FAQ

List of 10 items.

• General Program

  Who will be teaching and staffing summer programming? What are their credentials? 
  All academic courses are taught by certified teachers. Teachers have relevant experience for the particular course area they teach.

  
  LCS Summer Academy Staff have or are working towards a relevant undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma, have experience in a camp, daycare, school, or coaching environment, are certified in First Aid and CPR/AED, and have relevant certifications to their assigned area (e.g. waterfront staff have their NLS certification). 

  
  What is the average group size?
  Campers at Lakefield College School benefit from an overall student-to-staff ratio of 8:1. We are pleased to offer small group sizes so campers, students, and staff have the opportunity to connect on a deeper level.

  
  Do your programs require minimum English proficiency?
  Yes. Any camper who is not currently enrolled at LCS, for whom English is not their first language, will be required to complete an online English proficiency assessment before admission. This helps ensure that the student will function safely and successfully in LCS Summer Academy. We will send you the web-based assessment when we acknowledge your application. If you have an alternate recent English Language Proficiency test you would like to use, please connect with us to further discuss.  

   

  Do you offer both Day and Overnight Programs?
  Yes. We have a range of both Day or Overnight programs, dependent on the age, week, and program type. Our Junior Day Campers (aged 4-10) enjoy day-only programs with evening and sleepover add-ons as they move through the age groups. For campers and students aged 11+, we have a range of day and overnight programs to suit your needs. All of our campers and students enjoy lunch together and our older campers are able to socialize with campers choice activities in the afternoons.

  
  A couple of the programs mention camping. Do campers need to bring camping equipment or will this be provided? 
  General camping equipment (e.g. tents, paddles, canoes, and stoves) are provided, but individual camping items may be required (e.g. headlamp, biodegradable soap, sleeping bag, etc.). Please refer to your program-specific packing list before the start of the program.

  
  When can I expect to receive more detailed information about my program and how to prepare?
  You will receive a welcome letter prior to the start of your program. You can also expect to receive more detailed information and answers closer to the program start date. For general orientation information, please visit our Orientation Essentials. Questions? Please contact us.

   

  Will a packing list be provided? 
  Yes, you will receive a link to the Orientation Essentials where you can view your program-specific packing list closer to the start of your program.
   
  Will campers have access to laundry facilities?
  Machines are available for overnight campers to do their own laundry. Multi-week campers will have specified times to sign up for laundry time slots.
  
  

  What if there aren’t enough campers to run a session?

  We will make every effort to meet our minimum enrolment number for each program. However, if our minimum enrolment is not met, we will need to cancel that session. Decisions about cancelling programs where enrolment is low will be communicated to families a minimum of two weeks before the program start date and we will make every effort to provide you with alternative options.
  
  

• Junior Day Camp

  What activities are offered?

  Our Junior Day Camps offer a fun-filled week of activities that encourage campers to connect with nature and each other, leaving them feeling self-confident and fulfilled. Campers will spend time outdoors every day exploring different activities by and on the water, making arts and crafts, playing games, exploring our Northcote Farm, trying out our climbing wall, and making the most of all of the wonderful amenities our campus has to offer! 
  
  What are the camp hours and what does a typical day look like?

  Our Junior Day Camps run from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and every day is a mix of adventure and fun outdoors, making the most of our beautiful campus.

  
  

  Sample Schedule: Junior Day Camp

  7:45 - 8:30 am Breakfast Club

  8:30 - 9:00 am Camper Drop Off -The Grove
  9:05 - 10:30 am Period One - (E.g. Swim Tests)
  10:30 - 12:00 pm Period Two (E.g. Arts and Crafts)
  12:00 - 12:30 pm Lunch
  12:30 - 1:45 pm Period Three (E.g Indoor Climbing (Bouldering))
  1:45 - 3:00 pm Period Four (E.g. Beach Volleyball)
  3:00 - 4:30 pm Period Five (E.g. Trails Hike)
  4:30 pm Camper Pick up - The Grove
  4:30 - 5:15 pm Extended Care

  
  

  Are all Junior Day Programs Monday to Friday?

