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Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to find out helpful details about our Royal City Soccer Club summer camps! If you have any questions that are not listed here, feel free to contact us.
What are the camp session times?
Do you offer extended hours care (early drop off or late pick up)?
Yes. Our regular no-cost drop off time is from 8:30-9:00am and pick up from 12 – 12:30pm (for morning sessions) or 4-4:30pm (for full day sessions), however, we have extended care options available for an additional nominal fee.
For morning sessions, we offer before care from 8 – 8:30am ($25 per camper per week) and after care – which is a pick up time from 12:30 – 1pm ($25 per camper per week). If you purchase both the before and after care, it will cost $40 per camper per week.
For full day sessions, we offer before care from 8 – 8:30am ($25 per camper per week) and after care pick up from 4:30 – 5pm ($25 per camper per week). If you purchase both the before and after care, it will cost $40 per camper per week.
The extended care option is based on a full week, regardless of how many days extended care is needed. If you don’t require the extended care service for certain days, there is no discount and/or refund for unused days. If you are registered for multiple weeks but don’t need extended care for all weeks, you can choose which week(s) you need extended care for.
What is the programming for morning sessions?
Our morning sessions are popular for families who just want a half day program and prefer a soccer focus. Mornings are all about learning and playing soccer which includes a daily warm up, individual skill development, fun team games, soccer scrimmages and mini-Royal Cups.
Morning sessions are coached and supervised by our staff in approximate ratios of 10 campers to 1 staff member (younger campers will have smaller ratios).
Campers are grouped and coached by age, size and ability where possible. All children aged 5 to 13 of any skill level, from never playing before to competitive rep players, are welcome to register. For older competitive rep players, please contact us regarding your soccer expectations at camp.
We recognize that many of our campers attend more than one or two weeks of camp, so we introduce fun variations to the games and exercises. Programming for morning sessions is subject to change without notice depending on Public Health recommendations and restrictions.
What is the programming for afternoon sessions?
Our full day sessions are the most popular but have limited capacity. Full day sessions combine the soccer focus of the morning with an afternoon session full of more traditional camp games and a possible recreational swim (where available). Morning sessions are taught in an average group ratio of 10 campers to 1 staff member (younger campers will have smaller ratios) while afternoon sessions consist of a much smaller supervision ratio, especially in the pool.
During the afternoon, campers play various camp games and enjoy a leisure swim at the nearby pool for approximately one hour (some locations may not swim every day). During the afternoon swim, our campers are fully supervised by camp staff and pool lifeguards in accordance with local regulations. The limited spaces for full day sessions are to ensure supervision ratios are safe and meet the pool regulations. In some locations, children aged 5, 6 or 7 may not be eligible to register for full day sessions due to restrictive pool ratios.
For most pool facilities, swim tests are conducted by local pool lifeguards (not the camp staff). If your camper does not pass the swim test, their swim may be subject to pool restrictions, including limited swim time due to swimmer rotations in the pool. If you have any concerns about the swimming portion of camp, speak to your onsite Supervisor or contact us at 1-800-427-0536. It is important to note there is no soccer instruction in the afternoon sessions. Programming for full-day sessions is subject to change without notice depending on Public Health recommendations and restrictions.
When is lunch time?
Our lunch time is scheduled between 12 – 1pm and is fully supervised by our camp staff. Safety, food allergies and cleanliness are high priorities for our camp staff to consider during the lunch hour.
Are the weekly sessions the same each week?
Each week is a little different, but our daily structure is generally the same. The games, activities, and other programming will differ from week to week. We design our programming with the knowledge that some campers register for all weeks in the summer.
How do I register for camp?
Camp registration is completed online by clicking here. Registration by telephone is not accepted.
What happens if my child does not like the camp?
Our programming, developed over the last three decades, has proven to be very effective in creating a fun and safe learning atmosphere. However, we understand that, for whatever reason, some campers may not enjoy every aspect of camp. Please let us know if your camper is not enjoying the camp and why.
We’ll do our very best to address your concerns; we take feedback very seriously. While there are no refunds once camp has started, we’ll do whatever we can to make your experience more pleasurable which may include switching groups or slightly altering our program to accommodate certain needs (if possible).
Can kids be put in the same group as a friend?
When you register online, there is a spot where you can ask to be grouped with a friend. Please list the full name of the child with whom your camper wishes to be grouped, and we’ll do our best to accommodate this request provided the ages of the friends/family members are similar. Note – grouping requests are not guaranteed.
How does this camp compare to other soccer camps?
We like to think that all camps provide value to children if run properly. However, our camp differs from many others in our approach to coaching and teaching. We are much more than just a soccer camp! Our program fosters the development of individual skills, team building, inclusivity and life skills.
