Inclusion Services & Financial Assistance

We offer adapted programs all year long! See what programs we have to offer.

VIEW PROGRAMS

After registering for a program, participants must complete the intake application form.

To learn more about our adapted programs, please contact Portia Lee at plee@markham.ca

The City of Markham welcomes campers of all abilities and ensures we make our best effort to support the diverse needs of our campers. We encourage families to disclose all camper needs at the time of registration to ensure there is optimal time to prepare the camper, environment, materials and train staff to allow for a great camp experience.

• How do I know if additional support is required?
• A physical, development, and or learning disability exists.
• Extra support is required at school in the classroom.
• Extra support is needed at home for basic care (toileting, feeding, changing, etc).
• Camper has a safety plan in place with their educational institution.
• There are behaviours that need to be managed that could affect the safety of the participant or other participants, such as biting, pinching, slapping, or running.

If support is required, campers must register for summer camp inclusion support. Summer camp inclusion support is offered by a specially trained inclusion camp counsellor to work one-to-one with a camper throughout the camp day. Staff can assist campers by providing modifications in areas such as program instruction, movement, equipment, communication, and promoting socialization with others. Staff can also assist campers with basic care needs such as feeding and toileting.

The deadline to register for inclusion support is May 17.

After the deadline has passed, we encourage you to register and will do our best to find support but it is not guaranteed. Campers can also choose to register for camps and provide their own external support workers.

Registration Process:

1. Register for summer camps inclusion support using the barcodes below. Additional camp fees are required for speciality camps.
2. Complete the Participant Intake Application.
3. After May 17, the inclusion support team will contact families to book an intake meeting. During the meeting, staff will review the intake form, discuss strategies for success and confirm specific camp locations.

Summer Camp Inclusion Support:

Campers wishing to attend the camps listed below are not required to pay the camp fees as long as the camper is registered for summer camp inclusion support in the same week. Camps marked with an asterick (*) require a nominal supply fee. For specialty camps, campers are required to pay the camp fee and inclusion support fees.

• Absolute Sportacular Camp
• Academic Camp
• Badminton Camp
• Basketball Camp
• C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigator Camp at Markham Museum*
• Dance & Drama Camp
• Dance Camp
• ECO Camp @ Chimo
• Fun in The Sun Camp
• Future Engineers Camp at Markham Museum*
• Junior Animal and Nature Camp
• Junior Archeologists Camp at Markham Museum*
• Junior Sports Camp
• Junior Science Magic Camp at Markham Musem*
• LEGO Camp
• Little Engineers Camp at Markham Museum*
• Magic Camp
• Math and Science Camp
• Mechanical Engineer Camp
• Mini Machines Camp at Markham Museum*
• Mini Mysteries Camp at Markham Museum*
• My Little Camper
• Science Camp
• Science Magic Camp at Markham Museum*
• Soccer Camp
• Super Hero Science Camp at Markhma Museum*
• Half Day Pottery Camp at Markham Museum*

For more information about inclusion services and other support options such as bringing your own support person, please contact Portia Lee at plee@markham.ca.

Families are able to bring their own external support person. Please see the External Support Person accordion below for more information.

Some participants with special needs may benefit from the additional support of a volunteer that can help with participating in program activities and socialization with others by breaking down instructions, repeating skills, being a buddy, and providing a safe environment.

Please consider that volunteers:

• Volunteers are not guaranteed and may not always be available during the day and time you have selected.
• Are 14 and 15 years of age.
• Do not support individuals with challenging behaviours.
• Cannot provide lifts and transfers.
• Cannot be left alone with a participant.

To request an inclusion volunteer please contact Portia Lee at plee@markham.ca.

Families are welcome to bring their own external support person, at no charge, to any recreation program or camp to support a participant with special needs. 

Registered Programs and Camps

External support persons must:

• be 16 years or older,
• be able to support the participant integrating into the activity,
• completing a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), and
• complete an external support person contract.
   

To request to bring your own external support person in a registered program or camp, please contact Portia Lee, Coordinator of Programs and Outreach, at plee@markham.ca.

Pre-Booked Pay-Per-Play Activities, Public Swims and Public Skates

To request to bring your own external support person in a pay-per-play activity, public swim, or public skate, please register the participant for the activity then contact Portia Lee, Coordinator of Programs and Outreach, plee@markham.ca to have the support person registered at no cost.

City of Markham Financial Assistance

We want everyone to use our programs. If you can't afford a program, we may be able to help you. Please call us at 905.477.7000 extension 6258.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart®

Canadian Tire Jumpstart®

A community-based charitable program that helps kids ages 4 to 18 participate in organized sports and recreation programs so they can develop important life skills, self-esteem and confidence.

National in scope, but local in focus, Canadian Tire Jumpstart® delivers support to children in financial need through a Canada-wide network of local chapters. Markham, through its Recreation Department, is one such Chapter. The City, working together with Canadian Tire Associate Dealers, identifies children who would benefit from Canadian Tire Jumpstart® and ensures effective delivery of the program.

Here are some important details:

• Children are eligible for up to $600 per calendar year; maximum $300 for the same sport.
• Grants will not exceed a maximum of $150 per application. Please note that our goal this year is to reach as many children as possible therefore grant amounts will vary.
• Programs or activities must encourage physical activity.
• Funding preference is to pay for registration fees.
• Approval of funding is dependent on available funds.
• Funding is available for members of the same family for the same season.

Eligibility

• All applicants must reside within Markham.
• Eligible applicants include children and youth between the ages 4 and 18 years of age.
• Funding should be for a sustained program that lasts a season. One week camps are not eligible.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for support through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart® program, please apply online.

York Region Recreation Subsidies

York Region offers subsidies for children from families with low income to take part in Recreation programs and day camps offered by local municipalities. Please visit york.ca/recreationsubsidies or call Access York 1.877.464.9675 for more information to see if you qualify.