Skip to content
Taylor Statten
Camping Bursary Fund

For Families

Apply for a bursary

If camp fees feel out of reach, this fund may help. TSCBF offers need-based bursaries that cover the majority of camp fees for children aged 11–16 attending an accredited camp. We encourage any family in this situation to apply — we review every application individually.

Campers with paddles and life jackets ready to head out on the water

Who can apply

Children aged 11–16 from families where camp fees are a financial stretch, attending a camp accredited by the Ontario or Canadian Camping Association.

What you’ll need

A completed application form, two reference letters, and income documentation for both parents or guardians.

Key dates

Deadline: February 28. Acknowledgement: first week of March. Decision: by end of April.

Ready to apply?

Contact your preferred camp to request an application form, or email us directly.

Start your application →

Eligibility

  • New applicants must be at least 11 years old and 16 or under
  • Financial need (income documentation required; we use $100,000 as a general guideline, but every application is reviewed individually — circumstances matter more than a single number)
  • Evidence of leadership qualities (your reference letters are the primary way this is assessed — we’re looking for curiosity, teamwork, and a willingness to participate, not formal titles or awards)
  • Camp must be accredited by the Ontario Camping Association (OCA) or Canadian Camping Association (CCA) and willing to participate in the cost-sharing arrangement

Returning campers must continue to meet eligibility requirements. The fund reviews camper reports from the camp each year to confirm the camper is benefitting from the experience.

What the bursary covers

The bursary covers the majority of basic camp fees for a standard one-month session. All for-profit partner camps offer a reduced fee for bursary recipients of approximately 30%.

Families remain responsible for taxes, transportation, tuck (canteen money), special equipment, and any fees beyond the standard one-month session. The bursary covers the majority of the fee gap — not all costs.

See a worked cost example in our FAQ

How to apply

Application deadline: February 28th

  1. 1 Choose a partner camp
    Select a camp accredited by the Ontario Camping Association (OCA) or Canadian Camping Association (CCA) that is willing to participate in the bursary’s cost-sharing arrangement. Not sure if your camp qualifies? Ask them to contact us.
  2. 2 Request an application form
    Contact the camp directly and ask for a Bursary Fund Grant Application Form.
  3. 3 Submit your application and supporting documents
    Complete the form in full and email it with all required documentation to the Bursary Fund by February 28th. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
  4. 4 Receive your decision
    The Selection Committee meets in March. All families are contacted with a decision by the end of April — with enough time to plan for summer.

Please don’t send applications by registered mail — we’re not always available to sign for deliveries. Regular mail or email works best.

After you apply

Feb

Deadline — February 28th

Submit your completed application and all documentation by this date. Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Mar

Acknowledgement — first week of March

We confirm receipt of your application. The Selection Committee then reviews all submissions.

Apr

Decision — by end of April

All families receive a decision by the end of April — with enough time to plan for summer.