Legislative Explorers Camp ("Camp") Policies & Procedures

Children ages 9 to 12 are permitted to register for Camp. A child must be at least 9 years of age on their first day attending Camp and no older than 12 years of age on their last day attending Camp.

• Drop-off period: 8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
• Pick-up period: 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Campers will, without exception, only be released to a designated parent/guardian, as listed in the authorized pick-up list, and they must present a valid, government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver's license, health card, passport, etc.). 

Late Pick ups 

If you are going to be late picking up your child, you must notify the Camp office. If a camper is not picked up on time and there is no communication from the parent/guardian and/or Camp staff is unable to get in touch with the parent/guardian within 1 hour of the Camp closure, the Legislative Protective Service will be notified and they will follow internal Camp procedures that may include notifying Children's Services. 

Early Pick up Request 

If you need to pick up your camper earlier than 4:00 p.m., email camp@ola.org 24 hours in advance or call 416-325-7500 on the same day.

Cancellation by Parent/Legal Guardian: 
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 14 days before the applicable session begins. Once your camper’s session has begun, no refunds will be issued for any missed time or absences. 

Cancellation by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario reserves the right to cancel your registration, or the entire session of Camp, at any time at the Assembly’s discretion. Families will be notified as soon as practicable and refunded on a pro-rated basis for the days that the Camp was unable to be operated.

You may register for the waitlist to be notified if an opening becomes available for a session. Once contacted, you will be provided with 24 hours to confirm your spot. After 24 hours, your spot will be provided to the next waitlisted participant. Click here to access the waitlist.

If a camper is unable to attend a scheduled Camp day, please contact us via phone or email no later than 8:30 a.m. on the day of absence. Make-up dates, refunds, or credits will not be provided for any missed days.

Campers will have two scheduled snack breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, in addition to one 1-hour lunch break daily. All food brought to Camp, including lunches and snacks, must be free from all nuts.

• Campers must bring their own food and reusable water bottle to Camp each day.
• Campers can refill their water bottles at the water coolers located throughout the building.
• Campers are not permitted to exchange or share food.
• Campers are not permitted to buy food from the cafeteria or to go offsite to purchase food.
• Campers are not permitted to use the vending machines. 

Please note that while we strive to maintain a nut-free environment at Camp, we cannot guarantee it.

Campers and Camp staff are asked not to wear, use, or bring scented products to Camp. Please note that while we strive to maintain a fragrance-free environment at Camp, we cannot guarantee it.

Campers are asked to leave cell phones or any personal media devices at home. If campers bring them, they are required to be given to Camp staff for safekeeping until the end of the Camp day or until a time when photography/filming is permitted. Campers may bring a film/digital camera for photo taking in areas where photo taking is permitted by Camp staff.

Clothing or accessories (hat, towels, lunch bags, backpacks, etc.) with illicit, profane, suggestive, sexually related, alcohol- related, or tobacco or drug-related text, graphics, or logos are not permitted. 

• Political messages are not permitted on any items of clothing or accessories.
• Running shoes are recommended, as is a hat and a change of clothing in the event that a change is required.
• Camp takes place indoors and outdoors, and campers should dress accordingly for the weather. 

Note: Each camper will be provided with two t-shirts on their first day of Camp. Campers must wear these t-shirts while they are attending Camp. We strongly encourage families to label all of their camper’s belongings (first and last name) to prevent items from becoming lost.

Sunscreen should be applied in the morning before your camper has arrived at Camp. Please send additional sunscreen with your camper, and our Camp staff will remind campers to reapply before going outside. 

Camp does not provide sunscreen for campers, nor will Camp staff physically assist campers with applying sunscreen.

The Camp is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or missing items. We encourage campers to leave valuable items at home. 

Any items found at Camp that are in good clean condition will be stored until the end of the session, at which point, if unclaimed, will be discarded.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We will work with campers, parents, and guardians to provide barrier-free access to the Legislative Precinct, while adhering to the principle of non-discrimination in the provision of our services and complying with the duty to accommodate.

