Reviews of Kids Camps and Summer Camps

Name

Location

User review (coming soon)

Camp Name
4Cats Mississauga Mississauga, Ontario Our Take: 4Cats Mississauga 4 Cats is named after a cafe in Paris where Picasso met with other artists and thinkers, talked about art, and did whatever else artists do in cafes. The name is well chosen. The 4Cats locations, of which the number is growing across the country, offer an interactive, fun, and very social approach to art instruction. There are the basics, as well as sessions designed to appeal to a range of interests, including street art and splatter painting. 4Cats Mississauga is a great example of the offering, including a vibrant environment and engaged, enthusiastic instructors. All is well keyed to larger art topics, including historical styles, artists, and techniques. Kids learn a lot as they go, yet the educational element is well integrated, and fun is always at the fore.	Mississauga	0
Adventure Valley Thornhill, Ontario Our Take: Adventure Valley Adventure Valley provides a true camp experience with the benefit of being close to home. Transportation is a plus, as are the other amenities, such as lunch. The holiday and PA day camps are also a draw, given that they allow a continuity through a child's year, returning to the same environment at intervals even outside of the summer months. The program is very established, with strong staff, and breadth of programming, including the basics and beyond.	Thornhill	0
American Musical Theatre Academy Canadian Summer Camp Cornwallis Park, Cornwallis Our Take: American Musical Theatre Academy Canadian Summer Camp The impetus for this camp is a delightfully simple one: Kenneth Avery-Clark, a theater professional, was visiting Cornwallis and thought, “What an amazing place this would be to spend two weeks with a bunch of like-minded kids and adults singing, dancing and acting every day!” He made it so, and, well, it was. The camp is a tip of a larger iceberg, namely that of the American Musical Theater Academy which runs a number of schools and locations. As such, this camp attracts campers from nearby as well as from very far afield. At camp they work in a professional setting, with professionals and like-minded peers who share the same talents and aspirations. Campers feel that they are part of something larger, and that’s because they are, an experience that for many is a transformative one.	Cornwallis Park	0
Apostrophe Kids Oakville, Ontario Our Take: Apostrophe Kids STEM and STEAM get a lot of attention these days, though how we express our ideas is just as important as how we arrive at them. Appreciating a well-crafted argument, and writing in a longer form than a tweet, is a key skill that kids will need to succeed in post-secondary and beyond, yet often can receive short shrift. At Apostrophe, kids have a chance to really drill down on effective communication, while also exercising a natural affinity for text, story-telling, and stories, with peers who share that area of interest.	Oakville	0
Arrowhead Camp Dwight, Ontario Our Take: Arrowhead Camp Programming clusters around traditional camp activities, including sailing, swimming, and the arts. The sense of participation within a longer tradition is signaled within the culture of the camp and elsewhere, including the buildings, some of which, while updated and modernized, have been in use since the site was first developed as a girls’ camp in 1954. The camp community is smaller than some, allowing for a very close-knit feel, something that is a draw for the families that enroll. Programming rightly makes the most of the natural resources, including the surrounding woodland and the lake, and while the sun is shining, campers are out there, engaging with all of it. It’s an active day, and the intention is to allow kids to get some of their beans out while building confidence in their abilities and a sense of their place in the world.	Dwight	0
Arrowsmith School Cognitive Intensive Program Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Arrowsmith School Cognitive Intensive Program The Arrowsmith School was founded in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young to provide support for struggling learners. The school has been an object of interest ever since, due to the concept that Arrowsmith-Young built her program around. "If we look at a lot of special education programs, the majority assume the learner is fixed," she said. "What my program is saying is that we can change the learner so they can learn." While there are many things that set the school apart, that sense of what is possible is prime among them. The Cognitive Intensive Program extends the work of the school, based in a like model and similar goals. Each year it hosts both adults and school age students who arrived from literally from around the world--as close as the US, and as far as Australia. They come because of the success of the program as well as its uniqueness—there is literally nothing like it in terms of approach and outcomes. And the outcomes are these: taking struggling learners, specifically around cognitive function and symbol relations, and helping them develop as learners and growing into a more accurate understanding of their academic abilities and what they are capable of. It’s life-changing in every way. The program promises a lot, and it consistently delivers all of that and more.	Toronto	0
Art Gallery of Ontario Art Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Art Gallery of Ontario Art Camps The AGO is known for innovation, something that is symbolized in the redesign of the building by Frank Gehry, completed in 2008. The camps are about art, but they extend that in all kinds of interesting ways, exploring where art intersects with culture, science, and life. As such, the sessions don’t focus on media, but concepts. An Aviation session, for example, looks at flight using paper airplanes, the experimentation of Da Vinci as noted in his codices, and drawing birds in flight. One session looked at created habitat for urban wildlife. And on it goes. New themes are offered each summer, though all are as inspired as they are inspiring. The AGO camps are one of a kind, and have rightly grown a strong reputation and devoted following.	Toronto	0
Black Creek Pioneer Village Day Camp Woodbridge, Ontario Our Take: Black Creek Pioneer Village Day Camp It’s right to expect that Black Creek offers summer programs based in history, and certainly they do. That said, the programing is more varied, and more creative, than you’d think at first blush. Sessions range from craft programs, to superheroes saving the village from villains. Kids love to dress up, to try on new identities in new contexts, and that’s something that the setting here offers in abundance. Even for adults, it’s a chance to step away from the city, though without having to drive hours to do so. That environment is a draw, though so is the expertise and the creativity with which the programs are run. They’ve been at it a long time, and have built a strong staff and best practices. There’s certainly a lot to love, not restricted to a chance for kids to step back in time.	Woodbridge	0
Bluffs Performance Beach Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Bluffs Performance Beach Camp The GTA has so many great resources, though one we tend to overlook, perhaps, is the beach. Further, we don’t tend to think of beaches and green space when we think of Scarborough, though part of the reasoning behind the creation of Bluffs Performance Athletics is to change that, and to demonstrate not only that active living is important, but also that we don’t have go far away to really dig in. There is excellent leadership, woven through with community involvement, but the perspective is great, too, namely that activity is about how we see ourselves, and how we posit ourselves in relation to others. The founders and staff are off the charts in terms of achievement, but also in their ability to inspire young people toward active, healthy, empathetic lifestyles. The sessions are a blast, to be sure, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot to love in this program.	Toronto	0
