Provincial law could end Kensington's summer day camps

At least one Island town says a provincial law requiring a licence for day camps that took effect earlier this year may force it to abandon its long-running summer program.

"There's a lot of changes that we'd have to do to the facilities...there's a lot more cost involved," said Kensington Mayor RowanCaseley.

The new Early Learning and Child Care Act, which took effect Jan. 1, 2017, requires some camps to be licensed depending onthe number and age of the children that attend, the amount of time they are there and the amount of care and supervision they need.

The Town of Kensington is still in the process of finding out whether it needs a licence for the seven-week camp it holds each summerfor about three dozen kids between the ages of seven and 12. The licence would meanhiring more staff and upgrading facilities to meet the new regulations.

The Community Gardens Complex, the facility that runs the summer camp received an application and informationto apply for a licence. Caseley said thatif they are required to get a licence, they may have to consider shutting down the camps.

"One of the factors that we have to consider is how competitive we can be...and if that's the direction we want to go to, or if that's something more for private business to be into," said Caseley.

A spokesperson for the Department of Early Learning and Child Care said that while licences have been required for almost five months now, some camps may have "flown under the radar." Officials are not currently investigating which camps need to be licensed, butrepresentatives have been speaking with stakeholders to clarify who now needs a licence.

Caseley said Kensingtonis continuing to look into the licence requirement.If one is needed,a decision to apply will be votedon at the next council meeting on May 8.