Not only do we teach grassroots soccer skills and exercise, but we engage our campers in a fun, fresh air environment with fantastic, energetic, and experienced instructors.
If my child really likes camp, can we sign up for more weeks?
Absolutely – if there is availability! Many of our camp weeks fill up quickly, long before camp even starts. If you wait too long, enrolment might be full.
How old does my child have to be to attend camp?
A child must be at least 5 years old by the start of their camp session.
For our families in British Columbia only, please note that campers must be turning 6 before December 31, 2024 to participate in camp sessions.
What if my child is too old to attend your camp but wants to participate?
If your child is 14 years old or older at the time of camp, they can apply to volunteer at camp by clicking here. Volunteering is a great opportunity for kids aged 14 and 15. They not only get a chance to give back to the community and achieve any community volunteer hours needed for school, but they also get some valuable skills and camp experience.
How many girls register for camp?
Royal City is committed to promoting girls in sport (for more information, click here). Approximately 40-50% of our campers are girls of all ages. We continue to break down barriers of entry for girls to participate in sport as that is an important goal of our club.
What is the camper to staff ratio?
During the morning soccer focus, our staff teach and supervise their groups in excellent ratios, averaging approximately 1 staff to 10 campers. The younger campers typically receive a lower ratio during the morning sessions. If your camper is participating in the afternoon swim, these ratios are much lower as we are required to meet or exceed the local pool’s regulations for supervision ratios. Safety is always our #1 priority!
Our ratios may be dictated by both health guidelines and local pool regulations governing the specific pool at your camp location. In the event of any changes to public health or provincial requirements for group size, we ensure we meet that standard.
This may differ from province to province and may change as any new health regulations are implemented (such as related to infectious disease, for example).
How are campers grouped?
Our campers are grouped by age and ability where possible.
How do you ensure safety and supervision?
Safety and supervision are the most important factors for us at our camp.
At RCSC, it is important that our campers learn and have fun in a safe environment. Our staff are well-trained to be on the lookout for safety issues at all times.
Can my child walk or ride their bike to camp?
Yes! If the parent/guardian listed on the registration will not be signing the camper in or out of camp, a SIGN IN/OUT RELEASE form must be completed by the parent/guardian before camp starts. This form is available online during the registration process or in-person with our supervisor onsite. If a camper is walking, riding their bike, or taking a taxi/bus to camp or from camp, this form must be completed; otherwise, all campers must be picked up and dropped off directly at camp.
Do I need to fill out any medical forms?
If your child has an EpiPen (anaphylaxis allergy), requires assistance with medication at camp, or has any other medical concerns, it is important to ensure that the following forms are completed at time of registration OR sent via email to info@royalsoccer.com BEFORE the start of camp:
What is your policy for campers who need additional support while at camp?
We welcome campers of all abilities to Royal City Soccer Club camps. For campers who will be accompanied by a service dog or support animal, we ask that you let our head office know via email info@royalsoccer.com in advance. We need to inform the camp staff as well as our facility partners at the camp location.
We try our best to accommodate the special needs of every camper. As the facilities we utilize vary by location, and may not be suitable for all, please contact our head office in advance and we can review your child’s needs. Please note that we are not able to offer one-on-one assistance/supervision for campers. If your camper needs one-on-one assistance/supervision, we are happy to welcome a personal support worker (arranged by the camp family or guardian), or a parent or guardian to camp.
What are your health & safety protocols?
At Royal City Soccer Club, we work closely with provincial camping associations and review local, provincial, and federal guidelines to ensure that we are doing our part to provide a healthy and safe environment for all participants.
Royal City Soccer Club reserves the right to make changes to and/or update our policies and procedures, as well as programming offerings as the Ministry of Health may make changes, such as with infectious disease guidelines and recommendations. Our policies and protocols will be updated as needed.
What happens if a child becomes ill at camp?
If a camper, volunteer, or staff member becomes ill while at camp, the individual will be separated immediately from the others in a supervised area. Parents/guardians will be notified right away, and the camper, volunteer, or staff member will need to be picked up as soon as possible.
We ask all parents and guardians to use appropriate judgment when sending your child to camp. If your child is ill, please do not send them to camp until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
What happens when it rains or there is bad weather?
Our camp is run primarily outdoors, but during inclement weather (rain, storms, extreme heat, etc.), our camp will go indoors or take shelter temporarily in a designated area until it clears, subject to facility availability. If it’s a light mist, activities will continue outdoors as scheduled.
In some locations and on rare occasions, a school bus (or equivalent) may be called in to bus campers and staff to a nearby indoor facility. Supervisors will do their best to notify parents in advance if we need to bus campers offsite temporarily or for the day. Programmed activities may be modified to suit the indoor facility. Please note, unfortunately, there are no refunds due to inclement weather.
