• February 3, 2025, 12:00 p.m. — March Mania, Sport Fitness School, One-on-One Support, Leaders in Training, Junior Leadership
• February 5, 2025, 12:00 p.m. — Basketball, Swimming, Volleyball

You will receive confirmation emails within 24 hours after registering:

• Online account activation (for new users only) — includes links and login information for your online camp account.
• Registration confirmation (for all users) — includes a summary of your camp registration and activity selection.

As camp approaches, you will receive more information via email and social media posts to help you prepare for camp, including a helpful guide.

Register Now, Pay Later!

We are excited to offer a convenient payment option for our summer programs. No fees are required at the time of registration. Instead, an automatic payment for the registration balance will be processed on May 1, 2025. We will send you a reminder before charging your card.

Payment Methods:

• Online: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• In-Person: Credit, Debit, Cash, Cheque

Visit our Recreation Business Office at the David Braley Athletic Centre, Joan Buddle Service Desk, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Should you require payment plan accommodations, including deferred payment, please contact Victor Aguirre, Recreation Business Office Coordinator, by email at aguirrev@mcmaster.ca.

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations are subject to a $15 administrative fee if received at least 2 weeks prior to the start date.
• Requests for cancellations after the 2-week cut-off are subject to a $35 cancellation fee.
• There will be no discounts for days not attended.
• NSF cheques are assessed a $55 administrative fee.

If you have any questions, please contact Victor Aguirre, Recreation Business Office Coordinator, by email at reconline@mcmaster.ca.

Each camp season, we work with our community partners to ensure camp — and all it stands for — is shared with children and families in our community who couldn’t otherwise afford it. Campers attending on scholarship receive full or partial scholarships to attend the camp of their choice.

We work with the following partners to provide incredible camp experiences for youth:

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• BGC Hamilton-Halton
• Coalition of Hamilton Indigenous Leadership
• City Kidz
• Eva Rothwell Centre
• Halton Children’s Aid Society
• Hamilton Children’s Aid Society
• Hamilton Catholic Children’s Aid Society
• Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council
• Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
• McMaster Indigenous Student Services

With your help, we can do more!

Share the gift of camp: As families who attend our camps, you’ve made it clear: You believe in the value of camp. It may not be in your family’s budget to sponsor an entire campership, but many small contributions will make a big difference. Since 2012, we’ve been excited to let our camp families ‘share the gift of camp’ during their registration, $5 — or more! — at a time.

To donate, select the “donation” option during online registration, and you’re done! Your donation will be included in your camp total during checkout, and is then shared with campers and families in need.

Buy swag for scholarships: Purchase some swag. All proceeds go to the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp Scholarship program.

• Camp hoodie (sizing available: youth small to adult X-large) $30.00 + HST
• Camp sunglasses (numerous colour options available to camper can choose at camp!) $5.00 + HST

Mabel’s Labels in support of camper scholarships: You can also order Mabel’s Labels in support of our McMaster Camper Scholarship Fund and a portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to our scholarship fund.

Make a tax-receiptable gift: Donations made during online camp registration are convenient and have a real impact, but they are NOT currently eligible for tax receipts. To make a tax-receiptable gift outside of your camp registration, visit our McMaster Athletes Care Kids to Camp donation site.

• Availability: July and August
• Stops: Ancaster, Burlington, Hamilton Downtown, Hamilton Mountain, Oakville, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Winona
• Fees: $80 for 5 days, $75 for 4 days (plus HST)
• Registration Deadline: Tuesday prior to session by 4:00 p.m. or until capacity is reached
• Contact: reconline@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 24464

During Camp Registration:

1. Select your camp session.
2. Choose the bus route and week(s) that match your camp session.
3. Complete the registration process.

Adding to Existing Registration:

1. Log in to your online account.
2. View details of the Summer season.
3. Click the ‘Add campers, sessions, options’ button.
4. Select your camper.
5. Scroll to the bottom for the listing of buses & weeks.
6. Select the bus route for each session by the week.
7. Click ‘Continue’ and make your payment.

