Day Camp Program Information

Drop off/Pickup PROCEDURE

Drop-off is between 8:30 and 9:00am – campers cannot be signed-in before 8:30am
Pick-up is between 4:00 and 4:15pm
Aftercare is from 4:15 to 5:30pm – campers must be picked up by 5:30pm 

•  Enter at the Summers Lane Entrance (not the King Street entrance). The Gallery will be closed to the public when you arrive, please use the buzzer to the left of the door and Security will let you in. 
•  Please sign-in your camper with camp staff before leaving. A parent/guardian or authorized individual is required to sign each camper in and out at the camp desk. Only individuals indicated on your camper’s form will be able to sign them out – ID must be presented to sign out! 
•  For some campers, arriving at a new camp can be distressing. Please drop your camper off as close to 9:00am as possible and “kiss and go”. 
•  Lunch is from 12:00 to 1:00pm. If you are picking up your child at lunch, please notify camp staff at drop-off and sign in and out. 
•  If your child will be late or absent from camp, please call 905-527-6610 x254 

PARKING

 Please note that the Gallery does not have a drop-off parking area or any designated parking spots. Parking surrounding the Gallery is managed by the City of Hamilton. Temporary parking is available on Summers Lane ($1.00 is the minimum amount for the meter) or the Municipal Car Park ($1.25 is the minimum fare to park). 2 

For further information about visiting the AGH, please consult the Plan Your Visit section on our website. 

Daily Schedule

8:30 am – 9:00 am Drop off
9:00 am – 9:15 am Welcome
9:15 am – 10:00 am Gallery and Studio Activities
10:00 am – 10:30 am Snack* and Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Gallery and Studio Activities
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch* and Recreation time
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Gallery and Studio Activities
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Snack* and Break
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm Gallery and Studio Activities
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm Pickup
4:15 pm – 5:30 pm Aftercare

In the Gallery  – Campers will visit the exhibitions to view, discuss, and sketch art.
In the Studio – Campers will participate in hands-on art making and skill-building activities.
Recreation – Weather permitting, campers will spend time outside for recreation in the Sculpture Garden.

Looking at Art

Each day, children spend time in the exhibition spaces looking and talking about the art on display — they are encouraged to use critical thinking skills to guide their observations, and to make connections between different art forms. Through casual conversation, in-gallery games and exercises for looking, our young participants become informed observers.

Making Art

In the AGH Studio, campers create works that reflect on what they have seen in the gallery. Throughout the week, participants complete several projects including paintings, prints, sculptures and more. Balancing technical skill development with self-expression, Studio creations are exciting and often surprising! Students are encouraged to explore materials, themes and ideas that they may not have been exposed to at home or school.

New activities are presented each session.

What to bring

• Healthy lunch (*nut free, please)
• Snacks (*nut free, please). Please note there are two snack breaks. If your child is signed up for aftercare, please send an extra snack.
• Water bottle
• Clothes for art making. You will get messy and some materials will not wash out!
• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes — no flip flops please
• Change of clothes — just in case!

What to leave at home

• Electronic devices — including cell phones, tablets and gaming devices
• Toys
• Anything valuable

LOST AND FOUND

Please label all items your child brings to camp. Lost and found items will be kept at camp for up to two weeks after camp. It is up to campers and their guardians to claim lost items. To claim lost items, please visit security or email education@artgalleryofhamilton.com.

Campers are STRONGLY advised to leave all valuables at home. Campers who bring valuables of any kind do so at their own risk. The Art Gallery of Hamilton is not responsible for any lost or damaged items. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity after two weeks have passed. 

Allergies

Though AGH Campers are asked to refrain from bringing products that include nuts to camp, the Gallery is a public space that has catering on site. It cannot be guaranteed that there will be no exposure to nut products while at camp. All campers, especially those with allergies are strongly encouraged not to share or trade packed lunch or snack items. 

Medication at Camp

If you camper requires medication at camp, please fill out the Medication Authorization form on the first day of camp. All medications must be in the original container, clearly labeled with your child’s name. 

