13 Awesome Summer Camps in Ottawa

Stop boredom in its tracks with one of these 13 fun day camps in Ottawa.

This recreation center in Westboro offers an incredible variety of programs in specialities for all kinds of sports and adventures, visual and culinary arts, science and technology, plus 'The Rescue Academy' for those little ones who can't get enough of fire trucks and police cars. And with programs for all ages from preschoolers to teenager, Dovercourt truly has something for everyone. Rounding out the experience, all sessions also include familiar camp games and activities, as well as time in the pool. When your campers get a little older, they can also try their hand at the leaders-in-training and counselors-in-training programs, as well as volunteer opportunities. A weekly newsletter keeps campers and parents informed. Extended hours and a lunch program are available for an extra fee.

For kids interested in dance and drama, there's Selina's Studio in Barrhaven. Kids ages 4–12 can learn specific dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip hop) or do drama, musical theatre, or glee club. Each program ends with a showcase on Friday. But it's not all dance—there's time for crafts, activities, games and outside play, too!

This two-week camp focuses on all aspects of theatre from singing and acting to make-up and set design. Campers will develop skills in theatre arts, and are encouraged to discover their unique talents. At the end of the session, campers will put on a show for parents and friends.

Several of the big museums in town offer great day camps, too. At the Aviation and Space Museum, campers learn about aerodynamics and music. They can take a turn at various musical instruments such as drums, guitar and violin. At the Museum of Agriculture, preschoolers can spend a week caring for bunnies, visiting the other farm animals and making ice cream, while older kids get a chance to adopt a cow for a week.

Experienced camp leaders have one major goal: to help kids become safe, controlled bike riders. With ten different experience levels, there's something for every child to learn, from taking the training wheels off all the way up to learning to manage and use gears, basic bike maintenance, and mountain bike riding for older kids. Choose a week of full time camp (with plenty of breaks for snacks, games, and activities on the side), or a half-day of more intense riding school. Private lessons and parent-and-tot classes are also available for those tentative riders who need a little extra helping hand. Plus, locations in Alta Vista, Barrhaven, and Kanata mean you won't have to drive across the city to find a program.

Ray's continues to be a prominent presence on the Ottawa scene, combining education, community and passion for animals. Their youngest summer campers will get plenty of hands-on time with the zoo animals, plus education about the environment, nature walks, crafts and visits to the local pool for a daily cooling swim.

Kids with a ton of energy to burn will love jumping, leaping and somersaulting at Starr Gymnastics. Campers get full access to a wide variety of gym equipment, as well as a trip to the pool once a week, and will be ready for the Big Show on the final day; the Orleans location even offers bilingual programming. This very flexible camp offers half-day camp, morning or afternoon, for kids as young as 3; full-day camp starts for kids as young as 4. Not sure? You can even drop by for a single day of camp, on Mondays or Wednesdays.

The City of Ottawa offers tons of summer camp options all over the city at really great prices, too. Spend a week on a pretend pirate ship, learn to play basketball, write a play with friends or even spend a week at 'no fixed address' as you tour the city. There's something for everyone!

Got a young Einstein at home? Give them a chance to get hands-on experience with science at the University of Ottawa's Adventures in Science summer camp. They'll spend the week growing crystals, exploring fossils and magnets and even performing simple dissections. Theories on the space-time continuum can't be far away!

Camps Canada runs a great series of day camps each summer, covering the full range of arts, crafts and unusual sports, like golf and horseback riding. Although all-day camps are available, nervous little ones aged 5 or 6 have the option of going for half days to their Freshman Arts Camp. (Although they'll have so much fun they might beg to stay the whole day!)

Who says you can't play hockey in the summer? The Bell Sensplex offers hockey camps throughout July and August, with off-ice instruction combined with three hours of ice time each day for kids as young as 7. Children aged 4 through 6 who are interested in becoming the next Wayne Gretzky can take a half-day program that includes an hour and a half of ice time daily.

Our pick for the best summer camp in town, Saunders Farm offers a week jam-packed with mazes, jumpers, panning for gems and dips in the pool. Campers will also get a chance to learn about farming and the environment, and share in fresh lunches made in their new kitchen building.

Known for their energetic, active day care programs, Tiny Hoppers also offers summer camps at most of their six locations in town. With their smaller spaces, brightly coloured climbers and simple crafts, they're the perfect choice for preschoolers, but kids up to age 10 are welcome, too.