  Our Junior Day Camp programs are five days long unless otherwise noted. For summer 2026, Session 6 (August 4-7) is a four-day program (Tuesday - Friday) due to the long weekend. 

  
  

  Will attendance be taken?

  Campers and students are checked in with their assigned counselor at the start of each day, with attendance taken regularly between periods. Campers are signed out by an adult on their "Authorized Pick Up" list at the end of the day. Please contact us if you have any questions or circumstances that require additional measures. 

  
  

  Who do I notify if we’re running late or if my camper is sick?

  If you are running late or if your camper will be absent, please email camps@lcs.on.ca to let us know. 

  
  

  What is the average group size?

  All of our camper ratios are aligned with OCA standards for best practice. For our youngest campers, a 1:6 ratio gives them additional supervision and help in their early years at camp, this increases to 1:8 when they join our Age 6-7 campers, and our oldest campers enjoy 1:10 ratios to help them make even more friends at camp!

  
  

  Do your Junior Day Programs require minimum English proficiency?

  Due to our expansive waterfront campus, it is essential that campers possess a basic understanding of English, particularly for safety instructions. This ensures their ability to navigate the environment safely and effectively. However, we warmly welcome campers with diverse levels of English proficiency and are excited to offer a vibrant and immersive English camp experience. If your child's first language is not English, please ensure they understand that the program will be conducted in English, promising an enjoyable and enriching language immersion experience.

   

  Do you offer both day and overnight options? 

  Our Junior Day Camps are only offered as day-only programs. However, our campers aged 6-10 are welcome to join us for a weekly campfire, and our 8-10 year olds can sign up for our Thursday sleepover night to introduce them to overnight camp!

  
  

  When can I expect to receive more detailed information about how to prepare?

  Our Orientation Essentials page will be made available before the program starts. This page provides arrival information, suggested packing lists, and more! A communication with the link will be shared closer to summer. A reminder email with arrival details will also be sent approximately one week before the session start date.

   

  When we will we get information about the session?
  Before summer a link to the Orientation Essentials will be shared which includes the arrival and pick-up information along with a packing list. Additionally, an email reminder will be sent approximately one week before your program start date.
  

  
  

  Is the Junior Day Camp only for local campers?

  Any camper is welcome to register for our programs. 

   

  Is lunch included?

  Yes! We’re pleased to share that a delicious lunch is provided each day. A fresh fruit snack is also provided in the mornings. If you would like to send snacks with your camper, please ensure they are nut-free.

   

  Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies? 

  Our dining hall services, provided by Aramark, routinely accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Families will be asked about dietary restrictions when completing their health forms. Once we are aware of a camper’s needs, we will work with dining hall services to accommodate them.

   

  Can campers with severe allergies attend LCS Junior Day Camp? 

  We are accustomed to having students on campus during the academic year who have anaphylactic reactions. For any allergy, its existence and severity must be documented on our medical information forms. Campers who do not have health information on record before arriving on campus for their session will not be allowed to take part in the summer program.

  
  

  Campers who have anaphylactic reactions will also be required to bring two EpiPens (one to carry with them, and one available for our Health Centre staff). Our First Aid Kits, at all program stations, are also equipped with EpiPens.

   

  Is there a nurse or medical staff on-site?

  Our Health Centre is open each day while our Junior Day Campers are on site.

  
  

  Is there bussing for day campers?

  Currently, no bussing is available for summer campers. If the number of day campers makes it viable, we would consider providing bussing from a central pick-up in Peterborough at an additional cost. 

  
  

  What are the chances of being able to register if we’re on the waitlist?

  We continuously review our waitlists to see where we can build greater capacity to accommodate the needs of our campers and community. When families need to cancel or change their camp bookings, we reach out to families in order of the waitlist to transfer spaces. We strongly recommend joining the waitlist for weeks there are spaces currently unavailable to increase your chances of securing a space to join us this summer! 