Inhalers and epi-pens

If your child requires an inhaler or epi-pen, please make sure they have it with them at all times and it is noted where it is kept (i.e. on person, in backpack or with instructor). Please provide an Anaphylaxis Plan in advance (education@artgalleryofhamilton.com) or on the first day of camp. Instructors will carry a bag where epi-pens and inhalers can be placed for the day. 

Rules and regulations

Campers are encouraged to be respectful at all times.
Respectful of ourselves – Use your time at camp to explore new ideas and materials, have fun and make new friends.
Respectful of instructors – Instructors are there to keep you safe and teach you amazing things! Listen closely, look carefully and you will learn so much!
Respectful of peers – Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself. Bullying or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
Respectful of artwork – visiting the Galleries to experience the art on display is an exciting part of an AGH camp experience. Please, do not touch! When you are creating artwork in the studio, please do not touch other campers work.
Respectful of our materials – Tools and materials are shared. Campers will be taught to use new and exciting materials and care for their tools. Creativity is encouraged, with care in mind.
Respectful of our surroundings – Camp studios, lunch rooms, bathrooms and recreation areas are shared spaces. Please keep them tidy and clean for everyone’s enjoyment and safety. Campers are expected to use quiet voices in their studios and whisper voices in the Galleries. 

Appropriate Behavior

•  Encouraging fellow campers to explore creative ideas and expressive artwork. 
•  Exploring and materials in a way that is respectful to yourself and others. 
•  Staying with your group at all times. 
•  Listening to what your instructor and friends have to share.
•  Keeping your work and play spaces tidy and cleaning up after yourself.
•  Having fun!

Inappropriate Behavior

• Interfering in another camper’s experience.
• Harassment, threats, intimidation, fighting, or bullying of any kind.
• Touching artwork – in the Gallery, on the wall or someone else’s work in class. This includes – walls in Gallery spaces, frames, sculpture, and the stands sculptures are on.
• Taking food, drink, or bags into Gallery spaces.
• Possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, or harmful objects.

My space / Your space

Having spent many years presenting Camp programs, we know that children, especially our younger campers are very used to being in close physical contact with others. We also know that children think and communicate with their whole bodies. As part of our mandate to provide safe spaces and experiences for all of our campers, our instructors talk with campers about each of us needing our own personal space, and that we must remember to use our words and not our hands to communicate. To help, please talk to your kids about personal space and appropriate actions with other people. Using the idea of my space vs. your space can help, as well as reminding them that hugs and other signs of affection are meant for home, and not for camp. 

3 Strike Policy

All AGH campers should have a fun, happy and safe camp experience. If unacceptable behavior is displayed, AGH camp staff will follow the 3 Strike Policy. 

Strike 1 – Camp staff will notify camper about inappropriate behavior. Staff will provide a verbal warning of consequences. The incident will be documented and parents/guardians will be notified. Parents/guardians will be required to sign off on the incident report at pickup time. 

Strike 2 – Camp staff will notify camper about inappropriate behavior. Staff will provide a second verbal warning of consequences. The incident will be documented and parents/guardians will be notified by either Coordinator or Senior Manager, Education. Parents/guardians will be required to sign off on the incident report at pickup time. 

Strike 3 – Coordinator or Senior Manager, Education will contact parent/guardian who will be asked to pick up their camper. No refund will be given in this situation. 

Bullying

The Art Gallery of Hamilton has a zero tolerance policy concerning bullying. Bullying includes, but is not limited to: actual or threat of violence, emotional abuse, deliberately excluding others from participation or provoking hatred. 

Cancellation Policy

The AGH reserves the right to cancel or combine classes to meet minimum enrolment numbers. If minimum enrolment is not met, a full refund will be provided. If camp is cancelled for inclement weather, a 50% refund will be issued.

Full refunds will be provided if a registrant cancels enrolment a minimum five business days before camp program starts. After such time, an administrative fee of $25 per full week or $10 per day (to a maximum of $25) is charged. Refunds cannot be issued if registrant cancels the day of a program.

Subsidy Program

The AGH offers financial support with Day Camp fees for parents who qualify.