Parent Handbook

We understand that sending your child to a camp is a big decision. For over 80 years, we've been entrusted by parents to take care of their kids and foster their spiritual growth in an atmosphere of fun, safety, acceptance and care. This handbook is intended to help parents learn about and become comfortable with Forest Cliff Camp. 

This handbook refers to:

  • General Forest Cliff Camps Information - page 1-13
  • Overnight Camp - page 14-19
  • Day Camps - page 20-23

If you'd like more information after reading this handbook, or if you'd just like to talk to a real person at Forest Cliff, feel free to contact us:

Office: 519-913-2744 Ext. 100
Email: info@forestcliff.ca

Downloads

FAQ

Registration

How do I request my child be placed in a cabin/group with a friend or relative?
Is there financial assistance or a family discount?
What are the payment options?
What if I need to cancel or switch sessions?
Is there a waitlist for sessions that are full?

Program

What does a typical day at Day Camp look like?
What does a typical day at Overnight Camp look like?

Medical

Do you provide medical care at Day Camp?
Do you provide medical care at Overnight Camp?
Can my child with special needs go to Overnight Camp?
What if my child requires a special diet or has food allergies?
What do I do if my child has medications?


How do I request my child be placed in a cabin/group with a friend or relative?

We know campers want to be with their friends, and we make every effort to accommodate them. We take great care putting our groups together, as many come without a cabin/group mate request. 

In the registration form you can request one cabin mate for your child’s Overnight Camp session (same gender, similar age) and/or one group mate for your child’s Day Camp session (similar age). 

Email info@forestcliff.ca if you would like to request more than one person, want siblings to be placed in different cabins/groups or would like information about filling a cabin.

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Is there financial assistance or a family discount?

SUBSIDY

A subsidy may be available for certain Day Camp locations. Please contact Forest Cliff at info@forestcliff.ca or 519-913-2744 x 100.

FAMILY DISCOUNT

A family discount is available to assist large families when the parent or legal guardian is paying for camp. 

Day Camp—when registering 3 or more for Day Camp from the same family household, a $30 discount will be applied to the 3rd and additional Day Camp registrants. Can be applied for multiple sessions when the above household criteria are met. No other discounts or assistance will apply.

Overnight Camp—when registering 3 or more Overnight Campers from the same family household for Kids Camp, Jr. High Camp or SALT, a 50% discount will apply to the 3rd and additional lesser priced camper’s sessions. Not valid with volunteer discount, promotions, bursary, SummerFund, 3rd party, or for Junior Camp. 

BURSARIES

Overnight Camp bursaries are distributed as funds are available, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Based on net income, bursaries cover a percentage of registration for one full week of Overnight Camp. This provides assistance when the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) themselves are paying.

When completing the Information Form during registration, you will come to a question, “Do you anticipate fees will be partly or fully covered by one of the following” - click bursary and a few questions will pop up. 

The bursary deposit is $50/camper, rather than the usual camp deposit. The deposit is fully refundable if a bursary is not applied or the balance is not feasible. 

Send your most recent Notice of Assessment to info@forestcliff.ca. If there are 2 parents/guardians in the household or 2 parents/guardians contributing to the camper’s expenses, we require both NOA’s. Your bursary application will be reviewed and you will be contacted once the deposit and NOA(s) have been received. Bursary does not apply when another individual/agency is paying, or with discounts or promotions. 

SUMMERFUND

Forest Cliff's SummerFund program operates on a referral basis, allowing organizations to request a subsidized registration for a child that is part of their care community. SummerFund experiences are made possible by generous donors that deeply value the positive impact and life-changing experience a week at Forest Cliff Camps provides. Are you interested in helping a child come to camp that could not afford it otherwise? Visit www.forestcliff.ca to donate today.

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What are the payment options?

Pre-authorized debit - you will enter your account number, institution number, transit number and account type (found in your banking app or on a cheque) - it could take 3-5 business days for the funds to leave your bank account

Etransfer to info@forestcliff.ca - no password required - be sure to identify the camper’s name to apply it to your account

Visa and MasterCard are accepted - please use other payment methods whenever possible to keep our processing fees low

What if I need to cancel or switch sessions?

All refunds may be subject to a $40.00 administration fee: 

  • 45 days prior to the start of reserved week of camp, with written notice, a complete refund (less administration fee) is available
  • 8 to 44 days prior to the start of reserved week of camp, with written notice, a 50% refund (less administration fee) is available
  • registration fee is non-refundable if cancelled within 7 days of the reserved week of camp or thereafter

Refunds are not granted for inclement weather or if a parent/guardian must withdraw the camper early from the session. Cancellations must be received by email, not by phone. 

Refunds will be processed within 3 weeks of the cancellation. Requests outside of the outlined cancellation policy may be reviewed in the fall. The Registrar makes the final decision about refunds. 

Credit card payments will be refunded to the same credit card. Expired credit card or auto-deposit payments will be refunded by cheque.

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Is there a waitlist for sessions that are full?

Session full? Add your camper to the waitlist and click submit (you’ll know you’re on the waiting list when you receive an auto email). We encourage you to make another selection. You will be contacted right away if a spot becomes available to see if you would like to transfer your registration to your first choice.

What does a typical day at Day Camp look like?

