Summer Camps Program
Offering eligible, serving military families of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Community the opportunity to receive reimbursement grants for their children to attend a registered summer camp of their choice (day or overnight camp).
The Support Our Troops (SOT) camp grants are only made possible through the generosity of donors across Canada.
Changes to the program!
FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS:
Online applications for 2025 camp grants will open starting March 20, 2025,
at 8:00am ET until April 17, 2025, at 3:00pm ET, for first time campers only.
RETURNING CAMPERS:
Should any funding remain available, families with children who have previously received less than 3 grants, may apply starting April 18th and onward.
Campers who have received 3+ grants are not eligible to apply.
Applications will close once all the limited funding has been exhausted.
For more detailed information and latest updates click on + to expend the sections below and consult our FAQ.
The Summer Camps Program provides a reimbursement grant of up to a maximum of $900 towards camp fees for day or overnight camp.
The grant is ONE per eligible child, per summer and can be used for multiple weeks of camp for that child.
Support Our Troops prioritizes first-time campers; therefore, funding applications may be submitted for first-time campers ONLY starting March 20 until April 17, 2025.
Should any funding still be available, eligible returning campers who have previously received less than 3 camp grants, may be awarded a grant on a first come, first serve basis. These campers may apply from April 18, 2025, onward.
Once funding has been exhausted a notice will be posted on our website.
*The camp grants consist of donated funds which vary from year to year; this grant is not a CAF benefit; and therefore grants are not under any circumstances guaranteed upon application.
Please review the program criteria for participation along with required supporting documentation below:
a) Child of a CAF member serving away from their family:
Documentation required:
- Deployment/prolonged training/attached posting message* – current OR scheduled in 2025.
*An email or letter from the Unit Commanding Officer or Deputy Commanding Officer supporting the current year deployment(s) may also be considered.
CANSOFCOM members: please contact your local MFS-CANSOFCOM Family Programs Manager
b) Child of a serving ill or injured member of the CAF:
Documentation required:
- Copy of posting message to CAF Transition Group/Transition Unit
OR
- Email/letter from the CAF TU/CAF TC outlining support for camp attendance
- Current copy of member's personnel record resume (MPRR) indicating that the member is still serving AND specifying a Temporary Medical Category (TCat) OR a Military Employment Limitation (MEL) document.
c) Serving CAF member’s child with a disability, including medical, social, physical and neurodevelopmental needs, and/or one sibling:
Documentation required:
- Diagnosis letter from a qualified professional (i.e. physician, psychologist) or medical organization
- Current copy of member’s personnel record resume (MPRR) indicating dependents.
d) Bereaved child of a deceased CAF member:
- No documentation required.
e) Currently serving military families who do not fit the above eligibility but have dealt with other unique or exceptional challenges* may be considered, if recommended by their Chain of Command:
Documentation required:
- Nomination letter/email from the Unit Commanding Officer or Deputy Commanding Officer outlining the family’s unique or exceptional challenges* and supporting the nomination.
*Examples of unique or exceptional challenges a family can face: critical illness or death of a parent, financial hardship, etc.. Circumstances related to family postings would not meet the requirements for this eligibility category
Application Process:
Complete a Summer Camps Program Application Form ONLINE (
Apply Now button will appear at bottom of our webpage on opening day). Include each eligible child seeking a camp grant (
see changes above)
- Online applications for camp grants will open at 8:00am ET on the date indicated (First-time campers: March 20; Returning campers who have previously received less than 3 grants: April 18)
- The applications must include all required documents as well as prospective camps information such as camp website and costs
- Once applications have been reviewed, all applicants will be notified by email within 10 – 15 business days of application whether they have been approved for a grant
- Further instructions on how to claim reimbursement will also be included in that approval email
- If you choose to register your child for camp prior to receiving a grant approval and pay a non-refundable deposit, you are responsible for this fee even if your grant is not approved.
Receiving the Grant:
Please note that grants are distributed
AFTER attendance at camp. Following the camper’s return from camp, you will need to provide the following to receive reimbursement:
- Official camp invoices/receipts indicating proof of payment (Business registration number and contact information of the camp must be included on the receipt)
- Banking information
- Service Number or valid CFOne number
- The grant money will be distributed as a direct payment to your bank account, which may take four to six weeks.
Camp invoices and receipts must be submitted by September 30, 2025. Missing this deadline could result in forfeiting your grant.
For more detailed information, consult our
FAQ.
Grants are intended to help with the cost of camp fees only and cannot be used for: separate transportation, camp T-shirts, equipment such as for sports, Tuck Shop fees, or as a donation.
Skill certifications, courses, or 1-2 visits/week memberships will not be considered as camps.
- In the case of a child with a disability, the cost of a support worker required to facilitate attendance may be included with receipts.
- Grants cannot be used to cover childcare costs.
- Other use of these funds will be subject to the Code of Service Discipline.
- Grants are distributed as only ONE per child, per summer and cannot be combined/shared between siblings, even if the other sibling is also approved.
- Reserve Force members must be on a current contract of 180 days or more
- Support Our Troops is not responsible for reimbursement of any fees or charges related to the cancellation of any summer camp. All applying families are encouraged to verify with their camp of choice for information on any specific cancellation policies, and/or related charges
For more detailed information, consult our
FAQ
It is recommended that selected overnight or day camps be accredited by federal, provincial or municipal camp associations. However, parents may choose camps other than those listed below, as an accredited camp may not be available in all locations.
However, overnight or day camps MUST be registered, reputable businesses or not-for-profit organizations,
with legitimate summer camps that are publicly advertised as camps. This program will
not reimburse the cost of regular childcare, in lieu of camp participation.
*Please note: Skill certifications, courses, or 1-2 visits/week memberships will not be considered as camps.
Please check your chosen camp's safety guidelines, cancellation policies and their ability
to provide an official receipt that includes their business/tax number, which is mandatory for reimbursement.
Below is a
courtesy list of provincial camp associations as a starting point in your search for camps.
Accredited Camp Associations: