Every day is packed with an array of activities to meet the individual needs of all of our campers. And because it's summer, Rainbow also has "down time" after lunch where the campers can choose their own activity to do which can be anything from cloud gazing, a pick-up game of basketball, a sing song, and more.
Our daily schedule operates on a 2 day cycle with Fridays being our special event day. Every Friday we invite a special guest to camp or do a new activity to entertain our campers — in 2008 the following guests came to camp - Erick Traplin, Raptillia, the Guelph Lake Nature Centre, the Bubble Lady, a Magician, Mystic Drumz, a surprise visit from the Guelph Firefighters, and Spyke from the Guelph Storm Hockey Club! Whew - what a lineup!
On the first day of every camp session your child will receive a:
To read more about any of the topics listed below, please click on the link.
The Great Mystery Week July 5th – 9th $165
Come prepared to do detective work and figure out “whodunit”…the game starts as soon as you arrive at camp. Watch for clues, question suspects and work together with your friends to solve the mystery as it unfolds during this week. Trench coats optional. Mini-Hands This week we will focus on problem solving through engaging games that work on cooperation and listening skills. We’ll find fun ways to be little detectives and maybe, finally, solve the mystery of who stole the cookie from the cookie jar…
Planet Camp July 12th – 16th $165
Ever wish you could climb aboard a space ship and take a walk on the moon? Us too! That’s why this week will be filled with out of this world excitement. Start the count down… to fun! Mini-Hands This week we will learn more about the world around us and together discover a little bit about what goes on in the skies above us.
Week at the Museum July 19th – 23rd $165
Wanna walk like an Egyptian? Does the idea of digging up dinosaur bones thrill you? We’ll be bringing the thrill of a trip to the museum to camp every day. Activities this week will be hands on, as we all become archaeologists and discover some ancient secrets… Mini-Hands Our littlest explorers will be learning all about dinosaurs, and using their imagination to create many masterpieces.
Wizard’s of Rainbow Place July 26th – 30th $165
If you’d prefer to be called Harry or Hermione then this is the week for you. Learn how to mix your own potions, tame a dragon and even play a game or two of Rainbow quidditch. Mini-Hands Our littlest magicians and wizards will be convinced their counsellors are also magicians! Our crafts and dramatic play will incorporate magical elements and encourage the wonder of magic all around us.
Celebrations Aug 3rd-6th* $132
What do you get when you celebrate winter in July, April Fools Day, St. Patrick’s Day and YOUR birthday all in one week? Celebrations week at Rainbow! This week we’ll take you on a roller coaster of fun as we turn camp into a wacky week of celebrations! Mini-Hands The younger set will engage in crafts, circle games and organized group activities that will introduce the concept of special days and celebrations. Each child will have the opportunity to celebrate his or her birthday with friends at camp this week!
Around the world..(in just five days!) Aug 9th – 13th $165
Bonjour, Hola, Ciao! Come with us as we bring the world to camp. We will be exploring how different cultures play by learning some new games from other countries. This week will also celebrate the diversity in our community through entertaining camp guests. Mini-Hands We’ll be learning about each other and ourselves as we explore world cultures. Children will be encouraged to share their own experiences and traditions. This week will introduce entertainment from other cultures, that will be sure to delight.
Mad Science II Aug 16th – 20th $165
Back by popular demand... we’re taking science to the next level. You won’t want to miss this week as we will be exploring the next frontier of science. There will be lots of new experiments that are geared to gross you out and amaze you. We won’t forget the entertainment that will be sure to astonish! Mini-Hands Our little scientists will be occupied with simple experiments and enjoy the challenge of discovering the world around them.
Camping Out Aug 23rd – 27th $165
Enjoy all the fun of camping out while still getting to sleep in your own bed at night! This week you’ll learn how to pitch a tent, use a compass and enjoy a sing around the campfire. We’ll be cramming all the fun of an overnight away camp into a week long day camp experience. This will be as close as you can get – without leaving the city! Mini-Hands Your little one will be delighted by their real life camp experience in a safe environment. We’ll be bringing out the traditional crafts and songs for this back to nature inspired week.
8:00 — 8:45 Extended Camp Care A.M.