• Support Persons: Campers with exceptionalities that require additional support while at Camp may be accompanied by a support person. The support person will not be required to pay any supplemental fees, but they will be required to sign the Legislative Explorers Camp Code of Conduct.
• Assistive Devices: Campers who require assistive devices (such as mobility aids, hearing aids or cognitive aids) may bring their own devices to Camp.
• Service Animals: The Legislative Assembly does not permit animals in indoor spaces within the Legislative Precinct, except as accommodations for persons with disabilities. Service animals are welcome to accompany persons with disabilities in indoor spaces within the Legislative Precinct in accordance with the below. 

Unless it is readily apparent that an animal is required by a visitor, including a camper, to the Legislative Precinct for reasons related to their disability, visitors, including campers, to the Legislative Precinct may be required to provide documentation confirming that they require an animal for reasons related to their disability to Health Services. Service Animals may be excluded from certain indoor spaces within the Legislative Precinct as required by law. If a Service Animal is required to be excluded from an indoor space within the Legislative Precinct, other arrangements will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. 

Service Animal means an animal for a person with a disability if: 

• The animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
• The person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:
   
  • a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario;
  • a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or
  • a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. 

Note: Official training/certification of service animals is not required under Ontario law for the animal to be recognized as a service animal.

We are dedicated to providing all campers with a safe, inclusive and pleasant Camp experience. The Code of Conduct outlines a standard of behaviour that campers and parents/guardians must adhere to and applies in all circumstances while participating in Camp and to all Camp-related activities, both in person and electronically. A camper and/or parent/guardian who witnesses any of the prohibited behaviours listed below is expected to report the incident to a Camp staff member. Failure to adhere to the rules set out below may result in various consequences that could include removal from the Precinct and/or suspension or expulsion of a camper from their Camp session without a refund.

Standards of Non-partisanship 

The Legislative Explorers Camp is a non-partisan program, and any clothing item, or accessory (including but not limited to pins, bags, jewellery, stickers) with political statements or slogans; posters of a political nature; or flags of lobby or other political organizations will not be permitted within the Legislative Building. 

All campers and parents/guardians must: 

• Act with honesty and integrity
• Respect differences in people, including their ideas and opinions
• Treat one another with dignity and respect, especially when there is a disagreement
• Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability
• Use appropriate language
• Show proper care and regard for Assembly property and the property of others
• Demonstrate respect for both the community and global environment
• Seek assistance from Camp staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
• Respect all Members of Provincial Parliament and staff of the Legislative Assembly
• Be respectful and cooperate with Camp staff and follow their instructions at all times
• Refrain from using cellphones or other mobile devices during Camp 

Prohibited Behaviour:

• Engaging in bullying, including cyberbullying
• Committing physical or sexual assault, or engaging in sexually suggestive behaviour, in person or electronically
• Threatening or intimidating another person
• Causing injury to any person, or encouraging others to injure or inflict bodily harm on another person
• Being in possession of or using any weapon or look-alike weapon
• Committing theft or robbery
• Being in possession of, under the influence of, or providing others with alcohol or drugs
• Smoking and/or vaping
• Propagating hate propaganda or engaging in other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias, in person or electronically 

Any camper, parent, or guardian who witnesses any of the prohibited behaviours listed above is expected to report the incident at once to a Legislative Explorers Camp staff member. 

Code of Conduct Violations 

Behavior that violates this Code of Conduct requires a serious response, as detailed below: 

Minor/ Moderate Incidents: 

In the case of minor incidents, the incident will be addressed at the time by Camp staff, and a parent/guardian may be informed of the incident, at the discretion of Camp staff. In the case of moderate incidents, the incident will be addressed by a senior Camp staff member, and a parent/guardian will be informed of the incident. 

