Summer Therapeutic Programs
Therapeutic, supervised activities for children and youth
The programs listed are available for clients currently receiving services at ErinoakKids. As these are therapeutic programs, please review the participant criteria carefully and discuss programs of interest with your ErinoakKids clinician to ensure they align with your therapeutic goals. Your clinician will support you with registration and can answer any questions about the programs and their requirements.
Helping Hands (ages 5 - 8)
Helping Hands program provides an opportunity for children aged 5-8 years old with hemiplegia to optimize the functional use of their hands in everyday tasks through modified bimanual therapy and goal directed training. Children will engage in a variety of meaningful activities through participation in play-based activities, life skills, social and arts-based activities, as well as recreational/sports activities.
Participant Criteria:
- Currently receiving centre-based Occupational Therapy services at ErinoakKids
- Program recommended by your Occupational Therapist
- Have hemiplegia affecting an arm and/or hand, with some use of the affected hand with a MACS Level 1-3
- Able to follow directions and participate in a group setting
- Medically stable for the last 6 months
- Able to attend a virtual pre-program assessment and participate in home programming activities
Please speak with your ErinoakKids Occupational Therapist if you are interested in this program.
ErinoakKids Brampton Site
Dates: July 20 - July 31 (10 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Program Fee: $150
ErinoakKids Oakville Site
Dates: Aug 10 - Aug 21 (10 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Program Fee: $150
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Riverwood Explorers (Ages 8 - 12)
This program, in partnership with Riverwood, lets children enjoy outdoor activities at Riverwood, a 150-acre property with trails and wildlife and an indoor air-conditioned facility. Participants will develop walking skills, endurance and cardiovascular fitness while engaging in walks and other fun and recreational activities in a group setting.
Participant Criteria:
- Currently receiving centre-based physiotherapy service at ErinoakKids
- Able to participate in a group setting, follow directions and attend to tasks
- Enjoy spending time outdoors, enjoy nature and be willing to try new activities
- Able to walk for at least five minutes with or without the use of crutches, canes or a walker
- Able to climb up and down two-three steps with a handrail with or without assistance
- Medically stable for the last 6 months
Please speak with your ErinoakKids Physiotherapist if you are interested in this program.
Riverwood Conservancy
4190 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga
Dates: Jul 6 - Jul 17 (10 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Program Fee: $300
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Gym & Swim (14 - 18)
This is a fitness-based program in a gym and pool setting, designed to help build strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health for youth aged 14 and older. Participants engage in guided workouts while learning safe equipment use and proper exercise techniques. They set personal fitness goals, develop confidence, and gain the knowledge and skills to maintain a healthy routine independently.
Participant Criteria:
- Receiving centre-based physiotherapy services
- Able to mobilize independently with canes, crutches, walker, or wheelchair (manual or power); must have upper extremity movements to participate in modified gym programming
- Follow instructions and work in a group setting
- Maintain good bench sitting balance (i.e., trunk and neck control) and transfer independently or with one person assisting
- Comfortable in the water, and medically stable (Participants with a heart condition must have written consent from their physician).
* Please note: All swimmers who are incontinent must wear pool pants.
Please speak with your ErinoakKids Physiotherapist if you are interested in this program.
Susan Fennell Sportsplex
500 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton
Dates: Aug 10 - Aug 14 (5 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Time: 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Program Fee: $150
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Taking Care of Business (Ages 14 - 18)
Taking Care of Business (TCOB) enables youth with physical disabilities to develop pre-vocational skills while developing and implementing a business plan. Participants are challenged to create and run a food service business to serve ErinoakKids staff/visitors. This provides an excellent opportunity for youth to explore individual interests and continue their journey toward independence. Each participant will apply for jobs such as in food preparation, money management or marketing. As well, participants will set their own goals and work toward them with guidance and support from ErinoakKids staff and volunteers. They will have the opportunity to develop skills in the areas of teamwork, communication, organization, money management, shopping, meal preparation.
Participation Criteria:
- Is receiving centre-based occupational therapy services at ErinoakKids
- Attends this program on the recommendation of their Occupational Therapist
- Is able to participate in a group setting, including group discussions, following directions, attending to a task and problem solving
- Demonstrates basic literacy, math and organizational skills
- Motivated to develop employment skills
- Interested in applying for job opportunities mentioned in the program description
- Participate in a 30-minute virtual (TEAMS) interview.
- Applicants will be contacted in April to schedule an interview.
Please speak with your ErinoakKids Occupational Therapist if you are interested in this program.
ErinoakKids Mississauga
Dates: Aug 10 - Aug 21 (10 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00pm
Program Fee: $300
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iCan Bike (Ages 8 - 19)
Offered in partnership with the Town of Milton
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The goal of iCan Bike is to teach children with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle and become lifelong independent riders. Children will use adapted bicycles and receive 75 minutes of specialized instruction from trained volunteers each day.
Participant Criteria:
- Can walk independently without assistive devices
- Can sidestep to both sides
- Can pedal a bike with training wheels independently
- Can keep feet on pedals without straps and put foot back on pedal independently if it falls off
- Can follow basic instructions in a group setting
- Consistently responds to the word “stop”
- Is motivated to learn to ride a bike
- Has a properly fitted bike helmet
- Does not exceed the weight maximum of 220 pounds
- Has minimum inseam (inside leg length) of 20 inches
- Is able to attend all 5 days of the program, including caregiver/ parent orientation
John Tonelli Sports Centre (217 Laurier Ave, Milton)
Dates: Jul 20 - Jul 24 (5 sessions, Mon - Fri)
Program Fee: $150
*Caregiver/ Parent must attend an orientation on July 19 from 4:00 pm - 5:00pm at the John Tonelli Sports Centre (217 Laurier Ave, Milton)
*Participants are assigned a 75-minute session which they must attend for the full duration each day. Upon acceptance to the program, participants will indicate their top three-time session preferences.
Additional Information
Program Support:
ErinoakKids provides trained staff to run the summer programs. If one-to-one assistance is required to participate, please notify your clinician. In order to ensure safety and success in the program, you may be asked to provide a support person.
Registration for iCan Bike:
Please ensure the participant meets all of the participant criteria outlined above, prior to registering. Please complete only one submission. Once you submit, you will be taken to a "Thank You" page, confirming your registration has been received. Enrollment is limited and registration does not guarantee a spot in the program.
Register Here
Program Confirmation:
Participants will receive notification about their program requests in May 2026.
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Camp Erin
New for summer 2026! Camp Erin is a five-day summer camp for children living at home in Peel or Halton with challenging behaviour needs, autism or developmental disabilities (including cognitive or mobility complexities). Camp Erin will provide campers with 1:1 support and many fun and engaging summer activities through ErinoakKids recreational respite.
*Registration for Camp Erin will open March 12, 2026.
Learn more about Camp Erin!
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Fees are included in summer programs to cover materials and admission/facility fees. Cost should never be a barrier to participation. If you have questions, please reach out to your clinician.
There are a number of support programs available through ErinoakKids, through the Federal and Provincial Government and through our community partners to help families in need.
Available Family Supports:
Service Navigation
Family Support Fund
Special Services at Home
Government Resources
