Visit our complete, interactive CAMP MAP!

Also don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @McMasterCamps!

• Camper T-Shirt
• Running Shoes (no sandals, heelies or shoes with openings)
• Bathing Suit & Towel
• Packed Lunch (there is no refigeration available, please consider using re-usable containers and remember we are nut-free!)
• Water Bottle: Bring your own every day!
• Hat & Sunscreen
• Athletic Attire

A note on electronics: Once of the goals of camp is to provide campers with unique experiences at McMaster. Electronic devices - games, phones, music players etc. - while great for individual entertainment, do not readily encourage socialization at camp and often present challenges, especially when they go missing. We ask that all electronics be left at home for the duration of camp and promise to provide an awesome experience to keep campers engaged throughout their session!

ABSENCES, ARRIVING LATE, LEAVING EARLY

It is imperative that we are aware if your child will be absent, late or leaving early! Please call the appropriate camp office or send a note with your child prior to the day of absence. For your child's safety, we will be calling home for any unannounced late or absent campers. Late campers should report to the camps' office prior to joining their activities.

CLOTHING AT CAMP

To ensure a safe camp experience, please consider the following attire for camp:

• T-Shirt & Shorts: The camp t-shirt must be worn as part of the daily uniform.
• Shoes: Comfortable running shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, or "heelies")
• Mini-U Module A: Long pants to change into during lab times.

LOST & FOUND: LABEL IT!

Going to camp, school, or even just out the door - add children to the mix and things seem to go missing quickly. Visit our Lost & Found webpage for tips on reclaiming lost items, and send a kid in need to camp!

www.marauders.ca/camptreasure

CAR: DROP-OFF/PICK-UP

Pick up and drop off can be very busy, especially on the first day of camp - leave yourself lots of time, or register for Extended Care to avoid the rush!

With several different camps in action at any given time, there will be a considerable amount of traffic in and around the McMaster campus. Please consider carpooling, walking, biking or taking public transit to drop off your camper.

ALL CAMPS PARKING LOT H

Designated pick-up and drop-off lot for Basketball Camp, The Competitive Edge, March Mania, Mini-University, Soccer Camp, Sport Fitness School, Swimming Camp, Volleyball Camp and Extended Care is Parking Lot H. Follow the directional signs on campus.

During Camp Arrival & Dismissal Hours parking will be free and parking staff will be on the scene for easy entry and departure.

If you are coming outside of regular drop-off/pick-up you will have a 15-minute "no charge" period.

ARRIVAL

To ease your summer morning commute - look for the Camps' Tent to drop-off your camper and staff can take them inside.

DISMISSAL

To keep things in a safe, controlled environment, approved pick-up persons will be expected to travel to their camp's homebase to sign-out their campers.

SELF-SIGN-OUT: WALKING, BIKING HOME

If your child is planning on walking or riding their bike home (or to another location on campus) without an approved pick-up person, for safety reasons we request that you indicate during registration and ensure they have self-sign-out privileges.

If you need to make changes to dismissal permissions and approved pick-up list in your online account, please email us at reconline@mcmaster.ca

DISMISSAL POLICY

No matter the age of your camper, how your camper is travelling, or what camp they are attending, ALL campers must be signed outbefore leaving camp.

WAYS TO SIGN-OUT:

1. Approved pick-up person
2. Self-sign-out

What do I need to KNOW?

Extreme Heat Alerts:

At times during the summer, Environment Canada will release an extreme heat advisory whenver the humidity reaches a level where extreme activity is considered unsafe.

During these times, all camps will begin running their extreme heat plans featuring:

• Extra water breaks
• Minimal direct sun exposure
• Reduced activities during the mid-afternoon

Please note that all camps are designed to run outdoors. Modified programming will take place, however we will not always be able to move indoors for the duration of the day. Full camp refunds will not be provided because of extreme heat.

First Aid @ Camp:

Our experienced First Aid Coordinator is on staff to supervise first aid at camp.

In addition, all camp staff are certified in First Aid/CPR. In the event of an emergency, the Emergency Contact Person identified on your registration forms will be notified.

Zero Tolerance:

All camps have a Zero Tolerance policy for any abusive behaviour directed at campers or staff. This includes physically and verbally absuive behaviour. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Please see our Behaviour Expectations for more information. 

What do I need to DO?