Bot Camp – Specialty Robotics Programs Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Bot Camp – Specialty Robotics Programs As in so many camps, the real value of the programming comes from the people that campers meet when they attend, and that’s especially true in this instance. At Bot Camp they’ll work with peers who share their passions and aptitude for STEM. They’ll also enter an environment of champions; all of the instructors are award-winning, competitive robotics athletes. And they think of it in that way—it’s a sport, and they approach it as you would any sport, with drive, passion, and a thirst for challenge. The program is designed, developed, and run by Shawn Lim, who is himself an elite athlete in the world of robotics and programming. As director of district implementation for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Canada at Georgian College, he has a deep experience and history with competition, having competed in the very first event in 1998. He’s vibrant, and inspiring, and runs the programs in that vein. The camp is committed to providing girls opportunities, with ample gender peers and mentors.	Toronto	0
Branksome Hall Day Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Branksome Hall Day Camps To say that Branksome Hall has a lot to offer is a massive understatement. The environment is truly singular: 13 acres of stellar facilities, from heritage buildings to state of the art science, arts, and athletics environments, including two salt-water pools. And it’s all right here, in the heart of the city. The school is famed for empowering learners, and providing opportunities for them to find their strengths and their voices, and that’s an aspect of the camp sessions.	Toronto	0
Brentwood College School Summer Camps Mill Bay, British Columbia Our Take: Brentwood College School Summer Camps There’s a lot that’s remarkable about Brentwood College beyond the obvious, which is the beauty of the campus, the stellar resources, and peaceful setting. In the 1990s, it became one of the first schools in the country to make a substantial commitment to sustainable energy, building a performing arts centre that includes a geothermal loop for heating and cooling. There’s also a salmon run along the school boundary. Brentwood is noted for both its academics and athletics, and all of the schools strengths come to bear on its summer programs. In many ways, and throughout the year, the offering at Brentwood is arguably second to none.	Mill Bay	0
Bricks 4 Kidz - Mississauga - Oakville - Milton - Burlington Mississauga, Ontario Our Take: Bricks 4 Kidz - Mississauga - Oakville - Milton - Burlington For kids, Bricks 4 Kids is a Lego program: they see is a chance to indulge their interest along with other kids who share it, and otherwise dive in to a lot of cool stuff. For parents and teachers, it’s a means of interesting kids in STEAM topics, and take part in summer, afterschool, weekend, and holiday programs that support and extend the school science, physics, and math curriculum. The programs are well conceived, expertly run, and informed by a thorough knowledge of the public school curricular expectations and outcomes. There’s a lot to love. The wealth of programs both through the summer and during the school year provide a consistent outlet that children can return to, and feel comfortable in, throughout the year.	Mississauga	0
Bricks 4 Kidz – Vaughan – Richmond Hill Maple, Ontario Our Take: Bricks 4 Kidz – Vaughan – Richmond Hill For kids, Bricks 4 Kids is a Lego program: they see is a chance to indulge their interest along with other kids who share it, and otherwise dive in to a lot of cool stuff. For parents and teachers, it’s a means of interesting kids in STEAM topics, and take part in summer, afterschool, weekend, and holiday programs that support and extend the school science, physics, and math curriculum. The programs are well conceived, expertly run, and informed by a thorough knowledge of the public school curricular expectations and outcomes. There’s a lot to love. The wealth of programs both through the summer and during the school year provide a consistent outlet that children can return to, and feel comfortable in, throughout the year.	Maple	0
Bricks 4 Kidz Oakville/ Burlington Oakville, Ontario Our Take: Bricks 4 Kidz Oakville/ Burlington For kids, Bricks 4 Kids is a Lego program: they see is a chance to indulge their interest along with other kids who share it, and otherwise dive in to a lot of cool stuff. For parents and teachers, it’s a means of interesting kids in STEAM topics, and take part in summer, afterschool, weekend, and holiday programs that support and extend the school science, physics, and math curriculum. The programs are well conceived, expertly run, and informed by a thorough knowledge of the public school curricular expectations and outcomes. There’s a lot to love. The wealth of programs both through the summer and during the school year provide a consistent outlet that children can return to, and feel comfortable in, throughout the year.	Oakville	0
Bricks 4 Kidz Woodbridge Brampton, Ontario Our Take: Bricks 4 Kidz Woodbridge For kids, Bricks 4 Kids is a Lego program: they see is a chance to indulge their interest along with other kids who share it, and otherwise dive in to a lot of cool stuff. For parents and teachers, it’s a means of interesting kids in STEAM topics, and take part in summer, afterschool, weekend, and holiday programs that support and extend the school science, physics, and math curriculum. The programs are well conceived, expertly run, and informed by a thorough knowledge of the public school curricular expectations and outcomes. There’s a lot to love. The wealth of programs both through the summer and during the school year provide a consistent outlet that children can return to, and feel comfortable in, throughout the year.	Brampton	0
Bricks4kidz Beaches Leslieville Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Bricks4kidz Beaches Leslieville For kids, Bricks 4 Kids is a Lego program: they see is a chance to indulge their interest along with other kids who share it, and otherwise dive in to a lot of cool stuff. For parents and teachers, it’s a means of interesting kids in STEAM topics, and take part in summer, afterschool, weekend, and holiday programs that support and extend the school science, physics, and math curriculum. The programs are well conceived, expertly run, and informed by a thorough knowledge of the public school curricular expectations and outcomes. There’s a lot to love. The wealth of programs both through the summer and during the school year provide a consistent outlet that children can return to, and feel comfortable in, throughout the year.	Toronto	0
Brighton School Summer Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Brighton School Summer Camps The Brighton School program begins from the understanding that not all students are able to adapt themselves to the curriculum; rather, in order to reach their potentials, they require an academic environment that adapts itself to them. There are lots of challenges out there, and Brighton has a history of helping their students meet all of them, no matter what form they might take. All of that is carried over into the summer programs, which are intended to be fun, first and foremost, while also building children’s confidence around social interactions, self-regulation, and conflict resolution. For parents, the summer programs allow an opportunity to engage children while extending and augmenting the skills that they are learning throughout the year. Staff are supportive, and highly experienced in working with children, particularly those with a range of special needs.	Toronto	0
Brock Youth University St Catharines, Ontario Our Take: Brock Youth University “These are really just foundational skills,” says Kate Cassidy, director of Brock Youth University. “Developing these skills doesn’t start at 18, it starts when they’re much younger,” though they are what employers will be looking for when the campers have grown, left camp, and begin entering their careers. Cassidy uses the term ‘skills,’ though they’re not in the same league as, say, words keyed per minute or languages spoken. They’re the tools that these people use to put themselves forward, communicate their talents and their ideas, respond to hard times, and create positive interactions in the world. And, as great as the instructors and the programs are—and, to be sure, they’re great—the perspective that Cassidy takes is that they are a vehicle for learning some of the more important things including self-awareness, communication skills, problem solving and getting along well with others. And, ultimately, that’s where the Brock programs really shine. It’s a unique opportunity for kids to grow interests, and much else.	St Catharines	0
Bytown Brigantine Tall Ships Adventure Brockville, Ontario Our Take: Bytown Brigantine Tall Ships Adventure For many kids, camp is the only chance to really step outside of their comfort zones, whether that means getting caught in the rain, or speaking to a crowd, or simply engaging with others in a collaborative setting. At Bytown Brigantine, they’ll do all of that and sail tall ships with fully licensed youth crew on Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence, and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s as rustic as it is unique. “It’s not a cruise,” says Christy Griffin, the executive director. “You’re stepping aboard as a crew member.” There are lots of things to do, and everyone does them. At the same time, kids learn about the weather patterns, do chart work, even prep food in the galley. Hands-on all round, and unlike activities at other camps, there’s a sense of responsibility that runs through it all: the work of the ship needs to be done, and it’s the job of everyone on board to do it. It also isn’t for the faint of heart. Griffin recalls that one year there was a girl who was terrified of heights, and resistant to getting up into the rigging. Even so, the boat is its own world, with everyone leading by example, and within a few days, she was up there, too, getting the job done and loving it. They all do, even without their phones, and devices are only available to the kids while they are in port. Different sessions take different routes, including stops along the eastern seaboard of Canada and the U.S. In some instances, the boat takes part in festivals and events, at times along other tall ships and their crews. In port, the kids are the experts, representing the ship, its crew, and interpreting the experience aboard. For the right person, it’s an unforgettable life experience.	Brockville	0
Camp Arowhon Algonquin Park, Ontario Our Take: Camp Arowhon If there is a downside to attending Arowhon, we’ve yet to find it. The facilities and location are like a postcard of what a traditional camp should look like, and what a traditional camp should be. The programs are organized to allow campers to have a sense of ownership for what they do, and a sense of independence while doing it. Skills are used to build relationships, behaviours, and the values that form the core of the program. The staff is dedicated, with a consistent leadership since the camp was founded in 1934. Director Joanne Kates is also a vocal and prominent advocate of camping in general, and is often in the media writing and speaking on its social, physical, and psychological benefits. One parent described the Arowhon staff as engaged, dynamic, supportive, “and they’re present. That’s really the most important thing: they’re present.” She means that in the sense that they’re not simply by the campers’ sides, but they’re attuned to their needs, providing support and fellowship. She’s right. That really is the most important thing, and it doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of the culture of the camp, the people it attracts, and the values it imparts, all of which are rightly the foremost draws for the families that enrol here.	Algonquin Park	0
Camp Bil-O-Wood Blind River, Ontario Our Take: Camp Bil-O-Wood Tradition is important. It provides a window onto a wider world, and a chance to tap into something larger than ourselves. That kind of tradition provides a basis for the offering at Bil-O-Wood. Founded in 1946 and run by four generations of the same family, it remains consistent with its roots, offering a chance to really engage with the foundation of camping in Canada. Kids perhaps don't really care, at least not in an intellectual way, and that's fine. What they do appreciate, whether or not they express it, is the opportunity to step outside the bustle of their lives, to spend a bit of time in nature, and to live for a time through a different set of priorities. For many families, that, very rightly, is what camp is all about.	Blind River	0
Camp Can-Aqua Cardiff, Ontario Our Take: Camp Can-Aqua We often tend to think first of activities at camp: what kids will do there. Camp Can-Aqua, like all great camp programs, is developed with the full range of activities, though leadership addresses itself less to the what than the why—the activities are there to provide opportunities to grow independence and character, to expose kids to new things, new ideas, and to have fun while they do all of that. That’s the spirit in which Louis Gyori founded the camp more than 30 years ago, and one that continues at the camp today. The core activities are those we associate with traditional camping, and all are applied to allowing kids gain a greater understanding of who they are and what they are capable of. There are specialty programs, including leadership training, which are a draw for many. The camp also offers family camp sessions, which is a great in and of itself, though can also provide a nice entrée to the camp experience and the culture of Can-Aqua.	Cardiff	0
Camp Couchiching Longford Mills, Ontario Our Take: Camp Couchiching Couchiching isn’t the oldest camp in the country, but it shares a tradition with those that are. The camp has also long been at the leading edge of what camps can offer, and who they can offer it to. Cooch was perhaps one of the first to go entirely co-ed, which it did in the 1960s, though it had offered girls’ programs prior to that. Soon after, the administration sought to reach kids with special medical needs, and established the Ontario Cystic Fibrosis Camp. The idea, in that and other like programs that followed, was to allow kids to get beyond their exceptionalities: the camp provided the supports they needed, within a community that didn’t see them as exceptional. Today, that model is common throughout the world of camping, though at the time it was fairly groundbreaking. And while times have changed, the values haven’t, and Couchiching rightly prides itself on bringing kids together in order to grow, build friendships, and participate in a values-based community. The camp community extends well beyond the summer, or even youth—the relationships begun here continue into campers’ adult lives, as demonstrated in part through an involved community of camp alumni.	Longford Mills	0
Camp Ecolart Montreal, Quebec Our Take: Camp Ecolart All camps are unique, and Ecolart is a prime example of that. It offers sessions on the campus of John Abbott College, a public CEGEP on the western tip of the island of Montreal. As such, the facilities and the resources to hand—including athletic, residential, and academic—are exceptional. There are six week-long day camp sessions that run concurrently with three two-week residential sessions. There is an international flavour to the residential programs, given that many campers arrive from quite far afield. The programs are mixed, so even the day campers experience a uniquely international culture, getting to know young people from across the country and around the world. Days are active, and include some day excursions, visiting local attractions and, during some sessions, venturing as far as Ottawa and a tour of Parliament Hill. The camp provides transportation to and from the airport at the beginning and end of each residential session, which is certainly a nice plus. Ecolart is a company based in Canada that also runs programs in Squamish, BC, and San Diego, California. The administration is experienced and professional, very adept at providing a high level of service and seamless programing with the needs of both local and international campers in mind.	Montreal	0
Camp Hurontario Mactier, Ontario Our Take: Camp Hurontario Pauline Hodgetts, the current director, has recalled how her father, Birnie Hodgetts was caught in a storm during a fishing trip in 1946, and sought shelter in a bay, where he and his brother hunkered down for the night. In the morning, he said “This is where I will have my camp.” It took a bit of work (which Pauline recounts here) but, as improbable as it might seem, he did. Founded in 1947, Hurontario remains today what it was at the beginning: a camp where boys can live and work together, form meaningful relationships, grow leadership skills, and gain a sense of themselves. The most traditional camp activities—canoeing, tripping, sailing, the arts—have been augmented over the years, though done very intentionally to ensure that the focus on values, character, and leadership remain the core of the program.	Mactier	0
