PowerUp Summer Camp 2026
PowerUp Alternative Day Program
WHAT: A joyful alternative day program for high-support needs kids and tweens, featuring our specialized behavioural and communication support team. Includes snack and lunch. Wraparound support option, ideal for families with OAP funding looking for multiple eligible services under one roof. This program is not ABA-based – PowerUp offers a developmental, relationship-based alternative model of care.
WHEN: Offered as a Day Program Monday – Thursday throughout the year. *Note: PowerUp does not run on PA Days or Statutory Holidays.
WHO: Kids aged 4-12+ who need focused, low-ratio support with communication, transitions, activities, or toileting; those who may have a history of physical dysregulation and require specialized behavioural and therapeutic planning to support their safety and growth
Minimum Commitment: Registered by the term, tuition-style – with recommended monthly family connection sessions either in the clinic, virtually or at home – specific placements are offered to families based on the team’s assessment of your child’s current needs and our available capacity to support them.
PowerUp 2026-2027
- Term 1
September 8, 2026 – January 28, 2027 - Term 2
February 1 – June 24, 2027
Rates: from $375/half-day*
*Rates vary depending on staff ratio
What is PowerUp?
PowerUp! is a highly specialized, individualized therapeutic alternative or supplementary day program for elementary-aged kids. It’s a relationship-based, developmental support program staffed by a team of specialists working under social work supervision with different backgrounds such as children’s mental health, behavioural support, communication, functional and sensory support, and education.
Who is PowerUp for?
PowerUp! is an ideal program for children with special needs, notably those on the autism spectrum (ASD), ADHDers, or other developmental support needs. Children receive highly individualized therapeutic programming with low-ratio support in a warm, home-like setting. They follow a routine that mimics the flow of a school or preschool day, but with the wraparound support of a team of experienced developmental therapists with specialties in communication, functional needs, sensory regulation, decoding behaviour, alternative education, and social-emotional wellbeing. Children in the PowerUp! program work closely with trusted, consistent therapists at very low ratios to build the foundational skills that allow them to grow and thrive at home, school, and in the community.
Who is involved in the program delivery?
PowerUp day programming is developed and delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists, which includes:
- Registered Social Workers
- Communication Specialists
- Behaviour Therapists
- Autism Specialists
With regular consultation and input into program design and treatment planning from:
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)
- Neurodivergence specialist
Our multidisciplinary case management team meets weekly to consult on each PowerUp family to celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure each care plan is updated regularly to reflect each child’s current goals and needs.
What happens at PowerUp?
Families coming into the PowerUp program undergo a comprehensive assessment and treatment planning process before being offered placement options that best match your child’s needs. Our ongoing, dynamic assessment may include some initial in-program observation, as we get to know each other and build a base of trust and understanding. This process can include:
- Parent meeting with our neurodivergence specialist
- School consultation to understand the wider picture
- Observation and consultation with the Speech & Language team (SLP)
- Observation and consultation with the Occupational Therapy team (OT)
- Functional behaviour/skill-based assessment with our Developmental Team
- Bio-psycho-social assessments and observations with our Social Work team
The observations will help our team design and implement your child’s dynamic therapeutic program, with lots of opportunites for family feedback. The goal is to get to know your child and your family meaningfully so that we can be true partners in your child’s developmental journey, and champions of your overall well-being.
We also encourage families to book monthly family connection sessions with a member of their child’s direct delivery team to help bridge the gap between PowerUp and home and to help generalize skills we’re working on in-clinic to the home environment.
The ultimate goal is to walk alongside families as children develop and grow as part of your long-term support network, helping you find joy, meaning, and enrichment within your family and community.
When and Where does PowerUp happen?
From our Ancaster location in a spacious, natural setting, PowerUp! offers full or half-day in-person programming for children from across Hamilton, Halton, Brant, Haldimand, and Niagara. It is designed as a long-term developmental support program. Families commit to specific days of the week for the length of the term in a tuition-style model, to give their child the consistency needed to develop safe relationships and build functional, academic, and relational skills.
Currently, our day program runs:
- Monday-Thursday from 9:00am – 3:00pm, year-round
- Note: No PowerUp session on PA Days, during clinic closures or Statutory Holidays
- Mondays and Tuesdays are for children requiring 1:1 support most of the time
- Wednesdays are for children who are ready for a higher ratio of 2 kids to 1 therapist or greater, most of the time
- Thursdays are for our PowerUp+ kids – older elementary kids who are ready to incorporate life skills and community outings into their learning
Each day includes a variety of low-ratio, individualized, intensive developmental and learning supports delivered one-on-one or in small, carefully curated groupings. Fun and engaging therapeutic activities include outdoor play, games, yoga, academic literacy and numeracy-focused tasks, snacks and lunch (including being involved in preparation and food choices), music, arts and crafts, and more.
Individualized Support:
Within the natural flow of the day, each child receives 1:1 support with various specialists to work on more individualized and specialized goals, as indicated by each child’s personal support needs based on their ongoing care plan. This could include focused time with:
- A speech & communication specialist
- Academic support working on pattern recognition, literacy and numeracy concepts
- Integrated bio-pscycho-social support with our social work team & therapeutic coaches
- A Developmental Behaviour Therapist supervised by our social work team
The days are filled with joyful therapeutic activities and supports that are packaged in a fun, organic, age-appropriate program. We have a strong focus on using outdoor play in our learning, and children make daily use of our large, tree-filled backyard and garden, filled with opportunities for sensory and risky play, social negotiation, and mindfulness. The clinic also hosts various animal friends! We incorporate time with the animals into our routines, including Bandit (an old English Sheepdog and therapy dog in training), and Esther (a Shorkie), both of whom make regular appearances.
How do we get started?
Contact Us to begin the clinic intake process, and together we will determine if PowerUp is the best fit for your family’s needs.