2025

• 4-day week: $70
• 5-day week: $88

During Camp Registration:

1. Select your camp session.
2. Choose lunches on the Camp Options page.
3. Complete registration.

Adding to Existing Registration:

1. Log in to your online account and click submitted applications.
2. Select “Add camper, sessions, options.”
3. Scroll down to find the session your camper is enrolled in.
4. Click “Show Details” and add the Lunch Program to your cart.
5. Submit your payment.

Deadline: Add lunch to your camp session until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday for the following week. After Tuesday, options will disappear from your online account if not already purchased. Lunch Program fees are non-refundable once registration is closed.

Contact for Changes:

• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464

If you have specific allergen or dietary requests, please contact us:

• Phone: 905-525-9140 x24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca

Feel free to reach out if you need more details.

One-on-One Support Is Available Only During Summer Sessions

Our staff are dedicated to supporting campers with a wide range of needs and abilities, whether managing a chronic medical condition like diabetes, a return-to-play plan post-injury or offering one-on-one support for a child needing extra care. While we are experienced and able to support a wide variety of exceptionalities, our coaches and counsellors are hired based on experience, and not qualified training. (I.e., staff consist of university students and teachers. They are not typically educational assistants, child and youth workers, occupational therapists, etc.) All campers must have control of bowel and bladder, and the ability to wipe independently, as our facilities and staff are not equipped to care for campers who require regular support in these areas.

When registering for the one-on-one program, families are asked to share information on their camper’s needs and goals so that we can better support them at camp. Support staff will also follow-up in May to gather the most up-to-date needs and goals information.

As forms are received, they will be reviewed to ensure we can support your camper’s needs. Our capacity is limited and therefore we try to spread the love. Families are asked to limit registration to two sessions during the registration period until March 21, at which time we will offer any remaining spaces to those that have already registered.

If your camper has an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) that has been developed elsewhere that you would like to share with us, please email this to sfs@mcmaster.ca. For more information, contact Natalie Hamel at hameln1@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 Ext. 26639.

One-on-One Support Is Available Only During Summer Sessions

Please ensure you select one-on-one support during registration.

• Sport Fitness School strives to provide integrated sport for athletes who identify with an exceptionality. Our One-on-One Coordinator and Occupational Therapists provide tools for athletes to be successful in large and small group settings.
• Sport Fitness School is a large camp with over 300 campers each session and locations can require 5 to 10 minutes of walking time. There are some sports that have higher stimulus environments as well. As we do our best to accommodate for all needs and accessibility, please be sure to call the office prior to camp to ensure that all tools and support are in place prior to arriving at camp.
• Coaches are supported and trained volunteers by our Sport Fitness School One-on-One Camps Coordinator. Our one-on-one program is an extension of our program and therefore is based around the model of integration.
• Athletes registered in the program will cycle through six coaches in one day. Athletes will have a consistent coach for each sport they are registered in, as well as their home counsellor group. However, coaches will vary for transition periods (swim and lunch) each day.
• Athletes taking transportation to and from camp will not have access to one-on-one support. There are coaches on the bus supervising, however there is not one coach with the athlete.
• The more information given and communication with our coordinator, the more successful the child’s experience will be. Be sure to connect daily via phone or email with the coordinator.

If your child requires support in an educational setting, we recommend one-on-one support at Sport Fitness School. If you are unsure if your child will require support, please call Natalie Hamel, Camps Coordinator, at 905-525-9140 Ext. 26639

If your child is transitioning out of the one-on-one support program at camp, be sure to call or email to explain how the child’s needs have changed.

Camp families seeking one-on-one support are invited to complete an application* for registration.

The process will include completing an application with the following:

• General camper information
• Needs assessment form

*Applications do not guarantee registration. All registrations will be reviewed to ensure we can meet your camper’s needs.

