Handbook

• On-site cell phone: 647-518-6138 (call/text).

• Email: artintheparkcare@gmail.com

• CARE Office: 416-537-9021 messages left on this line are checked periodically and returned as soon as possible.

• The Art in the Park site is located just north of the playground in Trinity Bellwoods Park. Nearest intersection to the site is Crawford St and Lobb Ave. Our program area is fenced. 

• Our office is located inside Trinity Bellwoods Community Centre (155 Crawford St.), on the lower level.

• The drop-off and pick-up location during camp is the wood gates, just across the path from the playground structures.

Regular Program hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

You may drop off and pick up your child any time within the program hours. 

Extended Care is available from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We do not offer Extended Care before 9:00 am. 

Art In The Park curates a team of exceptional individuals to nurture and inspire our campers. Our staff is made up of artists, early childhood educators, and counselors, and are meticulously chosen for their artistic expertise, leadership qualities, and their ability to connect with children. Whether professionals, post-secondary or high school students or full-time caregivers, our staff share a personal dedication to crafting unforgettable experiences for every camper, ensuring each moment is cherished long after the paint dries. All of our staff are trained in First Aid, have provided clear Vulnerable Sector Checks and have undergone extensive training in order to provide the best possible care to your children.

• Drop off and pick up take place at the Art In The Park gates, just north of the play structure in Trinity Bellwoods Park. “Front Desk” staff at the gate will check in campers starting at 9:00 am. 

• You may drop off your child any time after 9:00 am. 

• You may pick up your camper any time before 4:00pm for the regular program, or 5:30 pm for those registered in Extended Care. 

• Children must be SIGNED OUT before leaving. Please communicate with the staff at the Front Desk when you are picking your child up.

Late Arrival or Absent 

If your child/children will be late or absent, please call/text us at 647-518-6138 or email us at artintheparkcare@gmail.com to leave a message, before 8:30 am if possible. 

Authorized Pick Up Person(s)

• Please inform staff if your child will be picked up by someone other than those listed as authorized designates. This individual will be asked to show ID. You may be asked to fill out a form to add authorized pick-up contacts. 

• Your child will not be released to anyone under the age of 16.

Emergency Contact Person(s)

This individual will be contacted if we cannot contact the family members listed. This individual is authorized to pick up the child from camp if contacted in case of an emergency. Under normal circumstances, this person is not authorized to pick up the child unless added to the Pick-Up Authorization list.

Guardians have the option to authorize campers to travel to and from camp by themselves. Campers must be 10 years of age or older to sign themselves in/out. Campers must still sign in and out at the Front Desk. To permit your camper (aged 10 years and up) to sign themselves in or out, please fill out the Child Independence Form.

Due to our safety and liability policies, in addition to the policies set forth by City of Toronto's Aquatic Recreation branch, campers MUST be 6 years of age on the FIRST day they are attending camp. We are unable to make any exceptions to this rule. If your child is 6 years of age, please be prepared to show a birth certificate or health card for your child on their first day. 

Art In The Park uses a child-centered approach to provide specialized art-oriented programming for children aged 6-12, meaning campers can move freely from area to area and participate in activities at their own pace.

There are 5-6 outdoor, artist-run stations, in addition to other activity areas set up throughout the day. Some of the artist’s stations we have offered include:  woodworking, textiles, music, jewelry-making, drama, dance, sculpture, paper mache, clay and painting. Counselors and ECE staff supplement the arts programming by running additional activities throughout the day. These activities include sand and water play, sports and games, table tennis and cooperative games, and much more!

While most of the time AITP campers can "choose their own adventure", there are some camp-wide programs that adhere to a schedule each week.

• Mondays: Log Meeting at 10:30 AM - This is where we ALL get together for about 30 minutes to go over the week, meet the counselors and artists and cover the camp rules.

• Wednesdays: Swimming - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM at Trinity Recreation Centre Indoor Pool

• Fridays: “Campfire” 2:45 PM - Campfire is our wrap-up of each week's activities and a way for EVERYONE to get together and celebrate before the weekend. Campfire looks different each week, depending on what we have been up to. It could be a play, an art show, a fashion show, a concert or all of the above! Families are welcome to join us for Campfire! 

• Fridays: Tie Dye! (Weather Permitting) - Children that purchase a white Art In The Park t-shirt (or bring one from home) can tie dye on Fridays. 

