EXPERT ADVISORY  – JULY 16, 2025 – R0081

For many children, long sunny days are synonymous with summer camps.

Whether they’re pitching tents for overnight stays or doing crafts for a few hours, experts agree that being active is good for kids’ health and well-being.

Brock University Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Erin Sharpe says these types of recreation programs can be “hugely beneficial” for families living on low incomes — though access can be limited.

“In addition to the physical benefits of being active, children learn to work as a team, can explore a new interest and have a ‘thing they can do’ in their spare time, while their parents can connect with other parents to exchange information or expand their circle of support,” she says.

But summer camps can cost hundreds of dollars per child per week, pushing them out of reach for many lower-income families or families with several children.

On top of the program cost, it may be challenging for children to travel to camps and for parents to find information about affordable camps.

Despite the benefits of summer camps, supports to make them accessible to low-income families are inconsistent across Ontario, says Sharpe.

Many cities have policies intended to help low-income families access their programs. Sharpe says that even when offering discounted rates (such as 50 per cent off the registration cost), these programs are limited in their effect as the discounted cost is still too prohibitive for families who have limited financial means.

“What works better are free options — like London, Ont.’s neighbourhood playground programs where they place recreational leaders in parks and kids can show up and participate,” she says. “Also effective are policies that grant families a certain dollar amount that they can put toward program registration, like an allowance.”

In many areas, city and municipal governments contract subsidy support out to private charities or businesses, which can be problematic, Sharpe says.

“There’s less accountability with that approach,” she says. “The city might not know how that money is being distributed or how much actually goes towards helping low-income children.”

Sharpe calls for recreation and sport organizations to take more ownership over ensuring that their summer programs are accessible to families living on low incomes.

“This involves building a financial plan to support families, setting participation targets and actively recruiting participants,” she says. “Removing procedural barriers, by simplifying application processes, for example, would also go a long way.”

Parents and caregivers looking for options can visit the Ontario Camp Association website, which lists camps and organizations providing financial support for low-income families and children with special needs, says Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Tim O’Connell.

“Parents should contact camps, outdoor education centres and municipal recreation organizations directly as each has its own policies around subsidies,” he says.

In addition to camps, there are several other free or low-cost programs families can explore in places such as:

• libraries, many of which have reading challenges and drop-in workshops
• municipal recreation centres
• Boys and Girls Clubs
• YMCAs
• faith-based organizations
• parks and conservation areas, which provide nature-based activities, drop-in programs and self-guided activities such as scavenger hunts and arts and crafts activities
• museums and galleries, which may offer free entry days throughout the summer and have drop-in programs for kids and families

O’Connell says some libraries loan day-use passes for provincial and other parks that have entrance or parking fees and some library cards might include admission to museums, galleries and cultural attractions.

Neighbourhood parks also have splashpads, wading pools, outdoor pools and facilities that can provide hours of fun, he says.

“Parents can organize park playdates with other families or have ‘kid swaps’ to allow parents to rotate supervisory duties and have free time for work or other obligations,” says O’Connell.

Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Erin Sharpe and Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Tim O’Connell are available for media interviews on this topic.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

*Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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