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Camp Basics
Self-regulation is:
• Conscientiousness, discipline, and self-control
• The ability to regulate emotions and behaviour
• Organization and executive functioning skills
In a camp setting, kids learn to “manage conflict with peers, adapt to change [and] exhibit cognitive flexibility,” among other things, as Una Malcolm says. Under our list of camps, find more about what’s meant by self-regulation, why it’s advantageous to develop this trait, and how camp offers unique lessons in this skill critical to kids’ long-term well-being. Read more
Fall D-League - 10-11 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball 4-5
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 12-13
Nov 25 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 13-15
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - 8-9 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 14-16
Sep 18 - Dec 05, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - 10-13
Nov 24 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up Private 1 on 1 Training - 10-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - Girls- 8-10 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Intermediate Competitive
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 12, 2027
Students sharpen arguments, master delivery, and build leadership through debate, speeches, coaching, and real competitions. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-13
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Academic Support Program - Math
Sep 22, 2025 - Dec 28, 2026
Interactive math program that strengthens problem-solving, logic, and numeracy skills for academic success and beyond Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 10-12
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons Ages 6-7
Nov 25 - Dec 20, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Richmond Hill - Fall Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Ages 14-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Thornhill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Dec 01 - Dec 15, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Math Level C
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Primary 1 - English Language Arts
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Learn how to communicate clearly and concisely in both speech and writing! Visit website |
Fall Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-13
Sep 23 - Dec 12, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Math Level E
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 26, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 8-9
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Junior Competitive
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 12, 2027
Build confidence, master public speaking, and compete with pride—our Friday class helps young voices grow and thrive. Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - (10-13)
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Winter Warm-Up - Semi-Private Basketball Training - 14-16
Nov 27 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Math Level A
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 6-7
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Richmond Hill Fall Semi-Private Basketball Lessons - 14-16
Sep 14 - Dec 03, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 7-9
Sep 16 - Dec 05, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Senior 3 - English Language Arts
Sep 17, 2026 - Jun 24, 2027
Learn how to communicate clearly and concisely in both speech and writing! Visit website |
Fall D-League - 12-13 yr old
Sep 17 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Math Explorers
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Make learning math an exciting adventure for young students! Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 10-13
Dec 06 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 10-13
Sep 20 - Nov 29, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-11
Sep 15 - Dec 05, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Girls Ages 7-9
Nov 25 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - Girls- 11-13 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team play strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 10-11
Nov 24 - Dec 20, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball
Sep 17 - Dec 12, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progressions-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Teens (14-16)
Sep 14 - Nov 23, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Math Level F
Sep 14, 2026 - Jun 23, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Sep 17 - Dec 03, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
Fall D-League - 14-16 yr old
Sep 19 - Dec 05, 2026
Designed for athletes that are ready to learn team plays strategies through more game-time experience and coaching. Visit website |
Math Level B
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Math Level D
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
Challenging problems, quizzes on learned material, fun activities and games of logic! Visit website |
Fall - Semi-Private Basketball Training - Girls 13-15
Sep 16 - Nov 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with semi-private training. Visit website |
Primary Competitive
Sep 14, 2026 - Jun 14, 2027
Build confidence through speech, debate, and performance in this fun, skill-based program for Grades 1 to 3. Visit website |
Thornhill Winter Warm-Up Weekly Basketball Lessons - 10-13
Dec 02 - Dec 16, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly training lessons. Visit website |
Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Mini Ball
Sep 14 - Dec 05, 2026
Weekly lessons are designed to develop athletes' skills through progression-based skills and drills. Visit website |
Math Masters
Sep 12, 2026 - Jun 27, 2027
A cutting-edge program challenges young mathematician through puzzle, visual model, problem solving, number mystery, and art. Visit website |
Winter Warm-Up Private 1 on 1 Training - Ages 10-16
Nov 24 - Dec 18, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with private training. Visit website |
Thornhill Fall Weekly Basketball Lessons - Youth Ages 7-9
Sep 22 - Dec 12, 2026
Rep teams don't have the time to work on individual skills. Give your athlete the edge with weekly lessons training. Visit website |
March Break Art Camp
Mar 15 - Mar 19, 2027
Art & Brain Campers explore: • Painting & Drawing • Colour Mixing & Fine Motor Skills • Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Visit website |
March Break Intensive Camps-Reading Week
Mar 08 - Mar 19, 2027
Structured March Break learning with academic focus, small groups, and balanced enrichment in a private school setting. Visit website |
Junior Development
May 04 - Oct 29, 2026
Junior Development is the gateway to consistently rowing. Visit website |
Oboe Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Learn to play the oboe with highly educated and experienced teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
P.A. Day Academic Enrichment Camp
Sep 02, 2026 - Jun 04, 2027
Structured P.A. Day learning with academic focus, small groups, and balanced enrichment in a private school environment. Visit website |
Private Online Music/Vocal/Production lessons (Monday to Sunday)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Beginner, intermediate and advanced private music, vocal and production lessons are available online Visit website |
Bagpipe Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Fun, affordable bagpipe lessons in the comfort of your Toronto home. Expert teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Free 1st lesson! Visit website |
Cello Lessons (In-Home, Online, or Studio)
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Try a free lesson with Toronto's highest educated teachers: PhD, DMA, MMus. Eclectic cello lessons that inspire! Visit website |
DINNER CLUB
Sep 29, 2026 - Jun 29, 2027
Your child gains so much from making dinner for your family. Work together with younger kids or let your child cook for you! Visit website |
Guitar Ensemble Program
Sep 15, 2025 - Dec 31, 2026
Play guitar in a group ensemble. Learn your favorite songs, music, and video game sound tracks. Have fun! Visit website |
Other results on this page:
Self-regulation is “a broad set of skills that allows kids to bounce back from strong emotions ... and manage difficulty in their day-to-day lives,” in Una Malcolm’s definition. Malcolm, a licensed teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers who runs Bright Light Learners, runs a private support firm in Toronto for students with learning exceptionalities.