On Wednesdays, campers have the option to go swimming at Trinity Recreation Centre Indoor Pool. Swimming is optional. Campers will be asked at the start of the week if they would like to swim. 

If your camper is interested in swimming, please send them with their swimsuit, towel, goggles etc. on Wednesday. 

The SHALLOW end of Trinity Community Pool is 92 cm (3 feet 6 inches) deep. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that children shorter than this height, or those that cannot swim wear a life jacket. In some instances, the lifeguards on duty will enforce that a life jacket is worn to ensure a child's safety in the water. 

Campers ages 7 & up that wish to swim in the deep end must pass a Swim Test on each visit to the pool.

• Comfortable play clothing and footwear. We recommend durable clothing that your child can get dirty in!  

• Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes (running shoes or enclosed sandals). Please note that children wearing flip flops or open-toe shoes/sandals will not be permitted in the sand area.

• Please check the weather! If rain is expected, send boots, raincoat and an umbrella.

  • On cold and windy days, clothing such as sweatshirts and/or a light jacket should be included.

  • On hot, sunny days, your child should wear a hat with a wide brim or flap to help shade eyes, ears and neck areas.

Every day

• Healthy nut-free lunch and snacks 

• Labelled water bottle

• Sunscreen and insect repellent

Please do NOT bring Toys, Electronics or Money

• Campers are not permitted to use cell phones, video games and tablets during the day at Art in the Park. This includes during lunch time. Please do not send electronics.

• If campers need to make a call home to guardians, they should inform the front desk, make the call, and then return their cell phone to their bag.

• Campers may also ask to use the Art in the Park cell phone to call guardians if necessary. 

• Pokémon cards and Beyblades are NOT permitted at Art in the Park.

Lunch Time & Lunch Groups

• Children eat lunch between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, daily. We eat lunch off-site, in Trinity Bellwoods Park. 

• Campers are separated into lunch groups, with 8-10 campers per group. We do our best to arrange lunch groups by age and/or interest.

  • Lunch Group Friend Request: If your child has friends that will be attending camp the same week and you'd like them to be in the same lunch group, please let us via email no later than the Wednesday prior to their week of camp.

  • While we cannot guarantee all requests, we will do our absolute best. Once the lunch groups have been finalized, we will not be moving campers between groups.

Your Child’s Lunch

• Please provide your child with a healthy lunch and snacks for each day.  We suggest providing EXTRA snacks, especially if they are registered for Extended Care. 

• Please ensure that lunches and snacks do not contain any nut or tree-nut products.

• Please provide your child with a clearly labeled water bottle to be refilled as needed at the program. Water is available on site at all times. 

• We have several coolers with ice packs to store lunches during the day. However, we recommend an insulated lunch bag and avoiding packing foods that will spoil quickly. 

• We do not have a microwave and are unable to warm up campers' lunches.

• Art In The Park does not provide snacks or food for children. 

Litterless Lunches

Art In The Park is grateful for the opportunity to play and work in a beautiful outdoor setting. We also want to take responsibility for the impact we have on the environment. 

The definition of a litterless lunch is simple. No waste, no garbage, no trash, no rubbish, no litter is left behind. Nothing goes to the landfill after lunches are eaten at camp. Packaging and recyclables go home in lunch bags or boxes. 

We appreciate all efforts in sending your camper with a litterless lunch by using re-useable food containers, cutlery and napkins.

We make every effort to keep our program outdoors as long as possible. Often, this means continuing our activities with cool temperatures and a light drizzle. However, sometimes the rain is too heavy to safely continue our programming, on these days, we move our program indoors.

The majority of the campers and staff move to 257 Shaw Street, lower level (Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God). We rent a large program room there and will continue with indoor arts programming and quiet games until the rain slows down enough to go back outside. The capacity of this space is 60 campers. 

Some campers and staff will move to 155 Crawford Street, lower level (Trinity Recreation Centre), on the lower level, in the CARE after-school program room. Campers will continue with indoor arts programming and quiet games until the rain slows down enough to go back outside. The capacity for this room is 30 campers.

Please check the weather report in the morning and dress your campers for the weather! Raincoat, boots and an umbrella are a must on days with a rainy forecast! We make an effort to get inside quickly, but sometimes the process can take a while!

• If it is raining at drop-off (9:00 AM): We will do our best to contact you via email prior to 8:30 to let you know which rain location to drop off your child. If you haven’t heard from us, please call the site cell phones: 647-518-6138 / 416-407-6138

• Rainfall during the day: we will move our program to our two indoor locations. Children will continue to do arts-based activities and quiet games while indoors. We continue to monitor the weather and will resume activity outdoors as soon as we are able to. 

