Latest News
NCFST Expresses Solidarity with the Black Community
There is a deep history of collaboration and support between Black and Indigenous communities and movements. Some of this is due to a complex and interrelated shared history. The Nations of Canada, the United States and Mexico were born out of processes of colonization and slavery that seeded systemic racism that remains deeply rooted today. We have all been living in a pandemic of racism for centuries, and the cost has been millions of Black lives. Events over recent weeks have resulted in massive protests in every American state, and in dozens of other countries across the world. Black communities and their allies have had enough of state sponsored racism, structural violence and police brutality. Black Lives Matter. While much of the focus has been on the United States, we must also recognize the historical depth and contemporary impacts of anti-Black racism in Canada. Toronto, in particular, has a long and complex history that has seen members of the Black community disproportionately impacted by police violence. There are no words to describe the sadness we feel as this trend continues today.
At Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) we acknowledge that this is an unimaginably challenging time for Black members of the community. Many of our staff, partners, and the community members we serve are Black. We are unequivocal in our assertion that Black Lives Matter. We also recognize that statements of this sort are meaningless without corresponding action. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment at NCFST, where there is zero tolerance to racism and discrimination. We are also committed to engaging further with Black communities and organizations in the City of Toronto to better understand our role as an ally in opposition to structural violence, police brutality and anti-Black racism in our City.
NCFST stands in solidarity with Black members of our staff, partners and community.
#BlackLivesMatter
Applications Now Closed for 2020 Virtual Summer Camp
2020 Virtual Camp applications are now closed. Thank you to those that applied!
Our team is currently reviewing the applications. We will be reaching out with the status of each application by June 10.
If you have questions, or to withdraw an application, email us [email protected].
Application Deadline for 2020 Virtual Summer Camp
Due to an overwhelmingly positive response to Virtual Camps, the application process will now close on Tuesday, June 2.
Click here to complete an application.
The Camps team will be reaching out by email by June 15 to confirm the status of each application.
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
Thank you to those who have applied!
Applications Now Open for 2020 Virtual Summer Camp
Applications for our 2020 Virtual Summer Camp are now open! The deadline to apply is June 10, 2020.
Please find the link to the application form below:
For questions or more information, email [email protected].
New Update on Summer Camps 2020
Hello, Campers and Caregivers!
I am sure you are all anxiously awaiting a new update on Camps. We have received news from the Province that has directed us how we are to proceed with camps this year.
FAQ:
Will there be a Grundy Camp this year?
The Province of Ontario has cancelled overnight camps for 2020. Unfortunately, this means that we will not be able to offer Grundy Camp Programs this year.
Will there be Day Camps this year?
The Province of Ontario has mentioned that day camp programs will be discussed as part of “Phase 2” for 2020. Unfortunately, this means that we still don’t know if we will be able to offer face-to-face day camps this year.
We will continue to plan for some potential face-to-face opportunities. We are currently working together to make sure that if we do get the go-ahead, we do so in a safe and responsible way. As previously stated, we have not received any dates or guidelines from the Province. Once we do, we will be able to provide a definitive answer to you.
What are we doing instead?
We will be offering a virtual camp for campers age 6-16. Campers will receive a camp kit with materials needed for activities and will have programming each day via Zoom.
When can I send in an application?
Online applications for virtual day camp will be available May 25 on our website – www.staging.nativechild.org Applications are due by June 5.
Please note, not all applications will be accepted, status of application will be communicated via email June 12.
Is there a cost for virtual camp?
No, there is no cost for virtual camp.
In the meantime, please stay safe and continue to wash your hands frequently and maintain social distancing. Be assured that you are all in our thoughts as we go through this challenging time TOGETHER!
Please continue to check our website for updates, including information on other virtual programming offered by Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.
For questions, please send the Camps team an email at [email protected]
In unity,
Greg Flynn,
Cultural Camps Supervisor
Update on Summer Camps 2020
Hello, Campers and Caregivers!
The camping season is getting closer with each passing day. Mother Earth is starting to grow, and the sun is getting warmer! The days are getting longer, and our minds turn to the outdoors and our favourite part of summer… CAMP!
This year, as we are all aware, is different. We have to be mindful of COVID-19 and how we can all keep safe. In our last announcement, we included a survey to gauge your interest and input into how best to provide a virtual camp experience in the event a face-to-face camp is not possible. Many thanks to those of you who have responded to the survey so far. Please, if you have not done so yet, here is the link. The survey doesn’t take more than a few minutes to complete but it will be very helpful to us as we continue to plan. Please continue to check our website for updates.
Many people have reached out to ask the questions that are on all of our minds:
Is there any chance we can go to Grundy or Day Camp in person this year?
The short answer is, we do not know. The Province of Ontario has not provided any guidance on camps for 2020. However, as the situation continues to change (sometimes very quickly), we are indeed making plans that would hopefully allow us to pivot to our regular camps if the opportunity arises and it is safe to do so.
When can I send in an application?
Online applications for virtual day camp will be available May 25 on our website.
Currently, we are not accepting applications for face-to-face Grundy Camps.
Please keep checking our website for new updates.
We have been in talks with the parks, the City, and conservation partners in an attempt to have a traditional face-to-face camp, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. We are currently working together to make sure that if we do get the go-ahead to open, we do so in a safe and responsible way. As previously stated, we have not received any dates or guidelines from the Province. Once we do, we will be able to provide a definitive answer to you.
In the meantime, please stay safe and continue to wash your hands frequently and maintain social distancing. Be assured that you are all in our thoughts as we go through this challenging time TOGETHER!
For questions, please send the Camps team an email at [email protected]
In unity,
Greg Flynn,
Cultural Camps Supervisor
If you have difficulty accessing the survey above, copy and paste the following URL into your browser:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6wdBfFkMoUq57nTfL19wLScuww-5o6hNjVE8AbpALl5URFA2RTMzVTBWQlZOU1NVU0Y2WUdMOTM5Mi4u