Summer is almost here at Dovercourt

Once again, Dovercourt is gearing up for a busy summer. In just a few short weeks, kids of all ages will fill the park at Dovercourt Recreation Centre with the laughter and joy of summer camp. Since last September, we have been working hard to plan safe, memorable, and unforgettable camp experiences for children and youth from across the region. We continue to work with more than 20 different partner organizations and individuals who are experts in their various fields, including Ian Dudley of OrangeSTEM Education, Ottawa City Rafting, Ottawa River Canoe Club, Ottawa Ospreys Rugby, Elevate Ultimate, Little Rays Reptiles, and so many more. Our team of caring camp leaders is also gearing up, with many young leaders new to the team and almost all leaders from last summer coming back. They’ve missed the campers all year and are ready to fill their days with fun, laughter, and learning.

For kids and families not enrolled in summer camps, the park at Dovercourt is still the place to be this summer. The play structure is engaging and accessible, featuring an infinity climber, a fitness area, challenging monkey bars, a tire swing, and a separate play area for younger children. When it gets too hot on the playground, enjoy some splash time in the outdoor wading pool to cool down and grab a snack from the café upstairs. If you’re looking for swim lesson options for your children, take advantage of summer classes to fit your family’s holiday schedule, with group lessons and private lessons available for swimmers of all levels. We offer convenient once/week lessons on Saturdays and daily lessons (Monday-Friday) for one week at a time. The John Rapp indoor pool offers a welcoming environment for classes and recreational swims. Families love the warm water, the ramp for easy access, the water slide, and the shallow baby pool. For those who prefer to stay dry, we’re excited to offer a variety of activities for kids and adults, including pottery classes, art, drama, dance classes, and Saturday morning soccer. www.dovercourt.org

Make some time for health and fitness this summer with the Dovercourt Fit Pass, which offers a wide variety of drop-in classes, including spinning, aquafitness and use of the fitness centre (gym). There are also many registered specialty classes to choose from over the summer, including yoga, aquafitness, strength, barre and more. Registration for summer fitness classes begins on June 6.

Wading pools at our three locations (Dovercourt, McKellar Park and Woodroffe) offer a cool retreat from the hot sun, with at least one open daily. The season begins in July; check the schedule for hours and days. Summer is the most fantastic time of the year and goes by far too quickly, so let’s make the most of it!