# Summer Camp Research 2026 Last updated: 2026-03-18 ## Context - **4 kids (Part 1):** Ben (10, Gr 4), Annabelle (10, Gr 4), Antoine (8, Gr 2), Ellie (8, Gr 2) — cousins - **KEY REQUIREMENT:** Ben and Antoine must be able to play/interact together during the day (best friends, different ages/grades) - **Priority weeks:** Aug 17-21 (priority), Aug 10-14 (backup) - **Location:** 5058 Williams St, Claremont ON — up to 45-60 min drive radius - **Preference:** Sports/outdoor/nature first, general/STEM/arts secondary - **Budget:** Open - **Half day AND full day options wanted** --- ## AVAILABILITY QUICK REFERENCE | Camp | Aug 10 | Aug 17 | Ben+Antoine Together? | Half Day? | Full Day? | Price/wk | Action Needed | |------|--------|--------|----------------------|-----------|-----------|----------|---------------| | TRCA Claremont | ✅ | ⚠️ 10s SOLD OUT | ❌ Age split (8s + 10s separate) | ❌ | ✅ $350 | 📞 Waitlist vservices@trca.ca | | Pickering Playing Fields | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ All 7-12 together | ✅ only | ❌ | TBD | 📧 ppfgolf@gmail.com for price+confirm | | Royal Soccer Ajax | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Grouped by age/skill | ✅ $195 | ✅ $299 | Per child | ✅ Register now royalsoccer.com | | Camp Riverwood | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Grade split (Gr 2 vs Gr 4 separate) | ❌ | ✅ TBD | 📞 Call/register campriverwood.com | | Town of Ajax | ✅ | ✅ | Varies | Varies | ✅ TBD | 📅 Non-resident reg opens March 31 | | Camp Robin Hood | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ Age split but requests accepted | ❌ | ✅ TBD | 📞 CALL NOW 416-736-4443 | | True North Multi-Sport (Whitby) | ⚠️ WAITLIST | ✅ $395 | ⚠️ Unknown — call to verify | ❌ | ✅ | 📞 Call 416-619-1224 | | AIM Gymnastics Ajax | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ Ages 4-15 all together | ✅ $242 | ✅ $350 | Per child | ✅ Check + 10% promo ends March 31 | | Camp Brimacombe | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ Age split, requests accepted | ❌ | ✅ TBD | 📞 905-983-5983 / summercamp@brimacombe.ca | | Reptilia Zoo Whitby | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ Ages 5-12, no strict split | ❌ | ✅ TBD | ✅ Check reptilia.org — may be sold out | | Soper Creek Wildlife | ⚠️ | ✅ confirmed | ✅ Inclusive, mixed ages | ❌ | ✅ TBD | ✅ Register sopercreekwildlife.com | --- ## DETAILED PROFILES ### 🌲 1. TRCA Claremont Nature Centre **Distance:** ~5 min from Claremont **Address:** 4290 Westney Rd N, Pickering ON **Type:** Outdoor/nature | **Hours:** 9am-4pm, extended care 8am-5:30pm (+$100/wk) **Hot lunch:** Included | **Contact:** vservices@trca.ca **Register:** trca.ca/learning/education-centres/claremont-nature-centre/summer-camps/ Age groups (by AGE, not grade): - Cicadas (ages 8-9) ← Antoine + Ellie - Arachnids (ages 10-12) ← Ben + Annabelle - ❌ Ben and Antoine are in different age groups — cannot be together **Aug 10-14 "Nature Superheroes"** - Ages 8-9: ✅ $350/wk | Ages 10-12: ✅ $350/wk **Aug 17-21 "Wilderness Survival"** - Ages 8-9: ✅ $350/wk | Ages 10-12: ❌ SOLD OUT - 👉 ACTION: Email vservices@trca.ca to waitlist for Arachnids Aug 17 --- ### 🏌️ 2. Pickering Playing Fields — Ultimate Sports Camp **Distance:** ~15 min | **Address:** Pickering ON **Type:** Sports (golf, baseball, volleyball, soccer, mini golf, dodgeball, batting cages) **Hours:** Half day ONLY — 9am-12pm | **Ages:** 7-12 ALL TOGETHER ✅ **Register:** ppfgolf@gmail.com | **Flyer:** pickeringplayingfields.ca/summer-camps/ **Aug 10-14:** ✅ | **Aug 17-21:** ✅ - July 6 + July 13 are SOLD OUT. July 20 has 5 spots left. Aug weeks still open — register soon - 👉 ACTION: Email ppfgolf@gmail.com to confirm price + availability for 4 kids Aug 10/17 --- ### ⚽ 3. Royal Soccer Camp — Ajax **Distance:** ~20 min | **Address:** St. Jude Catholic School, 68 Coles Ave, Ajax ON **Type:** Soccer | **Ages:** 5-13 mixed, grouped by age/skill where possible **Half day:** $195/wk (mornings) | **Full day:** $299/wk **Register:** royalsoccer.com/summer-camp-locations/ontario/ajax/ **Aug 10-14:** ✅ | **Aug 17-21:** ✅ - ⚠️ "Grouped by age, size and ability where possible" — Ben + Antoine may be split - 👉 ACTION: Call/email to ask if 8yr and 10yr can be in same group --- ### 🏕 4. Camp Riverwood **Distance:** ~20 min | **Address:** 1100 Whites Rd, Pickering ON (Petticoat Creek) **Type:** Traditional camp — arts, sports, science, outdoor, 20+ programs **Hours:** 9am-4pm, before/after care (+$65/wk each) **Bus:** Available from Pickering area | **Register:** campriverwood.com/register/ Age groups (by grade): - Tigers (Gr 1-2) ← Antoine (Gr 2) + Ellie (Gr 2) - Hawks (Gr 3-4) ← Ben (Gr 4) + Annabelle (Gr 4) - ❌ Ben (Gr 4) and Antoine (Gr 2) in separate units — DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENT **Aug 10-14 (Wk 7):** ✅ | **Aug 17-21 (Wk 8):** ✅ - 👉 ACTION: Only consider if Ben+Antoine requirement is dropped or relaxed --- ### 🏛 5. Town of Ajax Day Camps **Distance:** ~20 min | **Type:** Sports, nature, STEM, arts, musical theatre, and more **Ages:** 4-17 across camps | **Hours:** 9am-4pm, before/after care available **Register:** anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/ajax **Aug 10-14:** ✅ | **Aug 17-21:** ✅ - 👉 ACTION: **Non-resident registration opens March 31 at 7am** — browse ajax.ca/camps NOW and pick programs - Many sports camps available; age grouping varies by program --- ### 🏡 6. Camp Robin Hood **Distance:** ~25-30 min | **Address:** 10243 Reesor Rd, Markham ON L6B 1A8 **Type:** Traditional camp — 52-acre facility, canoeing, archery, arts, theatre, sports academy **Hours:** Full day | **Ages:** 4-13 **Bus:** Door-to-door $265+HST | Neighbourhood $180+HST | Drive-yourself free **Register:** robinhood.campbrainregistration.com | **Phone:** 416-736-4443 - Grouped by age and gender; grouping requests accepted in writing - ⚠️ "Children from different age groups will be separated" — Ben + Antoine likely split - $500 deposit per child required with application; processing takes 5-7 days - 👉 ACTION: **Call 416-736-4443 NOW** — ask about Aug 10/17 availability AND whether an 8yr + 10yr can be grouped together --- ### 🏃 7. True North Multi-Sport Camp — The Yard (Whitby/Oshawa) **Distance:** ~30-35 min | **Address:** 870 Taunton Rd W, Whitby/Oshawa **Type:** Multi-sport (baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football) **Hours:** 8:30am-3:30pm full day | **Ages:** 4-12 **Price:** $395+HST/wk | **Register:** truenorthcamps.com | **Phone:** 416-619-1224 **Aug 10-14:** ⚠️ WAITLIST | **Aug 17-21:** ✅ AVAILABLE - Age grouping policy unclear from website — may or may not split ages - 👉 ACTION: **Call 416-619-1224** — ask about Aug 17 grouping (can 8yr + 10yr be together?) --- ### 🤸 8. AIM Gymnastics — Ajax **Distance:** ~20 min | **Address:** 889 Westney Rd S, Ajax ON **Type:** Gymnastics, ninja, crafts, themed activities **Ages:** 4-15 — NO strict age split ✅ | **Membership required:** $45-65/child **Full day** 8:30am-4:30pm: $350/wk (Classic) | $315 (Platinum) **Half day** 8:30am-12pm or 1-4:30pm: $242/wk (Classic) | $218 (Platinum) **Extended care:** FREE (7-8:30am & 4:30-6pm) **Register:** aimgymnastics.ca **Aug 10 + Aug 17:** ⚠️ Need to check — 11 weeks of summer camp total - ⚠️ **10% promo ends March 31** — buy 1 week, get 1 week 10% off - ✅ All ages together — best confirmed option for keeping all 4 kids in same space - 👉 ACTION: Check aimgymnastics.ca for Aug 10/17 availability BEFORE March 31 --- ### 🏔 9. Camp Brimacombe **Distance:** ~30 min | **Address:** 4098 Durham Rd 9, Orono ON (Clarington Oak Ridges Moraine) **Type:** Outdoor/nature themed day camp at Brimacombe ski hill **Hours:** Full day | **Ages:** 4-12 **Phone:** 905-983-5983 | **Email:** summercamp@brimacombe.ca **Register:** summercamp.brimacombe.ca Weekly themes (Aug 17 = ~week 8 of their schedule — likely Spy Academy or Wilderness Survival) - ⚠️ Groups based on age — "children from different age groups will be separated" - Friend requests accepted but not guaranteed - Pricing: ~$499-549+HST per session - 👉 ACTION: **Email summercamp@brimacombe.ca** — confirm Aug 17 theme, availability for 4 kids, and whether 8yr + 10yr can be grouped together --- ### 🦎 10. Reptilia Zoo — Whitby (ReptiCamp) **Distance:** ~25 min | **Address:** Whitby ON **Type:** Animal/nature — hands-on reptile encounters, zookeeping, arts & crafts **Ages:** 5-12 — no strict age split apparent ✅ **Hours:** Full day Weekly themes: Snakes, Lizards, Crocodilians, Native Species, Turtles (rotates) **Register:** reptilia.org/camps-for-kids/ **Aug 17:** ⚠️ Unknown — website showed "Registrations are Over" (may be for March Break only) - Unique and cool experience — hold snakes, turtle races, backstage zoo tours - 👉 ACTION: Check reptilia.org or call Whitby location — confirm summer 2026 reg is open and Aug 17 availability --- ### 🦡 11. Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue **Distance:** ~35-40 min | **Address:** Clarington, Durham Region **Type:** Wildlife rescue facility — Canadian wildlife, animal interactions, outdoor STEM **Hours:** 9am-4pm, extended care available | **Ages:** 4-16 — inclusive, mixed ✅ **Register:** sopercreekwildlife.com/programming/kids/wild-camps/summer-camp/ **Aug 17-21 theme: "Wilderness Survival"** ✅ confirmed on their schedule - Survival skills, shelter building, fire, first aid, finding help - Language suggests inclusive/mixed grouping — no strict age split - New lower prices in 2026 (exact $ not on site) - 👉 ACTION: Check registration portal for availability and pricing — register soon if interested --- ## 🚨 ACTION ITEMS — PRIORITY ORDER ### Do TODAY (time-sensitive): 1. **AIM Gymnastics** — check aimgymnastics.ca for Aug 10/17 availability — **10% promo ends March 31** 2. **Town of Ajax** — browse ajax.ca/camps and pick programs — **non-resident reg opens March 31 at 7am** 3. **Camp Robin Hood** — call **416-736-4443** — ask Aug 10/17 availability + can 8yr & 10yr be grouped ### Do this week: 4. **TRCA Claremont** — email vservices@trca.ca to waitlist for Aug 17 Arachnids (ages 10-12) 5. **Pickering Playing Fields** — email ppfgolf@gmail.com — confirm price + 4 spots for Aug 10/17 6. **Reptilia Zoo** — check reptilia.org — confirm summer 2026 reg open + Aug 17 available 7. **Soper Creek Wildlife** — check sopercreekwildlife.com — Aug 17 availability + pricing 8. **Camp Brimacombe** — email summercamp@brimacombe.ca — Aug 17 availability, grouping question ### When reg opens: 9. **Town of Whitby** — non-resident reg opens **April 1** — whitby.ca/camps 10. **City of Pickering** — non-resident reg opens **April 2** — pickering.ca/recreation 11. **True North Whitby** — call **416-619-1224** — Aug 17 available, ask about age grouping --- ## KEY QUESTION FOR EVERY CAMP YOU CALL: *"We have two boys — one is 8 and one is 10. They're cousins and best friends. Is there any way to put them in the same group?"* --- ## PART 2: BEN + ELLIE ONLY — OTHER WEEKS *(Research pending — same camps apply for all summer weeks)* - TRCA Claremont: many weeks available (check trca.ca) - Camp Riverwood: Weeks 2-10 (June 29 - Sept 4) - Ajax, Whitby, Pickering: Full summer schedules via portals - Camp Brimacombe, Soper Creek: Full summer programs available --- *Research by Harvey | March 18, 2026*