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.

Tim Hortons Children’s Ranch (Kananaskis)

The Tim Hortons Children’s Ranch, located off Highway 40 in Kananaskis has launched special strike camp to support families during the school closure.

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.

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)

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 five-day horse camps are selling out quickly.

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.

Town of Banff: Strike-Week Programs and Activities

The Town of Banff is offering a range of programs to support families during the potential school disruption, including daytime camps, youth spaces, and expanded recreation options.

Registration for Town-run programs opens Monday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. through banff.ca/Register. Families are encouraged to ensure their online accounts are set up in advance, as spots fill quickly.

Into the Wild (Daytime School Service Support)

  • Grades: 1–5

  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  • Details: banff.ca/IntoTheWild
    A structured daytime program focused on nature-based learning and outdoor exploration, run by the Town of Banff’s experienced youth team.

Out-of-School Club (Temporary Daytime Program)

  • Grades: Kindergarten – Grade 6

  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Details: banff.ca/OutofSchool
    A temporary expansion of the existing Out-of-School Club to full daytime hours during the strike period.

The Basement (Youth Drop-In Space)

  • Grades: 5–8

  • Details: banff.ca/TheBasement
    A supervised, welcoming drop-in space where youth can socialize, play games, make art or music, and join outings like bowling, movies, and escape rooms. Snacks included.

Canmore Illusions Gymnastics Club

Canmore Illusions Gymnastics Club is offering open gym time for families during the school disruption. It’s a simple, affordable way for kids to stay active in a supervised space.

Dates: Wednesdays during the disruption
Time: 1:30–3:00 PM
Location: CIGC, Canmore
Cost: $12 per child
Registration: Required in advance

Rules and Details

  • A parent or caregiver (18+) must stay in the gym at all times.

  • Up to three children per adult.

  • Participants under 18 need AGF insurance.

  • Parents sign a waiver on entry.

  • One person on the trampoline at a time. Flips must be cleared by the coach.

  • Coaches can remove anyone not following rules.

CrossFit Banff Kids Program

CrossFit Banff is running a four-week CrossFit Kids program to help children build strength, coordination, and confidence. This program focuses on safe, age-appropriate fitness skills and is ideal for kids who enjoy structured physical activity. Classes are coached by a certified trainer with more than 15 years of experience working with kids. If schools reopen before the program ends, sessions will move to after-school times.

Dates: October 14 – November 7
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Ages and Times:

  • Ages 8–10: 9:45–10:30 AM

  • Ages 11–13: 10:45–11:30 AM

  • Cost: $95 + tax for the full program

  • Location: CrossFit Banff

  • Contact: [email protected]

Sign-Up Links:

artsPlace Strike-Day Art Camps

artsPlace Canmore is expanding its daytime programming to support families during school closures. These Strike Day Art Camps give kids a creative outlet through hands-on art projects led by local artists and educators. Each day explores different materials and techniques, with outdoor time when weather allows.

Dates: October 15–24 (select days)
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (half-day on Oct 17, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Ages: 6–8
Cost: $45 per full day | $22.50 for half day
Registration: Individual day camps allow families to build a custom week.
Details: artsplacecanmore.com

Schedule:

  • Wed Oct 15 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Thu Oct 16 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Fri Oct 17 9:00 – 12:00 PM

  • Mon Oct 20 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Tue Oct 21 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Wed Oct 22 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Thu Oct 23 9:00 – 3:30 PM

  • Fri Oct 24 9:00 – 3:30 PM

Program Notes

  • Camps are offered at cost to keep them affordable.

  • Full refunds are available if schools reopen before the program ends.

  • Please send a water bottle, nut-free snacks, and lunch each day.

  • Membership discounts do not apply.

These one-day camps are designed to be flexible and accessible for families who need reliable daytime care that also keeps kids engaged and creative.

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