Strike-Day Camps & Programs In The Bow Valley: Week of Oct 6

Author

Bow Valley Insider
October 04, 2025

With the potential teachers’ strike set to begin Monday, Oct 6, several local groups are stepping up with day camps and expanded programs so parents can keep kids busy, safe, and active.

1. Tim Hortons Children’s Ranch (Kananaskis)

The Tim Hortons Children’s Ranch, located off Highway 40 in Kananaskis, is launching a special four-day strike camp to support families during the school closure.

Dates: Tuesday, October 7 – Friday, October 10
Ages: 6 – 12
Hours:

  • Drop-off: 7:30–8:30 am daily

  • Pick-up: 4:00–5:00 pm daily

Cost: $200 total for the four days ($50/day)
Meals: Hot lunch and two snacks provided daily
Transportation: No busing available. Parents must handle drop-off and pick-up.

Activities:

  • Indoor rock climbing

  • Archery

  • Horse grooming

  • Sports and games

  • Crafts

  • Low ropes course

  • Nature walks

Registration: Email [email protected]. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots are confirmed only once forms are completed and payment is received. The camp will contact families in the order forms are submitted, and payments may not be processed until Monday.

Additional Notes:

This is the Ranch’s first time offering a day-camp format in response to a strike. Administrative logistics are still being finalized, but they are experienced camp operators and prepared to adapt quickly if interest remains high.

2. Town of Canmore: School Disruption Programs

The Town of Canmore has activated a suite of “School Disruption” programs through Elevation Place and the Canmore Recreation Centre. These are temporary programs designed to provide structured, supervised activity blocks during the day while classes are paused.

For registration and more details, check out:

Note: Many of these programs look to be sold out, but check the links frequently as more information is released about expanded programming.

School-Care Camps

  • Format: 3-hour camp blocks for children and youth

  • Cost: $45 per block for non-members / $36 for members

  • Note: Spots are limited and advance registration is required.

Aquatics

  • Where: Elevation Place Aquatics Centre

  • Who: All families; children 8 and under must be within arm’s reach of a caregiver 13+

  • Admission: Included with Go Beyond membership or daily pass

Youth Fitness Classes (Ages 11–15)

  • When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the disruption

  • Where: Elevation Place, Room 209

  • Access: Included with Go Beyond membership or daily admission. Members can book 3 days in advance; non-members 1 day.

Youth Climbing (Ages 4–10)

  • Format: Daytime drop-in climbing classes for ages 4–6 and 7–10

  • Booking: Via the Town’s recreation portal.

Skating and Hockey Additions

  • Location: Canmore Recreation Centre

  • Offerings: U12 stick & puck, youth shinny, public skate, and drop-in figure skating have been added during the day.

  • No registration required for public skate or shinny.

Specialized One-Day Courses

The Town is also offering short, skill-based courses during the disruption period, including:

  • Babysitting Course 

  • Home Alone Program 

  • Fitness Centre Orientations (1.5-hour individual appointments)

3. TrailSports: Three-Day Mountain Bike Camp (Canmore Nordic Centre)

TrailSports, based at the Canmore Nordic Centre, has set up a three-day afternoon mountain bike camp specifically for the strike week.

Dates: Tuesday, October 7 – Thursday, October 9
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm daily (9 hours total)
Ages: 6 – 15, split into three groups

Program Focus:

  • Mountain biking fundamentals

  • Trail exploration and terrain awareness

  • Skill progression based on group level

  • Introduction to air for ages 9–15 (Thursday, if appropriate)

This camp is ideal for active kids who can ride confidently on trails and want structured instruction during the afternoons.

4. Bar JO Ranch: Horse Sense Camp

While technically located east of the Bow Valley, Bar JO Ranch has traditionally drawn families from Canmore and Banff who are willing to drive or self-transport. Their Oct 6–10 five-day horse camp sold out quickly but may be relevant for those looking at the added Oct 13–17 session.

Ages: 8 – 18 (must be at least 8 on Day 1 for insurance reasons)
Cost: $540 + GST (25% off strike week pricing)
Transportation: Busing from Calgary, Cochrane, and area; self-transport allowed (fees unchanged).
Riding: 3–4 hours per day; each camper gets their own horse for the duration.
Activities:

  • Arena exercises, games on horseback, groundwork

  • Gymkhana races, trail rides on 320 acres

  • Horse care and bonding activities

Registration: For more details, please visit this link.

Why it matters: This is a structured, full-day program with professional instruction; valuable for families who can self-drive daily or arrange carpools.

5. Community-Led Options (Emerging)

A few parents have started floating additional ideas in local Facebook groups, and some are actively gauging interest. These may evolve into more formal programs if enough families commit. We’ll continue to update this section as new details emerge.

Pop-Up Soccer Camp (Canmore)

A group is exploring the idea of running a soccer camp for ages 6–13, modeled after summer programming. The camp would be organized and coached by local Grade 9–12 students, depending on interest and volunteer availability.

Daytime Math Tutoring

Local resident Tim Stafford is also offering daytime math tutoring during the strike. Tutoring is available for all grades, including high school courses 10C, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, and 30-2.

Sessions can be individual or small group (up to approximately 6 students).

  • Contact: Send a direct message to Tim Stafford on Facebook to express interest and arrange scheduling.

Reply

or to participate.