- Home
- About Ridley
- Athletics
- Admissions
- Student Experience
- Boarding
- Alumni & Donors
- Camps & Summer Programmes
- Rentals & Memberships
- Login
P.O. Box 3013, 2 Ridley Road St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3 Canada - +1 905-684-1889
Choosing a summer camp is about more than filling a week in your child’s schedule. The right programme can give them a safe place to make friends, explore a new interest, build confidence and enjoy experiences that are different from the regular school year.
However, with so many summer camps in Niagara and St. Catharines to consider, it can be difficult to know which option will be the best fit.
Should your child attend an arts, science or sports camp? Are they ready for an overnight experience, or would a day camp be more comfortable? What questions should you ask about supervision, meals, health support and instructor qualifications?
This guide explains what families should consider when choosing a summer camp and how Camp Ridley supports campers across different ages, interests and stages of independence.
The best summer camp is one that matches your child’s age, interests, comfort level and developmental needs while providing qualified staff, appropriate supervision, clear safety practices and a welcoming environment.
Parents should consider:
At Camp Ridley, families can choose from day camps for ages 4–16, boarding camps for ages 10–17 and specialized performance sports programmes.
A camp that excites a 15-year-old may not be suited for a five-year-old. Age groupings matter because they influence the programme structure, level of independence, pace of activities and type of support campers receive.
Camp Ridley organizes its summer day camps into four age-based groups:
These groupings help ensure activities, expectations and learning experiences are suited to each camper’s age.
Younger campers may benefit from programmes that emphasize guided exploration, creativity, movement and early independence. Older campers may be ready for more focused skill development, leadership, collaboration and connections between their interests and possible future studies or careers.
For families searching for summer camps for 13-year-olds, it is worth looking carefully at the programme’s age range. Reviewing individual camp descriptions can help you select the environment that best fits your child.
Summer is a valuable opportunity for children and teenagers to explore interests without the same pressures they may associate with marks or formal assessments.
Before choosing a camp, ask your child:
Camp Ridley offers programmes across art, science, sports, technology, leadership and performance. Depending on age and availability, campers may explore areas such as visual arts, performing arts, outdoor learning, coding, robotics, debate, film production, chemistry and multiple sports.
The goal is not necessarily to choose the most academically impressive option. A successful camp experience should give your child something they are excited to discuss at the end of the day.
General activity camps introduce campers to several experiences during the week. They can be a good fit for younger children, first time campers or children who enjoy variety.
Specialized camps focus more deeply on one subject, skill or sport. These programmes may suit campers who already have a clear interest or want to make measurable progress in a particular area.
For example, a child who enjoys movement but has not selected a favourite sport may benefit from a multi-activity programme. A teenager interested in technology may prefer a focused coding or robotics camp. A competitive athlete may need specialized instruction rather than a recreational sports experience.
Ridley’s Performance Sports programmes are designed and delivered by high-performance coaches. Current offerings include specialized programmes in sports such as hockey, rowing, figure skating and squash.
Families should review the experience level and eligibility requirements for each performance camp. Some programmes welcome a range of skill levels, while others are intended for competitive athletes at a specific stage of development.
For families living in Niagara, St. Catharines or surrounding communities, a day camp may offer the most convenient introduction to Camp Ridley. Campers participate during the day and return home each afternoon.
Day camps can work well for:
Ridley’s Summer Day Camps generally run Monday to Friday from 9:00a.m. to 3:30p.m., with designated drop-off and pick-up periods. Before and after-care options are available with advance registration.
A boarding camp offers a different kind of experience. Students live on campus, take part in programming and develop greater independence while receiving structured support.
Ridley’s Summer Boarding Camps are available for students ages 10–17. Boarding can be a valuable option for international campers, students travelling from outside Niagara or young people who want to experience boarding life in a safe and welcoming environment.
Before choosing boarding, consider your child’s comfort with:
Being old enough for a boarding camp does not automatically mean every child is ready. Parents should consider maturity and comfort level alongside age.
Safety should be one of the most important factors in any camp decision.
Parents should ask:
Camp Ridley provides full-time registered nursing staff on campus, 24/7 campus security and trained instructors. All Ridley staff complete police record checks.
