The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre Aquatic Day Camp program ran this week from Tuesday, January 3 to Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Parents could sign up children between the ages of six and 12 for a few days of fun activities and socializing with other kids before returning to school after the winter break.
The day camp offered ice skating, games, sports, crafts and swimming as part of the daily schedule.
Children could also opt-out of certain activities – for those who don’t or can’t skate, they had the option of sitting out to craft and play games.
The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre has offered day camp programs for over 25 years and currently offers day camp programs throughout the year such as March Break aquatic day camp, a PD day aquatic day camp, as well as day camps during the winter and summer breaks.
While some parents may opt for babysitters or other forms of childcare, day camp is another alternative that provides an opportunity for children to unplug from technology, socialize and to get back into a routine before heading back to school.
Program Coordinator, James Locke spoke about a few of the benefits of kids attending day camp.
“Kids have opportunities to build friendships and social skills,” he said. “[They] become more comfortable in and around the water, develop teamwork skills while playing games and sports, increased self-confidence and independence, communication skills and so much more. We often hear it’s a great way to keep children active during the winter months when they may typically be indoors.”
The City of Brantford continued to offer day camp programs during the COVID-19 pandemic under strict health and safety protocols. Since restrictions have lifted, it has now allowed the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre to offer more spots.
