Youth & Children

Happy Herons Important Information

Please read the information below to find information regarding our camps.

Our Happy Herons Camps are committed to providing participants with a safe, welcoming, inclusive, fun and quality camp program! We plan various programs including PA Days, March Break, Winter Break and Summer Break that promotes a heathy, creative and active lifestyle and environment. Our camps include a variety of passive, active and creative activities during each day.

Our Parent Handbook: available here or in person at the Youth Centre is a great way to learn about our camps, our policies, High Five, participant safety and behaviour, leader expectations, and emergency procedures/drills. We ask all parents/guardians to read through our Handbook before sending a participant to camp.

ALTERNATIVE TEXT: We ask that participants and parents/guardians be aware of our camp rules. They include: Challenge Yourself, Remain Hands Off, Meet New Friends, Ask Permission, Listen to Leaders, Show Respect For Others and Property, Participate and Have Fun, Take Responsibility, Use Kind Words, Ask for Help, Tell The Truth and Try New Things.

ALTERNATIVE TEXT: Our camps are about more than just keeping children entertained. Our camps also:

• Provide opportunities to make new friends and build connections
• Gives chances for participants to increase their independence and social skills
• Spark new and continued interests
• Allow children to try new things/activities and to challenge themselves
• Help children unplug (from phones)

Join us for fun-filled days of games, crafts, and outdoor play!  

Timing:

Participants drop-off is 8:00-9:00am and pick-up between 4:00-5:00pm.

Core programming runs from 9:00am-4:00pm.  

Camp is based out of the West Perth Community Centre (185 Wellington Street)

Fee:

Daily Rate: $38.00

If you are approved (or are awaiting approval) for subsidized child care, please choose "Subsidized" as the fee type when registering online. We will follow up with you.

What to Bring:

- Skates, Helmet, appropriate outside clothing

- Lunch, snacks, and reusable water bottle

- Running Shoes

Click HERE to register!

Programs are subject to a $15 cancellation fee. Refund requests within 7 days of the program will only be considered for medical and/or family emergencies. Please email recadmin@westperth.com to request a refund.  If the program is cancelled, a full refund will be issued.

Timing:

Participants drop-off is 8:00-9:00am and pick-up between 4:00-5:00pm.

Core programming runs from 9:00am-4:00pm.  

Camp is based out of the West Perth Youth Centre (89 D Ontario Rd)

Fee:

Daily Rate: $38.00 or Weekly Rate: $180.00

If you are approved (or are awaiting approval) for subsidized child care, please choose "Subsidized" as the fee type when registering online. We will follow up with you.

What to Bring:

- Skates, Helmet, appropriate outside clothing

- Lunch, snacks, and reusable water bottle

- Indoor running Shoes

Register HERE starting January 17th.

Programs are subject to a $15 cancellation fee. Refund requests within 7 days of the program will only be considered for medical and/or family emergencies. Please email recadmin@westperth.com to request a refund.  If the program is cancelled, a full refund will be issued. 

Summer Camp

Online registration will be available here on February 3 at 8am.

Please click HERE for all important information regarding registration including, program codes, fees and refunds.

To see our planned weekly themes, please click here!

To see our monthly calendars and get a peak on what will be happening each day, please click here! Our calendars will tell you about dress up days, special guests and more.

Timing

Participants drop-off is 8:00-9:00am and pick-up between 4:00-5:00pm.

Core programming runs from 9:00am-4:00pm.  

Camp is based out of the West Perth Youth Centre (89 D Ontario Rd)

Fee

Daily Rate: $38.00 or Weekly Rate: $180

Early Care (7am-8am) and Late Care (5pm-6pm): $5 each/day

If you are approved (or are awaiting approval) for subsidized child care, please choose "Subsidized" as the fee type when registering online. We will follow up with you.

Parent Communication

Our participant parents/guardians will receive an email each week before the week they are registered with all important information. Please take the the time to read this email each time it is sent as information changes week to week and we would like our participants to be able to participate in all the fun! Weekly schedules are also posted in the Youth Centre for parents/guardians to take a look at!

