The City of Barrie, Ontario, has opened applications for its Camp Access Program to provide free summer camp experiences for local children. This program is available for youth between the ages of 6 and 13 and handles applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families who qualify will receive one week of camp at no cost, which includes bus transportation, a daily lunch, and all camp activities. The program runs for six weeks from July 6 to August 21, 2026, at the Barrie Community Sports Complex in Midhurst. Children will participate in outdoor activities such as archery, canoeing, and sports.
To be eligible for the program, a family must meet specific household income limits. For example, a family of four can qualify if their total household income is less than $48,550. The city uses income figures provided by Statistics Canada to determine who can participate in the program.
There are 20 spots available for each week of the program, for a total of 120 spots over the summer. Mayor Alex Nuttall said the goal of the initiative is to remove financial barriers so more young people can create positive summer memories. The program is managed by the city’s Recreation and Culture Services department.
General registration for all city summer camps opened for residents on March 24, 2026. The funding for the Camp Access Program is included in the 2026 Budget, which city officials approved with no increase to the general operating budget for the fourth year in a row.
