OUR CAMP
Crestwood Valley Day Camp is recommended as the Number One Day Camp by many Toronto families. Crestwood provides a strong foundation in camping within a nurturing and dynamic environment for children between the ages of 4 and 15 years old.
Parents are encouraged to talk with any member of Crestwood’s Team of Directors to discuss the camp programme, their child’s particular needs and their child’s progress throughout the summer. Crestwood creates a positive experience for young and first time campers. For the eldest campers, Crestwood develops their leadership skills and confidence through the many performances and special events in which they participate. Exciting camp options such as sports, nature, performing arts and aquatic activities enhance the programming and offer greater challenges and choice possibilities.
- Programmes for boys and girls ages 4 to 15 yrs.
- 4 on-site, heated, outdoor, salt water pools
- Non-denominational environment
- Private wooded valley site in the heart of Toronto at Lawrence and Bayview
- Renowned, confidence-building swim programme
- Life Savings Swim for Life Program Instruction taught by certified and experienced instructors.
- Small ratio of camper to swim staff
- Highly trained, responsible staff, professional supervisors and talented specialists
- Nutritional hot lunches, served with vegetables and fruit provided daily, as well as morning and afternoon snacks
- Alternatives are available for each meal
- Allergy sensitive and peanut-free menu
- Health Centre with Certified Nursing Staff
- Sports Academy
- Outdoor fire pits
- Mature trees and porch tops provide necessary shaded areas
- Indoor air conditioned facilities
- Brand new state of the art gymnasium
- Nature and environmental studies
Crestwood Valley Day Camp offers a Leadership Training Programme for Grade 7 & 8 graduates as well as a Counsellor In Training Programme for Grade 9 graduates.
OUR MISSION
At Crestwood Valley Day Camp we are all one big family! Crestwood Valley Day Camp is committed to providing a happy, healthy, safe and rewarding camp experience in a fun filled, unique, outdoor environment. Each member of our Crestwood family is able to grow in confidence and esteem, learn from new experiences, make new friends and create memories to last a lifetime!
OUR HISTORY
In 1989, Crestwood School purchased the beautiful valley at Lawrence and Bayview Avenue in Toronto, Ontario. In 1990, a select group of teachers and professionals created Crestwood Valley Day Camp, which opened that same summer. Over the years there has been development in the areas of- facility, transportation, administration, communication, delivery and variety of programs and staff hiring practices.
Over the last 30+ years, Crestwood has provided tens of thousands of campers and staff a unique camp experience that promotes building self-esteem, personal skills, friendship, social networking, fun-filled activities and lasting memories. Many camp alumni send their children to Crestwood to give them the same everlasting experience they had growing up.
OUR DIRECTORS
Reide Pastor-Baranek
Reide has been at Crestwood for 30+ years. She started as a young camper and has worked her way up the ranks starting as Counsellor, then Office Administrator and current role as Director. If anyone knows every aspect of Crestwood operations and programs- it’s Reide!
Reide plays a key role in camp communications, administrative policies and procedures, staff development, recruitment, programming, nutrition and technology advancements. Reide provides mentorship and guidance to our Head Staff Team throughout the camp season. She is often seen working with campers who need some ‘TLC’ and keeping parents informed of a camper’s progress at camp. Reide has a wealth of experience with all age groups and ability levels. She is available to give families camp tours and answer any questions or address any concerns that may arise.
Evan Roth
Evan has been affiliated with camp for 30+ years, as a Camper, Counsellor, Activity Specialist, Unit Head, Program Director, Assistant Director, and Camp Director. Evan brings a contagious positive attitude, a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a love for camp to CVDC.
Prior to joining the Crestwood family in January 2023, Evan was the multi-campus Camp Director at The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp, and the Assistant Director of Operations at Camp Northland-B’nai Brith, his camp home of 20 years. Throughout his full-time camping career he has demonstrated achievements in camp operations, programming, camper care, budget and finance, and customer service. Evan has also served in several volunteer roles with the OCA, including its Board of Directors, and is a volunteer Chapter Advisor with BBYO. His enthusiasm for camp, and its power to shape and transform lives, is infectious to all those around him.
Katie Bookman
Katie has worked at Crestwood Valley Day Camp for the past 20+ summers. She has worked in many different capacities from activity specialist, unit head, office administration to speciality coordinator. She is thrilled to be returning as the Assistant Director.
Katie graduated with her Bachelor of Education and has been a member of the Ontario College of Teachers since 2008. Her focus has been teaching primary students, as well as students with special needs. With her abundance of both camping and education experience, Katie can’t wait for next summer! She will be working directly with our staff team and campers- bringing exciting new training, programming and fun to Crestwood Valley Day Camp!
Carla Dunning
Carla has been a part of the Crestwood Valley Day Camp family as a staff member and camp parent for the past 25+ summers. Carla has worn many hats over this time. She was a camp counsellor, unit head, office administrator, LIT/CIT Coordinator and has been a great mentor to hundreds of staff members over the years. She is a great supporter of campers and their families.
During the school year, Carla is a Teacher with the Toronto District School Board. She has taught a variety of grades, ages and abilities over a 2o+ year period. Carla is a mother of four teenagers who have all been at Crestwood since they were old enough to attend.
