Olivia TaylorLast summer, I found myself in a bit of a pickle. After a marathon brainstorming session in which my nephews adamantly rejected every ‘fun’ summer activity I proposed, I realised I needed backup.
So, I searched and asked for recommendations for the best summer camps in Ottawa, and honestly, it saved my sanity! I gladly found some, each packed with unique programs and activities.
Now that you’re in the same boat and trying to avoid hearing the words “I’m bored” for the twentieth time in an hour, you’re in luck. I’ve compiled my findings into this ultimate list—read on and find the one that’ll turn this summer into the most exciting one!
National Kids Camps
– Media credit: national_kidscamp
Website: http://www.nationalkidscamps.com/
Address: Ottawa area
Contact details: +1 613 723 1101
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 6 to 18
When: Mid-June to August
Cost:
- Ottawa Day Camp – $279 to $599 per week
- Survivor Summer Camp – from $329
- Serve and Splash – $329 to $409 per session
- Outbound Summer Camp – $499 to $574 per session
National Kids Camps have been creating brilliant summer experiences for children since 1985. They offer a wide variety of activities, from mountain biking, sailing, and tennis to themed camps like the Survivor Summer Camp and Wilderness Adventure Camp.
They even offer full and half-day camps, so it’s flexible for any family schedule. One of the highlights is the Outbound Summer Camp, which teaches kids different outdoor skills and encourages them to love nature.
Another noteworthy program is Serve and Splash camp, which combines swimming and tennis for an exciting and active summer. If your child is into more niche sports, there’s the National Pickleball and Swim Camp, which combines this unique sport with pool fun.
| Pro tip: For those into environmental efforts, they have a fantastic initiative with 4OCean where kids participate in cleaning up lakes and rivers, earning them 4Ocean bracelets. |
University of Ottawa – Gee-Gees Camps
– Media credit: uottawa
Website: https://www.geegees.ca/en/rec/camps
Address: 125, de l’Université
Contact details: +1 613 562 5800
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 6 to 17
When: Mid-June to August
Cost:
- $300 to $600 per week
Gee-Gees Camps at the University of Ottawa are a superb way to keep the kids busy and learn new skills over the summer. Here, they’ll have a variety of activities to choose from, including swimming, basketball, culinary classes, football, cheer dance, and more.
With bilingual instructions to serve the diverse community, the events are made to be both entertaining and instructive. Better yet, each camper will receive a stylish Gee-Gees camp T-shirt to help them feel like they belong during the summer.
In addition to offering free before-and-after care, the University of Ottawa – Gee-Gees camps also provide free parking for pick-up and drop-off, with specific spots for each camp.
Plus, the kids are well-fed, with all-you-can-eat lunches and a Friday pizza lunch party.
| Pro tip: Registration tends to fill up quickly, so signing up as early as possible is a good idea to secure a spot in your child’s preferred activities. |
Camp Otonabee
– Media credit: ymcaottawa
Website: https://www.ymcaottawa.ca/camps-outdoor-education/overnight-camps/camp-otonabee/
Address: 1620 Sixth Line Rd RR #1, Dunrobin
Contact details: +1 613 832 1234
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 4 to 16
When: Mid-June to August
Cost:
- Price starts at $399
Camp Otanabee offers a fantastic range of activities, perfect for getting children out in the fresh air and keeping them active. These include canoeing, a climbing wall, high ropes, kayaking, swimming, orienteering, and nature education.
What’s even better is that they offer both day camps and overnight camps. The overnight camp is a particular hit since it combines all the fun activities of the day camp with the classic sleepaway experience.
Furthermore, Camp Otanabee’s staff is incredibly experienced and provides the support, attention, and care needed to ensure your child’s safety. They’re thoroughly trained in first aid and CPR, and the lifeguards on staff are nationally certified.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss joining the YMCA Camp Otanabee Information Nights (which you can register for via their website). These sessions are perfect for learning more about the camp’s programs and answering your questions before the summer begins. |
Zen Summer Camp
– Media credit: zenmma_ottawa_kids
Website: http://zensummercamp.com/
Address: 32 Colonnade Rd N #1000
Contact details: +1 613 723 2800
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 1:30 PM
Best for: Ages 5 to 13
When: June to August
Cost:
- From $230 to $285
Zen Summer Camp is packed with activities to keep the kids engaged and excited. From outdoor games like Manhunt, Capture the Flag, FIFA soccer, and baseball to the classic scavenger hunt and an all-out water gun mania afternoon, there’s no dull moment here.
But hold on, it’s not just about running outside all day. They’ve also got some cracking indoor activities lined up, such as arts and crafts like painting windows, team posters, and even their faces.
