Why 5 Star Camps?

Voted the #1 Safest Ottawa Summer Day Camp!

At 5 Star Camps we take pride in our ability to provide an exciting summer experience.  Other camps simply cannot compete with our facilities, our staff, and the activities that we provide.

All of our activities are developed and programmed with the children’s needs in mind.  All of our staff members are trained to work with children and their individual needs.  At 5 Star Camps we believe that every child is unique and gifted in their own way.  Our entire program is developed with a therapeutic approach; we aspire to give every child a great camp experience while keeping them safe both physically and emotionally.  If your child has special challenges or limitations, we require that you reach out to us to discuss their profile before you register. 

If you would like to see our facility and meet the owners, please feel free to contact us by phone (613-256-4589) or email us at director@5starcamps.ca to book an appointment.  As parents ourselves, we understand how important it is to know where your children will spend their time. Come meet the people that will help create an unforgettable experience. We would love to show you around!

Our Facilities

  • Why attend a summer camp run out of a high school or a fitness recreation center? Our beautiful 35 acre facilities are designed uniquely for children, and nothing else.
  • Air-conditioned buildings for those extra hot days.
  • We have our own water station.
  • No hot and humid bus rides off property for field trips. Our children are safe on our own extensive grounds. Our special events come to us!

Our Staff

  • All our Counsellors are Certified Teachers, Early Childhood Educators or University students aspiring to work with children.
  • All are well known personally and professionally to the Owner and Director. All our staff participate in an extensive training program before camp starts.
  • One male and one female experienced Sr. Assistant Counsellor with each age group supported by Assistant Counsellors, CIT’s and LIT’s.
  • Several of our Certified Educators have competed or coached at the provincial level in various sports.
  • The Owner and Counsellors have taught, trained and observed these young adults for at least one year.
  • All our  Sr. Assistant Counsellors , Assistant Counsellors, CIT’s and LIT’s are enthusiastic, responsible, and they are chosen because they relate well with children of all ages.

Our Program

  • Free before and after camp care (7:45am-5:15pm)
  • Security for our children is of upmost importance, this is why we have a secure sign in sign out program where identification must be shown.
  • 5 Star is the only day camp in the area that offers an Outdoor Experiential Education Program for ages 5-12. This incredible low ropes course and climbing wall/Vertical Playground includes initiative games, and many more adventure based activities that challenge children to challenge themselves.
  • All our Camps (Outdoor Sports and Adventure Camp, Outdoor Leadership Camp and Leader In Training Camp are all the same price!
  • In our Outdoor Adventure Camp our children get to participate in Multi-sports, Arts & Crafts, Archery, Water Station (water inflatables/dunk tank), our Low Ropes/climbing wall/Vertical Playground/ Obstacle Course and Archery Tag station. Our day camp is like a traditional overnight camp, where the children participate in a variety of activities.
  • All our activity stations are programmed and run by our certified educated staff, not high school students.
  • 5 Star Camps is an accredited member of OCA (Ontario Camps Association) http://www.ontariocamps.ca/

Age Groupings

Here is how we group our campers in the Outdoor Adventure Camp. Campers are divided by age not gender.

  • 5/6 (Little Dippers)
  • 7/8 (Crazy Comets)
  • 7/8 (Mighty Meteors)
  • 9/10 (Galactic Gang)
  • 9/10 (Cosmic Crew)
  • 11/12 (Super Nova’s)

 Our Ratio

  • Our staff to camper ratio is 1 to 6.  In our “Little Dipper Group” (5/6 year olds)  the staff to camper ratio is 1 to 3.  This is the best in Ottawa!
  • One male and one female Sr. Assistant Counsellor is assigned to each group as well as Assistant Counsellors, CIT (Counsellor In Training) and an LIT (Leader in Training).
  • We group our campers as follows: Little Dippers 5/6 years of age, Crazy Comets 7/8 years of age, Galactic Gang 9/10 years of age and Super Nova’s 11/12 years of age. Fine Arts Camp 11/12 years of age, Dance Camp 9-12 years of age.
  • Children are always supervised.

Our Lunch Program

Lunch and Snack program provided by the award winning food service provider: Chef Express.

  • 5 Star Camps caters to food allergies!
  • At 5 Star Camps our children receive lunch and fresh fruit snacks twice per day at no extra charge.
  • 5 Star Camps does not sell junk food!
  • Our menu’s are kid friendly but parent friendly as well. (please see sample menu below)
  • Weekly outdoor BBQ (a huge hit with the campers)
  • Our two kitchen staff are highly trained in the food service industry and our campers absolutely love them.

Food and Physical Safety

Chef Express provides numerous resources for food and physical safety. Our programs help ensure the safety of the food we serve, the environment our employees work in, and the campers that visit.

A homemade, fresh, hot lunch is provided every day to our campers. Your camper’s lunch is included in the price of your registration fee, and can be customized to handle any allergies or dietary restrictions your camper may have. Our Lunch program is one of the campers favorite stations! At 5 Star Camps we strongly believe in healthy meals and snacks and as a result we do not offer junk food.

