Financial Assistance & Bursaries

How do we apply for a camp bursary?

Each year, Canterbury Hills sets aside a bursary fund to support families facing financial challenges, helping them send their child(ren) to camp. Families interested in applying for a bursary can do so by completing a separate online form during the registration process. The application will ask for details about your financial situation and the reasons you are seeking camp fee assistance. Bursary applications are reviewed by our Camp Committee on the 15th of each month, and they aim to ensure that the funds are distributed fairly, although bursary funds are given on a rolling basis until the budget is exhausted. We do our best to spread the funds to as many families as possible.

Please note, your child must already be registered in a camp program in order to receive Bursary Funds. If you have been selected to receive bursary funds, we will apply them towards your household account balance on CampBrain and you will be informed by email.

What percentage of the registration fee does a camp bursary typically cover?

The most common bursary we are able to provide covers 50% of a camper’s registration fee. While it is rare for us to be able to cover 100% of the fee, as we aim to assist as many families as possible, we encourage applicants to indicate the amount they are hoping to have covered in their Bursary Application. Our Camp Committee reviews each application carefully to ensure fair and thoughtful consideration of your financial need.

Who is eligible to apply for a camp bursary? Are documents required to show proof of eligibility?

Any family experiencing financial hardship is eligible to apply for a camp bursary. To apply, we simply ask that you provide a written explanation of your financial situation and we request the names and contact information of references who can confirm that the information you provided is true.

Are there other opportunities for financial assistance?

Canterbury Hills is proud to partner with several organizations who offer additional financial support to families facing financial hardship. We have established partnerships with the following organizations:

Kids in Camp

Kids in Camp is a charity that partners with us to provide additional financial assistance to those who are already receiving bursary support from us. In order to qualify for Kids in Camp funding, you must have already been approved for a Canterbury Hills bursary, and your total household income must not exceed $85,000. You must be able to provide your 2025 Notice of Assessment as proof of income (no other documents are accepted). If a child in your household has a disability, your total household income can be $95,000. Kids in Camp funds both Day and Overnight campers.

The application form must be completed on your end, and our office team submits it on your behalf. Please email camp@canterburyhills.ca for more information.

Amici Charity

Amici provides financial assistance to low-income families on a multi-year commitment, in partnership with our bursary program. Campers who are enrolled with Amici will be able to attend Canterbury Hills year after year until they age out of our programs (including LIT). Amici contributes 50% camp fee coverage, and Canterbury Hills contributes the remaining 50%, which means that campers who are enrolled through Amici will attend camp each summer for only a small administrative fee (under $100). Amici Charity only funds Overnight campers, and families must be open to a multi-year commitment.

Please email camp@canterburyhills.ca to be referred to Amici.

St Matthew’s House

St. Matt’s is a a fellow Anglican service in Hamilton that partners with Canterbury Hills to provide families with financial assistance towards summer camp fees. St. Matthew’s House summer camp program includes subsidies to cover camp fees in whole or in part. Subsidies are supported through St. Matthew’s House generous donors. To inquire about possible funding support, families must contact St Matthew’s House directly: 905-523-5546 ext 222

Angel Tree Camping – Prison Fellowship Canada

PFC’s Angel Tree Camping program connects church communities and individuals with the families of prisoners through a Summer Camp experience. Please contact PFC directly at 1- 844-618-5867. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to only those who successfully qualify for the program. For any child who is approved for sponsorship through Angel Tree Camping, Prison Fellowship Canada regional staff or volunteers will work with the child’s caregiver to help connect the family with a local Christian camp in their area and facilitate the child’s camp registration.

Other potential sources of camp fee assistance:

Check with your church! Whether Anglican or another denomination, many churches offer camp scholarships or subsidies for their congregation. You can contact your church administration to inquire whether or not such a fund exists for sending campers to camp and/or if our camp is eligible to receive their funding.
Your regional Children’s Aid Society (Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton, Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, Niagara Family and Child Services, Halton Children’s Aid Society) may provide financial assistance for our camp programs. Contact your case worker to see if financial assistance is an option for your family.

Can we apply City of Hamilton Recreation Assistance Program funds to Canterbury programs?

No, we are not affiliated with the City of Hamilton and therefore cannot be included in their Recreation Assistance Program subsidies.