About DDC

Activities and Programs

Three concurrent camp programs will run throughout the summer at Discovery Day Camp: our 4-6 year-olds program, our Grade 1-6 program, and our Leaders In Training (LIT) and Counselor In Training (CIT) programs for students in Grades 7 to 9. Our wide-ranging and well-balanced programs give campers plenty of choices and opportunities to learn, grow and express themselves. Whether you are 4 or 14, whatever your skill level or needs, you will find a wide range of amazing activities to captivate you.

Program information and SAMPLE day-schedules can be found below. More detailed information will be added throughout the Spring as we get closer to the beginning of Camp.

4 to 6 Year-Old Program

Campers in our 4-6 year-old group will enjoy an outdoor-focused day-camp program that will take place at TMS and leverage the school’s incredible Lower School campus amenities, as well as surrounding ravine area. Daily programming will include sports, creative arts, science and nature with activities like: basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, dance (e.g. hip hop), magic, yoga, computer coding and swimming.

SAMPLE DAY SCHEDULE

8:30-9:00 Parent drop off (go to cabin area)
9:00-9:30 Flag and special events
9:30-10:00 Specialty Activity
10:00-10:30 Specialty Activity
10:30-10:45 SNACK
10:45-11:15 Specialty Activity
11:15-11:45 Specialty Activity
12:00- 1:00 LUNCH
1:00- 1:30 Specialty Activity
1:30-2:00 Specialty Activity
2:00-2:15 SNACK
2:15-2:45 Specialty Activity
2:45-3:15 Specialty Activity
3:15-3:30 Flag and get ready for pick up
3:45-4:00 Pick up

Grade 1 to 6 Program

Our Grade 1-6 campers will receive an incredible program that combines a wide variety of specialty activities that will take place at our TMS Discovery Day camp location, and also experience an amazing outdoor educational program in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Two days of the week, campers will visit Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area and Lake St. George Field Centre. While at these facilities, they will participate in programming such as learning wilderness survival skills, canoeing, pontoon boat rides, ropes courses, campfire building and more! The combination of these two programs will give the campers a sense of being away, while just steps from the city!

SAMPLE DAY SCHEDULE

8:30-9:00 Parent drop off (go to cabin area)
9:00-9:30 Flag and special events
9:30-10:00 Specialty Activity
10:00-10:30 Specialty Activity
10:30-10:45 SNACK
10:45-11:15 Specialty Activity
11:15-11:45 Specialty Activity
12:00- 1:00 LUNCH
1:00- 1:30 Specialty Activity
1:30-2:00 Specialty Activity
2:00-2:15 SNACK
2:15-2:45 Specialty Activity
2:45-3:15 Specialty Activity
3:15-3:30 Flag and get ready for pick up
3:45-4:00 Pick up

*2 days of the week will be offsite. Campers will depart from TMS at 9:00 am and return to TMS at 3:30 pm for Parent pick-up.

Leaders In Training (LIT) and Counselors In Training (CIT) Program

For students who have completed Grades 6, 7 and 8 (Leaders in training), and Grade 9 (Counsellors in training), we offer a program that will allow them the opportunity to work alongside experienced counsellors, specialists and instructors in cabin groups throughout the day in order to gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of areas such as team work, communication, problem solving and skill development.

While participating in weekly placements, students will work on setting goals for themselves, plan and implement programming for younger campers alongside their peers, as well as learn behaviour management techniques and strategies to motivate campers. These life-long learning skills will benefit students throughout their life no matter what path they choose.

Throughout the program, students will take part in workshops, team building sessions and fun programming, enabling our LITs/CITs a memorable camp experience within their peer group. Our LIT/CIT coordinator will work closely with students ensuring that relationships are built, and memories are made for a lifetime. Students in either program will receive a certificate of completion.