5 Star Camps Week One Summer Menu

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Fresh Fruit AM
Grilled Cheese (with Turkey or Ham),
Potato Wedges, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup,
Vanilla Cake
Bug Juice
Fresh Fruit PM
Fresh Fruit AM 
BBQ Honey Garlic Meat Balls 
Rice, Vegetable/ Salad Bar/ Chicken Vegetable Soup  
Cupcakes 
Assorted Fresh Fruit PM  
Fresh Fruit AM 
BBQ Day 
Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns, 5oz Burgers, All Beef Hot Dog (halal) Assorted Condiments / Salad Bar/ Chicken Vegetable Soup  Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Assorted Fresh Fruit PM  
Fresh Fruit AM
BBQ Chicken Breast(Halal), Corn on the cob
Wedge Fries, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup,
Banana-Chocolate Chip Cake
Bug Juice
Fresh Fruit PM
 
Fresh Fruit AM
Scrambled eggs, Home-fries, Bacon, Sausage, Pancakes,
Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup
Vanilla & Chocolate Ice Cream
Bug Juice
Freezies & Popcorn PM

5 Star Camps Week Two Summer Menu

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Fresh Fruit AM
Baked Macaroni Casserole with Ground Beef (Halal),
Garlic Bread, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup
Brownies
Bug Juice
Fresh Fruit PM
Fresh Fruit AM
Spaghetti & Meat Sauce (Halal),
Garlic Bread, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup,
Chocolate Brownies
Bug Juice
Fresh Fruit PM
Fresh Fruit AM
BBQ Day
Hamburger and hot dog buns, 5oz. burgers, All Beef Hot Dogs (Halal)
Assorted Condiments, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bug Juice
Freezies PM
Fresh Fruit AM
BBQ Chicken Breast (Halal), Corn on the cob
Wedge Fries, Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup,
Banana-Chocolate Chip Cake
Bug Juice
Fresh Fruit PM
Fresh Fruit AM
Roast Turkey (White & Dark Meat)
Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Carrots
Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce
Salad Bar, Chicken-Vegetable Soup
Vanilla & Chocolate Ice Cream
Bug Juice
Freezies & Popcorn PM

Daily Fruit consists of cut up melons, pineapple, apples, bananas, grapes, cherries, yellow and red plums, assorted berries, a variety daily. A fruit punch or water will be provided during our Lunch.

Shawn Traversy AKA “Chef”
Shawn started his culinary career as an apprentice at the Chateau Laurier CP Hotels in Ottawa. While apprenticing at the Chateau Laurier, Shawn attended Algonquin College and Graduated with his Cook Training Certificate, and hotel restaurant diploma. Soon after graduation, Shawn wrote his inter-provincial exam. To earn his Certificate of qualification (Red Seal) which made him a Journeyman Chef. Shawn went to work at the Helenic Community Centre as Executive Chef. Specializing in fine Greek cuisine in a banqueting setting (300 people capacity). After 2 years Shawn received an opportunity to go work at Irish Hills Golf and Country Club. At the time a new 18 hole golf course with a brand new food and beverage facility that could accommodate over 500 people in 3 different banquet areas.
After 4 seasons with Irish Hills, Shawn moved to the Canadian Golf and Country Club, a 27 hole course with banquet facilities up to 700 people. Shawn was at the Canadian for 5 seasons he than went to work at the Alcatel Campus for Compass food group as Executive Chef, managing 5 cafeterias in 5 buildings. Shawn then moved to Lonestar Catering as General Manager / Executive Chef for 2 years. Catering tex mex food to the Ottawa area. And working out of the Lone Star Ranch with facilities to accommodate up to 2000 people.

Shawn met his wife Angela at Lone Star and decided to start Chef Express Catering and Delivery.  After working together for many years, they fell in love!!  We are fast approaching our 11th wedding anniversary and soon expecting our 5th child yes 5th.

Shawn and Angela have been operating Chef Express for 12 years catering to Weddings, family get togethers, cooperate events, Church fund raisers and pre-prepared meals for sale.

We were privileged to cater at 5 Star Camps last year and looking forward to the upcoming season. We enjoy 5 Star Camps so much that you can find our children among the Campers. We think that not only is the food outstanding but enjoyed the enthusiasm of the camp counselors, the organization of the programs and the willingness of the ownership to cater to the special needs of our guests.
See you at Camp!!
Shawn and Angela Traversy

Special Events

Each Friday afternoon is devoted to a special visit from Circus Delights or the campers enjoy participating in Karaoke or our staff will put on a hilarious show for the children. See below for more information!

Greetings from Circus Delights!

Winter just flew by and at Circus Delights we can hardly believe that it is already time to begin planning for the busy summer season.

Rehearsals have commenced on this year’s Super Circus Show, our 21st annual, which promises to be a dandy. We deliver forty minutes of fast-paced, lively entertainment, featuring plenty of audience participation. Unicycle wizardry, huge magic rabbits, impossible escapes, music and more.

circusdelights.ca