Last bell has rung: School’s out for summer in Simcoe County

Lifeguards training at Centennial Beach in Barrie, Ont. on Thurs., June 25, 2026. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)

All signs point to cottage country Thursday night as the summer season can get started.

“Just a little bit of a summer vacation. The kids got out of school yesterday, so we are going to be joined by more family tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be great,” says Tom Kimpel, a Simcoe County resident.

Beaches across Simcoe County and Muskoka are expected to be a big destination for many this weekend.

City of Barrie lifeguards officially go on duty on at Centennial, Tyndale and Johnson’s beaches starting Friday.

On Thursday, they were running rescue scenarios.

Sameer Jasar, one of Barrie’s lifeguards has a message for beachgoers.

“To stay nice and vigilant, keep your kids nice and close,” he says. “We want to make sure everybody is able to have a safe and enjoyable summer.”

Plenty of people will be heading to local campgrounds like the KOA.

Beautiful weather and the outdoors the perfect combination for Alex Redec, a camper.

“Just a relaxing adventure for us - we enjoy our cycling and that stuff and this is a mecca for cycling here, especially in the Georgian Bay area,” says Redec.

“Camping to me is, first of all, economical. It gets you out into the good weather,” says another camper, Jim Mills.

With the value of the Canadian dollar and the price of gas, many people are looking to stay closer to home.

Tourism Muskoka says it’s expecting big numbers over the summer.

“Our travel trade bookings - so those are international bookings are pacing 34 per cent compared to 2025 and 40 per cent compared to 2024, so we know the international market is keen to come to Muskoka with our top source market this year the United States followed by Germany,” says Val Hamilton with Muskoka Tourism.

Muskoka Tourism says Canada Day typically sets the tone for the season. It also says hotels and resorts are reporting impressive bookings for the summer ahead. And great weather can only help.