Frequently Asked Questions

This guide is intended to provide additional information about summer camp inclusion supports with the Town of Milton.  It’s our goal to ensure all campers have a safe and meaningful camp experience.

How do I know if my child needs support at camp?

Town of Milton camps are fast-paced with a variety of activities and locations. Integrated camps typically have a 10:1 camper to staff ratio, with group sizes ranging between 20-60 campers. It is important that all campers are ‘group ready’. To learn more about our camps, got to summer camp info on our website.

Your child may benefit from inclusion supports at camp if they:

  • Require or receive additional support in a school setting
  • Have an exceptionality that could affect their safety or the safety of others
  • Require extra support at home for personal care such as feeding or toileting
  • Are currently associated with a support agency
  • Have a safety plan in place with their educational institution

My child will need extra support at camp, what are my options?

We know every child has unique abilities and support needs, which is why we offer a variety of options including:

  • Provide your own support worker to attend with your child at any of our integrated camps at no extra cost
  • ICAN Support - Request one of our support workers to attend with you child
  • NEW! KidsCAN CAMP – An adapted program for campers ages 6-13 with exceptionalities

 To learn more, go to the summer camp Inclusion section on our website.

What’s the difference between KidsCAN camp and ICAN support?

KidsCAN is a specialized, small group camp designed to meet individualized needs. Campers will be supported in a group ranging from a 1:3 to 1:1 staff to camper ratio. The program will be flexible for campers who need longer breaks from structured activities and adapted programming.

ICAN Support is for campers who are able to participate in a group of 10-15 campers with help from an Inclusion Worker within our typical camp program. Campers need to manage in a faster paced environment with multiple transitions and participate in structured, large group activities throughout the day.

How do I know which camp is best for my child?

Inclusion is a team effort and we want to make sure your child is set up for success. We have many different camp options to meet varying interests and abilities. Selecting the right camp is the first step for your child’s success. 

When choosing camp and support options consider the following:

  • How does my child do in large groups?
  • What type of environment do they thrive in? - outdoors, large or small spaces
  • What activities do they enjoy? – Sports, swimming, arts
  • How much support will my child need in a full day program that includes structured activities, lunches, snack breaks and transitions between activities?

How do I share information about my child’s support needs?

Fill out an All About Me Form. To ensure your child’s success and safety, we want to know as much as possible about their strengths, needs and strategies to support them.  Information that you provide is confidential and only provided to the staff that are working with your child. Once we receive your information we will reach out to you to gather further information.

What training do the Inclusion Staff receive?

Inclusion staff are typically young adults between the ages of 16 – 23 years who have an interest in working with children. These staff receive general training on program adaptations, behaviour management and basic personal care; however most do not have professional qualifications in this field.

Do your Inclusion Staff provide personal care supports? 

If your child has personal care or medical needs beyond what our inclusion staff are trained to provide, please contact us to discuss support options.  

I don’t have a Personal Support Worker to attend with my child, where do I go to find one?

My child functions at a lower age range from their peers, can they register for a camp with younger kids?

No, even with varying levels of ability we feel strongly that campers should be interacting with peers their own age. We’re happy to provide activity adaptations to the best of our ability to ensure their success.

What can I do before camp to help my child be successful?

If it’s your child’s first time at camp, or if they benefit from familiar routines it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time.  You can do this by:

  • Visiting the camp space before the first day and meet the Camp Staff
  • Ask us for a social story about attending Town of Milton camps to review with your child to help get them ready for the new routine.
  • Review the camp guide and talk about your child about what to expect.  Prior to camp all families will receive a welcome email with details about the camp scheduled and activities.