Camp Ridley day camp groups have no more than 20 campers, and the programme emphasizes low camper-to-instructor ratios. These details matter because smaller groups can help staff get to know campers and provide more individualized guidance.
Parents should still share all relevant medical, dietary, accessibility and behavioural information during registration. The earlier the camp understands a child’s needs, the better it can prepare.
An exciting list of activities may attract attention, but the overall camp environment often determines whether a child has a positive experience.
A strong programme should help campers develop skills that extend beyond the activity itself, including:
Camp Ridley’s programmes are designed to help campers expand their physical, creative, social and interpersonal skills. This means that a camper may also learn to speak up in a group, recover after making a mistake, support a teammate or try something unfamiliar. These moments are often some of the most valuable parts of summer camp.
The quality of a camp environment shapes the programmes it can offer and how children experience each day.
Camp Ridley takes place on Ridley College’s 90-acre campus in St. Catharines. Campers have access to facilities designed for academics, arts, athletics and recreation.
When comparing summer camps in Niagara, parents should consider:
For younger campers, Camp Ridley’s Junior programmes take place within Lower School facilities and classrooms designed for that age group. This helps create an environment that feels manageable and appropriate rather than overwhelming.
Food is an important part of a camper’s day, especially when they are active and learning.
Camp Ridley provides hot and healthy lunches in its dining halls, including fresh local Niagara fruit and vegetables. Families should review current camp information and communicate dietary needs during registration.
Parents should also look at what the camp fee includes. Depending on the programme, that may include:
Camp fees vary depending on the programme, so families should review the details on the relevant age or specialized camp page before registering.
A camp may be a great fit for your child but difficult for your family if the schedule does not work.
Questions to ask include:
Camp Ridley’s day camps run from 9:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. Drop-off begins at 8:30a.m., and regular pick-up continues until 4:00p.m.
Families can also register in advance for before care from 7:30a.m. to 8:30a.m. and after care from 4:00p.m. to 5:30p.m.
The availability of extended care can make summer camp more manageable for working parents, but spaces and requirements should be confirmed during registration.
It is normal for first time campers to feel excited and nervous.
Campers do not need to arrive already confident. A well run camp gives them opportunities to build confidence gradually.
Parents should tell staff if a child is particularly nervous, attending camp for the first time or likely to need extra reassurance during the first few days.
Summer camp and school serve different purposes, but the skills developed at camp can support children throughout the year.
At camp, children may practise:
These experiences can contribute to confidence in the classroom, on a team and within the wider community.
For older campers, programmes in leadership, debate, coding, science or the arts can also help them identify subjects and activities they may want to pursue further.
Camp Ridley’s 2026 day camp season runs across multiple weeks from June through August.
The current schedule includes:
Not every programme runs every week. Families should review the individual camp listing before registering.
Explore the complete Summer Day Camps overview for current programmes, dates, fees and registration information. Get in touch with us for more information.
Camp Ridley offers summer day camps for children and teenagers ages 4–16. Summer boarding camps are available for students ages 10–17. Individual specialized programmes may have their own age and eligibility requirements.
Camp Ridley is located at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, within the Niagara Region.
Day camps generally run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m., and regular pick-up ends at 4:00 p.m.
Yes. Families can register in advance for before care from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and after care from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Camp Ridley provides hot and healthy lunches in its dining halls. Families should review programme details and communicate dietary requirements during registration.
Yes. Campers around age 13 may have options within the Senior Camps for ages 10–13 or the Explorers Camps for ages 13–16, depending on the programme and the camper’s age. Families should review the age requirements for each individual camp.
Yes. Ridley offers Summer Boarding Camps for students ages 10–17, as well as boarding options connected to selected specialized programmes.
Programme options include arts, science, technology, leadership, outdoor activities, sports and performance-based camps. Offerings vary by age group and week.
Many Camp Ridley programmes welcome beginners, while some specialized performance programmes have experience or pathway requirements. Review the individual programme description before registering.
Camp Ridley states that its day camp groups include no more than 20 campers and emphasizes low camper-to-instructor ratios.
Yes. Full-time registered nursing staff are available on campus during Camp Ridley.
Families should register as early as possible after confirming that the camp fits their child’s age, interests and schedule. Availability can vary by programme and week.