Camp Kendellhurst Mississauga, Ontario Our Take: Camp Kendellhurst Private schools, of course, intend to offer an alternative, and Kendellhurst is a great example of that. The program is founded in an approach to ECE that borrows the best from Montessori and other alternative approaches, yet does it in a very tailored, intentional way in order to best address the needs of the students that attend. It's less about doctrine than meeting the specific needs of student population. The feel is homey, comfortable, and supportive, and the camp sessions allow families to extend that experience into the summer months, providing an opportunity for academic continuity between school terms.	Mississauga	0
Camp Mini-Yo-We Port Sydney, Ontario Our Take: Camp Mini-Yo-We Many families turn to Mini-Yo-We because of the values it expresses, and rightly so. It’s adept at providing those values. That said, the staff is adept at many other things, with vibrancy prime among them—the goal is to light a fire within the campers, getting them engaged quickly and then building from there, something they make look far easier than it is. There is also a great attention to detail, with the programs and facilities sparkling throughout. All is exceptionally well managed, maintained, and promoted, through the summer and all year long. The breadth of programming allows for campers to develop seamlessly from their first overnight experience, to moving into leadership and mentoring roles. Spaces regularly sell out, which is as good a recommendation of the program as you can get. And Rich. He’s the executive director, and is a good recommendation, too. If you haven’t already, friend him on Facebook. You’ll be glad you did.	Port Sydney	0
Camp Nominingue Nominingue, Quebec Our Take: Camp Nominingue Nominigue has had a few ups and downs in its long life, though now is perhaps within its golden age, the one where the programs, the staff, and the culture are as strong as they are impressive. As when it was founded, Nominigue offers a boys’ program operating in English. As such, it draws boys from a wider catchment area, including Montreal, Toronto, and beyond. The draw is the strength of the program, one that seeks to allow boys to grow together, though fun and challenge, and allow them to better understand their strengths and talents, both individually and within a group. Grant McKenna is the current director—he’s a delight to speak with, and is as great a proponent of camp you can ever hope to find. He knows that camp can change lives, and that’s why he’s here. While he has a long history with the camp, he has also spent a good deal of his professional life within the world of business, a unique and valuable perspective that he brings to running the camp and its programs. Nominigue also builds canoes, so the ones that the boys use were built on site. Those canoes are found elsewhere, too, including other camps; Wanakita has a few that were bought decades ago but are still in use. The canoes—built here, by hand—underscore the unique yet very traditional experience that campers find here each summer.	Nominingue	0
Camp North Star Poland Spring, Maine(USA) Our Take: Camp North Star Not all camps conform to the idea that many people might have of camp, though North Star, in all the best ways, truly does. On a wooded property, on a lake, it offers all the traditional activities that you’d expect from a summer camp. That said, the experience isn’t really about activities; those things are just tools that the counsellors and staff use to do other, better things, such as encouraging campers to gain a sense of themselves, their talents and challenges, and a greater understanding of their place in the world. Steven and Brooke Bernstein are the definition of camp people, having spent the better portion of their lives at camp, thinking about camp, and developing the programs at North Star. As such, were you to ask them about what the camp offers, they’d talk about values, friendships, resilience, and community. That’s what camp is all about, and is also the reason that parents, rightly, turn to Camp North Star.	Poland Spring	0
Camp Northway/ Wendigo Algonquin Park, Ontario Our Take: Camp Northway/ Wendigo Northway is the oldest girls camp in Canada, having been founded in 1906, and so much of the camp’s charm comes from the long-standing traditions and the approach. It’s hard to imagine a more traditional camp than this: paper and envelopes are listed in what to bring, and campers really do write real letters home. iPods, jewelry, cell phones, and valuables aren’t allowed. When campers arrive, they are really here, immersed in all the priorities of the camp: spending time together, singing together, and experiencing something different. It’s not a time capsule, but rather a place that has stayed absolutely true to the ideals that it was formed around. And it’s as charming, and charmingly beautiful, as any summer camp you could ever hope to find. The programming is strong and varied, though the experience of place is the focus. The campers stay in canvas, cabin-style tents, and they spend their time doing the most traditional activities: canoeing, sailing, tripping, reading, making crafts. The current director, Brookes Prewitt, came as a child in 1951 because his mother was camp director, and he’s been at Northway literally every summer since. That’s a run of 66 years. His mother was director for 26 years prior to him. Wilson, Brookes’ son, first came to camp when he was three months old, and he’s been there every summer since, taking various leadership roles along the way. That’s pretty great too. Girls who have attended Northway know that they’ve participated in something quietly unique, which is an experience which unites them, even much later in life.	Algonquin Park	0
Camp Oconto Tichborne, Ontario Our Take: Camp Oconto Oconto is one of the great girls’ camps in the county, with a long history of consistent leadership. Founded in 1924, Lisa and Bruce Wilson have directed the camp since 1982, taking over from Lisa’s parents, who purchased Oconto in 1949. Lisa arrived for her first camp season at three months of age, and she has been back every year since. She’s been a leader in the camping world for decades, having served as president of the Society of Camp Directors, and as member of the board of the Ontario Camping Association. In all, there’s an impressive pedigree here, one that is still evident throughout the camp, from the architecture—the main hall, for one, has been in continual use since 1924—to the values that are promoted through the programming. The sense of tradition is palpable and animates the Oconto experience; girls who have attended feel that they are part of a family, one that is shared with the campers who went before. The activities are varied, though it’s the experience of the culture of the camp that campers typically treasure the most.	Tichborne	0
Camp Ouareau Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, Quebec Our Take: Camp Ouareau Jaqui Raill, director of Camp Ouareau, says that at camp girls “can talk about pressures, body image, appropriate role models, and nutrition with healthy young women [camp staff] who are active, eat well and not obsessed with their bodies.” While the offering are varied and broad, for many girls, if not most, that’s the benefit of camp: living, growing with others into a set of shared values around who they are and what they want to be. “It’s such a pressured life girls lead— university, school—[here] they can let themselves go because there isn’t that extra pressure of the opposite gender.” All decisions at Camp Ouareau are made with the girls in mind, including the all-female staff trained to help girls explore sensitive issues in healthy, beneficial ways. Camp Ouareau’s staff and alumni are inspirations to young campers who can look up to friends that become environmentalists, doctors, teachers, and spend their time volunteering and giving back to the world. As a staff member since 1975, Raill says that “the reason I’m still here and have the same passion I had when I arrived, is that so many of these girls leave camp with so much more knowing of themselves, so much more confidence, even if it’s just for one session.” If girls need a reason to go, that’s it.	Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci	0