8:45 — 9:00 Camper drop-off
9:00 — 9:20 Opening Circle
9:20 — 9:30 Cubbies
9:30 — 10:00 Activity 1
10:00 — 10:30 Activity 2
10:30 — 10:45 Break/snack
10:45 — 11:15 Activity 3
11:15 — 11:45 Activity 4
11:45 — 12:30 LUNCH
12:30 — 1:30 Counsellor Time
1:30 — 3:30 free play in the pool & 'Rainbow Swim Fit' (gather up group, get gear, walk to pool, change, swim, change, walk back to camp)
3:30 — 3:45 Snack
3:45 — 4:00 Closing Circle
4:00 — 4:10 Camper pick-up
4:10 — 5:00 Extended Camp Care P.M.
Campers must bring their own water (& container - labelled), snacks and lunches to camp everyday. We do offer pizza and hot dog days as an option on Thursday and Fridays - forms are sent home with campers each Monday to sign up for these special lunch days! Please note: Rainbow is 'nut aware' and we strongly urge families not to send peanut or nut products with their children to camp. Please help us protect our campers with life-threatening allergies!
Ideas include whole grain crackers, muffins and bread, fresh or dried fruit, unsweetened cereal, unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices, baked tortilla chips and salsa, angel food cake, nut-free granola bars, low-salt pretzels, arrowroot, melba toast, digestive or other plain cookies, gingersnaps, fig bars, chopped veggies and dip (i.e. hummus), and hard cheese. Check out the following websites for more ideas: Eat Right - Be Active, A Guide for Parents and Caregivers www.ontario.ca/eatright, Nutrition for Kids www.nutritionforkids.com, Active Healthy Kids Canada www.activehealthykids.ca, and Canada's Food Guide www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide
Rest assured that Rainbow takes every precaution with your children at the swimming pool. All campers who want to swim in the deep end must pass a deep water swimming test administered by qualified aquatic staff of the University of Guelph facility. All other campers must wear a lifejacket and will be supervised by camp staff and volunteers based on new ratios recommended by the Lifesaving Society and the Ministry of Health. 'Rainbow Swim Fit' is also part of our swimming program everyday, offering 20 minutes of water exercise during our scheduled swim time.
3:45 — 4:30 p.m. in the Rainbow Room
Every Friday of the last day of a camp session we host an Open House for families and friends. Rainbow showcases our campers' talents and projects with live performances and a memorable pictorial presentation. Families can meet our staff and visit our ever-growing lost and found! Photos of your children and camp bags may be purchased.
Rainbow understands that many families have work schedules that require them to drop off and pick up their children beyond normal camp hours. We have accommodated these families by offering extended camper care in the morning and afternoons but also stress our Late Pick-up Policy that is strictly enforced. Please review our Enrolment & Participation Policies for details.
Attendance is mandatory each morning and should a child not arrive at camp as scheduled, the family will be contacted. Families will be asked to sign in and sign out their child each day from camp — this is our way of ensuring the safe arrival and departure of all of our campers.
Rainbow offers a 1:5 staff to camper ratio for the Junior group (ages 4 - 5), a 1:8 staff to camper ratio for the Intermediate group (ages 6 - 7), a 1:10 staff to camper ratio for the Sophomore group (ages 8 - 9), and a maximum 1:15 staff to camper ratio for the Senior group (ages 10 - 12), Teens (ages 12+) and LIT's (ages 13-14) every camp session. We understand how important it is for families to feel their children are in a safe environment and Rainbow endeavours to take every reasonable precaution to ensure that all of our campers are safe.
Rainbow selects only the best candidates for our staff each summer. We have a rigorous recruitment procedure and choose only those candidates who can bring our Mission Statement to their job each and every day. All Staff must have current first aid certification (Standard First Aid and CPR 'C'), a Criminal Reference Check, and training in the HIGH FIVEŽ Principles of Healthy Child Development. And add to that a love for children and a mature and responsible attitude to deliver our programs.
By the end of the summer, Rainbow collects quite a pile of unclaimed items. To avoid disappointment at losing something, please label everything sent to camp with your child.
You can always check our
Lost & Found at any time during camp. Unclaimed
items are kept for one week following the last
day of camp and then donated to a local charity.
Or check out .......
We have partnered
with Mabel's Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colourful,
indestructible and fun! With a special 'camp
pack' available and also a larger combo pack, your camper can label absolutely everything!
A percentage of sales from the labels helps Rainbow bring you fun all summer long!
Our daily swim will include a 20 minute water workout specifically designed for children and youth
