ORCC, city summer camps launching COVID-19 programming

DUNROBIN – Registration is now open for summer camps at Dunrobin’s Ottawa River Canoe Club (RRCC).

Camps are available for kids aged six to 14. There will be strict health and safety measures in place to protect the participants and staff.

The ORCC summer camp programs provide a progression of options for children of all ages and abilities to introduce the sport of paddling including canoe, kayak, dragon boat, outrigger, stand-up paddleboard and war canoe.

Campers will receive instruction in various types of paddling from certified coaches and enjoy spending time on the water practicing what they’ve learned in both single and team boats. 

To find out more and to register go to ottawarivercanoe.com.

The City of Ottawa has also announced its new summer camp program, modified to fit the age of COVID-19.

Existing registrations for summer camps have now been cancelled, and the City’s new Camp Summer Fun Recreation eGuide can now be viewed online at ottawa.ca/SummerCamps.

“Camp Summer Fun will begin on July 6 on the condition provincial restrictions are relaxed to allow day camps for children and in accordance to the stage two guidelines announced by the province,” city staff released in a statement today (June 9). “The city has designed the camps in accordance with provincial guidelines and advice from Ottawa Public Health that support preventative measures and mitigation strategies, including physical distancing measures and group sizes.”

 Some of the enhanced and strict public health measures that will be in place, include:

• Smaller camp groups
• Additional staff to assist with maintaining physical distancing requirements and sanitization
• Screening protocols for campers and staff
• Plexiglass sneeze guards installed where appropriate
• Floors decals to mark physical distancing measurements of two metres
• Staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment, including cloth face masks, when physical distancing can’t be maintained
• Camp attendees are encouraged to wear cloth face masks during activities where it may be difficult to maintain a distance of two metres

The camps will not include field trips, swimming, skating, guest speakers and entertainers, or specialty summer camp programming. Instead, the camps will focus on fun and creative physically distanced sports, games and crafts this summer, with activities held outdoors whenever possible.

“The modified summer camp programs are important to so many families in our community,” Mayor Jim Watson said. “And it’s a significant step towards the gradual resumption of city services. We are providing our children with some fun activities as we enjoy summer and learn to adapt to life in the new normal.”

Camps are open to children and youth aged four to 12 years, allowing siblings to be in the same camp group. French camps are available at select locations. The cost of Camp Summer Fun is $219 per week and will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration for Camp Summer Fun will be available online only, starting Monday, June 15 at 9 p.m. Payments can be made using credit card or VISA/MasterCard debit payments.

An FAQ is available at ottawa.ca/SummerCamps for more detailed information. Parents or guardians who want more information or have questions can reach out to CampSummerFun@ottawa.ca.