On the first morning of camp, campers learn about typical activities, brainstorm creative themes and activities, express what activities they are most interested in, and craft a unique schedule for their group. Parents receive a copy of their camper’s schedule at pick-up on the first day so that campers can come to camp prepared for their fun day ahead.

Canterbury Hills offers a special opportunity for Day Campers to enjoy an extended day on Thursday, giving them a chance to experience an evening at camp and perhaps sparking excitement for the possibility of trying an overnight camp in the future. Pick-up for Thursday night is at 8:30 pm. However, caregivers may opt to pick up their camper at their regularly scheduled time on Thursday if preferred.

Thursday evening includes:

• A delicious pizza dinner with Caesar salad, chocolate milk, and a cold treat for dessert
• An exciting camp-wide game with a creative theme
• A lively campfire with songs, skits, and storytime

Parents/guardians of campers with extreme picky eating may choose to send a home-packed lunch, provided all items comply with our peanut & treenut free policy. Our top priority in these situations is making sure every camper has enough food to keep them energized and ready for a fun-filled day.

That being said, camp meals and snacks are designed with kids in mind—because they’re the ones we’re feeding! While we strive to create kid-friendly meals that are appealing to everyone, we understand that not all dishes will be a hit with every camper. We encourage all campers to try the meal provided, or at least parts of it, even if it’s not their favourite. However, no camper will ever be forced to eat something they don’t want to. Our leaders gently encourage campers to explore new foods, helping them build confidence in trying different flavours and textures during their time at camp. Campers often try new foods and even might discover new favourites- in a setting where their peers are all enjoying the same meal together in community. If a camper is unable to enjoy the meal offered, our kitchen will provide a simple, alternative option such as buttered noodles, a plain sandwich, a bowl of cereal, or a hot dog. These alternatives depend on what’s available, but our dedicated kitchen team works hard to ensure that every camper leaves the table satisfied and ready for more fun.

We understand that some campers may feel more comfortable knowing the lunch menu in advance. If requested, we can provide the menu one week before your camper’s session begins, though please note that changes may occur due to food delivery delays or ingredient shortages. For campers with sensory processing disorders, food aversions, ARFID, or extreme pickiness, we are happy to work with parents/guardians to ensure their child’s food needs are met during camp. Parents/guardians can arrange a phone consultation with our Kitchen Manager by emailing canterburyhillskitchen@gmail.com or calling 905-648-2712 ext. 6. We’ll discuss the menu and any necessary accommodations.

We do our best to accommodate group requests whenever possible, as long as campers are in the same registration grouping (Mini, Middle or Major). You may indicate group requests during registration. Cabin requests work best when both/all campers mutually indicate each other’s full name on their registration form. 

Can My Camper Request a Grade or Group Exemption? Yes. All exemption requests must be submitted BEFORE registration is completed. Once registration is finalized and spaces are claimed, changes are very unlikely.

• Requests are reviewed individually
• Approved exceptions always move an older camper into a younger group
• A younger camper will NOT move up into an older group

Can My Camper Request to Be with a Friend? Yes! Friend (group) requests are still welcomed and prioritized whenever possible. Key details:

• Both campers must be registered in the same grade category, same session, and same program
• Requests are easiest to fulfill when they are mutual
• Most weeks include multiple groups within the same grade category

On average, each group consists of 12 campers and 2 leaders. We aim to keep the age gap within 1 year for day camp, though this may vary slightly depending on the age distribution in each session.

Group requests cannot be guaranteed, as many factors go into creating our cabin groups and we require the flexibility on our end to be able to make the most appropriate cabin groupings.

Why Do We Group Campers by Age?

Our camp activity schedules are carefully designed to match the developmental stage and maturity level of campers. Leaders collaborate with their campers to create a schedule that reflects their interests and abilities, ensuring a fun and fulfilling experience. A 6-7 year-old’s experience differs greatly from that of a 9-10 year-old. Grouping campers by age helps us:

• Provide activities that are appropriately challenging and engaging
• Foster friendships among campers at a similar developmental stage
• Maintain balanced and positive cabin dynamics

For example, older campers may take on a longer, more challenging hike, while younger campers may engage in simpler crafts suited to their skills and interests.  Large age gaps can disrupt group dynamics and make it difficult for leaders to offer activities that meet the needs of all campers. By keeping age groups close, we ensure that campers bond easily, thrive together, and enjoy age-appropriate experiences, while also setting our staff up for success in leading engaging and meaningful programming.

While our program is designed for campers to remain with their own groups, siblings will still have moments to smile, wave, and check in with each other throughout the day.

Much like siblings in different classes at the same school, campers usually stay with their own groups for activities, no matter the group or camp program. However, there are opportunities for them to see each other during meals (where all groups gather together—Bridge and Overnight Campers in the dining hall, and Day Campers at picnic tables just outside) and sometimes during transitions between activities. While the surrounding forest is vast, the main camp area is compact, and the key program areas are all within close reach, making it relatively easy to connect with siblings in other groups.