  
  

  Refund Policies

  For all LCS Camp Programs, we will provide full refunds until April 30, 2026 minus a 10% of program cost administrative and processing fee.
  
  From May 1, 2026 to June 26, 2026 a refund of 50% of the program cost can be received.
  
  No reduction in or refund of fees will be given for any reason once the summer season has begun. This includes:
  
  -A camper or student who withdraws from their program during the period for which they are registered for any reason including, without limitation, as a result of illness or a medical condition;
  -A camper or student who arrives late or leaves early in the period for which they are registered; or
  -A camper or student who is expelled from the LCS Summer Academy for breaking the camp rules or otherwise.
  
  All programs are subject to enrolment and may be cancelled; in this case, campers will be offered a refund. Campers and students will also be given the opportunity to transfer to another program should their primary selection be cancelled.

• Schedule and Attendance

  What does a typical day at LCS Camps look like?
  A sample Monday through Friday schedule for overnight and day students in on-campus courses, enrichment programs, and Junior Day Camps will follow a similar pattern to the respective schedules below. 

  
  
  Sample Schedule: Junior Day Camp

  7:45 - 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast Club
  8:30 - 9:00 a.m.	Day Camper Drop-Off - The Grove
  9:00 - 10:30 a.m.	Period 1 (e.g. Swim Tests)
  10:30 - 12 p.m.	Period 2 (e.g. Arts and Crafts)
  12:00 - 12:30 p.m.	Lunch
  12:30-1:45 p.m.	Period 3 (e.g. Indoor Climbing (Bouldering))
  1:45 - 3:00 p.m.	Period 4 (e.g. Beach Volleyball)
  3:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Period 5 (e.g. Trails Hike)
  4:30 p.m.	Camper Pick Up - The Grove
  4:30 - 5:15 p.m.	Extended Care

  
  
  Sample Schedule: Day and Overnight Camps

  7:45 - 8:25 a.m.	Breakfast
  8:30 - 9:00 a.m.	Camper Check In & Outdoor Gathering
  9:00 - 12:30 p.m.	Program Rotations
  12:30 - 1:00 p.m.	Lunch
  1:00 - 1:45 p.m.	Free Time
  1:45 - 4:15 p.m.	Campers Choice Activities
  4:30 p.m.	Day Camper Pick-Up
  4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Free Time
  5:30 - 6:30 p.m.	Dinner
  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.	Evening Programming
  9:00 p.m.	In-House Curfew
  9:00 pm (Gr 7 & 8) 10:00 pm (Gr 9) 10:30 pm (Gr 11 & 12)	Technology Collection and Lights Out

  
  

  
  Will attendance be taken?
  Attendance at all classes and scheduled activities is compulsory (including afternoon programming, excursions, and camping trips). For online classes, attendance at synchronous sessions is compulsory. If a student needs to miss class time or activity time for a personal or medical reason, their parent/guardian should follow the Summer Academy Student Guide policies for missing class.
  
  Please email camps@lcs.on.ca during your program to indicate if your camper will be late, or absent, or if there are other attendance changes.
  
  Any unreported absence from classes or scheduled program activities will result in an Unexcused Absence, and parents will be informed.
  
  My program takes place over a holiday. Am I expected to be present for my program?
  As these are condensed programs, the expectation is that students will be present if no break in the program is indicated (both online and on-campus programs).
   

• General Academic Credit Courses

  My child is enrolled at a school in a different province or country. Are they eligible for the LCS Summer Academy credit courses?
  Any student is welcome to apply for LCS Academy and Summer programs and, if applicable, earn an Ontario Secondary School credit. The student should consult with the guidance department at their school to determine whether the credit can be given equivalency in their home province/country. Equivalency will vary from province to province, country to country and from course to course.
  
  

  I'm not sure which courses would be the best choice. Who should I talk to? 
  It is always a good idea to check with a guidance counsellor at your school about any credit course selection. The guidance counsellor can check prerequisites and offer academic counselling. For students in Grade 8, we strongly recommend contacting the guidance department of their future high school.