Serious Incidents: 

In the case of serious incidents, including inappropriate physical behaviour, possession of alcohol and/or prohibited drugs, being under the influence of alcohol and/or prohibited drugs, vandalism or theft of property, verbal/physical abuse, bullying/harassment, racism, discrimination or jeopardizing the safety and well-being of other campers, the incident will be addressed by a senior Camp staff member and a parent/guardian will be contacted and informed of the incident immediately. Depending on the severity, the camper may be suspended or expelled from their Camp session. 

Suspension and Expulsion: 

Escalated incidents may lead to campers being suspended or expelled from Camp at the discretion of Camp management. Refunds will not be available in the event that a camper is suspended or expelled from Camp. 

In determining whether a violation of this Code of Conduct has occurred and what consequence should be applied, Camp management will: 

• Investigate and verify the alleged misconduct, while taking precautionary steps to always ensure a safe Camp environment;
• Reflect on the severity of the alleged misconduct;
• Ensure that the camper and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are aware of the complaint against the camper;
• Ensure that the camper and their parent(s)/guardian(s) have the opportunity to provide any relevant information, explanations, comments, or views before a decision is made; and
• Make any and all decisions in a fair and impartial way.

Camp activities will include daily outdoor programming on the Legislative precinct grounds; however, alternative indoor activities will be provided if instances of inclement weather occur or are anticipated.

We are committed to acting in the best interest of all participants and Camp staff in matters of health and safety and has in place specific policies to address certain health issues, concerns, and conditions. Our policies and practices are in line with Ontario Camps Association (“OCA”) standards and are similar to various school board policies and standards. Parents/caregivers may be contacted if clarification is required; the more information we have, the better we are able to meet a camper’s needs. 

Camper Care 

In the event of an emergency, the Camp will adhere to all emergency protocols outlined by Legislative Protective Services in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all campers and Camp staff. In the event of a medical emergency, the Camp has the right to provide and/or secure the medical attention they deem necessary to ensure the wellbeing of the camper. If there is no time to contact parents or emergency contacts (for example - calling an ambulance if the camper is seriously injured or performing CPR). The Camp will make every effort to contact parents/guardians or listed emergency contacts as soon as possible if a camper has experienced a medical emergency, and Camp staff will stay with the camper(s) until parents or authorized/emergency contacts arrive to care for the camper. 

Medications and Medical Devices 

All medications and medical devices used at Camp must be listed on the Camp’s medical form and stored in the Camp office (except for EpiPens and inhalers, which should be kept with the camper). Camp staff will supervise campers in taking their medication but will not administer it. Please provide all medications and medical devices directly to the Camp drop-off supervisor. 

Inhalers and EpiPens 

All inhalers and EpiPens must be carried on the camper's body at all times, in either a fanny-pack or other small bag. Please advise Camp staff on the first day check-in of where your camper’s Inhaler or EpiPen is. In the event of a reaction, standard emergency procedures will apply and emergency services will be contacted. Campers who arrive without their inhalers or EpiPens will be unable to participate in Camp activities and parents/caregivers will be asked to immediately pick-up their camper or drop-off their Inhaler or EpiPen.

Sick Campers 

The health and safety of our campers is our utmost priority. If a camper is unwell and exhibiting any new or worsening symptoms of illness, the camper must remain at home and may only return to Camp once they are fever-free, and their symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours (48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms). Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Fever and/or chills;
• Cough;
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing;
• Decrease or loss of taste or smell;
• Vomiting/diarrhea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Pink eye;
• Decreased/no appetite;
• Sore Throat;
• Headache;
• Extreme fatigue;
• Runny nose/nasal congestion;
• Muscle/joint aches and pain; or
• Nausea. 

If a camper becomes ill while at Camp, the parents/guardians or listed emergency contact(s) will be notified and asked to pick up the camper promptly. There are no refunds or cancellations offered due to camper illness.