July/August 2025

Hello Nicole,

Summer is finally here, and with it comes sunshine, and the perfect opportunity to make magical memories at home! As we step into the warmest months of the year, we’re excited to bring you our Summer Camp at Home edition—packed with fun, creative, and hands-on ideas that bring the spirit of summer camp right into your child's daily routine. In this issue, we’ll share exciting activity ideas and outdoor play inspiration that help your little ones stay engaged, learn through play, and enjoy all the joys of summer—without ever leaving your own backyard. In our care homes, Providers will also be focusing on learning through outdoor play – check out our Together Wee Can preview below for all the details!

A few reminders for the summer months: ensure children have hats to wear when at Provider’s homes, provide sunscreen labelled with your child’s name (must be in it’s original bottle). Providers must have a signed permission form on file to apply sunscreen or bug spray. If you are taking time off from care – we ask that you give your Provider and the agency at least two weeks notice (or follow your local agency’s policy which may include more notice).

Warm wishes,

Lisa

Summer does not always mean heading off to the woods or an overnight camp — with a little creativity and planning, you can bring the joys of summer camp right to your own backyard or living room!

Creating a camp-like experience at home is a wonderful way to engage children of all ages in hands-on learning, outdoor exploration and imaginative fun. Plus, it brings a lovely rhythm and sense of adventure to long summer days! Here’s how to bring the camp magic home:

Create a Campy Atmosphere

Use simple decorations like signs, nature-themed tablecloths, or a pretend “campfire” made with paper towel rolls and tissue paper. You can even set up a tent or build a fort inside using blankets and pillows.

Plan Themed Weeks

Build excitement by focusing each week on a theme like:

• Nature Explorers - go on backyard scavenger hunts and learn about local wildlife.
• Bug Bonanza - catch and release insects, read bug books and make bug crafts.
• Water Week - set up a sprinkler, make sponge balls or create a water table.
• Art Camp - explore colours and textures through painting, drawing and crafting.
• Cooking Camp - make your own trail mix or camp-themed snacks.

Themes help you organize crafts, snacks and stories in a fun and cohesive way. Need help getting started? We’ve rounded up 10 fun and easy activities you can include in your home camp this summer. Check out our latest blog post included below and on our website: 10 Easy 'Camp at Home' Activities for All Ages.

Keep it Routine – But Fun

Camps often follow a loose structure: morning circle, activity time, snack, outdoor play, etc. Mimicking this rhythm gives children a sense of stability, while still leaving room for spontaneous fun.

Mix Learning with Play

Include songs, books, and hands-on learning in your “camp days.” You might read nature-themed stories, practice fine motor skills with camp crafts, or measure ingredients while making trail mix.

Include All Ages

From toddlers to school-age children, everyone can take part. Modify activities based on age and skill level. For example, toddlers can finger paint nature scenes while older kids create leaf rubbings or scavenger hunts.

Don’t Forget Campfire Moments

Storytelling, group songs, or a little quiet reflection time brings a cozy close to a fun day — even if your "campfire" is made from paper and imagination.

Creating a camp-like experience at home is a fun, flexible way to encourage creativity, independence, and connection. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, what matters most is the joy, laughter, and memories you are making along the way!

Every Provider and child has access to our Wee Learn educational curriculum! Wee Learn and all its associated programming was designed by a team of childcare experts to help children meet their developmental milestones and to prepare them for success in school and beyond! Our program is focused on play based learning for all ages and stages! 

Try some of these activities which align with our program:

Together Wee Can - A Provider Takeover

Each year Wee Watch organizes exclusive and educational events and activities around a theme that all Providers across Ontario participate in called "Together Wee Can".

Our Together Wee Can program is carefully thought out and planned with our Providers and children in mind. With a network of 1,400+ Providers, we thought why not go straight to the source, ask the experts, our Providers!



We wanted to collaborate to develop this year’s program, a program for our homes, created with our Providers. This year’s program, “Together Wee Can 2025 – A Provider Takeover”, is a compilation of some of our Providers favourite activities, activities their children love, encompassing all areas of development – fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, language/speech, social/emotional, sensory, and imaginative.

To learn more about our exclusive educational programming, visit our website.

Take a look at what's coming up in our homes...