Camp Pathfinder Huntsville, Ontario Our Take: Camp Pathfinder Founded in 1914, Pathfinder has a long and distinguished history, one that rightly informs the camp experience today. The camp facility is, frankly, stunning, occupying an island of its own. The structures sit beneath mature pines, with technology limited to basically to the kitchen. As such, it’s as authentic a camp experience as you could hope to find, and a traditional camp in the best sense of the term. On one hand that term refers to the activities, including canoeing, tripping, camp craft, water sports. More importantly, it refers to the culture of the camp. When boys arrive, they participate within an environment and community that is much, much larger than themselves, one that includes the many generations of campers that have come before. They feel a world away, yet part of a community that is formed around a clear set of values, including conservation, positive mentorship, team work, challenge, and growth. At Pathfinder, boys have time to focus on a different set of priorities, something that has been a core element of the camp experience since it was founded, though arguably more needed today than ever. Campers leave feeling that they’ve accomplished something, while having also become a part of something, a sense which they carry with them throughout the year. Pathfinder is, plainly put, one of the best all-boys’ programs in the country.	Huntsville	0
Camp Portneuf St-Raymond, Quebec Our Take: Camp Portneuf All kids need to be challenged, though they don’t all need to be challenged in the same way. Camp Portneuf in Lac Sept-Iles, Québec, is a traditional camp with a twist, in a sense, in that it focusses on supporting kids with behavioural problems. That can include a range of things, though a diagnosis isn’t so much an issue as it is simply providing a positive space for children who are struggling in other social environments. Director Marie-Pierre Lacasse is frankly inspiring, and brings a wonderful perspective to the camp. She says that her goal is to deliver “a life impacting type of experience, for kids that typically don’t’ fit in.” She adds, “Who hasn’t been labelled? Who hasn’t been set aside? At the end of the week we want them all to have had just a regular experience.” That includes all the traditional outdoor activities, though with a lot of latitude for kids simply to explore the world around them at their own pace. Says Lacasse, “If my kids what to follow ants for an hour. Great! That’s an awesome activity!” Watching ants is a great activity, in her mind, not because of what kids learn about ants, but the time it gives them to slow down a bit, and follow their curiosity, and support the values inherent in the camp experience. As such, they all experience of empowerment, as well as a sense of trust and responsibility, that can be transformative. “These are great kids!” says Lacasse, and what makes her such a great director is that she takes the time, and makes the effort, to allow them to see that in themselves.	St-Raymond	0
Camp Tamakwa Huntsville, Ontario Our Take: Camp Tamakwa Tamakwa is a camp that has become part of the national culture in ways that others can only envy. As a camper Michael Budman discovered a culture and an aesthetic that would later become central to the Roots Canada brand, a company he co-founded. When Roots ultimately outfitted the Canadian Olympic teams from 1998 to 2004, there was a little bit of Tamakwa in the image that Canada was projecting to the world. It wasn’t just the aesthetic that impressed Budman, of course, but also the values that were represented there: confidence, communication, leadership development, environmental stewardship, and self-expression. David Stringer has been at the camp for more than 60 years. He’s the son of Omer Stringer, the legendary canoeist and outdoorsman, and director at Tamakwa, as was his father before him. While the camp has grown and changed over the years, that continuity is one of the draws, and the program remains centred on the values that were there from the earliest days. David says of his father, “If he could see this third generation of kids tipped over on the side of their canoe, paddling, he’d be thrilled.” It’s that experience—of participating in something bigger than ourselves—that remains a hallmark of what Tamakwa has to offer.	Huntsville	0
Camp Tanamakoon Huntsville, Ontario Our Take: Camp Tanamakoon In some respects, Tanamakoon is the very definition of the camping tradition in Canada. It was founded in Algonquin in 1925, and has changed little in the near century since. It remains a place for girls to get out into the woods and to engage in the traditional activities associated with camp: canoeing, camp craft, singing, the arts. Dora Mavor Moore attended the camp, and the stage that she designed there to house the nascent drama program is still there today, still the cornerstone of the program. Maybe most of the campers don’t remember who she was, or the impact she had on drama in Canada, but the stage remains a symbol, nevertheless, of how the camp has reached out from the property, playing a quiet yet indelibly positive role in the larger culture as well as the life of the campers who have attended. Since 1984 Tanamakoon has been run by Kim and Marilyn Smith, providing a nice continuity to the program. The same is true of the director, Patti Thom, who has been involved since arriving as a camper 1964. She is a prominent voice in the camping world, and, as ever, she brings a vibrant spirit to the entire enterprise. For her camping is about values, which is just as it should be.	Huntsville	0
Camp Tapawingo, YWCA Parry Sound, Ontario Our Take: Camp Tapawingo, YWCA The camp says that “if your girl is 6 to 15 years old, she needs to be at Camp Tapawingo this summer.” And, actually, there’s more than a bit of truth to that. The program on offer is storied and, for more than 90 years, has provided an example that other camps have consistently looked to when developing their own programming. The camp has all the hallmarks you’d expect from a Y camp, including a strong foundation in traditional activities and camp craft, as well one in the spirit of camping: conservation, leadership, mentorship, growth. The environment allows girls to grow together, and into a sense of their abilities, in ways that other environments simply don’t allow. Tapawingo has a legacy of developing young girls into confident, spirited, engaged women, something which continues today. Sessions, busing, staff, programming, balance—all are as good as it gets.	Parry Sound	0
Camp Wabikon Temagami, Ontario Our Take: Camp Wabikon Wabikon has all the things we’d expect to see in a strong, established, traditional camp: a focus on the core activities, an attention to personal and interpersonal development, and a fun, engaging environment. The location and resources follow in that mold, including a stunning setting in Temagami. Where it differs from other camps of its quality and programming is in an attention to bringing an international community together in a way that augments the camp experience for all. Most camps of course have campers arriving from farther afield, though Wabikon has made that one of its foci, principally brining young people together for the purpose of an international experience. That’s a very nice piece, and Wabikon is a leader in that regard. Campers get a full camp experience, as well as exposure to the larger world, one that encourages an understanding of their place within it.	Temagami	0