What indoor activities are provided?
The indoor facility used will determine much of the activities we can do when bad weather brings us indoors. As indoor facilities vary location to location (and even week to week), activities will be based on the facility and will likely be modified.
If inclement weather prevents us from following our regular schedule and teaching parts of the scheduled soccer activities, we’ll do our best to make it up when the weather clears during the rest of the week.
How do you deal with the hot weather?
As most of our programming is conducted outdoors, the summer heat is always a safety consideration for us. From the moment campers arrive, we insist they apply sunscreen and continue to remind them to reapply throughout the day.
During very hot periods, our activities are altered to ensure campers are not dehydrated or exhausted due to the heat. We make use of all the shade in the area and may even go indoors if the weather is too bad.
What if it’s too hot? Is there shade from the sun?
If the weather is too hot, we take the camp indoors or organize quiet games in the shade with plenty of refreshments and breaks. Most facilities have ample trees and shade from the sun. We also encourage campers to eat lunch in the shade.
What are the different ways to pay for camp registration fees?
Registration fees can be paid by using Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, or VISA Debit). Please be advised a non-refundable 2.5% service fee will apply to all credit card payments.
Do you offer any subsidies?
We work closely with different organizations such as Children’s Aid Societies, Boys & Girls Clubs, and programs like Jumpstart and KidSport to help provide lower-income families with the opportunity for kids to attend camp.
We do not offer direct, individual subsidies; however, we can help families find financial supports in your city. For more details on subsidy organizations in your area, contact our head office at 1-800-427-0536 or click here.
We offer a few different discounts, such as our June 1st discount, and our 6+ week discount! However, unless otherwise stated, multiple discounts cannot be used at one time.
6+ Week Discount
This discount will be available to any individual camper who registers for 6 or more weeks of camp. This discount cannot be combined with the Early Bird or June 1st savings discount.
In the event that a camper who has received this discount cancels any weeks of camp, leaving less than 6 weeks of registrations, the 6+ week discount will be removed, and the full (non-discounted) fee will apply. For more information on our camp fees and discounts, click on our Rates & Dates page.
Camp Credits
Please be advised that early bird or other promotional savings do not apply if you have any camp credits and/or camp credit benefits.
Do kids need to bring shin pads and soccer shoes?
Shin pads and soccer shoes are not mandatory, however, if you wish to bring them for use during the morning sessions you can. We recommend campers wear running shoes, especially in case the camp must move indoors.
Do children need to bring lunches & snacks?
For morning sessions, it’s a good idea to pack a snack and plenty to drink in a cooler bag (water is perfect!). If campers attend morning sessions only, there is no need to bring lunch unless your camper wishes to eat lunch with the group before pick-up.
For full day sessions, you must send lunch, snacks, and drinks with your camper. We recommend storing all drinks and food in a cooler or lunch bag as we do not have storage available.
All food (snacks and lunch) must be peanut and nut free as some campers may be allergic to these items.
Are there any food products I should not bring?
Yes, please do not bring peanuts or any nut products to camp as we strive to maintain a nut-free camp. If for any reason, nut products are accidentally brought to the camp, our staff follow our safety procedures to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Do we need to bring a soccer ball?
All kids are given a Royal City Soccer Club camp soccer ball on their first day for them to keep. Campers need to bring this soccer ball to and from camp each day. Campers will only receive one camp soccer ball, but if they attend five or more weeks of camp, they will receive a second ball during their fifth week of camp.
Royal City Soccer Club is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged soccer balls (or any other items brought to camp).
What if we lose the soccer ball
If there is a lost camp soccer ball, families have the option to either purchase an additional camp soccer ball ($15) or they can bring their personal soccer ball from home.
We are lucky at Royal City Soccer Club because every year we receive so many requests to work at (or return to), our camps. Not only do our staff have experience with children and backgrounds in playing/coaching soccer, they are also passionate and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of every Royal City Soccer Club camper.
Our caring and responsible staff foster a child-centered approach. We have a high rate of returning staff each year and, with high expectations, we want our staff to continuously pursue additional learning and qualifications. All staff must undergo interviews, participate in multiple training sessions, and provide a police background check to successfully obtain employment at one of our camps.
Many of our staff are past campers and volunteers that have come back year after year to share their enthusiasm for working with kids in sports. The experience our staff take away from working at our camps lasts a lifetime. As the years pass, many of our alumni staff recall working at our summer camps as the most rewarding job in their life.
We’re always looking for candidates across Canada who are interested in joining our amazing summer camp team. For more information on jobs with Royal City Soccer Club, click here.
We have summer day camps in over 100 locations across 6 provinces across Canada. Click on your province below to find a list of camp locations in your area.