  
  

  My child is interested in a course that is meant for a different grade level. Are they able to sign up? 
  The courses designated for Grades 9, 10, and 11 are usually open to students who are at or above that grade level (meaning a Grade 11 student can take Grade 10 Science if they don't already have this credit and have the correct prerequisites). Please check with a guidance counsellor about what might be right for you.
  
  

  What is the time expectation for on-campus courses while students are working remotely or for online courses?
  Students should anticipate working approximately four to five hours per weekday on their course while learning remotely. Teachers will arrange a minimum of two hours of mandatory live (synchronous) meetings with students per week, and there will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous work. 
   
  What if a student needs to miss a block of time?
  Summer Academy credit courses are condensed and move very quickly. A student may be able to catch up from missing one or two days of classes, but more than that would make it very difficult to complete the course successfully.
  
  

  Are there exams or culminating projects for all credit course programs? 
  All credit course programs have a culminating project or a final exam. There are also numerous assessments, large and small, throughout the course.  
  
  

  How will student progress be reported? 
  All students in credit courses will receive a midterm and final report card, with a numeric grade, comment, and learning skills. These reports will be available electronically. For external students who go to high school in Ontario, a copy of their final grades will be submitted for their Ontario Student Record (OSR), if applicable. 
  
  

  I have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) at my current school. Will this apply during my course with LCS Summer Academy?
  If you require any course accommodations, please contact us and include a copy of your Psychoeducational Assessment and Diagnostic Letter. You are welcome to include your current IEP as well. LCS students who have Course Provisions will be contacted by our Learning Strategies team to discuss accommodations for the summer programs.
   

• Online Courses

  What is the expectation for time spent online for courses?
  All Ontario credit courses require 110 hours of instruction. For online courses, students should anticipate at least 4-5 hours per day of time devoted to the course throughout its duration—in independent studying, collaborating with other students, and virtual synchronous classes.
   
  Teachers will arrange times to meet with their class that accommodate the various time zones of their students, and students can anticipate at least two live (synchronous) meetings per week. Teachers will also have hours available for individual check-ins with students. 
   
  Are the online portions of courses taught live or pre-recorded?
  A combination of live (synchronous instruction) and pre-recorded (asynchronous) sessions will be offered within a course. Teachers will arrange times to meet synchronously with their students at least twice weekly.
   
  How will students joining from a different time zone access the online courses?
  Our faculty are experienced with teaching across multiple time zones. Students will be able to access the course (24 hours per day) from wherever they are as long as they have reliable access to high-speed internet. Within one week before the start of the course, taking into consideration the various time zones, the teacher will arrange to meet with all of the students.
   
  What are the attendance requirements for online programs?
  Students are required to attend all synchronous meetings. Missing these meetings will be documented as an unexcused absence (and parents will be notified). 
   
  What constitutes attendance for online courses?
  Students are required to attend scheduled synchronous meetings (attendance will be taken), log into their course regularly, submit assessments on time, and track their learning progress in a learning log to show time spent on asynchronous work. 
   
  Are there midterm and final exams? Group projects?
  All credit course programs will have either a culminating project or a final exam. There will be numerous assessments, large and small, throughout the course. LCS places a high value on collaboration, so students can expect some group work.

• Overnight Programming

  Many of your programs for campers ages 11 - 14 are five-day programs. Is it possible for a student to take multiple overnight programs and stay on campus during the weekend between?
  Yes! We offer a range of "bridge weekends", which allow campers to register for multiple weeks at LCS. This is a great options for campers hoping to immerse themselves fully in camp and enjoy more time on our beautiful campus! Bridge weekends include an off-campus excursion, which is included in the registration fees.

  
  What will weekend programming look like for overnight Credit Course Students on days when there are no classes?
  Credit Course Students will have some time allotted to study, some recreation/free time, and some off-campus excursions to local attractions such as Canada’s Wonderland.
  