Camp Wanapitei Temagami, Ontario Our Take: Camp Wanapitei For some, the concept of canoe tripping can be a bit daunting, something that Wanapitei director Eoin Wood readily admits. Wrapped up within the concept, at least to the uninitiated, is the need for parents to let their kids get out there, to make their own experiences, and find their own place in the world. Tripping is conducted with those kinds of goals in mind. Member of Parliament Carolyn Bennett, a great proponent of canoe tripping, has said that “kids need to be able to forge friendships and again experience and take risks … Figuring out who you can trust and who you go to with problems, how you sort out who is a leader you can trust.” She notes that the people she has brought along with her, particularly around the development of Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, are the people she has been on canoe trips with. It’s precisely in that spirit that Wanapitei has developed its tripping programs since it was founded in 1931. It’s challenging, and that’s part of it, though the risks are personal, not physical—the leadership at Wanapitei is as good as it gets, and the strength of the program is a testament to that. The experience of being out in nature, far from the noise and bustle of the world, working closely together with a group of peers and leaders is one that can be utterly transformative in the life of a young person.	Temagami	0
Camp Wenonah Bracebridge, Ontario Our Take: Camp Wenonah There’s a lot to love about Camp Wenonah, one of the foremost being Jeff Bradshaw, the director since he founded the camp in 1982. The goal, then as now, is to provide “a healthy respect and appreciation for one’s self, for others, and for the natural world.” To say that they do exactly that is an understatement. Wenonah has long been an example of what camp be in the lives of children, often in remarkable ways. For example, Wenonah was one of the first camps in Ontario to host Syrian refugees, something Bradshaw did without a blink. The program was an inspiration to others, and continues to be. Tellingly, the camp website doesn’t talk about future campers but rather “future families,” and that’s really how the experience is envisioned: as one that involves families, and does so over the longer term. The activities are those we associate with the core of the camping tradition, though have been thoughtfully augmented over the years. The site, too, continues to grow, something that furthers the breadth of what Wenonah is able to offer and the number of campers it’s able to offer it to.	Bracebridge	0
Canadian Adventure Camp Temagami, Ontario Our Take: Canadian Adventure Camp The Canadian Adventure Camp has a focus on gymnastics, including some very skill-based and frankly difficult activities, such as silks, which was added fairly recently. “We’ve also added hoops, these are all kind of like cirque, or circus elements,” says Justin Gerson, admitting that “it’s quite a difficult sport.” Still, even though a majority of campers don’t attend for the gymnastics program, they all try it, as they do the full range of activities, many of which—such as the gyro—are provided precisely because they are atypical. Campers are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones, to some extent, in order to grow into a better understanding of their strengths, talents, and capabilities. There is an attention to skill development, though character development is a goal of the program as well. Set on a private island in Temagami, with the full range of camp traditions, there’s certainly a lot to love. Staffing is sport specific, with experienced coaches in all of the activity areas. Leadership of the camp has also been consistent, with Skip Connett at the helm since he founded the Canadian Adventure Camp in 1975.	Temagami	0
Cedar Ridge Camp McArthurs Mills, Ontario Our Take: Cedar Ridge Camp Cedar Ridge is unique in that it’s a relatively young camp—its inagural summer was in 2007—yet designed to offer a wholly traditional, time-worn camp experience. The founders gained a love for what camp can do, as well as the traditions, while campers and staff at Camp Mazinaw and Kilcoo Camp. The creation of Cedar Ridge was, in truth, a labour of love, and that labour has been rewarded. The days are active, covering all of the basics from canoeing and swimming, to horseback riding. If it’s a bit of a time capsule, it’s nevertheless one in all the right ways—in emulating the traditional camp experience, founders Peter Ruys de Perez and Grayson Burke wanted to create a space where young people can work together in order to stretch themselves, discover their talents, and build resiliency. Rightly, it's about environment and culture as much as it is activities and learning, and that’s why families turn to Cedar Ridge. It's also why the camp has gained an impressive reputation in a relatively short space of time.	McArthurs Mills	0
Centauri Summer Arts Camp Wellandport, Ontario Our Take: Centauri Summer Arts Camp The programs at Centauri are firmly based in an interest in the arts, and campers typically enroll with the intention of developing their skills within a specific area of interest. They spend a portion of each day within that area, learning and developing alongside others of like interests and abilities. That said, it’s also a camp, and the intention is very much centered on personal and interpersonal development, having fun, and engaging creatively with others. In that, it’s a true camp experience, one that includes campfires, theme days, and dining hall chants. It’s a place for kids to have fun, to be themselves, and to learn while extending themselves within a safe, supportive, empathetic environment. In all, it’s a unique camp experience, and for the families that attend, that’s certainly the principal draw.	Wellandport	0
Central Montessori Schools Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Central Montessori Schools Since it was founded in 1995, CMS has grown to include five locations in the GTA. The program is founded on the core ideals that Maria Montessori promoted in her work, those of respect, community, purposeful engagement, and self-directed learning. The camps extend that focus into the summer months, offering a breadth of sessions that reflect the approach of the school and the interests of its student population. Balance between learning, challenge and fun is keenly upheld. For students of the school during the fall and winter terms, the summer sessions add a nice continuity to their academic and social experience.	Toronto	0
Cherry Beach Soccer Club Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Cherry Beach Soccer Club Two of the best things that any camp can offer is A) meaningful engagement with peers who share an area of interest, and B) mentorship. Cherry Beach offers both of those in spades. The staff consists of qualified coaches and instructors, people who know soccer intimately and are also keen to work with young people. While there are a range of programs, all allow campers to interact with others who, in a sense, speak their language. Three locations throughout the GTA make the programs accessible, while also allowing an experience with other activities, including sailing. Soccer may be the core activity, but the camps will be of interest to all kids who thrive in environments that are challenging, supportive, and activity-based.	Toronto	0
City Scouts: Urban Adventure Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: City Scouts: Urban Adventure Camp We often think of camp as synonymous with the presence of a lake, some forest, canoes and campfires. Of course, camp isn’t that. You could even have all those things and still not have camp. A better definition would be this: counsellors who work to bring kids together to have fun, to grow, to experience new things, and to build friendships, skills and resilience. And, while City Scouts may not look like the camp stereotype, it nevertheless provides all of those things in abundance. Riley Millican founded City Scouts in a belief in the power of counsellors’ ability to build great relationships, and in the understanding that the urban jungle, in and of itself, is a fantastic place to explore. This isn’t about going to attractions—the ROM one day, the AGO the next, and Wonderland at the end of the week—but really digging in and experiencing the city in and of itself. Which, frankly, kids love, as well they should. The city is a vibrant place that they often only see while on their way somewhere; they lack authentic opportunities to interact with the spaces and the people they find there. City Camp is, for many kids, a unique opportunity to slow down, even within the urban rush, and to explore their world in a new way with a bunch of other kids just like them, and all wearing the same t-shirts. For parents, it’s a great, eminently cost-effective option, right there on your doorstep.	Toronto	0