Please note that due to limited capacity, SFS individual campers may only be registered for two of our One-on-One Support sessions. Additional spaces may become available. Families may indicate their interest to be placed on a waitlist on the application form if they are interested in attending more sessions.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a regulated health profession; OTs provide specialized services to individuals using a holistic lens. OTs consider all aspects of the person and the environment in assessments and interventions — cognitive, cultural, physical, social, psychological, emotional, etc.

We’ve partnered with the Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at the School of Rehabilitation Science, a Master’s level professional program at McMaster University. Student OTs are integrated into some of our camp programs to provide an educational opportunity to staff and students alike as they work on a consultative basis to promote inclusion and provide recommendations for ensuring that all campers are getting the most out of their camp experience. The student OTs will be working under the supervision of an off-site registered OT. They will be accessing registration information and observing campers and may contact parents/guardians for permission to conduct further assessments and interventions with individual campers.

Absences, Arriving Late, Leaving Early

It is imperative that we are aware if your child will be absent, late or leaving early! Please call the camp office or send a note with your child prior to the day of absence. For your child’s safety, we will be calling home for any unannounced late or absent campers.

Sport Fitness School: 905-525-9140 x27071 
Sport Camps: 905-525-9140 x24464 
March Mania: 905-525-9140 x24464

Late Campers:

• SFS campers should report to the SFS office (DBAC WB111) prior to joining their activities.
• Sport campers should report to their camp home base prior to joining their activities.
• March Mania campers should report to the office (DBAC WG101) prior to joining their activities.

Clothing at Camp

To ensure a safe camp experience, please consider the following attire for camp:

• T-shirt and shorts: The camp t-shirt must be worn as part of the daily uniform. They will receive their t-shirt on Day 1.
• Shoes: Comfortable running shoes (no sandals, flip-flops or “heelies”)

Lost and Found: Label It!

Going to camp, school or even just out the door — add children to the mix and things seem to go missing quickly. Visit our Lost and Found webpage for tips on reclaiming lost items, and send a kid in need to camp!

Car: Drop-Off/Pick-Up

Pick up and drop off can be very busy, especially on the first day of camp — leave yourself lots of time!

With lots of campus action at any given time, there will be a considerable amount of traffic in and around the McMaster campus. Please consider carpooling, walking, biking or taking public transit to drop off your camper.

All Camps Parking Lot H (Summer Camps) Designated pick-up and drop-off lot for camps is Parking Lot H. Follow the directional signs on campus. Parking for March Mania may differ; please check your “Preparing for Camp” email.

During camp arrival and dismissal hours, parking will be free and parking staff will be on the scene for easy entry and departure.

Dismissal

To keep things in a safe, controlled environment, approved pick-up persons will be expected to travel to their camp’s home base to sign out their campers.

Self-Sign-Out: Walking, Biking Home If your child is planning on walking or riding their bike home (or to another location on campus) without an approved pick-up person, for safety reasons, we request that you indicate during registration and ensure they have self-sign-out privileges.

If you need to make changes to dismissal permissions and approved pick-up list in your online account, please email us at reconline@mcmaster.ca.

Dismissal Policy

No matter the age of your camper, how your camper is travelling, or what camp they are attending, ALL campers must be signed out before leaving camp.

Ways to sign out:

• Approved pick-up person
• Self-sign-out

• Camper t-shirt
• Running shoes (no sandals, heelies or shoes with openings)
• Packed lunch and snacks (no refrigeration available, please use re-usable containers and remember we are nut-free!)
• Water bottle: Bring your own every day!
• Bathing suit and towel
• Hat and sunscreen (summer camps)
• Coat, gloves, boots, etc. (March Break only)
• Athletic attire

Note on Electronics

One of the goals of camp is to provide campers with unique experiences at McMaster. Electronic devices — games, phones, music players, etc. — while great for individual entertainment, do not readily encourage socialization at camp and often present challenges, especially when they go missing. We ask that all electronics be left at home for the duration of camp and promise to provide an awesome experience to keep campers engaged throughout their session!

Please visit your camp’s page for camp-specific items.

What Do I Need to Know?

Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather (heat warnings, thunderstorms, etc.), all camp activities move indoors.