• Rainfall at pick-up time (4:00 PM): We strongly recommend that you please call our site cell phone to ask where your child will be at pickup time on rainy days: 647-518-6138 / 416-407-6138

If your child brings a scooter or bike, please note that it will NOT be re-located indoors as there is not enough space.

• Clearly label all clothing items as well as water bottles, lunch boxes and knapsacks. 

• Remember to check our “Lost & Found” bin on a regular basis. Clothing not claimed will be donated at the end of August. 

• Toys and other expensive items should not be brought to camp in order to prevent loss or damage. Art in the Park/CARE Program will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items of any kind. 

• Bikes and scooters must be locked up to bike racks outside the site area and will not be stored inside during rain. Staff are not responsible for moving scooters or bikes inside during rainy days. 

We are committed to ensuring that every child has a great camp experience and is able to participate in all activities at Art In The Park. Please inform camp staff of any accommodations needed by your child/ren at the start of each week. We look forward to working with you to help every child have a positive camp experience. 

If you indicated that your child requires medication, EPI Pen, Puffer or accommodation during the camp day, you will be required to provide additional information/submit additional forms. You can find these forms at www.artintheparktrinitybellwoods.com/resources 

We do not allow peanuts, tree nuts or shellfish (and/or  related products) at Art In The Park. Many children and staff who attend camp have life-threatening allergies to peanut/nut related products.

We ask for your co-operation in taking the time to read food labels carefully to avoid sending any snacks or lunches that may contain nuts/traces of nuts with your child. This includes peanuts and tree nuts (eg. walnuts, cashews). 

If you are sending your camper with “WOW Butter” or a nut alternative, we appreciate a little note to confirm that it is indeed safe to bring to camp!

Campers are not permitted to share snacks or lunch with each other. The exception is for two campers who are from the same household.  

• All campers must be potty trained and able to sufficiently practice healthy bathroom hygiene. Staff are not permitted nor trained in toileting children.

• Children are escorted to gender designated bathrooms in the Trinity Community Recreation Centre. Single stall, non-gendered bathrooms ARE available inside Trinity Community Recreation Centre on the upper level – we encourage families and campers to let us know if they prefer to use the single stall bathrooms. 

• Our rain location, Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, has two gendered bathrooms. We will do our best to ensure children are free to use the bathroom of their choosing and are given privacy to do so. 

Children must carry EPI Pens and asthma puffers in a fanny pack at all times. Because the Art In The Park area is so spread out, we want to ensure that your child’s life-saving medication is always in the same place that they are. 

Guardians must train Art in the Park staff on their child’s individual emergency plan prior to starting a session. 

No medication can be given at camp without the permission from a camper’s legal guardian. This includes prescription and all over the counter medications.

Any medication your child needs to take must be given to and administered by an ECE staff or camp Supervisor. All medications must be provided in original containers. Please send only enough medication for the camp day, keep the rest at home. 

Please provide written instructions on when and how to administer medication. Medication will be kept in a locked box at the “front desk” (with the exception of puffers and/or EPI Pens). If a child will be self-administering a medication, they must be supervised by an ECE staff or camp Supervisor. ALL medication must be accompanied by a doctor’s note or prescription label. 

• Using insect repellent is your choice. As the camp is outdoors, there is a chance that campers will come in contact with mosquitos and other biting/stinging insects. 

• We suggest applying insect repellent prior to arrival at Art In The Park.

• Staff are not permitted to apply insect repellent to children. However, we will do our best to remind and assist your child in re-applying throughout the day as the need arises.

• If sending insect repellent to camp, please ensure it is clearly labeled with your child’s name.

Art In The Park counselors, Early Childhood Educators and artists are trained and certified in First Aid and CPR. If your child is sick at camp, we will do everything we can to attend to them. Parents are contacted when a child is ill and/or requires medical emergency care.

Campers who become ill are supervised by camp staff. Depending on the nature of the illness, it may be necessary for you or another authorized individual to pick up your child. 

Please do not send your child camp if they show signs/symptoms of COVID-19 or any of the following other communicable diseases/infections: 

• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

• Strep Throat

• Chicken Pox (Varicella)

• Lice

• Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• Diarrhea

• Flu

• Fever

• Rash

• Vomiting

Any child, who at the discretion of the Camp Director, is showing symptoms of a transferable or communicable condition, will be asked to leave the camp. 