Medical Information Changes:

Please keep us up-to-date!  Once you have submitted your medical form, you will no longer be able to make changes. If you need to make changes, please contact us at 905-525-9140 x24464 or by email at reconline@mcmaster.ca

Medications:

Please send your camper with any required medications, to be stored with the camper's belongings, or the camp staff, and make sure you have outlined use in your registration information.

Nut-Free Camp & Lunches:

Many campers have fatal allergies to nuts. Do NOT send any nut-based products to camp! 

This includes all nut-based products including: peanut butter, chocolate bars, squares, cookies and other items including nuts.

We appreciate your attention to items being placed in your child's lunch.

Extended Care

Extended care services are provided for all Athletics & Recreation camps - you must pre-register for this service at the Recreation Office (DBAC WG101) - call at ext. 24464

• When: 7:30am-8:30am and 4:15pm-5:30pm
• Location: Smith Gymnasium for all camps (see map in "Camp Locations")
• Fee: $30 per 5 day week / $25 per 4 day week
• Late Pick-Ups: An $8/hour charge for every part-hour after 5:30pm will be charged.

Lunch Program

Nutritious and delicious, delivered to your camper each day! To accommodate for the processing of fooder orders, please register by the Wednesday morning prior to your camper's arrival. See the menu, learn more about and sign-up for our lunch program at:

https://rec.mcmaster.ca/programs/youth-camps/lunch-program

*Available for summer sessions only 

Busing

There are approximately 50 campers assigned to each bus. It is important that campers remember their bus counselor and bus number/colour. To keep us safe and organized there will be no changes made to the bus list!

Our buses run from stops in Ancaster, Burlington, Dundas, Hamilton Downtown, Hamilton Mountain, Oakville, Stoney Creek, Waterdown & Winona. 

Some buses make two stops - picking up and dropping off at both Mainway and Central, for example. Buses are scheduled to arrive/depart within their window. We will notify you should any timing adjustments need to be made as camp goes on.

• Camp staff are onboard for every trip.
• Dismissal procedures from the bus is based on the information you've entered on your camper's online account. Please contact us to make any post-registration changes regarding self-sign-out privileges and approved pick-up people.
• NO SUPERVISION provided at the bus stop. Your promopt arrival to pick-up your child is appreciated.

Schedules, maps and more informatoin available at:

https://rec.mcmaster.ca/programs/camp-features-services/busing-summer-sessions-only

LATE BUS?

Our buses don't leave campus until every scheduled camper is on-board. If your bus is ever late, it's likely because another camper has made other travel arrangements without notifying us. 

In the event of a late departure, the staff at Sport Fitness School will have an updated schedule. You can reach them at 905-525-9140 x27071.

Not riding the bus today?

Use our online Bus Cancellation Form to keep us up-to-date:

https://rec.mcmaster.ca/camp-busing-ride-cancellation-form

Special Days In Session

Sport Fitness School

• SFS Closing Ceremonies: Fridays @ 3:30pm in Sport Hall Gymnasium
• Trips: for campers only but cool for families to know about - Notes will go home with campers!
  
• Outdoor Adventure Based Challenges - Thursdays

Mini-University

• Graduation Day: Friday afternoon of each session. Meet in the main lobby of the David Braley Athletic Centre
• Module Reviews: 12:45pm - join your camper as they share what they have been working on during their session
• Graduation Ceremony: Location TBA @ 2:20pm
• Feature Presentations: for campers only but cool for families to know about!
• Module A
• Wednesday is Dissection Day!
• Thursday is the Planetarium!
• Module B
• Wednesday campers climb the Alpine Tower!
• Thursday campers have a Campfire & Dissections!
• Module C
• Wednesday Campers visit the Lyons New Media Centre!
• Friday is Play Performance @ 1:30pm *families welcome

The following expectations are designed to support McMaster University Athletics and Recreation in its mission to create a positive, safe, and inclusive environment for participation, and that includes our camps! 

Our camp staff are trained to implement tools to manage camper behaviour, encourage participation, and work with campers to resolve conflict in a positive way. In instances of inappropriate behaviour, camp Staff may inform camp Leadership Team members. 

In some cases our Camp Directors or the Camp Coordinator may contact parents when behaviour is especially concerning. In extreme cases, the Camp Coordinator may decide to dismiss a camper from the Camp program. In cases where a camper is removed from Camp and asked not to return, refunds are not available.

We have borrowed the Ontario Code of Conduct (Safe Schools Act) to help us develop our Standards of Behaviour at Camp:

Try your best, be a good sport and have fun!