  

  When should we pick up our child from LCS Summer Academy if they are part of the overnight program?
  Campers should be picked up at their scheduled time (approximately 4:30 p.m.) on the last day of programming.
   
  If travelling by plane, when should flights be booked? 
  We request that all students who are travelling by plane share their travel plans with Jen Horrigan (Coordinator of International Students and Travel) before booking their flights as there may be additional protocols that could impact travel dates. 
  
  

  Do you offer airport transfers? 
  Please contact Jen Horrigan (Coordinator of International Students and Travel) directly to arrange airport pickups (at an additional cost).
  
  

  Where do students sleep?
  Students will stay in a single, double, or triple room in one of our air-conditioned houses on our beautiful waterfront campus. Live-in residential staff provide supervision and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
  
  

  Do you accept and honour rooming requests?
  We accept rooming requests and do our best to accommodate them where possible. 
   
  Where will students eat?
  Our overnight campers will enjoy all of their snacks and meals on campus, with our day campers joining us for a delicious lunch. Meals are served in Winder Smith Dining Hall and outdoors on our campus.
  
  There are always a variety of options for meals and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please ensure that you share any dietary and allergy restrictions in your health form at registration.

   
  Will Incoming LCS Students be placed in the same room that is assigned to them in the fall?
  No. However, for incoming students attending one of our August programs, we will support them in transferring their belongings to their new residence at the end of the summer. We would recommend packing their summer program belongings separately to their school-year belongings to help them manage their space effectively during camp.
   
  What about laundry?
  Machines are available for overnight campers and students to do their own laundry. Multi-week campers will have specified times to sign up for laundry time slots. 

• Logistics and Policies

  Are students required to have their own computer? What technology is required?
  For all programs where there is a credit course involved, students should plan to bring a laptop. Our Information Systems department will support students in accessing the school network and any relevant software programs. 
  
  

  Campers in any of our camp and enrichment programs do not need a laptop or electronic device, and we strongly recommend that they leave technology at home to immerse themselves into our LCS Camps experience.  
   
  What is the LCS Summer Academy’s policy on the use of mobile phones? Are campers allowed to use them while at the Summer Academy? 

  For the majority of the day, campers and students will not be permitted to have access to their phones. There are assigned periods in the day if campers or students need to use their electronic device to complete work or connect with home, but we otherwise encourage a screen-free environment to immerse into camp.
  
  To encourage healthy sleeping habits, all campers and students are required to turn in their technology to the residential staff on duty before lights out.
  
  In case of an emergency and/or if you need to get a hold of your campers, we will provide our emergency phone number closer to the program start.

   
  Is there bussing for day campers?
  Currently, no bussing is available for summer day campers or students. If the number of day campers or students makes it viable, we would consider providing bussing from a central pick-up in Peterborough at an additional cost. 
  
  

  What is the dress code while on campus?
  No uniform is required for our Summer Academy, but during the academic portion of the schedule and at all meals, campers should be in clean casual dress, and during the activity portion, they should dress for the specific activity in which they are participating. More information can be found in the LCS Summer Academy Life Guide.
   

• Health and Safety

  Are LCS Camps Ontario Camping Association (OCA) accredited?

  LCS Camps meet or exceed all of the Ontario Camping Association (OCA) standards, policies, and best practices for our programs. We are a current member of the OCA and received our P1 Accreditation Status in Summer 2025.

  
  

  We also follow CAIS (Canadian Association of Independent Schools), Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) and Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) regulations for waterfront and physical activities as well as all local public health guidelines.

  
  

  Can you accommodate dietary restrictions? 

  Our dining hall services, provided by Aramark, routinely accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Families will be asked about dietary restrictions when completing their health forms. Once we are aware of an individual's needs, we will do our best to work with dining hall services to accommodate them.

  
  

  Can campers with severe allergies attend LCS summer programming? 

  We are accustomed to having students on campus during the academic year who have anaphylactic reactions. For any allergy, it is essential that its existence and severity are documented on our medical information forms. Campers who do not have health information on record before arriving on campus for their session will not be allowed to take part in the summer program.