“Oftentimes self-regulation and self-control are used interchangeably, but that might not be the most precise definition of self-regulation,” she says. “Think of self-regulation as a set of skills that allows a child to manage frustration, disappointment, adversity ... any sort of big, strong emotion. Self-regulation allows a child to return back to a normal set point.”
As Director of Bright Light Learners, she works with many students with complex needs, and understands first-hand the value and importance of developing self-regulation.
“Think of a set point on a thermostat,” she says. “A thermostat is constantly monitoring the temperature … and once it reaches a certain point, then [it] either heats or cools the house.” Kids with strong regulation skills “are monitoring how they’re feeling. If there’s a differential or a gap there, they’ll use strategies to come back to normal.”
Self-regulation is a very important part of everyday life. As she says, “no matter what kids are doing, they need to have self-regulation skills.”
Children aren’t born with these skills but they are born with the ability to develop them. Malcolm uses the metaphor of “an upstairs/downstairs brain” to explain a child’s process of developing self-regulation.
“The downstairs brain is related to a lot of core, base functions like heart rate, stress response and fight or flight,” she says. The downstairs brain (a suitable metaphor for the limbic system) kicks into gear in response to danger; it triggers strong emotions. Malcolm explains it's typical for children to often respond with strong emotion because the upstairs brain takes longer to develop. “The upstairs brain (analagous to the cerebral cortex) allows kids to plan, to empathize, to take on another perspective, to problem solve.” The upstairs brain regulates behaviour but it develops faster with help from external environments and other people.
Social environments like camp can be critical for supporting the development of self-regulation in children. It “puts kids in [situations] where they need to navigate these issues”, she says. “They're having to manage conflict with peers, adapt to change [and] exhibit cognitive flexibility when they change their schedule.” In a structured environment like camp, “with gentle coaching with peers, teachers, counsellors … kids [learn] to respond in an appropriate way and [this paves] the way for future success.”
Camp creates a responsive, welcoming atmosphere and teaches self-regulation guidelines to children. This might include learning to let someone speak first, recalling attention to a task when distractions are present, and learning to control one’s emotions in an overwhelming situation. Malcolm emphasizes that “the very nature of a social environment like camp [presents] opportunities for kids to develop and practice self-regulation skills.”
In these environments, children learn on their own how to cope with upsetting changes to their routine (i.e., a conflict with a peer or getting a question wrong on a test). When exposed to these challenges, they begin to learn strategies for self-regulation that help them manage emotions and remain focused on their duties.
The child internalizes these regulating strategies until they become habit. At that point, they might even begin to instruct their peers in self-regulation. However, it’s important to keep in mind that children can’t develop self-regulation habits overnight. It’s a slow and long process. but with exposure and support, these habits will develop over time.
Kids who can cope with changes to their environment and can manage cognitive flexibility and self-regulate are overwhelmingly kids who are more able to do well in school, at home, with friends, parents or families.
Malcolm highlights many short-term and long-term benefits of self-regulation skills.
Current research indicates that “kids who can cope with changes to their environment and can manage cognitive flexibility and self-regulate are overwhelmingly kids who are more able to do well in school, at home, with friends, parents or families,” Malcolm says. This research suggests that “self-regulation skills are hugely predictive of mental health, achievement and success.”
Erick, a camper from COOKSMART camp, understands self-regulation as “not making a big deal out of everything, keeping my stress in and not letting my stress out by controlling myself.”
He believes that self-regulation will benefit him the rest of his life because it will, “balance [his] emotions towards [his] future jobs, friends and family.”
He believes that COOKSMART camp has helped him develop self-regulation skills.
“At the COOKSMART camp,” he says, “every time I made a [cooking mistake], I would ask the teacher to redo that step so I could actually understand.”
Furthermore, he's learning self-regulation while being homeschooled by his mom, Emilia. “In homeschooling, every time I didn’t get an answer, [my mom] would say for me to find the answer, fix what I did and look over the mistake that I did, so I don’t get mad at myself.” He understands that self-regulation involves managing strong emotions and staying focused on the task at hand.
Self-regulation is commonly developed during the toddler years, though the habits of self-regulation continue to develop past adulthood.
When kids are developing self-regulation skills, Malcolm says, “any instances where they have to negotiate or bounce back from big emotions...creates neural pathways that allows them to use those skills in the future. That sets them on a path to success as adults.”
Research has proven that individuals with strong self-regulation handle their emotions and stress levels better, expand their intellectual capabilities and engage in less problematic behaviors, as opposed to those who don't develop self-regulation. This critical tool can help children with academic success, emotion control, decision-making skills, leadership habits, overall mental health, and relationships with others for years to come.
Overall, children with self-regulated behavioral habits are more likely to:
“[Self-regulation skills] allow us to maintain healthy relationships and as human beings, healthy relationships are a huge part of living”, Malcolm explains. “Self-regulation is essential to being human. It’s not just that it supports in one key zone - it's broadly predictive of success and health.”
Camps are advantageous to developing and enhancing self-regulation skills. The experience encourages children to work with others and follow rules mindfully, while it exposes them to new challenges and environments. At camp, children learn personal strategies for managing behaviour and emotions in a way that works for them, while they are guided and supported by their camp leaders.
How many Camps that improve self-regulation are there?
There are 63 camps that are Our Kids trusted members. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.
What are the fees to attend Camps that improve self-regulation?
Fees for camps that help kids grow in self-regulation range from FREE to $3,995 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.
Where can parents meet with Camps that improve self-regulation?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.