Frequently asked questions
For families, volunteers and sponsors. If your question is not here, email us and we will answer it, then add it.
Is it really free?
Yes. There is no fee, no equipment cost and no deposit. Lunch is provided. Families pay nothing.
Does my child need to know how to skate?
No. Most of our campers have never played organised hockey and many have never been on skates. The First Stride group exists specifically for children who have never skated.
What age is the camp for?
Five to ten, and only five to ten. This is a beginner programme and every part of it, the drills, the ice time, the coaching ratios and the equipment sizing, is built for that range. Older siblings are welcome to come and watch.
Do we need our own equipment?
No. A full set is provided, fitted on site, and it is yours to keep permanently under the Keep Your Gear policy.
How do you decide who gets a spot?
Not first come first served. When more families apply than there are spots, we rank applicants using our own selection system, which draws in part on Toronto District School Board Learning Opportunities Index data and the City of Toronto Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.
Where do the camps run?
Ted Reeve Community Arena in East Toronto has hosted our camps to date. Summer Camp 2026 runs at Leaside Arena. Weekly Horizons sessions run at Upper Canada College.
Can I get a tax receipt for a donation?
No. Open Ice Initiative is a registered nonprofit, not a registered charity, so we cannot issue charitable tax receipts. Corporate support can typically be recorded as a marketing or advertising expense because it delivers logo placement, named programme rights and media association. Confirm the treatment with your finance team.
How much does it cost you to put one child through a camp?
$860 a child. $380 for a gear set the camper keeps and $480 for keeps. That figure covers one camp, not a season.
Can I volunteer if I have never played hockey?
Yes. Registration, gear fitting, lunches and logistics all need people and none of them require skating.
Will my child be photographed?
Camps have a photographer on media day and press may attend. We handle images of campers under our staff code of conduct and media policy, and we do not publish an identifiable image of a child without a recorded consent. Tell us if you would prefer your child not be photographed.
What language do I apply in?
Write to us in whatever language is easiest and we will work it out. Our equipment sizing guides use visuals and translated language for the same reason.
How is Open Ice funded?
Corporate sponsorship at three levels priced per camp, individual gifts, monthly giving through the Blue Line Club, and grants. Our annual target is $15,000 to $20,000 for equipment and ice.