Extreme Heat Alerts: At times during the summer, Environment Canada will release an extreme heat advisory whenever the humidity reaches a level where extreme activity is considered unsafe.

During these times, all camps will begin running their extreme heat plans featuring:

• Extra Water Breaks
• Minimal Direct Sun Exposure
• Reduced Activities During the Mid-Afternoon

Please note that portions of camp are designed to run outdoors. Modified programming will take place, and we will move indoors for varying times of the day. Full camp refunds will not be provided because of extreme heat.

First Aid at Camp: Our experienced First Aid Coordinator is on staff (*summer only) to supervise first aid at camp.

In addition, all camp staff are certified in First Aid/CPR. In the event of an emergency, the Emergency Contact Person identified on your registration forms will be notified.

Zero Tolerance: All camps have a Zero Tolerance policy for any abusive behaviour directed at campers or staff. This includes physically and verbally abusive behaviour. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Please see our Behaviour Expectations for more information.

What Do I Need to Do?

Medical Information Changes: Please keep us up-to-date! Once you have submitted your medical form, you will no longer be able to make changes. If you need to make changes, please contact us at 905-525-9140 x24464 or by email at reconline@mcmaster.ca.

Medications: Please send your camper with any required medications, to be stored with the camper’s belongings or the camp staff, and make sure you have outlined use in your registration information.

Nut-Free Camp and Lunches: Many campers have fatal allergies to nuts. Do NOT send any nut-based products to camp!

This includes all nut-based products including peanut butter, chocolate bars, squares, cookies and other items including nuts.

We appreciate your attention to items being placed in your child’s lunch.

The following expectations are designed to support McMaster University Athletics and Recreation in its mission to create a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for participation, and that includes our camps!

Our camp staff are trained to implement tools to manage camper behaviour, encourage participation, and work with campers to resolve conflict in a positive way. In instances of inappropriate behaviour, camp staff may inform camp leadership team members.

In some cases, our camp directors or the camp coordinator may contact parents when behaviour is especially concerning. In extreme cases, the camp coordinator may decide to dismiss a camper from the camp program. In cases where a camper is removed from camp and asked not to return, refunds are not available.

We have borrowed the Ontario Code of Conduct (Safe Schools Act) to help us develop our standards of behaviour at camp:

Campers Are Expected To:

• Respect and follow the law
• Make everyone at camp feel welcome and included
• Respect differences in people and the rights of others
• Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, especially when there is disagreement
• Show care for McMaster property and equipment, and for the property of others
• Listen to instructions and directions from camp staff
• Seek help from camp staff to resolve problems peacefully
• Not use swear words
• Try your best, be a good sport and have fun!

Campers Must Not:

• Bully other people, whether it is in person or through technology like cell phones or social media
• Touch people in a way that is unwanted or makes them feel uncomfortable
• Hit or hurt someone else, or encourage other people to hit or hurt someone else
• Say things that hurt other people or might make people feel uncomfortable
• Take things that are not theirs
• Use any object to threaten people or make people feel uncomfortable
• Bring weapons, cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol to camp
• Damage McMaster property on purpose

In-Season Camp Contacts

March Mania

• Location: Sport Hall, David Braley Athletic Centre
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: marchmania@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Sport Fitness School

• Location: Sport Hall, David Braley Athletic Centre
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 27071
• Email: sfs@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WB111

Basketball Camps and Clinics

• Location: Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Football Camps and Clinics

• Location: Les Prince Field, Ron Joyce Stadium
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24463
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Soccer Camp

• Location: Les Prince Field, Ron Joyce Stadium
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Swim Camps and Clinics

• Location: : Pool and Mezzanine, Ivor Wynne Centre
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Volleyball Camps and Clinics

• Location: Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre
• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Year-Round Camp Contacts

Registration/Customer Service

• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24464
• Email: reconline@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC WG101

Camps Coordinator:Natalie Hamel, hameln1@mcmaster.ca

• Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 26639
• Email: hameln1@mcmaster.ca
• Office: DBAC W117