School Closure Day Camps

Prepared childcare support for families, just in case.
School Closure Day Camps - 700 x 400

If school closures occur, The City of Red Deer is here to support families who may need childcare on short notice. In response to a potential disruption to the school schedule, we are offering a limited number of School Closure Day Camps for children aged 5 to 12 years, designed to provide a safe, active, and engaging experience while school is out.

Our Arts & Recreation teams have worked quickly and thoughtfully to prepare day camps that prioritize children's well-being. These camps are led by trained, caring staff and are filled with fun, movement, and creativity to help children thrive even during unexpected changes to their routine.

Camps will run October 6 – 10, with the possibility of extension if school closures continue beyond that week. Families can register for single days or for the full week, depending on their needs.

A limited number of spaces will be available in School Closure Day Camps at the following facilities:

  • Collicutt Centre
  • G.H. Dawe Community Centre
  • Michener Aquatic Centre
  • Culture Services/Intermediate School

If school closures are in effect, registration for School Closure Day Camps will open Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

Should schools remain open, School Closure Day Camps will no longer be required, and will therefore be cancelled.

We’re here to help ensure that if childcare becomes necessary, families have a reliable, high-quality option at their fingertips. The City remains committed to providing responsive, community-focused support.

Where are camps being offered?

Camps will be offered at four locations across the city to ensure accessibility for as many families as possible. Camp locations include:

  • Collicutt Centre
  • G.H. Dawe Community Centre
  • Michener Aquatic Centre
  • Culture Services/Intermediate School
When will the camps run?

Camps are currently scheduled to run from October 6 – 10, with the possibility of extension should school closures continue. The City is prepared to remain responsive and flexible to community needs.

If school closures do not occur, School Closure Day Camps will be cancelled and City of Red Deer programming will revert to standard offerings. This means current School’s Out and PD Day Camps scheduled for October 9 and 10 will continue to run as planned.

When can I review the camp options online?

Program listings for School Closure Day Camps will be available to view beginning Friday, September 26 on Look ‘n Book. 

When does registration begin for these camps?

If school closures are in effect, registration opens Wednesday, October 1 at 12 noon and will be available online on Look ‘n Book. Camps will be available as single-day registration, giving families the option to register only for the days they need.

What kinds of camps are being offered?

While these camps are not based on specific themes like our summer offerings, they are designed to keep children engaged, active, and having fun. Led by trained and caring instructors, camp days will include a variety of games, crafts, physical activity, creative play, and social time, all within a safe and supervised environment.

Camps are available in full-day options at the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre and Culture Services/Intermediate School, and half-day options at the Michener Aquatic Centre. 

All camps are designed to be playful, active, and engaging for school-aged children.

Do you offer any camp options for preschool aged children?

We are not offering preschool camp options. However, there are limited spots available in off-site childminding at both the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre. To book off-site childminding, children must be at least 18 months of age, and reservations must be made in advance.

  • Collicutt Centre: 403-358-7537
  • G.H. Dawe Community Centre: 403-358-7537

More information can be found at reddeer.ca/Childminding.

What is the registration cost for School Closure Day Camps
Facility Camp Hours Cost
Collicutt Centre 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. $48.45
Collicutt Centre 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. $40.00
Culture Services/
Intermediate School		 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. $42.00
G.H. Dawe
Community Centre		 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. $48.45
G.H. Dawe
Community Centre		 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. $40.00
Michener Aquatic Centre 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $27.00
Michener Aquatic Centre 12:30 – 5 p.m. $24.25
What if school closures continue past October 10?

In the event that school closures are extended, we will release information by Wednesday, October 8 regarding the following week. 

What is the cancellation policy for School Closure Day Camps?

Given the uncertain nature of the situation, we’ve introduced a flexible cancellation policy specific to these camps:

  • If schools reopen during the School Closure Day Camps, the remaining days of camp will be cancelled*, and families will receive either:
    • A credit for the unused days placed on their account, or
    • A full refund for the remaining value, processed within 5 business days.
    • No withdrawal fee will be applied
  • If schools remain closed, but a family chooses to withdraw their child for other reasons, a 10% withdrawal fee may apply. The remaining value will be refunded or credited within 5 business days.

This policy is designed to reflect the changing nature of school schedules while still supporting parents in making flexible plans for their children.

*School’s Out and PD Day Camps previously scheduled for Thursday, October 9 and Friday, October 10 will run regardless of school operations.