• Sunscreen should be applied at home prior to arrival at Art in the Park. 

• Staff are not permitted to apply sunscreen to children. However, we will do our best to remind and assist your child in re-applying throughout the day as the need arises.

• If sending sunscreen to camp, please ensure it is clearly labeled with your child’s name.

• Although we are an outdoor program, Art in the Park will make every effort to ensure that children are not playing in direct sunlight between the hours of 11am and 2pm.

Please check the weather report in the morning and dress your child for the weather.

Rigorous outdoor sports activities will be limited and/or avoided during smog/heat/humidity advisory warnings. Programming may move indoors on such days (see above for “rainy day” locations). Fresh water will be available on-site to keep children hydrated throughout the day. Please send your child with a labeled water bottle. 

• There have been tick sightings at Trinity Bellwoods Park in recent years. However, according to Toronto Public Health, the risk of getting Lyme disease in Toronto is considered to be low.

• You can find more information about ticks and Lyme disease here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/lyme-disease/

• Staff have been briefed on tick sighting and removal. Ultimately, it is up to guardians to check your child after they get home for any sign of ticks. 

• Staff are not permitted to apply insect repellent to children. However, we will do our best to remind and assist your child in re-applying throughout the day as the need arises.

Parents, caregivers and families can help ensure all campers have a positive experience at Art in the Park by:

• Treating everyone at Trinity Bellwoods Community Children’s Group/CARE and Art in the Park with respect, fairness and equality.

• Taking an interest in their child's activities, artmaking and progress.

• Communicating openly with camp staff to share pertinent information about their child. 

• Ensuring their child is properly dressed and prepared for Art in the Park.

• Providing a healthy (nut-free) lunch, ample snacks and water bottle each day. 

• Informing the camp promptly about any absences.

• Becoming familiar with the Children’s Code of Conduct and Art in the Park site rules.

• Encouraging and helping their child follow the rules.

• Helping camp staff manage any disciplinary issues involving their child.

• Refraining from smoking/vaping at or near the Art in the Park outdoor site.

Campers, volunteers, staff and families are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and courteous manner towards each other, the Art In The Park site and their natural surroundings (including plants and animals). Individuals who persist in behaviour that is dangerous to themselves and/or others, or adversely affects the quality of the camp program may be requested to leave the program. All behavioral situations that arise will be assessed on an individual basis. 

Camper Code of Conduct

1. I will treat all children, parents and staff in the program with fairness and respect. This means:

• I will use appropriate language and/or methods of communication and try not to make others feel threatened or uncomfortable. 

• I will keep my hands and feet to myself and not make any movement with intent to cause injury or harm to another person or myself. 

• I will try to help others feel comfortable and included by using appropriate body language and being mindful of other people’s personal space. I will play games fairly.

• I will ask a staff or caring adult for help when unable to resolve a conflict with a peer independently.

2. I will treat all equipment and property of Art in the Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park with respect. This means:

• I will clean up after my activities and take my projects home at the end of the week.

• I will use tools and equipment safely and return it to the right place when I am done.

• I will make sure I throw away garbage from my lunch or snacks.

3. I will be safe while at Art in the Park. This means:

• I will stay on the premises/Art in the Park site at all times, unless I have a staff person with me (for example, when I’m going to the washroom or playing sports).

• In the sand pit, I will wear closed toe shoes and keep the sand on the ground.

• I will keep out of the sheds and away from the water tap. 

• I will leave my toys and electronic items at home in order to prevent loss or damage. I know that Art in the Park is not responsible for my missing items. 

Please respect our closing times. We have a late fee policy of $1.00 per minute for every minute the pick-up person is late. After 10 minutes, the fee is $5.00 per minute until the caregiver arrives. Late fees MUST be paid in cash directly to the staff at the time of pick-up. 

Late Fee Policy 

We happily take donations of art & craft supplies, drama props/costumes and musical instruments in good condition. Please check with staff if you are unsure if an item can be accepted. 

Please speak to one of our staff members should you have any questions or concerns. Or, call the cell phone at 647-518-6138. 

AITP Camp Director: Jahnine Farquharson  artintheparkcare@gmail.com​

​Volunteer Board Member contact: K. Allison trinitycareprogram@gmail.com 

We are always looking for community members to be part of our awesome Board of Directors! Please speak to Jahnine or call 416-537-9021.