Summer camp in Canada 2026: complete guide for families
Toronto has six summer camps with completely different profiles, all available for international students in the summer of 2026. This is not a generic list of Canadian regions. These are real programs, with real partners, organized by type of objective.
If your child already knows they want to improve their English, the right option differs from someone who wants to train basketball with a professional methodology, or from someone who wants to leave the summer with a portfolio of artificial intelligence projects. Canada has all three paths, and this article describes each one with what Be Easy's curated selection actually offers.
Academic summer camp: William Academy in Cobourg
The William Academy Summer Camp is located in Cobourg, Ontario, one hour from Toronto. The structural differentiators are concrete: a 90,000 square foot dedicated campus, gender-separated dormitories, a cafeteria with three daily meals, and 24-hour security with CCTV.
The program accepts young people aged 13 to 18 and runs for 2 to 3 weeks in July and August. Mornings are dedicated to level-based English lessons. The rest of the day is devoted to hands-on AI and STEM projects that set this camp apart from a standard language course:
- Medical image diagnostics with machine learning
- Natural language processing
- Chatbot development
Young people who leave with a technical portfolio alongside oral fluency have a concrete edge in university applications. Excursions include Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and campus tours of the University of Toronto and Queens University.
Summer camp with Canadian families: homestay immersion
The summer camp with Canadian families program, coordinated by the ILAC International High School in downtown Toronto, runs from June 30 to August 17, 2026: seven weeks. The student studies during the day and lives with a Canadian family at night.
The most concrete differentiator is academic credit. Up to two official Ontario high school credits can be earned over the course of the weeks, with options including:
- English
- Math
- Business
- Social Studies
These credits have international recognition and can be used in university applications outside Canada. The target age is 14 to 18. The homestay immersion extends what happens in the classroom: mealtime conversations, weekend routines, and community events in natural English, outside the controlled structure of a conventional language school.
Intensive English: ILAC and SSLC in Vancouver and Toronto
Two partners cover different profiles for those with language as the primary objective.
ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada) operates in Toronto and Vancouver. The intensive English program at ILAC is structured in four tracks:
- General English (basic to advanced level)
- Cambridge FCE, CAE and CPE preparation
- IELTS preparation
- Business English
Classes include progress tests every two weeks, new intakes every Monday, and a community with students from over 200 cultures.
SSLC College operates in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto with over 24 years of experience. The SSLC vacation program combines English classes with recreational activities through a personalized methodology. The community brings together students from over 75 countries. It is the best option for those at an intermediate level who want specific preparation for IELTS or TOEIC.
The decision between the two profiles becomes clearer by reading about language options in Canada. The right hub for both is the language abroad program, which brings together the options, enrollment formats, and Be Easy support at every step. See the real routine of SSLC students: Vancouver campus tour.
Sports summer camp: basketball with the Toronto Raptors
The basketball summer camp in Canada has an official partnership with the Toronto Raptors. Coaches are certified by MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment), the franchise owner.
The program takes place on the University of Toronto campus, with young athletes aged 13 to 17 over two intensive weeks. What is included:
- Training with the methodology developed by the Raptors coaching staff
- Tour of the franchise's official arena
- Official NBA promotional merchandise
- Cultural activities in Toronto in the afternoons
For families with a child in athletic development, the sports exchange program describes what Be Easy covers in that journey. The athlete-specific curated selection is at sports exchange.
The basketball exchange in Canada maps the boarding school and NCAA program pathways available after the camp.
Vocational summer camp: entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence
Two programs cover market-relevant skills for young people who already have a defined direction of interest.
Future of Work Academy (Toronto and Vancouver): the entrepreneurship summer camp in Canada accepts young people aged 15 to 17 with intermediate English. Over two weeks, multicultural teams develop projects using Blue Ocean Strategy, Design Thinking, and Lean Business Models. The program takes place on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto or at UBC in Vancouver. In the second week, participants apply financial modeling tools and refine their value propositions. At the end, projects are presented to panels of local executives, not just the instructor.
Tamwood AI Academy (Vancouver): the artificial intelligence summer camp in Canada accepts young people aged 13 to 17 with no prior programming knowledge. The curriculum is 60% hands-on: participants build voice assistants, recommendation apps, and machine learning models with mentorship from active programmers and data scientists. Each participant leaves with a portfolio of real projects that can be used in university applications or future job processes.
Both programs fit into the vocational exchange, Be Easy's hub for short-term career programs for young people aged 9 to 24.
What to decide before choosing the right program type
The variety of formats in Canada is an advantage, but it requires families to define their priorities before comparing programs. Three questions help organize the choice:
- What is the central objective? English as a general skill, official academic credit, professional-level athletic training, or a technical portfolio for university applications. Each answer points to a different type of program.
- What level of immersion does the family want? A homestay with a Canadian family provides deep cultural immersion outside class hours. A residential campus provides intense daily interaction with other international young people around the clock. The two formats offer distinct value depending on the student's profile.
- What is the time horizon of the experience? Young people planning a high school or university abroad benefit more from programs that include campus visits and official credits. Those still exploring their interests gain more from short-term vocational programs.
The volleyball program at William Academy also exists as a residential sports option for athletes who prefer to combine training with an academic campus structure, in a format that does not exist in programs focused exclusively on basketball or football.
Frequently asked questions about summer camps in Canada
Is advanced English required to join programs in Canada?
No. The English programs (ILAC and SSLC) apply a placement test on arrival and organize classes by level, from basic to advanced. Vocational and sports programs indicate intermediate English as a sufficient baseline.
What is the difference between homestay and residential campus accommodation?
In a homestay, the student lives with a Canadian family and returns home after classes. In a residential campus, they live on campus alongside the other participants. The campus favors intense interaction with international peers. The homestay deepens everyday English and contact with local culture outside the school structure.
Are the Ontario high school credits earned in the program internationally recognized?
Yes. The Ontario education system is recognized by universities in many countries. The credits earned can be used in university applications and serve as official academic documentation.
Can young people with no programming knowledge follow the AI camp?
Yes. The Tamwood AI Academy program is structured for complete beginners, with mentors who teach concepts from scratch. The focus is on practical application, not computing theory. Basic intermediate English is sufficient.
When do 2026 programs close enrollment?
Summer camps typically close spots between March and May. Programs with limited participants, such as the basketball camp with the Toronto Raptors, close earlier. Planning at least four months in advance guarantees access to the right program and destination.
Be Easy: consultoria boutique de intercâmbio
Be Easy supports families who want to give their child a real experience, with concrete support throughout the program selection process, documentation, visa, and on-site follow-up. If Canada is the destination and the right program type is not yet defined, we have the right curated selection to map out what makes sense for the young person's profile and moment. To explore the options and speak with a dedicated senior consultant, get in touch with us.