CMU College Makeup Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: CMU College Makeup Camps The best camps are those that allow kids to engage with their interests along with peers who share them, and that’s something the CMU camps offer in abundance. The sessions attract young people who have a passion for fashion, media, and communication, allowing them to exercise that passion with others in a professional setting. For many campers it’s a means of building skills, servicing talents, and allowing them to begin imagining how they might be further developed. For others it’s a chance to experience something different, which to some extent is what the summer months are really all about.	Toronto	0
Cornell International Summer Debate Camp Ithaca, New York(USA) Our Take: Cornell International Summer Debate Camp Debate is undergoing something of a resurgence in popularly with young people, and delightfully so. There are some great skills associated with it, including communication and higher order thinking, though kids like it for the best reason of all: it’s fun. The Cornell camp, it perhaps goes without saying, is truly world-class, hosted on the stunning campus of a storied, ivy-leauge university. For the kids that attend it can be an eye opener in all sorts of ways, particularly through engaging with peers from around the world who all share some core academic aspirations. The surrounding community of Ithaca itself has a lot to offer, including the vibrant, delightfully quirky downtown and the gorges beyond. The camp, for some families, provides an opportunity to take a family summer trip, with the kids going to debate camp with the adults explore the area, including the nearby Corning Glass Museum, Watkins Glen, and the Finger Lakes. Certainly there’s a lot to love, the Cornell campus and staff foremost among them. The debate camps are, for those that attend, a window onto a wider world, with the university setting providing an important element of that.	Ithaca	0
Debate Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Debate Camp Nick Szymanis founded Debate Camp Canada after having achieved a long and impressive career in private schooling. He held teaching and leadership positions at Havergal, Crofton House, and was director of academics at Sterling Hall. Director Oona Craig has a CV that is similarly impressive. In all, this is an academic camp that is placed very firmly on a foundation of academic experience and expertise. It’s not a traditional camp, of course, perhaps particularly because it’s not about providing a wide breadth of experiences, but rather an intensive focus on one: debating. That said, there is more breadth here than you might assume. Debate is a tool, like any camp activity, to get at other things, including confidence, resilience, skill development, and effective collaboration. The kids that attend find themselves in a group of peers that share their interests as well as their academic disposition, and many come away—as with any camp—with friends and memories for life.	Toronto	0
DEEP Summer Academy Toronto, Ontario Our Take: DEEP Summer Academy Some camps are truly one-of-a-kind, and this is one of them. Developed by the outreach office of the department of engineering at the University of Toronto, the intention was to offer an intensive STEM program for university bound kids. The goal is to incite passion as much as skills, and the environment is particularly adept at doing that. The resources to hand are as good as it gets, and there is a keen focus on involving girls within the program, inspiriting them to participate in areas where woman remain underrepresented. The programming is advanced and challenging, and students from around the world apply, with participation based on acceptance. Sessions are taught by faculty of the university, and topics are cutting edge. For those who attend, the experience is as singular as it is unforgettable.	Toronto	0
Digital Media Academy Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Digital Media Academy The activities offered at any camp are important, with those at tech camps perhaps being more applicable to many kids' personal and academic lives than, say, tetherball. That said, all good camps see their activities as less an end in themselves, and more as something for young people to gather together around, to test their abilities and resolve, and to help them to grow into a sense of who they are. In all of those things, Digital Media Academy has the balance absolutely right. The sessions will attract young people who share a vocabulary and a curiosity, and the opportunity to spend protracted time in that milieu is a great benefit in and of itself. The content of the sessions is a-list in every way, though the values that inform them are as well. There is a focus on developing curiosities, collaborative skills, resiliency, empowerment, and passion. Again, the balance is right, with the programs promoting a lot more than skills. The sessions are professionally run, by professional educators. The network of locations, as well as national oversight, allow for a wealth of resources and talent to go around.	Toronto	0
Earthbound Kids Stouffville, Ontario Our Take: Earthbound Kids Earthbound Kids is the brainchild of Carol Norton, a long-time educator and co-founder of All About Kids, now operating locations throughout the GTA. THe camps extend the work of those programs, with the intention of getting kids into nature, and working together around a range of camp tasks. One of the draws for families is that it offers a full range of traditional camp activities, yet within a day camp. There’s a high counsellor-camper ratio, top-notch facilities, as well as strong programming that runs from watching the ants go by, to campcraft, to equestrian programs. Throughout, all the activities are offered to grant children a sense of mastery, to exercise their curiosity, and grow social skills in a natural, play-based setting set apart from the bustle―and the screens―of city life.	Stouffville	0
Engineering For Kids York Region Aurora, Ontario Our Take: Engineering For Kids York Region Learning is important, but so is fun, and the Engineering for Kids sessions create a nice balance between the two. Activities are high interest, couching STEM concepts within engaging contexts, such as travel to Mars, or survival, or just, well, fun stuff. The camp makes good use of local resources, and the multiple locations are a plus. Campers are given a chance to indulge their interests with others of a like mind, all centered around programming that includes lots of exciting pops and bangs. They learn something, and grow their facility with key curricular concepts, though it’s the fun of the sessions, and the friendships grown there, that they’ll think of first.	Aurora	0
ESL Summer Camp at Pickering College Newmarket, Ontario Our Take: ESL Summer Camp at Pickering College Pickering College was founded as the West Lake Seminary by Quakers in 1842 and, as you might expect, has had a long and interesting history since. It began—remarkably for the time—as a co-ed school, and as such provided an expression of the Quaker ideal that both sexes should be educated equally. In that, and so many other ways, Pickering has truly charted its own course, though always with an eye to the international community. The campus is frankly gorgeous, with the full range of amenities, including extensive athletic facilities. It’s also ideally located to be able to offer a true camp experience—campfires and s’mores—as well as trips to some of Canada’s foremost cultural and historic landmarks. (The campus itself has some nice landmarks of its own, including paintings by Franics Johnston, a member of the Group of Seven, who also taught here. Rogers House, the main building on campus, was designed by John Lyle, who was also the architect for Toronto’s Union Station.) The ESL programs build off the expertise of the faculty. They are run all year, though the summer programs are dedicated to language learning while offering a fun, vibrant, collegial experience. Campers gain a sense of the school, as well as a sense of the country—for some, the summer programs serve as a means of experiencing the school with an eye to enrolling in the boarding program. Certainly, it can be a great entrée, allowing for an easier acclimation come September. For others, it's a unique opportunity to gain langauge skills from qualified, experienced instructors.	Newmarket	0
