City of Ottawa - Summer Camps

 

Summer camps online The deep freeze of February is the perfect time to plan your summertime fun!  Throughout July and August, facilities across the city are running a variety of exciting and immersive activities for kids and teens. Browse and wishlist our summer camps now.  Withdrawals for summer camps are required 30 days prior to the summer camp start date.   We offer flexible payment options for our summer camps:   Pay in full: Make your payment on registration day  Payment plan: Use the payment plan, with payments due 30 days before the camp start date  These changes mean more children on our waitlist will have a chance to join their camp of choice.

Upcoming registration dates Don’t miss out on next season’s fun! Mark your calendars now with the following important registration dates:  Tuesday, February 11: spring swimming and aquatics registration opens online at 9 pm    Thursday, February 13: spring recreation, arts and virtual activities registration opens online at 9 pm   Thursday, February 27: summer camp registration opens online at 9 pm

What’s happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Saturday, February 8 – The Gruffalo’s Child  Thursday, February 13 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Shenkman Arts Centre  Tuesday, February 4 –  New North Collective’s Circumpolar Soundscape  Wednesday, February 12 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Saturday, February 22 – Will's Jams  Winterlude  Saturday, February 8 – Snowga Yoga  Sunday, February 9 – Fête Frissons 2025  Friday, February 14 – Latin Social Dance  Monday, February 17 – Family Day Skating Party  Monday, February 17 – Dungeons & Dragons™ Campaign Adventures: Winterlude Family One-Shot

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - February 2025

Public Information about Accessibility Features in Parks 

 

City parks are important community assets that provide residents with opportunities for leisure, sports and play. Over the last several years, the City has included many enhancements to its parks to make play in our playgrounds more inclusive, and to provide park features that are more accessible for everyone to enjoy. 
   

As included in the City of Ottawa’s 2025-2029 Municipal Accessibility Plan staff have committed to improve the availability of information regarding accessibility features in our parks to residents, and we want to hear from you!
   

The City is seeking your input through an online survey to learn what accessibility features you would like to know about when visiting City of Ottawa parks and how you would like to access that information. 

The information you provide will be used to develop options for providing residents information related to accessibility features in parks.  

For accessible survey formats or communication supports (hardcopy, large font, audio, Braille, phone survey, etc.), please contact AccessibilityOffice@ottawa.ca or (613) 580-2424 ext. 33544. 

 

City of Ottawa Spring Activities

 

Spring activities online  Tired of winter? Put some spring in your step by planning for the season ahead! Our spring activities are now available to browse and favourite online.   Registration begins at 9 pm online Tuesday, February 11 for swimming and aquatics programs and at 9 pm online Thursday, February 13 for all other recreation, arts and virtual activities.

Summer camp registration   Summer may be months away, but summer camp registration is coming up fast! Don’t forget to mark your calendars with these important dates:  Tuesday, February 4: summer camps online for viewing    Thursday, February 27: summer camp registration opens online at 9 pm

What’s happening Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe  Thursday, January 30 to Saturday, February 1 – Epidermis Cirus: The Weirdest Puppet Show You’ve Ever Seen   Saturday, February 8 – The Gruffalo’s Child  Thursday, February 13 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Shenkman Arts Centre  Tuesday, February 4 – New North Collective’s Circumpolar Soundscape  Wednesday, February 12 – Matinée Café: Moonfruits  Saturday, February 22 – Will's Jams  Winterlude  Friday, January 31 – Relaxed Night Out  Saturday, February 1 – Community Winter Pentathlon  Saturday, February 1 – Family Roller Disco  Saturday, February 8 – Snowga Yoga  Sunday, February 9 – Fête Frissons 2025  Friday, February 14 – Latin Social Dance  Monday, February 17 – Family Day Skating Party  Monday, February 17 – Dungeons & Dragons™ Campaign Adventures: Winterlude Family One-Shot

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - January 2025

 

