Weekly Themes (Updated February 11, 2026)

*All activities and trips differ by age group, some are still being confirmed, and are subject to change without notice as needed. Spontaneous Community Walks can include going over to the Memorial Park Splash Pad so bathing suits, towels and spare clothes should be brought daily.

Week One: July 6 – July 10 – Wild Explorers

An unforgettable adventure where curiosity leads the way, and the great outdoors becomes our classroom! Children will set off on thrilling outdoor scavenger hunts, learning to observe clues, track discoveries, and work together as true explorers. They’ll get hands on building simple outdoor shelters, discovering how creativity and teamwork come together in the wild. Along the way, campers will explore the nature that surrounds them examining plants, insects, and habitats while gaining a deeper appreciation for the world outdoors. Packed with exploration, discovery, and fresh-air fun, this week inspires imagination, and a love for nature in every young adventurer.

Week Two: July 13 – 17 – Maker Camp

This week, bold ideas turn into real-world builds! Campers will think like true engineers as they design, construct, and test inventive creations using cardboard and other materials pushing limits, solving problems, and taking on exciting build challenges against the clock and each other. From structural design to creative tweaks, children will experiment, fail, rebuild, and improve like real makers do. The week also gets hands on and messy with high impact tie dye projects, where campers explore techniques to create standout designs. Campers are asked to bring a white t-shirt to camp for tie-dying.

Week Three: July 20 – 24 – Sports Quest

Collaborate, and conquer during Sports Quest: The Ultimate Challenge, an action-packed week built for children who love to move and those who love to cheer! Campers will sharpen their sports skills through skill building drills at all levels, then put them to the test in exciting obstacle courses and relay races that challenge our campers. Along the way, children will work together as teams learning communication, leadership, and sportsmanship as they cheer each other on and push toward shared goals. With ability-levelled movement as our goal, friendly competition, and epic challenges around every corner, this is the ultimate week for building confidence, teamwork, and a love of being involved.

Week Four: July 27 – 31 – Adventure Camp

Every day brings a new adventure! Campers will dive into real world quests as they hunt for hidden treasures through geocaching, design and create their own maps, and learn how to read clues and navigate like true explorers. Children will head out to local trails to hike, observe nature, and put their skills to the test while working together to solve challenges along the way. Filled with exploration, teamwork, and outdoor discovery, this week builds problem-solving skills, and a sense of wonder as campers turn the world around them into an exciting adventure.

Week Five: August 4 – August 7 (Closed August 3) – Eco Heroes

PHelp protect the planet and unleash your superpowers during Eco Heroes Week, where young changemakers take action for the Earth! Campers will explore the tiny worlds of bug habitats, discovering how insects help our ecosystem thrive, and take part in exciting outdoor nature challenges that test teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Children will turn recycled materials into bold, wearable creations designing eco-friendly gear that proves sustainability can be both innovative and fun. This week is packed with hands-on learning, outdoor adventure, and earth-loving creativity.

Week Six: August 10 – 14 – Around the World!

Pack your bags for an unforgettable journey during Around the World, where each day brings a new destination and a new adventure! Campers will explore different countries and cultures through hands-on activities like international games, music and movement, creative art projects, and cultural challenges inspired by traditions from around the globe. Children will design flags, learn simple greetings in new languages, try rhythmic dances, and complete team challenges connected to each destination and much more!

Week Seven: August 17 – 21 – Mystery Adventure

Campers step into a world of secret codes, surprises, and daring discoveries during Mystery Adventure Week! Each day unlocks a new thrill as participants crack puzzling codes, follow hidden clues on scavenger hunts, and put their detective skills to the test in escape room style challenges. Expect dramatic storylines, hands-on experiments, mysterious games, creative craft projects, and team quests that spark curiosity and imagination. From solving riddles and uncovering “ancient” artifacts to surprise twists and grand finales, this action-packed week is designed to keep everyone guessing, exploring, and adventuring from start to finish.

Week Eight: August 24 – 28 – Move around Town

Local living comes to life as children set out on an exciting journey through the heart of Waterdown, Ontario. Campers will explore familiar streets and hidden gems, discover local landmarks, parks, and trails, and learn how their community works through hands-on adventures. From neighbourhood walks and interactive scavenger hunts, to meeting community helpers and learning how people travel safely around town, each day is filled with movement, discovery, and fun. This dynamic week sparks curiosity, and helps children develop a deeper, more enthusiastic connection to the vibrant community they call home.

