At the City of Victoria, we are committed to embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces and services. Our goal in recreation is to provide safe, inclusive and meaningful recreation opportunities for everyone. Our recreational programs aim to create a welcoming and respectful environment for individuals of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, gender identities, expressions and what makes each of us unique.
If you have a question or concern about City-wide policy, service accessibility or accommodations, please contact the Inclusion Coordinator at accessibility@victoria.ca. If you require assistance or require accommodations to access recreational programming, please contact the front desk staff or the Inclusion Coordinator.
Visiting Crystal Pool
We strive to provide meaningful access to our facility and programs.
• Three accessible parking spaces • Power operated front entrance doors
• Lifts on staircases to change rooms and fitness centre • Side entrance ramp access to universal change room • Grab bars in change rooms and showers and a shower with a seat • Accessible change rooms with power-operated doors • Accessible fitness equipment • Aquatic angel lift with access to leisure pool and main pool • Manual crank lift into main pool • Wheelchairs and aqua walker • Women’s and men’s change rooms, universal change room, three private dry change stalls • Universal change room with a designated wudu (ablution) space
Programs and Services
Summer Camp Inclusion Program
We want your child to have the best possible experience at camp and receive the support they need to thrive. If your child needs extra support to safely and fully participate in camp, please register for the Inclusion Intake Summer Camp Program. Registration for this program opens on the same day as camp registration.
Families who are accepted into the program receive up to two weeks of inclusion support at no additional cost. Spaces are limited so register early. If the program is full, please add your name to the waitlist.
If your child requires inclusion support, please read the information below before registering.
If your child has unique needs, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, challenges with self-regulation or peer interactions, they may benefit from one-to-one support to safely and fully participate in summer camps. If your child receives support at school, in other settings or is on a waitlist for support, please register for the Inclusion Intake Summer Camp Program.
If you have any questions or would like to talk through your options, please contact us at camps@victoria.ca.
Step 1:Register for the Inclusion Intake Summer Camp Program.
You will be asked to provide information about your child and their unique support needs.
Do not register for camps at this stage.
Registering for the Inclusion Intake Summer Camp Program holds a spot for up to two weeks of preferred camps.
If program is full, please add your name to the waitlist.
Important: If your child needs inclusion support and you are on the waitlist or not registered in the Inclusion Intake Summer Camp Program, please do not register directly for summer camps unless you are able to provide your own one-to-one support.
Step 2: Share Camp Choices and Care Information
Families who are registered will receive an email asking them to:
Choose their top camp options
Complete a care plan for their child
Families may receive up to two weeks of one-to-one inclusion support at no extra cost.
Step 3: Confirmation and Payment
Families will receive:
A confirmation email with the weeks when one-to-one inclusion support will be provided to your child. Staff will register your child into the approved camps.
Information on how to pay for the camp fees.
Step 4: Attend Camp with an Inclusion Support Leader.
Families on the waitlist will be contacted if a space becomes available.
Spaces are offered based on the date and time families joined the waitlist.
Once contacted, families will be asked to complete Steps 2 and 3.
Ratios: Inclusion staff work in one to one and one to two ratios with children in camp settings. The Summer Inclusion Coordinator will match families with an Inclusion Leader before camp begins.
Training: Inclusion staff receive one week of training focused on inclusion and accessibility, safety and wellbeing, supporting independence and dignity. Staff learn respectful ways to respond to challenges and support different needs. All staff complete a criminal record check.
Please note: Inclusion staff are not required to be certified as educational assistants, interventionists or healthcare professionals and many of them are gaining experience in this role.
Complex Care Needs: Inclusion staff are not trained to provide toileting or menstrual care, feeding assistance, physically lifting, transferring or restraining children. If your child has complex care needs, we recommend contacting Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network to determine appropriate care services.
Staff strive to make recreation programs fair, safe and accessible for everyone. Our approach to providing one to one inclusion support is based on these guiding principles:
Individual Needs Review Each request for support is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We work with participants, caregivers, staff and professionals to understand unique needs and determine if they can be met.
Safety and Well-Being Safety is our top priority. We consider both physical and emotional safety for participants, peers and staff. Support is provided only when participation can happen safely and with dignity.
Promoting Independence Support focuses on building skills, confidence and social connections. We prioritize those who can actively and safely take part in programs with the accommodations and support that are available
Support Allocation Support depends on individual need, available staff and resources. Support levels change and are not guaranteed. Flexibility and collaboration are essential as circumstances evolve.
Confidentiality and Respect We respect privacy and treat all participants with dignity. We are committed to learning and improving our inclusion practices.
If your child has a private or external support worker:
Please email camps@victoria.ca at least three weeks before the program starts.
All external support workers must complete a criminal record check before attending City programs.
Swimmers of all abilities are welcome at the City’s recreation facilities. Individuals with special accommodations have options available, including:
group lessons
private lessons
drop-in quiet swims for those with noise sensitivity
If you require support for registration and are looking for more information, please email the Aquatic Coordinator or call 250.361.0712.
Leisure Assistant Pass
The Leisure Assistant Pass is for people with disabilities of all ages. The pass allows a support person to join people with a disability during leisure activities. When presented, the pass grants one support person free or reduced admission. This supports participation without costing the person with a disability double for admission.
The City of Victoria’s Leisure Involvement For Everyone (L.I.F.E.) program improves access to recreation services and programs for individuals and families living on a low income. The City of Victoria and its regional partners are committed to ensuring residents have access and choices in their leisure opportunities.
Jumpstart offers programs intended to enrich the lives of kids in need. Jumpstart assists with registration costs for sport programs. Children aged 4-18 interested in sport, dance, or other organized physical activities may be eligible.
KidSport Victoria is part of a national network of community based volunteer groups. Its goal is to ensure that kids in financial need have access to sport and physical activity. Physical activity can encourage self-expression, goal setting and increased self-confidence in kids.
The Campership Program aims to remove financial barriers making it easier for youth to access enriching and fun camp experiences. The program supports low-income children and youth aged 4-15 with one free week of summer camp. The Campership Program is generously funded by public donations and community partners.
If a participant in a recreational program has an allergy, please describe the allergy on the registration form. For epinephrine injections and anaphylactic reactions, please complete the Anaphylaxis Action Plan below. All City programs are nut-free.
The City recognizes that scented products can cause adverse reactions for some people. To keep the air healthy for everyone, Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is a scent-free facility. Signs around the facility encourage avoiding scented products while in the building.
Children 10 years and older may sign themselves in and out of City of Victoria Programs with a completed permission form. Please ensure arrangements are made for the child to arrive home safely.