And who wouldn’t want to have a crack at Giant Team Twister or balloon games? Plus, their martial arts and swimming are also brilliant if you ask me.
| Pro tip: Zen Summer Camp offers flexible attendance options, allowing children to join for the entire summer or select specific weeks. Also, they can set up installment plans if you cannot pay immediately. |
Camp Can-Aqua
– Media credit: campcanaqua
Website: https://www.canaqua.ca/
Address: 116 Third Ave Unit B
Contact details: +1 613 339 2969
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 11 PM
Best for: Ages 5 to 17
When: Mid-June to August
Cost:
- 2 weeks camp (4 sessions) – $3195 +tax
- 4 weeks camp (July and August) – $5485 +tax
- Short stay 1 week camp – $1650 / $1350 + tax
- Specialty Camps (ages 9 to 15) – $1785 + tax (wake/waterski camp), $1350 + tax (NOFA film camps)
- Family weekend camps – $850 / $1085 + tax
Camp Can-Aqua is the bee’s knees for kids who want to get involved in a variety of activities. Here, they offer an impressive selection of land activities, such as mountain biking, archery, horseback riding, and climbing.
Furthermore, there’s swimming, wakeboarding, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and more—an absolute dream for the water sports lover. And get this: if the arts are more your thing, they’ve got photography, fine arts, pottery, and guitar playing.
Now, let’s discuss the camps! They provide various options, such as day camps and overnight camps, so you can choose what works best for your kid. Additionally, there are evening classes and special camps with unique and surprise activities.
| Pro tip: While you’re there, a top recommendation while you’re there is to try wakeboarding—it’s a massive hit among the kids and is often the highlight of their time at camp. |
Camp Davern
– Media credit: campdavern
Website: https://campdavern.com/
Address: 78 George St #204
Contact details: +1 613 770 5100
Operating hours:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 7 to 16
When: Late June to August
Cost:
- Overnight camp – $1,595 (1 week), $2,595 (2 weeks), $4,895 (1 month) +HST
- Davern Girl’s and Boy’s Week – $1,425 +HST
- June – Davern Family Camp – $735 (weekend for family of up to four)
- August – Davern Family Camp – $895 (weekend for family of up to four)
Camp Davern is an overnight camp that offers a wide range of activities. On land, the kids do everything from outdoor living skills and survival games to archery, ball hockey, and fitness, so they’re constantly learning and having a blast.
The water activities are nice as well, with canoeing, kayaking, SUP boarding activities, swimming, and fishing all on the agenda. Seriously, it’s nonstop fun and adventure from dawn till dusk.
Beyond those, Davern offers arts and crafts, drama, and music, along with trekking and challenging activities, like climbing, high and low ropes, and trailblazing. Lastly, they offer a leadership program for older campers who want to get involved.
| Pro tip: If you’re torn about which activities to prioritise, definitely have a go at SUP boarding—it’s a huge hit and a lot of fun for all ages. |
Ashbury College – Summer Camp
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Website: https://ashbury.ca/summer/
Address: 362 Mariposa Ave, Rockcliffe Park
Contact details: +1 613 749 5954
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 6 to 18
When: Mid-June to August
Cost:
- Price starts at $440 to $750 per session
The variety of activities Ashbury College has lined up is varied and well-planned—lunch is included, so that’s one less thing to worry about. For those sporty types, there’s a multisport camp where you can try different athletic activities like volleyball, soccer, and frisbee.
The creative ones aren’t left out either, with art making, drama workshops, and robotics. Oh, and their Camp Quest is a fun mix of adventure and exploration where they can enjoy daily themes like ‘Under the Sea’, ‘Bugs’, and ‘The Forest’, engaging in hands-on activities, crafts, and outdoor games.
Beyond these, Ashbury College offers activities like rope courses, biking around Ottawa, and even white-water rafting—like a mini outdoor adventure holiday! They also have a Garden to Table Camp where kids can learn about gardening and cooking.
| Pro tip: Ashbury’s academic credit courses are also fantastic for your kids if you want them to learn more about mathematics, science, and social studies. |
STEMquest
– Media credit: stemquestcanada
Website: https://www.stemquest.ca/
Address: 260 Centrum Blvd #202
Contact details: +1 613 695 2719
Operating hours:
- Monday – 4 PM to 7 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 1 PM to 7 PM
- Friday – 1 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM
Best for: Ages 4 to 11
When: Late June to August
Cost:
- $325 for 5 days
- $260 for 4 days
STEMquest camps focus on science, technology, engineering, and math, with loads of hands-on, engaging activities. First, their LEGO Builders activity allows kids to create motorised projects and even solar-powered machines.
