Based in the heart of Toronto's Liberty Village, GGC’s Summer Day Camp offers an exciting new opportunity for Guides to gain new skills, build their leadership capabilities and have a fun and memorable summer. Through a blend of team-building challenges, urban navigation skills and hands-on workshops, campers will develop practical skills and can navigate the world with confidence. Every activity is designed to balance serious skill-building with high-energy summer fun.
FAQs
Camp Overview
Who can attend GGC Summer Day Camps?
GGC Summer Day Camps have been designed for girls that are currently in 2nd or 3rd year Guides (10-12 years old), that were born in either 2014, 2015 or 2016.
Don’t worry if your camper has never been a member of Girl Guides of Canada before. GGC Summer Day Camps are open to both GGC members and non-members. At Girl Guides of Canada, we’re building a space where everyone feels seen, respected and celebrated for who they are. We welcome:
GGC Summer Day Camps welcomes youth who identify as a transgender girl, are non-binary, or two-spirit people who feel comfortable in a female-focused space. We also promote the use of inclusive language, offer flexible programming options and respect personal pronouns to ensure members feel seen and respected.
What is the focus and intention behind GGC Summer Day Camps?
The Guiding year doesn’t have to end when your unit stops meeting. GGC Summer Day Camps lets you continue to explore and have fun in Guiding even in the summer months. The programming focuses on confidence-building, skills-development and leadership opportunities for Guides.
Where will GGC Summer Day Camps be based?
GGC Summer Day Camps will be run out of the GGC Space in Liberty Village. This is a new, program-focused site to Girl Guides of Canada and is fantastically located close to outdoor spaces, urban hotspots and transit (like TTC and GO lines).
What will a typical week at GGC Summer Day Camps include?
Throughout the week at GGC Summer Day Camps, campers will participate in:
- Drop-in activities as campers arrive and before the programming officially starts.
- Introductions, expectations and an icebreaker to start the day. This time is used to help set-up expectations, prepare campers in advance of will happen that day and have some fun.
- GGC staff-led programs and activities. Campers will be connecting, moving, exploring and getting outdoors.
- Visit(s) to and from third-party service providers (TPSP) for extra special programming.
What is the daily schedule for a day at GGC Summer Day Camps?
A typical day at camp will look something like:
- 8 to 8:30 a.m - Early extended care
- 8:30 to 9 a.m - Arrival and free-time activities
- 9 to 9:30 a.m - Introductions, expectations, icebreaker
- 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m - Program Block 1
- 10:30 to 11 a.m - Snack and Hydration Break
- 11 a.m. to noon - Program Block 2
- Noon to 1 p.m - Lunch and free-time activities
- 1 to 3 p.m - Program Block 3
- 3 to 3:30 p.m - Snack and Hydration Break
- 3:30 to 4 p.m - Daily Round-up and Closing
- 4 to 4:30 p.m - Departure and free-time activities
- 4:30 to 5 p.m - Late extended care
Note: This schedule is just an example. The actual schedule will vary depending on the activities that day.
What does my camper need to bring to camp with them each day?
Campers should have the following items with them to be prepared each day:
Packed lunch and snacks. These should be nut-free (all food items and snacks are free of nuts, nut products and traces of nuts).
Reusable water bottle.
We will be going outside each day. Please ensure your camper is dressed for the weather and has items they’ll need to do so (e.g., hat, sunscreen, jacket, etc.).
Please ensure everything that your camper brings to camp is labeled with your child’s name.
Please do not bring any valuables or electronics. See FAQ below for more information.
Any items required from home will be communicated in advance (e.g. recycled container, notebook and pencil or service materials).
There will be space for campers to secure their personal belongings during the day.
How many youth will be in my campers’ group?
At most, there will be 34 other campers participating in the same GGC Summer Day Camp's week as your camper. Some activities will take place as one large group, whereas others will split the group into smaller sub-groups.
Do campers have to wear GGC uniforms?
No, GGC uniforms are not required, though GGC-wear is always encouraged.
Do campers need to bring money to camp?
No, there will never be a time where campers will need to have their own funds on them to participate in a portion of GGC Summer Day Camps.
Can my camper leave the site to go and buy lunch or snacks nearby?
No, campers must remain with the group at all times.
Who is overseeing and leading GGC Summer Day Camps?
GGC Summer Day Camps are being planned and organized by GGC staff on the Outdoor Experiences team. Camp counsellors will be trained GGC staff and/or volunteers.
Registration Details
How do I register?
Advance registration through our online registration platform is required. No other forms of registration will be accepted.
When does registration open? (Updated)
Registration will open on Tuesday, February 10. Registration will remain open until Tuesday, March 10, or until all spaces are filled. Initial registration will only be open to GGC members. Additional registration details and date for non-members to come.
Can I register for day camp if I am outside of the age requirement?
At this time, no. If you are an Ember or a Pathfinder who is interested in participating in GGC Summer Day Camps, we’re happy to add your name to a waitlist if spaces remain available after the initial registration window closes. Please contact our team at ggcdaycamps@girlguides.ca.
Can I register my unit to participate in a GGC Summer Day Camp?
No. GGC Summer Day Camps registration is for individual girl participants and they should be registered by their caregiver directly.
Can I register for multiple weeks of GGC Summer Day Camp?
Yes. Please note that the themes repeat throughout the summer. On weeks under the same theme, the programming and activities will be the same or quite similar.
How is the Girl Guide Program and its badges incorporated into the Summer Day Camps?
The activities that your camper participates in during their GGC Summer Day Camp have all been badge-aligned. Documentation of this will be provided at the end of camp. This documentation can be shared with your camper’s Unit Guider, who can award credit and any badges earned.
Terms and Conditions
Are electronics allowed at GGC Summer Day Camps?
We do not recommend bringing any electronics. Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council, nor its employees, assume any responsibility for equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged, brought into or left on the premises, whether by permission or otherwise.
All campers should respect that these activities are designed to be unplugged for the duration of participation. However, we respect that phones are used as cameras and campers may wish to capture memories, therefore, phones/cameras are permitted with the following restrictions that girls and adults must respect:
- Phones/cameras are not permitted in any place where a participant’s right to privacy might be violated. Therefore, the use of cameras, whether standalone or on a phone, are not permitted to be used in any washroom, dressing rooms or sleeping areas.
- During program activities, phones are only permitted for the purpose of taking pictures.
- No pictures of any camper should be posted without the express permission of those in the picture. GGC Summer Day Camps will follow all regulations outlined within Safe Guide as it relates to Image Release.
What happens if my camper misses a day?
There is no cost reduction or credit for camp days missed.
If your camper is sick, please do not come to camp. Any obviously ill campers will be sent home.
Is GGC Summer Day Camps a safe environment for my camper?
Will there be any males at GGC Summer Day Camps?
Some facilitation by third-party service-providers (TPSP) may include male staff members. As per GGC’s Safe Guide policies, girl members will never be alone with any adult, whether it is a GGC staff member, volunteer or external party. Any TPSPs are made aware of GGC’s Safe Guide regulations in regards to male attendance.
Is GGC Summer Day Camp eligible to receive any financial assistance?
Financial assistance may be available. Please reach out to us for more information at ggcdaycamps@girlguides.ca.