  
  

  Campers who have anaphylactic reactions will also be required to bring two EpiPens (one to carry with them, and one available for our Health Centre staff). Our First Aid Kits, at all program stations, are also equipped with EpiPens.  

  
  

  How far is the nearest hospital? 

  The nearest hospital is the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, which is 25 minutes away.

• Payment and Registration

  How long will external student credit course applications take until the decision is received?
  The LCS Summer Academy committee meets weekly to review applications. Students external to LCS are required to submit supporting documents, such as a reference letter, a recent report card, and/or an English language proficiency assessment (if English is not the student’s first language). Applications cannot be reviewed until all documentation has been received, so be sure to encourage your referee to complete the form at their earliest convenience. Once we have received all the necessary supporting documents, the application will be reviewed and an enrolment decision will be communicated. 
  
  

  Is there a registration deadline for any of the programs? 
  Registration will close approximately one week before the program start date or when the program is full. We suggest that you register as early as possible to secure your choice of sessions. 
  
  

  Can LCS students pay for summer programming at the same time as paying for their academic year tuition? 
  No. The billing process for summer programs is separate from that of the school year.
  
  

  What forms of payment are accepted? 
  Payment is made through our LCS Summer Academy registration website by credit card, and we accept Visa, and MasterCard. 
  
  Can I pay in instalments? 
  Yes - we offer two different payment options.
  1. Full payment at point of registration.
  2. Deposit at point of registration with the balance split into equal payments to be processed on the last working days of January (30), February (27), and March (31) 2026.

   

  Is tax included in the program costs?
  Yes.
  
  

  Are there additional costs that we can plan for that are not included in the program fee? 
  Program fees do not include airport transfers or taxi services (if applicable), additional excursions (e.g. if a student decides to stop at a Tim Horton’s on a walk into town), additional tutoring/training, or personal items, including laptops, textbooks (if applicable) and notebooks. Items that campers will be expected to bring will be included in the packing list.
  
  

  It is a good idea for students to have access to a nominal amount of pocket money for snacks and personal items they may wish to purchase.
  
  

  Depending on the camper's age and weeks, day campers can sign up for additional evening, sleepover, camping, and weekend excursions. These are available as "add-ons" at the point of registration.
   

• Registration Changes After Enrolment

  Refund Policies
  For all LCS Camp Programs, we will provide full refunds until April 30, 2026 minus a 10% of program cost administrative and processing fee.
  
  From May 1, 2026 to June 26, 2026 a refund of 50% of the program cost can be received.
  
  No reduction in or refund of fees will be given for any reason once the summer season has begun. This includes:
  
  -A camper or student who withdraws from their program during the period for which they are registered for any reason including, without limitation, as a result of illness or a medical condition;
  -A camper or student who arrives late or leaves early in the period for which they are registered; or
  -A camper or student who is expelled from the LCS Summer Academy for breaking the camp rules or otherwise.
  
  All programs are subject to enrolment and may be cancelled; in this case, campers will be offered a refund. Campers and students will also be given the opportunity to transfer to another program should their primary selection be cancelled. 

  
  

  Withdrawal and Credit Courses/Transcript
  For students in Grade 9 and 10 courses who withdraw after their course has begun, the course will not appear on their Ontario transcript no matter when they withdraw. 

  
  For students in Grade 11 and 12 courses, the course will not appear on their Ontario transcript provided they withdraw earlier than five instructional days after receiving their mid-term report for the course. If the student withdraws after that time, the withdrawal is noted with a W on the transcript, and the percentage mark at the time of withdrawal is recorded.

  
  What if there aren’t enough registrations to run a program?
  We will make every effort to meet our minimum enrolment number for each program. However, if our minimum enrolment is not met, we will need to cancel that session. Decisions about cancelling programs where enrolment is low will be communicated to families a minimum of two weeks before the program start date and we will make every effort to provide you with alternative options.