SAMPLE DAY SCHEDULE

8:30-9:00 Parent drop off (go to cabin area)
9:00-9:30 Flag and special events
9:30-10:00 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
10:00-10:30 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
10:30-10:45 SNACK
10:45-11:15 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
11:15-11:45 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
12:00- 1:00 LUNCH
1:00- 1:30 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
1:30-2:00 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
2:00-2:15 SNACK
2:15-2:45 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
2:45-3:15 Specialty Activity/Workshop/Placement
3:15-3:30 Flag and get ready for pick up
3:45-4:00 Pick up

Lunch & Snacks

We are excited to announce our Summer 2023 Lunch program provided by Aramark Catering Services. Included in our fees are fresh, healthy and nutritious meals each day.

Daily snacks- Each camper will receive a morning and afternoon snack each day. We ask that families do not send any additional food with their campers due to allergies.

Nut-free facility and dietary restrictions- Aramark prohibits the use of nuts, including peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts in the kitchens at DDC. Products are purchased through authorized suppliers that are aware of the Aramark and DDC policy. Food labels are checked upon delivery to the school and any product that does not adhere to the policy is returned. As a result, DDC can be classified as ‘nut aware’. As with our current food policies, no peanut or nut-containing products are to be brought to DDC.

Swim

Our campers will enjoy recreational swim times throughout the week with their cabins in our outdoor heated pool. Campers will be supervised by fully certified lifeguards and staff both on deck and in the pool at all times. We understand that many campers have not had the opportunity to complete swim lessons or be exposed to swimming throughout the past few years. All of the TMS Discovery Day Camp staff know and understand this. It is because of this that we will ensure constant supervision and support to all campers to ease the transition.

Partners & Programs

At Discovery Day Camp we offer a variety of programs such as Sports, Arts and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Wood Working, Computers and Swimming. We are lucky to also be able to welcome some amazing specialty programs to Discovery Day Camp again this year!

Nature based programming run in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Programs and activities are designed to make the most of the beautiful outdoor spaces available and will include wilderness survival skills such as building campfires and shelters, canoeing, pontoon boat rides, low ropes course, orienteering, nature art and exploration of a variety of habitats. All programs will be led and overseen by qualified and experienced outdoor educators and camp staff.

Wonder Box provides custom-made STEAM activities for camps, schools and families. Campers participate in fun and engaging activities from Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math based topics. Our facilitators encourage curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on play, which helps develop a lifelong interest in STEAM among the happy campers.

Logics Academy runs programming in the field of Robotics and coding. Kids will develop critical digital skills and capabilities while allowing them to become creative problem thinkers, leaders and innovators.

Everblast Play Company delivers exciting, creative and highly engaging experiences to groups of children ages 4-12 years in camps and schools, all throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Our aim is to deliver WOW! Activities for youth while also conveying a positive message. We create, develop and implement unique recreational programs that are fast paced, exciting and full of energy! All of our programs focus on our 3 key messages-respect, cooperation and team spirit. Each week we will bring a brand new program to Discovery Day Camp, such as Giant Slingshots, Snowball Battles and more!

Chris Westfall’s magic is high energy, unique, astonishing and jam packed with audience participation. He keeps his audience laughing and gasping the whole time and each show is accompanied by full sound and music for the highest production value! He is a Second City graduate which makes for a uniquely interactive experience. Chris has performed all over North America and received a lot of hype from TVOkids and was voted best Magician in the GTA by Today’s Parent Magazine. Get ready for Magic Mondays at Discovery Day Camp!

Meet our Camp Director!

Andrea Tomaso has worked at camps for over 15 years in many different capacities including counsellor, programming specialist, unit supervisor and office administration. This is her second year at Discovery Day Camp, where she started as Assistant Director.

Andrea Graduated with her Bachelor of Education and has been a member of the Ontario College of Teachers since 2014 with a focus on teaching primary students. Andrea will work directly with staff and campers to bring new and exciting programming to Discovery Day Camp and looks forward to seeing previous campers, and welcoming new families to Discovery Day Camp for Summer 2023!