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Inclusive Services

image shows a group inclusion program in an activity room with participants raising their hands to participate in the activity.

The City of Guelph is dedicated to making our programs and services accessible and inclusive to all members of our community. We offer programs designed specifically to meet the needs of diverse children and youth, as well as added support for children or youth who may need more personalized care in a group setting.

Do You or Your Child Need Support to Participate?

  • Is extra support required at home or school for basic care?
  • Is extra support required to participate in activities at school?
  • Is there a diagnosed physical, medical and/or development disability that could affect the safety of the participant or other participants?
  • Does the participant belong to a support agency?

Is the Participant ‘Group Ready’?

To support the success, safety and inclusion of all individuals registered in City of Guelph programs, all participants need to be ‘group ready’.

Before registering for programs, consider whether the participant can do the following either independently or with extra support:

  • Able to take direction and instruction from a staff person
  • Comfortable and able to interact in a group environment
  • Able to participate in the program. Participation in programs is based on the participant’s individual needs; however, it is asked that participants demonstrate the ability to participate in at least 50 per cent of the program
  • Able to interact and participate in the program in a way that is safe for themselves and others

Summer Camp 2026 Inclusion Program Options

The City of Guelph offers a range camp programming for children and youth with diverse needs. Programs designed specifically to meet the needs of these campers include:

  • Kids on the Move (ages 4-12)
  • Youth on the Move (ages 13-18)

We also provide Inclusion Camp Counsellors to support campers in 1:1, or small group ratios when requested.

Please note: A request for inclusion support does not guarantee support that will be provided. Support is provided based on the availability of trained staff.

Summer Camp 2026: Inclusion Support Request Process

  1. Register your camper in your preferred program(s) and weeks (e.g. Daily Discoveries, Kiddie Camp, etc.)
  2. Make a note of all program codes you have registered in. You’ll need these program codes later!
  3. Register for Inclusion Support – Summer Camp 2026 (program code: 73709)
  4. You will receive an automated email confirming your request for Inclusion Support and directing you to complete an Inclusion Intake Form
  5. The Inclusion Intake Form must be completed at least four weeks before your camper’s first program date. Incomplete or missing forms may result in your camper being withdrawn and refunded their camp fee

How Inclusion Support Works

  • Inclusion support is provided by paid staff and is available at no extra cost
  • Inclusion staff receive general training on program adaptations, behaviour management and basic personal care; however typically do not have professional qualifications in this field
  • Support must be requested at least four weeks prior to the program start date
  • Support is based on availability of staff and is not guaranteed
  • Inclusion staff can provide program adaptations, redirection for safety reasons, opportunities for short sensory breaks and help with basic personal care needs. We do not provide g-tube feeding. We cannot administer medication.
  • You will be required to complete an online Inclusion Intake Form. If you would prefer to complete a PDF version please contact [email protected].
  • The intake form will be reviewed by the Inclusion Team to ensure we can provide the best support option.
  • You will be contacted prior to the start of the program to confirm your request.

Providing Your Own External Support Worker

At the City of Guelph, we welcome participants to bring their own external support worker(s) to assist in providing an inclusive, safe and successful programming experience. External support workers can take many forms, including but not limited to, family/friend support, Case Worker Support, interpretation support, and organizational support (e.g., Educational Assistants, Respite Support Workers, Assisted Living Workers).  

To uphold the safety and integrity of our programming, all external support workers must be: 

  • 16 years of age or older 
  • Able to provide proof of a satisfactory Police Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) dated within the last six months. The cost of obtaining these checks is not reimbursable by the City of Guelph. Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC) conducted by Guelph Police Services can take up to four weeks. Satisfactory Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC) can be emailed to [email protected]  
  • Fulfill all support worker expectations as outlined below 

Both guardians and external support workers have specific responsibilities when arranging and providing external support for city-run programming: 

Guardian Responsibilities

  • Provide a support worker who is at least 16 years old 
  • Complete the External Support Worker Declaration Form at least four weeks prior to the beginning of programming. Failure to complete the External Support Worker Declaration Form by the deadline may result in withdrawal
  • Submit a Satisfactory Police Record Checks/Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC) at least ten (10) working days prior to the start of programming 
  • Advise the external support worker of their duties and responsibilities during programming 
  • Respond promptly to any concerns expressed from the inclusion services team regarding the external support worker’s conduct 
  • Understand that failure to abide by both sets of responsibilities may result in the participant and support worker being withdrawn from programming 

External Support Worker Responsibilities

  • Conduct oneself in a respectful and safe manner (e.g., refraining from inappropriate language) 
  • Adhere to all organizational and emergency protocols (e.g., cell phone use, peanut-free spaces, confidentiality, duty to report, hands-off policy, etc.) 
  • Check-in with program staff at the beginning of each program session to confirm their attendance 
  • Follow directions and instructions of program staff 
  • Ensure that the participant is integrated in programming to the highest extent 
  • Always remain within the programming space, ensuring to inform program staff should leaving the space be necessary (i.e., sensory breaks, washroom breaks)  
  • Understand that failure to abide by the above responsibilities may result in the worker being asked to leave programming 

Please note that even if an external support worker is a friend/family member or is well known by the participant, adhering to this process is particularly important to ensure safe, inclusive, and successful experiences in programming.  

Seasonal Programs

Inclusion Support Request Process

  1. Login to recenroll.ca to register for your program of choice
  2. Navigate to the Inclusion section and select ‘Seasonal Program Support’

Adapted Seasonal Programs

For participants who require an adapted program, we have several options. These programs offer smaller groups, higher staff to participant ratio and flexible programming to meet various needs.

We offer different adapted seasonal programs, including:

Sensory Friendly Swim:

This program is for adults, youth and children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing and/or learning disabilities. This swim is designed to reduce stimuli and create a sensory friendly environment for individuals to participate in aquatic programs.

Sensory Friendly Skate

This is an adapted skating environment for children, youth and adults of all abilities. Skaters can expect dimmed lighting, no music, a smaller group of skaters, no buzzers or whistles (unless an emergency) and quiet changing rooms. Wheelchairs, skate aids, sledges, and other mobility devices are welcome on the ice. A CSA Approved hockey helmet is recommended as per ORFA guidelines. No hockey sticks allowed.

Patrons will be required to check in at the skate desk to confirm attendance or to pay, and receive a wristband. Upon entering the ice, you must show your wristband to the skate patrol. The skate desk at Victoria Road is at the arena level to the right of the arena doors.

Fee Assistance Options

  • Personal Assistant for Leisure Activities (PAL) Card: A PAL card is available to people with a disability who require assistance: to attend City of Guelph recreation programs or to ride Guelph Transit conventional and mobility services. The PAL card is issued to the person with the disability and allows him or her to be accompanied by a friend, relative, support worker, etc., as their support person who participates as an attendant at no additional cost.
  • Leisure Access Card (LAC): The Leisure Access Card is available to any person 18 years of age and older who has a disability. The LAC card allows you to pay the “seniors’ rate” (where applicable) rather than the “adult rate” for many City of Guelph recreation courses/programs. These programs are offered at a lower fee than our regular adult programs, and most are available during the daytime.
  • Subsidy for groups for persons with disabilities: The City of Guelph provides a subsidy to organized groups when booking group activities or programs for people with a disability.

To access any of these supports go to our fee assistance page.

Questions About Inclusion Programs or Supports?

Please email [email protected]