At the West Perth Youth Centre, during drop-off or pick-up we invite parents to take a look at our Finding Info Parent Board to read our important camp information and to stay up to date. We also hope you will take a peak at our Leader Board to familiarize yourself with our camp leaders, and find out about their certifications and traits.  

Special Information

Please click HERE to read all information regarding our summer weekly treats!

Swimming

NEW REGULATIONS IN PLACE

All children are required to wear a life-jacket/puddle jumper (regardless of age) unless they can pass the facility swim test. Ages 4-5 will only be able to swim in the training (small, heated) pool.

Programs are subject to a $15 cancellation fee. Refund requests within 7 days of the program will only be considered for medical and/or family emergencies. Please email recadmin@westperth.com to request a refund.  If the program is cancelled, a full refund will be issued.

Winter Break Camp 

Details to come in fall 2025!

Youth Week 2025

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

The West Perth Youth Centre and its programs/events can provide High School Youth will volunteer hours and opportunities.

These opportunities can provide learning opportunities, skill development and help increase community connections.

Interested in volunteering?

Contact our Child and Youth Centre Program Lead           

Caitlyn Bergsma                                                                                                                                                                                        519-349-9311 x 303 | cbergsma@westperth.com

211 Ontario and Connect Youth Perth-Huron

Babysitters Course

In this course, participants learn how to run a small babysitting business and how to supervise younger siblings or other children in a safe and responsible manner.

Topics include:

• How to find clients and make money babysitting
• Caring for children of all ages
• Creating safe environments and preventing accidents
• Fire safety and prevention
• What to do in an emergency
• Good decision-making and leadership skills
• Basic first aid skills

NO COURSE DATES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME 

Home Alone Safety Course

This engaging and fun course helps children prepare for their first steps towards independence and being without adult supervision for short periods of time. Innovative digital and traditional gaming techniques create a positive learning environment for all types of learners and the information is kept relevant and current to today’s young learners. Engaged participants learn valuable life skills to help them make safer choices when on their own. 

Topics include:

• Street smarts and bike safety
• People safety and the difference between safe and unsafe strangers
• Online and internet safety
• Snacking and kitchen safety
• Home fire safety
• Sibling rivalry
• Preventing accidents
• How to handle emergencies and other situations
• Basic first aid skills

NO COURSE DATES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME 

ONLINE COURSE:

Help your child prepare for independence with SOS 4 Kids' Home Alone course. The tutorial is designed to help youth make safe decisions while on their own at home or in the community. There are 7 learning modules covering street smarts, people safety, at-home safety, online safety, fire safety, first aid and injury prevention.

Work through this online course in your own time over a 14 day period.   

Program Information:   

Ages 9 – 12

$39.00 + HST 

Learn More 

Cooking With Class

The Winter 2025 Cooking with Class Session is full. If you are thinking of registering for our Fall 2025 session, add yourself to our waitlist to get first chance.

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors and community volunteers! McGratten Children's Fund, held within the Stratford Perth Community Foundation for funding the acquisition of all the cooking equipment and supplies.

Grow With Me

Kidz Korner - After School Program

Our After School Program for ages 4-11. In this program staff will pick-up participants at Upper Thames Elementary School and walk to the West Perth Community Centre. HPCDSB Parents can arrange to make the Community Centre a bus drop-off location. Parent/guardian pick-up will be at the West Perth Community Centre between 5-5:30pm. Please enter through the side ramp doors unless told otherwise.

Participants will enjoy weekly themed crafts, games and activities. Indoor and outdoor free play will also take place. Check out the 2025 themes to stay up to date.

Kidz Korner will not run on the following dates: February 17|March 10-13 | April 21 | May 19. The program only runs Monday-Thursday.

What to bring:

• A reusable water bottle
• An after school snack
• Indoor running shoes 
• Appropriate outer wear

Parent/Guardians can register participants for any amount of days. Choose days that are required based on your own personal schedule.

Registration is available HERE

Programs are subject to a $15 cancellation fee. Refund requests within 7 days of the program will only be considered for medical and/or family emergencies. Please email recadmin@westperth.com to request a refund.