Accessibility Advisory Committee Updates

The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) provides advice to Council and consults on projects required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and many more, where the City benefits from an accessibility lens.    The Committee meets at least eight times per year, with additional special meetings as required. In addition to their meetings, the group provides feedback by email, and many members participate in working groups or other sub-committees.      Next Meeting   Date: Tuesday, February 18  Time: 6 pm     Members of the public are encouraged to attend AAC meetings, which take place via Zoom.   If you have any questions or are interested in speaking or providing comments to the AAC about an item they are considering at a meeting, please contact Committee Coordinator, Rosa Ramos.  Public Member Recruitment for Committees and Boards  The City of Ottawa's 2025 recruitment process for various Committees and Boards has begun. To find out more, register to attend our virtual information session happening on Thursday, February 6 at 6 pm. Following the session, a recording will be available on YouTube. Accessibility-related accommodations are available upon request.  The City is recruiting for the following positions:   Accessibility Advisory Committee (1 position and reserves)  Ottawa Board of Health (1 position)  Committee of Adjustment (reserves)  Rogers Centre Ottawa – Board of Directors (1 position and reserves)  Community Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee (2 positions)  French Language Services Advisory Committee (2 positions and reserves)  Planning Advisory Committee Conservation Authorities (Landscape Architect position)  The deadline for applications is Thursday, February 27 at 4:30 pm.   Please share this article with your networks, so that we can ensure the City’s Committees and Boards are reflective of Ottawa’s diverse community and will meet the needs of all its residents.   For more information, please visit ottawa.ca/committees.    Snow Angels Program  Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition?  A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend who has volunteered to help you, or someone you know that is an older adult or person with a disability, to clear snow from a driveway, steps or walkway.  If you know a Snow Angel, the City of Ottawa wants to thank them!  Snow Angels will receive a certificate signed by the Mayor and Chair of the Transportation Committee.  How to nominate a Snow Angel  You still have time to nominate! Snow Angel nominations are accepted from until Monday, March 31.   To recognize a resident as a Snow Angel, please inform us by one of the following methods:  ottawa.ca/snowangel  Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-4701 or VRS: 613-580-2400)

O-Payment now available on Para Transpo  The red O-Payment readers you’ve seen in Para Transpo minibuses are now active!  These readers are in the customer area of minibuses, which means you can tap your Presto card, credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet to pay your fare.  Here’s how it works:  Tap your card on the red O-Payment reader located in the customer area  The reader’s screen will turn green to show that the payment was successful  Tap tip: Tap only your card, not your wallet.  The existing fare readers attached to the operator’s tablet at the front of the vehicle will remain in place for now. You should still pass your card to the operator for the reader at the front if you are:  Paying a rural fare  Paying with an Access pass  Paying for a companion with Presto e-Purse  Contracted taxis do not have O-Payment readers. If you are taking a trip by taxi, pass your Presto card, credit or debit card to the operator, as usual. Find out more at octranspo.com.  Join us for Para Transpo Talk in February  Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons are invited to join in Para Transpo Talk on February 12 and 13. This month’s events will be held virtually on Zoom.  Para Transpo Talk is a series of customer engagement events that are open to all Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons. You do not need to apply to get involved. Everyone is welcome, no matter how often you use Para Transpo.   Virtual information sessions will be held on the following dates:  Wednesday, February 12 from 2 to 3:30 pm  Thursday, February 13 from 7 to 8:30 pm  On February 5, check octranspo.com for more details and for the Zoom link!  This month’s sessions will focus on December service challenges, an update on new minibuses, My Para Transpo trip notifications, Para Transpo customer service hours of operation and O-Payment readers.   Questions can be submitted in advance to parlons_paratranspo_talk@ottawa.ca or you can ask a question in the moderated chat during the event.

City of Ottawa Recreation: Camp Registration

 

March break camps online  We know the winter holidays are just ending, but we’re already thinking of March break. This year we’re offering a variety of programs for kids of all ages across the city! Browse and favourite our March break camps now.   Online registration opens Tuesday, January 21 at 9 pm.

Spring registration Spring is in the air! Well, almost. Spring activities will be visible online Tuesday, January 28, so you can plan ahead for next season.    Tuesday, February 11: swimming and aquatics registration opens online at 9 pm   Thursday, February 13: recreation, arts and virtual activities registration opens online at 9 pm

Summer camps  In the cold, dark days of winter, summer may feel far away, but camp registration is coming up fast. Get a head start on planning your summertime fun by marking your calendars with these important registration dates:  Tuesday, February 4: summer camps online for viewing  Thursday, February 27: online registration opens at 9 pm

Sledding safety tips  Winter is here! There's currently a no sledding advisory until we get more snow. Here are a few tips to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others this season: check conditions before you go out, sled only at approved hills, wear a helmet and sit properly on your sled. Review the full list of recommendations.

Part-time job opportunities  We're hiring for many part-time roles, including jobs for our upcoming March break programs and camps. There are positions available for instructors, program leaders, lifeguards, service representatives and much more.

Play Free   To encourage young people to stay active, we’re continuing our Play Free initiative for another year.  On Saturdays, throughout 2025, children and youth can enjoy free drop-in skating, swimming, and gym sports at our recreation facilities.