Next, the Minecraft Coders camp is tailored for kids to learn coding skills within the Minecraft platform. Robotics enthusiasts will get to build and program their very own robots, and the Tech Explorers camps let them dabble in 3D projects and augmented reality.
It’s not just all techy stuff; they’ve also got Science Lovers camps with hands-on experiments, Math Fans camps for some brain-teasing fun, and Art Creators camps for those little Picassos.
| Pro tip: STEMquest doesn’t just run camps in the summer—they also run camps during March breaks, winter breaks, and PD days. So, it’s a great option year-round. |
Bytown Brigantine Tall Ships Adventure
– Media credit: tall_ships_adventure
Website: http://www.tallshipsadventure.org/
Address: 2700 Queensview Dr.
Contact details: +1 613 596 6258
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 12 to 18
When: Early July to August
Cost:
- Whaler Adventure Camp – from $799 to $999
- Fair Jeanne – $1,750 (7-day voyage), $2,000 (8-day voyage), $3,500 (14-day voyage)
Bytown Brigantine Tall Ships Adventure offers an unparalleled experience on the beautiful waterways of Ottawa. They’ve got two fantastic options for your young sailors: the Whaler Adventure Camp and the Fair Jeanne Camp.
The Whaler Adventure Camp is a 5-day, 4-night experience where kids get the chance to sail during the day and camp at night. And if you fancy something more intensive, the Fair Jeanne Camp is a similar option, but with longer sailing days.
Both camps are about sailing on the Ottawa River by day and enjoying classic camp activities by night—making new mates, roasting s’mores, playing games, and singing campfire songs.
| Pro tip: Since this camp is all about sailing away and the kids aren’t allowed to use cell phones, you don’t need to worry since Bytown Brigantine does regular updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages. |
Ottawa Humane Society Camps
– Media credit: runottawa
Website: https://ottawahumane.ca/youth-programs/ohs-camps/
Address: 245 W Hunt Club Rd.
Contact details: +1 613 725 3166
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM to 7 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Best for: Children in Grades 1 to 6
When: Early July to August
Cost:
- Five-day camp – $370/week, $40/week (extended hours fee)
- Four-day camp (Aug. 5 to 8) – $370/week, $32/week (extended hours fee)
- Three-day camp (July 2 to 4) – $240/week, $24/week (extended hours fee)
Ottawa Humane Society Camps is an absolute gem of a summer day camp for the animal-loving juniors in your life. At this camp, they’ll have a cracking time meeting the animals and won’t just be learning the basics.
We’re talking about proper humane animal care, and they’ll get the lowdown on all the best practices from the experts. In addition, guests can take behind-the-scenes tours of the OHS to get a little inside look.
Moving on to the activities, the kids will make a difference through craft projects and have tons of fun with the available games. Additionally, everything is well-planned, allowing parents to relax knowing their children enjoy themselves.
| Pro tip: If you sign up for OHS camp, remember that kids aren’t allowed to bring toys, electronic devices, or cell phones during the camp. |
STEM Summer Camp Ottawa
– Media credit: childslife.ca
Website: http://www.stemcampottawa.ca/
Address: 3013 Jockvale Rd.
Contact details: +1 613 790 3946
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Best for: Ages 4 to 10
When: Late June to August
Cost:
- Price starts at $225
STEM Summer Camp is an absolute cracker. It offers a brilliant blend of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. Each week of the camp includes a new and fascinating theme!
There is never a dull time here, whether they’re creating simple robots, coding away, or going on STEM experiences in the outdoors. Additionally, teamwork and collaboration are incorporated, so the children are also gaining those crucial social skills.
| Pro tip: They sometimes sprinkle in some extra sessions where kids can dig deeper into specific areas of interest, adding an additional layer of fun and learning. |
5 Star Camps
– Media credit: 5starcampscosmo
Website: https://5starcamps.ca/
Address: 2013 Old Carp Rd, Carp
Contact details: +1 613 256 4589
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
When: Late June to August
Cost:
- 5 days camp – $499
- 4 days camp – $399.20
5 Star Camps is mainly an outdoor adventure camp. Here, it’s all about cooperative and initiative games, team challenges, and brilliant activities like the low ropes course and climbing wall.
But wait until they tackle the Vertical Playground and obstacle course—it’s the stuff of childhood dreams! In addition to the high-energy challenges, the camp offers arts and crafts for the creatively inclined.
Incredibly popular is the Archery Tag—a thrilling mix of archery, dodgeball, and paintball—where they can safely fire foam-tipped arrows at each other! And when they need to cool off, there are water inflatables to splash around on.
| Pro tip: You can book a tour and have a gander around 5 Star’s facilities before making any commitments—it could be just what you need to make the final decision. |
