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Our Programs

Supporting youth every way we can

Summer Program

July to August - Youth ages 11-16 (8-days)

The Summer Program runs through June, July and August for youth aged 11-16. Campers attend 8-day camp sessions each year. Our summer program becomes more challenging for campers as they progress through each level. Campers participate in traditional camp activities like canoeing, high ropes, archery, and overnight camping experiences, as well as intentional programs targeted to develop important life skills.

The Summer Program helps youth develop independence, teamwork, leadership, and appreciation for diversity, as well as coping strategies to help them achieve success in young adulthood.

6 campers smiling by a lake
Total Summer Campers Per Year
20222023Goal for 2024
201118601987

Meet Hrithik, a former Summer Program Camper

“Graduating from the Summer Program was one of the most bittersweet feelings I have experienced to this day. On one hand I accomplished all my goals, found out who I was, was ready for university, and created memories/friendships that will last a lifetime, but on the other hand I knew that it would be forever till I visited my home away from home and my friends again.

 

Soon after this moment, I realized that my journey was everything I could have asked for it to be and that although my chapter just ended, someone else's was about to begin. I realized that I could not be more prepared to do whatever I want in life now and that my home away from home will always be there if I need them.”

Year-round programming with School & Community groups

Sept to May

While the Summer Program is most well-known, our camps are busy from September to May hosting schools and community organizations from low income neighbourhoods.

In partnership with mission-aligned organizations and schools, participants join us at camp for a three-to-four-day overnight experience with their teachers, group leaders and chaperones. With schools, the focus is on learning outside the four walls of a classroom. Our school-based programs focus on youth wellbeing, developing an appreciation for nature and the environment, creating an appreciation for diversity, and cultivating mindfulness. With community partners, the focus is on collective impact. We ensure our year-round programs are high quality, engaging, and supportive of participant needs.

During the overnight visit, youth participate in camp favourite activities, including ropes courses, Ga-Ga ball and campfire, but are also engaged in the Big 3 programming components of self, community, and future. Working with community organizations provides the opportunity to work collaboratively and customize activities to group needs and goals. All activities at camp are focused on experiential learning.

School Programs
For schools, after the in-camp visit, they receive “Camp in a Box” to reinforce and transfer learning from camp to students’ homes and communities. The box includes a letter from camp and multiple packages with fun activities designed to engage youth, remind them of their time at camp, and engage with and contribute to their communities in positive ways.

Meet Zoe, a former School Program Camper

“Camp changes your life - it gives you new skills that you can use in so many different ways. Problem-solving skills. Communication skills. Even the skills of just being able to work with your peers without fighting is an amazing thing to be able to do when you’re in elementary school.
As you continue to go to Camp…you start to want to give your time, you start to want to volunteer, you start to want to make a difference in your community rather than just doing it for the sake of going to Camp.”

A thank you note from an Ontario Teacher

“We wanted to thank everyone for the Camp-in-a-Box! It was such a lovely surprise 😄 . We are going to have so much fun this winter keeping busy with the activities!”

Are you an Educator passionate about making positive change in your community?

Email Tim Hortons Foundation Camps today to inquire about bringing your school to one of our Tims Camps!

Community Groups
At Tims Camps, we connect with local communities and organizations to build strong community ties to establish partnership programs. Through working directly with other youth-serving organizations with similar missions and visions, we are able to impact more youth with a high-quality camp experience through collective impact. We work collaboratively with representatives from other organizations to co-create content that will be relevant and important to program participants, all the while prioritizing a camp-based delivery model. Through on-site programming, youth experience key elements and activities that are signature to our camps and become familiar with and comfortable in a camp environment. The goal of working with community groups is collective youth impact.
School & Community Group Campers
20222023Goal for 2024
301151176136
50 schools72 schools75+ schools
7 community groups18 community groups20+ community groups
Tims Camps 2022 Total Program Costs
20222023
Year-round Programming $9,108,253$11,695,158
Summer Programming$9,528,177$7,593,377
Fundraising$3,107,366$3,306,514
Management and Administration$2,185,524$2,371,443
Total cost:$23,929,319$24,966,493