NEXT TAB: “Policies and Payments, etc.”
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Policy Summary

• • • Only Ontario residents with up-to-date compulsory immunizations, or a certified exemption, can be accepted at our program.
    • Children, families and staff can choose to wear medical masks at any time.  We do encourage children who are ill to be kept at home to help prevent the spread of infections.
    • If a full camp week is cancelled before starting due to requirement by the City of Hamilton Health Unit or the Province of Ontario, full payment for the week will be refunded.
    • We can not refund for any illness, voluntary absences, cancellations or withdrawals.
    • Families may not “trade” weeks with other registrants due to the no refund and Wait List prioritization policy.
    • We may offer children a space in a closely-aged mixed grouping (either younger or more senior to their usual age group). This normally means that Grade 1 – 2’s can be grouped in a Junior Explorer Program group, or Senior Kindergarteners can be grouped in a younger Senior Adventurers group if required to fill our capacity or to meet educator to child ratios.
    • Our experienced adult leaders ensure that all children are appropriately placed and engaged in the programming at their level.
    • We are unable to offer “friend” or “staff leader” placement requests except in very limited circumstances dictated by a needs assessment.
    • We have established guidelines for behavioural conduct of staff, parents and children with specific remedies that may include required withrawal from the program. These can be found in our Parent Handbook.

Payments

Payment is required in full upon registration and in advance of attendance.

Payments will be accepted by PayPal (Credit or VISA Debit cards) or INTERAC eMail Money Transfer.

No refunds will be offered for cancellations after payment (special circumstances can be reviewed by request).

Split or combined payments can only be received by INTERAC Email Money transfer and must be fully memoed with Child Name and Program Name. We will only issue separate receipts to payees if arranged in advance and only where a child resides at more than one location during the period of care. All payments will be final except as noted.

Families require alternative payment options should contact our registration team at register@campwaterdown.com

Some families may be eligible for care subsidization through the City of Hamilton.

Instructions for Payments will also be sent to you by email upon placement and available in your Family Registration page.

All registrations (paid or not) are tentative pending changes to program approval by the Ministry of Education, HWDSB, The City of Hamilton and other related authorities.

Changes

Email us the change request (make sure to mention the child’s name and program) at register@campwaterdown.com OR you can use the Change Request link found under each Registration in your Family Registration page.  Please be aware that restrictions, additional fees and no-refund policy will apply.  Camp Staff will not be able to make changes for you although they must be contacted by phone for any daily absences or questions or information sharing needed that may affect your child’s well-being at camp.  We require written instructions in advance for any new alternative pick-up arrangements not noted in your registration as per our Safe Arrivals Policy. Camp Staff will report on your child’s day when asked by phone or upon pickup. We do not accept absence notifications by email but they should be texted or called in to our Location Phone (905) 902-1261.

Refunds

• • • Should a Full Program Week be cancelled in advance due to a requirement by the Minister of Education, the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board or Hamilton Public Health, then we will refund your paid fee for that week in full.
    • You must pay the balance of your fee upon registration, addition, or after offer of placement from our Wait List.
    • No refunds are offered for voluntary cancellation of your registration unless approved by the Executive Director of the program for limited reasons.
    • No discount or refund is given for partial week attendance.
    • Credits or refunds are not given for late cancellations, late arrival, early departure, illness, absences, dismissal, or program / facility closures due to emergency, weather.
    • Credits or refunds are not given for absence due to any personal occurrence of communicable illnesses or parasites (cold, flu, chicken pox, mumps, lice, etc.), elective or scheduled medical/dental reasons.
    • Cancellations due to serious and unexpected emergency medical reason (requiring hospitalization or affecting ambulatory mobility and ability to participate) for all programs are subject to the Executive Director’s approval and receipt of an original and verifiable doctor’s letter.
    • Late Pickup Fee: $40 per 15 minutes by school clock.
    • Insufficient Funds Returns are subject to a $50 administrative fee.
    • Any refunds granted will be returned within 4 weeks time.

Please understand that the financial obligations of Camp Waterdown / WDCC (a registered charity and not-for-profit organization, are fixed for each program and the withdrawal of a camper does not lessen our operating expenses.

Camp Waterdown (WDCC) reserves the right to terminate the registration of or to withdraw a child from program participation at any time, at the Program Director or Executive Director’s discretion, in the interest of the child and / or the Camp Waterdown (WDCC) program. In the case of temporary withdrawal or permanent termination of a registrant’s participation, an affected child in attendance will remain in care until safely discharged to the designated parent or guardian. In such cases, a proportional refund for full days terminated will be considered.
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