What’s happening Lansdowne Park  Relaxed Night Out on Friday, January 31 from 6:30 to 10 pm  Community Winter Pentathlon on Saturday, February 1 from 11 am to 1 pm  Family Roller Disco on Saturday, February 1 from 2 to 4 pm, 5 to 7 pm or 8 to 10 pm  Snowga Yoga on Saturday, February 8 from 11 to 11:30 am and noon to 12:30 pm  Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe Matinée Café: Lynne Hanson on Thursday, January 23 at 2 pm  Epidermis Cirus: The Weirdest Puppet Show You’ve Ever Seen from Thursday, January 30 and Saturday, February 1  The Gruffalo’s Child on Saturday, February 8 at 1 and 4:30 pm  Shenkman Arts Centre Matinée Café: Lynne Hanson on Wednesday, January 22 at 2 pm  New North Collective’s Circumpolar Soundscape on Tuesday, February 4 at 8 pm  Girls Nite Out on Friday, February 7 at 8 pm

City of Ottawa Accessibility Spotlight - Special Edition (November 2024)

 

International Day of Persons With Disabilities Flag Raising Ceremony

You are cordially invited to celebrate the 2024 United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a flag raising at the City of Ottawa.       The UN theme for 2024 is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”         Date: Tuesday, December 3   Time: 8:30 to 9 am  Location: 110 Laurier Avenue West, Jean Pigott Place and Festival Plaza at City Hall (outside)     RSVP: Please use the Registration Form to sign-up for the event.        Please join the City of Ottawa as we celebrate this historic day.      The event will include a Proclamation by Deputy Mayor Laine Johnson, who will mark December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Ottawa. For the first time in Ottawa, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities flag will be raised outside in the Festival Plaza.        To ensure inclusion, the following supports will be provided:     American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) interpretation in the spoken language   Continuous real-time captioning in both English and French    Personal support worker   Please register by 4 pm on December 2, 2024.       Please let us know when you register if you require any additional accessibility accommodations to fully participate in the event.         We look forward to celebrating with you!     Snow Go & Snow Go Assist  With the arrival of ice and snow, Ottawa winters can be a challenging time for older adults and people living with disabilities.   Need help clearing your driveway and/or walkway during the winter?  The Snow Go program provides a matching service for older adults and people with disabilities to hire an individual or contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways at an affordable rate.  The Snow Go Assist program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income older adults or persons with disabilities to help with their snow removal costs.  To be eligible for the Snow Go Assist program (subsidy), applicants must:  Be aged 60+ years of age or a person with a disability  Have an annual income below $40,000 for a single person and below $53,400 for a household (two or more persons)  Have no one living in the home who is physically able to do the work  Provide proof of one of the following sources of income:  GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement)  ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)  Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit  Ontario Works plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older)  Essential Health and Social Supports plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older)  Home Help plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older) For approved applicants, the program:  Pays up to 50% of the cost of snow clearing per event, to a seasonal maximum of $250  Pays up to 50% of the cost of snow clearing per event, up to a seasonal maximum of $450, if you live in a rural area and have an excessively high cost for your snow removal  The amount paid will depend on the number of applicants and available funding.  To apply, contact your local community support agency. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 29, 2024.   For a list of these agencies, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613 580-5801) or call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service (VRS).

You’re invited to Para Transpo Talk: November 19, 24, 25 and 27

All are welcome to join us at the upcoming Para Transpo Talk events on November 19, 24, 25 and 27! Para Transpo Talk is a series of customer engagement events that are open to all Para Transpo customers, their families, companions and support persons. There’s no need to register in advance, just drop in!  Join us at any of the locations and times listed below. Staff will be bringing along laptops to help get you set up with My Para Transpo or walk you through any other questions you have about Para Transpo service. All events will take place indoors.  Tuesday, November 19  4 to 7 pm: Carlingwood Mall, 2121 Carling Avenue (in the Community Space)   Sunday, November 24  10 am to 4 pm: Billings Bridge Mall, 2269 Riverside Drive (second floor, near the entrance to Billings Bridge Station)      Monday, November 25   10 am to 3 pm: Mary Pitt Centre, 100 Constellation Crescent (in the hallway near the Tim Horton’s)   Wednesday, November 27 10 am to 3 pm: Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Drive (near the administration office) Join us for more Para Transpo Talk events coming up! Our next session will be a virtual event in January. More information will be available on octranspo.com. For questions about the event, contact us at parlons_paratranspo_talk@ottawa.ca.