Support for children at camp

If your child requires additional assistance to participate at camp, their support worker can attend with them at no extra cost.

You can also apply to have a dedicated staff member with your child every day at camp, through our Recreation Support Program.

If your child requires extra assistance at camp, you may be able to register for our Recreation Support Program. This means a dedicated member of staff, called a recreation support facilitator, will be with your child each day.

Your child may require a facilitator if they:

  • Have a physical, visual, hearing, developmental or intellectual disability
  • Have attention or behaviour difficulties
  • Receive support or special education services at school or, from a community agency

How to register

If your child needs support at camp, please email us at recreation.support@mississauga.ca or call 905-615-3200 ext. 8147. We’ll discuss support needs, options, and the registration process.

You’ll then be asked to complete the participant information request form and email it to recreation.support@mississauga.ca.

You must complete the form and pay all fees in order to complete registration. We cannot guarantee support will be provided until the registration is complete.

As part of the program, the City pays half the cost of the facilitator and the family pays for the other half. The family portion of the fee is approximately $350, not including the cost of camp.

If your child needs to take any type of medication while at camp, you must also complete a Parent or Legal Guardian Medication Consent Form.

We will contact you to book a phone interview to gather additional information our staff will need to be able to connect with your child for a fun and enjoyable camp experience.

On the first day of camp, your child’s facilitator will be at the sign-in table to greet your child.

About our facilitators

Recreation support facilitators are usually students with limited behaviour management training. Staff is not able to provide the same level of support as educational assistants or behaviour therapists. Facilitators can provide verbal prompts for going to the washroom and changing. They cannot lift or transfer the participant or administer medication.

We’ll try to keep the same facilitator with your child throughout the week but sometimes facilitators may change, for example, if someone gets sick. For campers that register for the full summer or several weeks, a facilitator will spend two to three weeks with a particular child.

Facilitators have a 30-minute break each day. During their break, another staff person will be with your child.

Facilitator training

All facilitators have their current Emergency First Aid, CPR B, and HIGH FIVE® certifications, as well as acceptable criminal reference checks. Facilitators have minimal behaviour management training.

All facilitators complete training which includes sessions on facilitating friendships, encouraging participation in activities, and managing emergency situations.

Facilitators learn basic behaviour management, including a review of our hands-off policy and redirection techniques. Facilitators do not receive training on how to physically stop or restrain participants. An individual who may require restraint holds or physical interventions requires an external support worker.

If your child already has a support worker, they can attend camp at no extra cost. However, we must know in advance to ensure there is enough space at the camp for your child’s support staff.

Contact us at recreation.support@mississauga.ca or call 905-615-3200 ext. 8147 and provide us your child’s name, camp location, and dates.

Support person information

A support person can attend recreation programs for free if they’re helping an individual with a disability participate in the program.

A support person may be a family member, a friend who is at least 14 years old, or an individual found through an organization and is familiar with the individual’s needs and requirements.

A support person is fully responsible for the care, support, and safety of the camp participant during all camp activities. They must stay with the participant at all times. They can encourage independence, socialization, and participation in camp activities when appropriate. A support person must follow camp sign-in/sign-out procedures at all times.

Attending camp as a support person

All support persons attending one of our camps must be familiar with and understand the following information:

Camp staff

The Camp Supervisor or designate will be there to greet you at the start of camp. The team can answer any questions you may have about support expectations or modifications to activities.

Dress code

You must wear clothing that’s comfortable to play in, for example, a t-shirt or athletic long-sleeve shirt, athletic shorts or athletic pants, and running shoes. Avoid any items that could be grabbed, pulled, or caught (for example long earrings, necklaces, flowing clothing).

Be prepared for outside activities (rain or shine) at minimum have sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable/non-breakable water bottle.

Cell phones, photos, and video

Cell phone use must be minimal and used for immediate work-related matters only. You cannot use your phone to record or take pictures during camp. If a parent is requesting pictures of their child, please have the parent speak directly to the full-time camp staff on duty.

Signing in and out

Camp participants must not leave the property without written consent from a parent or guardian provided to the Community Program supervisor or designate. Even with written consent from the participant’s guardian, sign-in/sign-out procedures must be followed by appropriate camp staff before leaving the property.

Punctuality

A participant who needs support cannot attend camp until their support person arrives. It’s not safe for the participant to be unsupported or unattended at any time, even for a few minutes. Communicate with the family of your participant if you’re running late or going to be away so they can make other arrangements.

Taking breaks

If the participant you’re supporting needs a break, tell the camp counsellor.

Washroom procedures

You must accompany your camper to the washroom. If you’re leaving the group, always let a camp counsellor know where you’re going and how long you think you’ll be gone.

As an external support person, you may not take any other campers to the washroom with you. All campers and staff in the group must follow camp washroom procedures:

Accessible equipment

Equipment is available and regularly cleaned. We understand that some participants use equipment as a comfort to reduce anxiety or over-stimulation.

Return equipment to the appropriate storage container after use. If the equipment is broken or no longer safe to use, inform camp supervisory staff.

The City is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage that may occur if participants bring objects/toys from home. We discourage participants from bringing valuable items from home unless it is a needed mobility, communication, or comfort tool. This equipment may need to be cleaned prior to entering the facility and should be cleaned after removal from the facility.

Confidentiality

Treat the camp participant’s personal information with sensitivity and confidentiality. It’s inappropriate to share personal information about the person you support with anyone, including other campers. There are times when you may need to share some information with City staff if there is some kind of risk to the participant’s health and safety.

If you’re concerned about the behaviour of other campers, speak to the Camp Supervisory Team or on-site recreation staff as soon as possible.

Safety

Any injuries sustained by either the camper or you as the support person must be immediately reported to the applicable supervisor.

Any instances of workplace violence or respectful workplace concerns must be immediately reported to the camp coordinator or full-time staff.

In the event of an emergency situation, lockdown or evacuation, follow the directions of the full-time staff.

Camp expectations

The City wants to provide an environment that is safe, fun, and welcoming. Making sure that everyone in the camp has the same understanding of needs, expectations and awareness are vital to ensuring an enjoyable camp experience.

We expect that everyone participating in the camp will:

  • Stay with the group and take part in activities
  • Use acceptable language
  • Follow all sign-out procedures and not leave the program space without permission
  • Not harm other campers or staff. Name-calling, hitting, spitting, kicking or any other form of harm is unacceptable.
  • Touching or taking personal property without permission is unacceptable
  • Be independent in toileting and personal care or provide support staff to assist with personal care

Contact us

If you need additional support or other accommodations to participate in a recreation program, please let the instructor or staff know.

If you have any questions about accommodations or accessibility, please call 905-615-3200 ext. 8147 or email us at recreation.support@mississauga.ca