Registration
Opens
Friday,
January 16th
@ 10am
GOS Summer Sessions:
At a Glance
• 10 Weeks in July & August. You choose how many. Do one, do ten!
• Programs at 2 locations: Stone Road, Eramosa Eden
• Ages 4 - 14 years.
• Drop-off as early as 8:30am. Pick up as late as 4:30.
• Small groups & Great Ratios: Approximately 15 participants in each group. 2 - 3 Instructors. always close to 5:1 ratio, participants to instructors.
• $440 /week. Instalment Options available to fit monthly budgets.
Community Care rates are available for those who need additional support.
• Led by professional instructors who do outdoor programs year-round, for a living.
What to expect: A week in the woods with GOS
Structure: Each day is the same and every day is different. We have structure with lots of room for the unexpected.
Opening Circle: we never miss a chance to celebrate the new day, share stories, give gratitude and hatch plans for the day. Every child is welcomed into the circle with a chance to speak and be heard.
Warm Up and Sensory Games: to get the blood flowing, get silly and into our bodies - looking, smelling, running, hiding, listening,
Focus of the Day: a focused project, a special mission, a new skill to try. Making rope, painting with mud, tracking a porcupine, fire skills, carving, plant ID, tracking, fire and bushcraft skills.
A Time for Timelessness: in the afternoon, we follow our body radar. Catch crayfish, tell stories under a tree, go for a wonder, continue a project from the morning. A time for being kids.
Closing Circle: a chance for every child to share their part of the day - what was surprising? what was difficult? - GOS instructors are on hand to help connect the dots, and show kids that their stories are important, and that their love and interest in nature is natural .
Locations
Stone Road:
Our classic year-round location at the edge of Guelph, Lots of room to roam and well known favourite spots.
Eramosa Eden:
Community, Skills, & Stories
This year we’ll be brining a Folk School feel to Eramosa Eden with covered areas to dive in on skills, art, bushcraft: Cordage, T-Shirt Making, Pine Needle Basket, Bow Drill & Fire by Friction Stations, Carving and Woodwork.
The Approach
Connection over Information: GOS programs emphasize connection to self, others, and the natural world through mentorship, song & story, sensory awareness and nature-based challenges., bsushcraft and free time to explore. We engage hands-on skills that promote self-esteem and confidence, as well as relational skills that help friendships blossom.
Designed for Success: good ratios (5:1) for responsive mentorship and meaningful adult-child relationships, with limited group sizes (15) designed for meaningful and uncluttered nature connection moments, emotional regulation, a peaceful experience, and thorough supervision.
Full Nature Immersion: Just a tarp, sitting stumps and a firepit as a gathering spot. Opportunities for calculated risks, ample opportunities for kids to pursue their interests and try things at their pace. Low distractions - very few gimmicks or toys, empasizing nature connection. A community of instructors who are passionate about nature-connection and show kids that this stuff matters!
For more, take a look at Why Outdoor School?, our Staff Bio Page, and Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there swimming at GOS camps?
No, Guelph Outdoor School Summer Sessions are not swimming camp, and do not have certified lifeguards. Our programs do include water play in stretches of the Eramosa river with a depth of up to 1 - 2 feet, staying in particularly shallow and heavily supervised stretches. The river is for exploring, playing, keeping cool, looking for crayfish, etc. Our ratios are 5:1 with steady supervision with experienced instructors who do this for a living.
Can I send my child for a few days or a partial week?
No. We prioritze making the most of each weekly spot we have to offer, and we know the value of group cohesion. We require that registrations be for the entire week.
Why are GOS fees higher than other camps in the area? How does GOS set its camp fees?
GOS is a non-profit, living-wage organization, and our camp fees are designed to support the kind of program we believe children deserve. They allow us to sustain a professional, experienced team of adult instructors who do this work for a living, return year after year, and engage in ongoing training. We maintain excellent staff-to-camper ratios (5:1), creating small groups where strong relationships, safety, and attentive supervision are central.
We also believe deeply in access. Our Community Care rates ensure that every family can participate at a level that reflects their financial capacity, while families who are able to pay the standard fee help make this possible.
The Fine Print
Dates: 10 Weeklongs in July & August:
Week 1: June 29 - July 3rd [4 day week: July 01 Holiday]
Week 2: July 6 to 10
Week 3: July 13 to 17
Week 4: July 20 to 24
Week 5: July 27 - 31
Week 6: August 4 to Aug 07 [4 day week - Aug 3 Civic Holiday*]
Week 7: August 10 to 14
Week 8: August 17 to 21
Week 9: Aug 24 - Aug 28
Week 10: Aug 31 - Sept 04
Rates: Full rate for a full week of camp is $440.00.
Payment plans: A range of Instalment Plans are available, with payment options as low as $73 / month.
Before and After Care is available between 8-8:30am and 4:30-5pm, with an additional fee.
Community Care Rates:
Ages:
Stone Road:
Little Goslings: ages 4& 5
Big Goslings: ages 6 & 7
Wildlings: ages 8-10
WildThings: ages 10-14
Eramosa Eden
Little Goslings: ages 4& 5
Big Goslings: ages 6 & 7
Wildlings: ages 8-12