8:15 AM ACT arrival
8:45 AM Camper Welcome
9:00 AM PAL Groups
9:20 AM Morning Campfire
Skits & Songs
10:00 AM Snack Break
(bring from home)
10:15 AM Activity Rotations
11:45 AM Lunch
(bring from home)
12:15 PM Activity Rotations
2:30 PM Camp Snack
(provided)
2:45 PM Activity Rotations
3:30 PM PAL Groups
4:00 PM Camper & ACTor Pick-up
4:15-5:15 PM Extended Care Camper Pick-up


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What does a typical day at Overnight Camp look like?

8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Morning Program & Cabin Cleanup
10:00 AM Morning Activity Centre
(new activities every day!)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Small Group Games
2:30 PM TUCK!
3:00 PM Beach
5:15 PM Dinner
6:30 PM Evening Game
7:30 PM Free Swim
8:15 PM Campfire
9:30 PM Bedtime


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Do you provide medical care at Day Camp?

Day Camp locations have complete first aid kits. Medication required during the day will be kept by the Day Camp Administrator to be dispensed as directed. Parents indicate if a camper’s EpiPen or inhaler needs to remain with them at all times. 

We contact parents/guardians when:

  • a camper has significant bumps, bruises or cuts with potential for scarring, especially on the face
  • there is something out of the ordinary (ie. seizure/accident)
  • a camper has had an exposure to a contagious disease, bug or parasite
  • a camper is sent off-site for professional medical treatment
  • any other concerning medical issue staff deems necessary to communicate with parents

As an important part of our sun safety plan, campers and staff wear t-shirts during water activities. Our staff will ensure the campers’ sunscreen is applied regularly (after every 2 hours of sun exposure). 

Campers’ water bottles are refilled regularly to stay properly hydrated. 

On especially hot days (ie. extreme heat alerts/advisories) we will take extra care to ensure campers are hydrated. Outdoor activities may be adjusted and campers will have limited time outdoors. Water breaks will happen every 15 minutes (whether campers are thirsty or not!). 

We work to limit all food allergen exposure at Day Camps as much as possible. We serve only peanut/tree nut free snacks, and parents are to send only peanut/nut safe snacks and lunches.

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Do you provide medical care at Overnight Camp?

CAMPER HEALTH

As an important part of our sun safety plan, all our campers and staff wear t-shirts at the waterfront. 

Campers are asked to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; cabin leaders will ensure sunscreen is applied regularly. 

Cabin leaders can assist with bug spray when needed. Please send with your camper. 

Send a water bottle with your camper to stay properly hydrated. There are water fountains/stations around the property. On especially hot days, we will take extra care to ensure kids stay hydrated.

MEDICAL CARE 

We depend upon volunteer Regulated Health Professionals (RHP), and we employ a health care team for Overnight Camp sessions. Medical staff respond to emergencies, distribute medications and provide basic first aid care for our campers and staff. 

All medications need to be turned in to the Health Centre staff in the original packaging during camper check-in. The parent/guardian will be consulted at check-in to determine if a camper’s EpiPen or inhaler needs to remain with the camper or kept in the cabin leaders’ room or nurse’s station.

Cabin leaders are given a list of camper medications and the times medication needs to be taken. During the camp week, campers will go to the Health Centre with their cabin leaders to get their medication at the designated time. 

We contact parents/guardians when: 

  • a camper has significant bumps, bruises or cuts with the potential for scarring, especially on the face
  • there is something out of the ordinary (ie. seizure/accident)
  • a camper has had an exposure to a contagious disease, bug or parasite
  • a camper is sent off-site for professional medical treatment
  • any other concerning medical issue staff deems necessary to communicate with parents

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Can my child with special needs go to Overnight Camp?

Forest Cliff wants campers requiring extra support to be able to attend and have a great experience at Overnight Camp. Our support program pairs your camper with a 1:1 cabin leader who will provide support for the week. While your child is at camp, we make sure every camper is given individual attention and is integrated into the experience. Through our integrative programming we strive to meet the needs of campers, whether it’s physical, behavioural, dietary or medical. 

Our support coordinator will determine if Forest Cliff is able to create an amazing integrated experience for your camper. They will conduct an intake meeting so that your camper’s cabin leader is well prepared to help create the best camp experience for them.

If your child receives 1:1 support at school or if you believe that the assistance of a 1:1 support cabin leader would enable your child to best experience Overnight Camp, please contact support@forestcliff.ca

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What if my child requires a special diet or has food allergies?

Our kitchen is familiar with special diets and food allergies. Please provide details in the medical form to make proper arrangements for your child. An additional charge will apply for vegetarian options, dairy free, egg free and gluten free (max 1 fee per session).

Everything we serve is peanut/nut safe. We ask that no peanut or tree nut products be brought to camp or consumed on the property.

What do I do if my child has medications while at Overnight Camp?

If your camper has medication, please bring it with you, separate from their luggage. Once your camper is checked in, you will visit the Health Centre, where all medications are held and dispensed. The exception is EpiPens and inhalers as these can be kept with the camper if you choose, but still discuss this at the Health Centre. Common non-prescription medications can be dispensed as needed. At camper pick-up be sure to stop by the Health Centre to pick up your camper’s medications.

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