'Off the wall fun' part of city March break camp plan for 2022

March break is just around the corner, and for the first time since the pandemic began, kids can go in-person to March break camps — that is, if you can get a spot.

This year, March break will be held on the week of Monday, March 14.

In Waterloo, municipal March break camps are all full and organizers said they are busy trying to provide a fun camp experience despite added health and safety regulations. 

"We are wearing PPE, including face masks, shields, eye goggles, to protect our staff, and campers will be required to wear masks during the day," said Nancy Hall-Jupp, supervisor of community leisure programming with the City of Waterloo.

"They will be able to remove them while they are eating as well as outside. We will provide some mask breaks." 

There are still some spots available for March break campers in Kitchener and Cambridge, say organizers.

The City of Kitchener opened registration last week, but with fewer sites available for campers this year. It currently has three camp programs for four to seven-year-olds and one program for 7 to 10-year-olds. Organizers say they're working with what they have available. 

"I know the need is out there," said Janice Ouellette, supervisor of children and youth services with the City of Kitchener. "We probably have a couple of less sites than we have had in the past …so the number of sites and spots are based on program capacity, physical distancing and staff availability." 

Meanwhile, in Cambridge, organizers said they're glad kids can finally get together again. 

"We've been engaging and creative, off-the-wall, fun, interactive and really focusing on that child-to-leader relationship, ensuring that our programs are of the highest standards," said Danielle Ciccarelli, the city's child and youth recreation coordinator.

"Through the pandemic every family has experience their own challenges or some sort of way, and we're just taking a step back and really recognizing how far we have come."

For preteens and teens looking for something to do on their week off, the Williamsburg, Downtown and Forest Heights community centres will host art and trivia nights, rotating through the three Kitchener locations. The City of Kitchener also has a three-on-three basketball tournament and skills competition planned, which is free to attend.