There are many benefits of attending summer camp. Your child will learn new things, build friendships, gain self confidence, and experience positive growth in a nurturing environment. Camp is a safe place for outdoor exploration, active play and embarking on great adventures. Give your child this life changing experience!

TYPES OF CAMP

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OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Overnight Camps operate for weekends, weeks, or entire summers. Participants stay at the camp in provided accommodations and experience activities for the full duration of the program. The activities offered, accommodations, and the camp’s philosophy vary with each camp.

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DAY CAMPS

Day Camps operate for 1-8 weeks, providing opportunities for children to enjoy high quality camp experiences while spending the night at home. Day camps are a good introduction to camp and to experience a wide range of activities close to home.

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RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED CAMPS

Religiously Affiliated camps may operate as either overnight or day camps. Programs may include religious studies or simply represent the philosophy of camp.

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SPECIALTY CAMPS

Specialty camps may operate as either overnight or day camps. These programs are designed to serve and provide specialized care to specific populations. Examples include cancer patients and their families or children with learning disabilities.

HOW TO

CHOOSE

A CAMP

Purpose of Camp

The purpose of camp is to have a fun and safe experience, making new friends and learning things in an outdoor setting. While every child is different, it’s important to choose a camp that will meet their specific social, emotional and physical needs.

Find the Right Camp

With hundreds of camps ranging from day camps, residential, and out trip camps focusing on activities like horseback riding, canoeing, mountaineering, to art, drama, and science there is a lot to choose from. Learn more about the different types of camp available in Alberta. To find out what activities or type of camp would fit with your child best, visit Alberta Camping Association’s camp directory.

Choose an Accredited Camp

All of the ACA’s member camps have been accredited with the big stamp of ACA approval! That means they reach a high level of standards and follow strict protocols to make sure your child is getting the best experience in the safest environment. These standards are related to things like site, facility, administration,leadership, health, food service, and programming.

Contact the Camp

Continue your research by visiting each individual camp’s website. Learn about the camps philosophy, the type of programs offered, session lengths, start dates, and cost. If you have further questions, feel free to call the camp office. Their staff or Camp Director would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Ask for Recommendations

Further still, you can ask your friends, family, and neighbours about their camping experience. Perhaps they have a camp to recommend or can help you with your research. If you think you have the right camp in mind, talk to others to see how they found their experience there.

Go through these questions to help you decide what kind of camp would be the best for your camp.  Think about what you and your camper want in your camp experience at camp.

  • What are the activities and interests your child would like to explore?
  • What do you want your child to gain from camp? (e.g. try new things, develop a specific skill, learn independence, etc.)
  • Do you have any special physical, emotional, or mental needs?
  • There are overnight camps, day camps, religious camps, specialized camps, etc. Have you considered what type of camp would be best for your camper?
  • What location works best for your camper and family?
  • What camp will work best with your family’s schedule?
  • What is the total cost for the camp?

READY TO CHOOSE A CAMP?

FIND A CAMP