success in their daily activities.
WILL MY CHILD BE SAFE?
Yes. Safety is our first consideration in everything we do. We have a plan of action to deal with emergencies and we regularly practice emergency procedures with both campers and staff.
Adventure Camp is 20 minutes from Southlake Regional Healthcare Centre in Newmarket.
WHO SETS THE STANDARDS FOR ADVENTURE CAMP?
Adventure Camp is accredited by the Ontario Camps Association, ensuring that it meets or exceeds the standards set for staffing, health, waterfront safety and more. Further, we comply with the requirements of Public Health, the Fire Department and Building Code.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A DISCOUNT?
Please review our current year discounts (Sibling Discount, Full Summer Discounts etc.) in the Discount section of the Registration page.
Fee assistance available to eligible families through York Region.
CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR ONE WEEK?
Our camp program is built around two-week sessions so generally we don’t offer one-week sessions.
There are rare situations were we able to offer a one-week session, however that must be arranged directly through our Camp Registrar.
IS THERE A BEFORE AND AFTER CAMP PROGRAM?
Yes, we do offer extended hours, at an additional cost, covering from 7am to 6pm at our child care based Exploration Camps in Aurora, Mount Albert, Keswick and Sharon.
Our standard hours at Adventure Camp is from 9am to 4pm.
Review current locations and costs at our Registration Page.
CAN I CHANGE OR CANCEL MY CHILD’S STAY AT CAMP?
We do offer a comprehensive cancellation policy.
• If a session is not confirmed, or cancelled, by YPCE, a full refund will be offered.
• All cancellation requests must be made in writing to the Camp Director.
• Cancellation requests made after registration, but prior to 10 business day before the start of the session, are subject to a $50 administration fee per camp session and per child cancelled.
• If a cancellation request is made within 10 business days of the start of the camp session, it will be subject to a cancellation penalty of 50% of the total fee.
• If a cancellation request is made after the start of a session, no refunds are issued.
• Cancellation requests due to medical reasons must be accompanied by a doctor’s note at the time of the request.
• Refunds, or partial refunds, may be offered at the discretion of the Executive Director for situations not covered in this policy.
Session may be changed provided that space is available, and follows similar guidelines to our cancellation policy with respect to timing.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE CAMP WHILE IT IS IN SESSION?
To notify the camp of absence, medical needs, or for questions/concerns please call, text or email the Camp Director directly.
In an immediate or emergency situation, please call the Camp Director.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT?
If your child is going to be absent please email, text or call the Camp Director and leave a message that includes your child’s name.
Refunds are not offered for absent days.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS ALLERGIES AND IS ON MEDICATIONS?
When you complete your child’s enrollment package, it is critical that you inform us of those allergies and list the meds.
Health conditions are listed with the Camp Director, and the medications are kept in the Camp Director’s Office under lock & key.
When the campers go for their medications, they are supervised by the Director. All staff are trained in Standard First Aid and CPR-C, including the Director, who also attends the OCA Camp Health Workshop annually.
WHAT IF I AM UNABLE TO PICK UP MY CHILD FROM THE BUS?
On the registration form, you can include two main contacts and two emergency contacts. If you require additional adults to be authorized to pick up your child from camp, please email the camp office.
We will ask all people we have not met to identify themselves with photo identification (e.g. driver’s license) If someone comes to pick up your child without your prior written authorization, we will call you for verbal permission before releasing your child.
WHAT IS THE HIRING PROCESS FOR STAFF?
The camper to staff ratio at Adventure Camp is 6:1.
We hire staff who can demonstrate that they are reliable, have experience with, a love for, and an understanding of children and youth. All camp staff are at least 17 years of age.
The quality of our leadership staff and their commitment to our vision, mission and goals is critical. Staff must exemplify those qualities that we desire to see in our campers.
Counsellors participate in an intensive week of pre camp training. Our training emphasis is on health and safety, appropriate child guidance, planning exciting programming, and developing strategies to promote good character and excellent leadership skills.
All staff are thoroughly screened with a personal interview, references and a police Vulnerable Sector Check. In addition to bringing experience and skills, they are also trained in Standard First Aid and CPR-C.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS AN INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT AT CAMP?
We are very lucky that most of the things that happen at camp are fun adventures that your child will tell you about when they get home. However, when there is a major incident or accident you will be contacted by telephone by the Camp Director to notify you of the situation and discuss how to proceed. Please ensure that you provide us with correct and current contact information when you complete your child’s camp forms.
For minor incidents or accidents, campers will be sent home with a written report with more information.
HOW OFTEN WILL MY CAMPER SWIM AND HOW SAFE IS THE WATERFRONT?
At Adventure Camp we love swimming and safety! Our Waterfront Team have the responsibility for ensuring that the waterfront is safe and fun.
Weather and schedule depending, camper are scheduled for one waterfront period each day. During their time they may have free swim, canoeing or swimming instruction in that time.
Every child is considered a non-swimmer, until they have completed the swim assessment with the Head Lifeguard at the start of each session. This allows for the swim staff to know the abilities of each swimmer and ensure they are properly supported in their waterfront time.
At all times we ensure that our lifeguarding ratios follow those outlined by the Ontario Camps Association and the Lifesaving Society, where there are two lifeguards for 1-25 swimmers and three guards for 26-100 swimmers.
All members of the Waterfront Team hold current National Lifesaving Service (NLS), Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor (LSS/LSI) and Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications. They work with the Camp Director, they ensure that the Adventure Camp beach meets all requirements under the Ontario Camps Association, Local Health Unit and Lifesaving Society Standards for a safe waterfront.