
Four days in August: what the summer camp actually looked like
Two arenas, four days, and five hundred and seventy-six pieces of equipment that went home with a child and did not come back.
We are a Toronto nonprofit that gives underprivileged youth free ice time, professional coaching, and a full set of equipment they keep for good, removing the financial barriers that keep kids off the ice.

Four arenas across Toronto, planned. Applications are open now. Free for every family.
This is what one full set of equipment costs, all in, for one Toronto child. Before anyone touches the ice.




Not because the child did not want it.
Because nobody could pay for it.

Free ice, free coaching, free lunch, and a full set of equipment that is theirs to keep. Families pay nothing.
Camps run at Leaside Arena in midtown and Ted Reeve Community Arena in the east end, with Christmas Camp 2026 opening 15 December 2026, planned at four arenas across Toronto. Roughly three hours of ice per day plus dryland training, professional coaching, free lunch, and equipment campers keep for good.
Opening 15 December 2026. Four arenas across Toronto, planned. Two ice sessions a day plus dryland, free lunch, and a full set of equipment to keep. Applications are open now.
The core curriculum. Four skill tiers from a learn to skate feeder group through to small area games, set after a day one assessment.
Every camper leaves with a full set of equipment that is theirs permanently. $750 of gear per child.
It costs us $1,060 to put one Toronto child through a camp, including $750 of equipment they keep. We received 100+ applications for a limited number of spots. Funding is the constraint, not demand.
National and local coverage of the programme, plus updates from the rink as each camp cycle comes together.

Two arenas, four days, and five hundred and seventy-six pieces of equipment that went home with a child and did not come back.

The first two conversations are recorded. Between them, the guests study almost every reason a child ends up on the ice or off it.

North Toronto Memorial Arena and Upper Canada College’s Wilder Arena join Leaside and Ted Reeve, taking the programme to four locations across the city.

Two organisations, one in the classroom and one at the rink, exploring a pathway that carries a student from a school assembly to a pair of skates.

Four days of ice and dryland, free lunch, and a full set of equipment for every camper.

Where the programme stands after its first three cycles, and what the numbers mean.

The councillor for Beaches-East York did not watch from the stands on the first morning of March Break Camp. He put skates on.

Four teams, coloured pinnies, a five minute running clock and no offsides. The hockey was raw. The point was not the hockey.
Four outlets have reported on Open Ice Initiative as a news story. Their reporting is their own; where an outlet also supports the programme, that support is separate from its reporting.
These outlets reported on Open Ice Initiative as a news story. Their reporting is their own; where an outlet also supports the programme, that support is separate from its reporting. Each line links to the article.
Reviews from parents and guardians whose children came to a camp.
“My son attended the Open Ice Initiative several days and loved the experience. He was excited to go each day, enjoyed the drills, and spoke often about the coaches. The program helped him become much more confident on the ice, and he even asked to practice more outside of camp. All equipment was provided and was excellent quality, which would have cost our family around $1,000 on our own.”
“My child attended for multiple days and had a very positive experience. He was excited to attend each day and felt welcomed and supported by the staff. The program helped him learn how to skate and build confidence on the ice. As a parent, this experience would have cost our family well over $1,500 to $2,000 to provide on our own.”
“Our eldest daughter attended, along with her siblings, and the experience was incredible. All of her hockey gear was fully provided, so we didn't have to worry about anything. Her skating, confidence, and overall comfort on the ice grew so much.”
“An outstanding program that removes barriers and gives kids a real opportunity to play hockey. From providing equipment to creating a welcoming environment, the impact is amazing.”
Ninety five frames from inside our camps. The first time on the ice, the gear, the coaching, the friends, the families, and the whole group at the end of the week.
Sponsorship levels are priced in children's places. Every level puts children on the ice and puts your organisation in front of families, media audiences and a programme with national coverage.
Open Ice Initiative is an Ontario not-for-profit corporation. We applied to the Canada Revenue Agency for charitable registration in September 2026. Until registration is granted we cannot issue tax receipts, and gifts made before registration will not be receipted. About our charity status.
Because corporate support delivers logo placement, named programme rights and media association, it can typically be recorded as a marketing or advertising expense. Please confirm the treatment with your finance team. This is not tax advice.
12 organisations pay for the ice, the coaching, the equipment and the lunch, so that no family ever pays anything. Every one of them has a page. Have a look at who they are.

Volunteer at a camp, sponsor a camper, or apply to bring your child. Every route starts with one email.
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