ExplorerHop Toronto, Ontario Our Take: ExplorerHop There is a camp for every interest, and ExplorerHop is proof of the point. It's a family-created, family-run camp aimed at engaging kids around the topics of geography, international travel, and money management. It's perhaps not the most obvious pairing of themes, but it works, particularly given the energy and expertise of the staff. It's a great option for kids who are looking for something a bit different. Like any camp, it also attracts kids of a like interests and passions, allowing them to express them in a group of like-minded peers. Well-concieved, and expertlly run, there's a lot to love at ExplorerHop.	Toronto	0
Focus Learning Academic Centre North York, Ontario Our Take: Focus Learning Academic Centre Shelly Zheng founded Focus Learning in 2010 with a group of passionate educators who shared her perspective on teaching and mentorship. The key approach taken is based in the belief that by sparking curiosity around the core content, rather than just disseminating it, teachers can more meaningfully engage students as active, motivated learners. It’s style of learning that posits students as equals, in an environment of equals. Further, it’s not about marks so much as growing each child's personal relationship with learning. In the years since it began, Focus Learning has grown to comprise a series of afterschool, weekend, and camp programs, offered out of three locations: North York, Don Mills, and Markham. There are courses based in STEM concepts, including robotics and programming, as well as the core curricula, but Zheng was keen also to build out the full range of curricular areas. Some programs, such as BizKids, are unlike any you’ll find elsewhere. All sessions are crafted to offer students opportunities to engage their core talents and interests in an environment that supports and prizes them. Adoption of leading edge programs, such as the Beast Academy math curriculum, is indicative of the desire to continually develop best practices and to use them to full advantage.	North York	0
Girls Learning Code and Kids Learning Code Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Girls Learning Code and Kids Learning Code Many parents these days grew up in a different world, one where typing, let alone coding, were perhaps nice to have, but not seemingly necessary to have. Of course, things have changed. Typing, in the digital age, is a great skill to have, and coding is a basic literacy. That can sound grand, but it’s truly hard to overstate. Even refrigerators these days require code. But it’s more than just making things work; coding is increasingly the way that people express themselves. That’s the modus operandi behind Girls Learning Code and Kids Learning code, namely promoting coding as an activity that brings children together, allows them to find their voices, and empowers them to use them. Sessions range from the seemingly fanciful, such as game-making, to the more prosaic: web design, digital design, and entrepreneurship. All are just different sides of the same coin, intended to get kids together around core topics, having fun, and—while they are less cognizant of it—building skills. The focus on getting girls and younger people involved is nice, given that older boys traditionally have had a larger exposure to programming and the STEM topics in general. That’s changing, in part thanks to programs like this one that make a point of evening the field. Sessions are expertly run, and conducted in a professional, well-appointed environment.	Toronto	0
Girls Who Fight Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Girls Who Fight The name risks sounding a bit aggressive, but Girls Who Fight (GWF) isn’t about aggression, but confidence, fitness, and situational awareness. In that, there’s a lot to love, and the increased sense of resiliency prime among the program’s benefits. Per the leadership, “We teach girls how to use their voices and body language to present themselves confidently.” That of course bleeds over into all areas of a girl’s life, including academics and social awareness. Classes are taught by experts who demonstrate and exemplify those values. As with so many camps, experiencing a different environment, one that contrasts with what girls typically experience in the day-to-day, can itself be transformational. The GWF gym is top-notch, well appointed, and supports the lessons learned within it. Girls learn strength, and power, and positive interaction.	Toronto	0
Glen Bernard Camp Sundridge, Ontario Our Take: Glen Bernard Camp Glen Bernard was founded in 1922 with the intention of helping girls develop self-confidence and independence, and certainly it’s succeeded at that goal, and then some, ever since. One of the reasons is the leadership of Jocelyn Palm, who has owned and directed the camp since 1977. She’s a rock star in the world of camping, and rightly so. She’s impressive, and, frankly, inspiring. In 2014, she was asked by an interviewer why she had gone to the trouble of installing composting toilets and solar water heaters. She answered, “if I’m not prepared to be a role model and show kids the technologies that are going to make our environment sustainable, who’s going to do it?” She brings that spirit of leadership to the life of the camp, and passes it on to the campers who attend. Her advice to young people is to “set realistic goals and, once you’ve achieved them, set more.” In that regard, and indeed many others, Palm leads by example. The activities cluster around the camp traditions, though with an eye to the wider world, empathetic leadership, environmental stewardship, and interpersonal skills.	Sundridge	0
Halton Interfaith Peace Camp Oakville, Ontario Our Take: Halton Interfaith Peace Camp We tend to think of camp as one thing: sleepaway, campfires, smores. Of course, there are many different camps, and while fun is an aspect of all of them, there are other purposes as well. The Halton Interfaith Peace Camp, clearly, has a unique and absolutely compelling purpose: gather kids together to have fun while celebrating their differences and understanding their similarities. The camp session offers a unique and valuable perspective on the surrounding community and the campers’ places within it.	Oakville	0
Harbourfront Centre Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Harbourfront Centre Camps Some camps are up north, in the bush, away from the all the hustle and bustle of the city, and one of the great strengths of the Harbourfront Centre programs is that it isn’t: it’s nearby, close to all of the resources of the city. Because of that, it offers a greater range of activity that you’ll find anywhere, including everything from theatre arts, to sports, to digital storytelling, and on and on. The staffing benefits from the proximity to the city, with instructors bringing a rich range of experience and expertise. Campers enroll within areas of interest, and in so doing enter a setting of peers who share that interest, an experience that in itself can be transformative. Most of the programs are day programs, though not all are—there are overnight options as well, including during the March break. There are PA day sessions as well. Now entering their fourth decade, the Harbourfront Centre programs are as established as any you’ll find anywhere, inclusive of a unique culture and approach to learning, doing, and having fun.	Toronto	0
Hatch Canada Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Hatch Canada Camp The Hatch camps were founded by Emmanuelle Deaton, who comes from a background teaching history and civics, and Peter Kuperman, who comes from a computer science background. Their experience can seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, though, even if they’ve taken different paths along the way, both are proponents of the creative aspect of coding, which, given the state of the tools available, is prodigious. “It’s entirely creative,” says Deaton, “and that’s the most beautiful thing there is in computer language: the promise of computer language is the promise of creativity. Children can imagine something that they want to create, and then they can do that. That’s really powerful for them.” It is, and the Hatch camps consistently demonstrate that. They are staffed by counsellors and instructors who bring that passion, as well as a clear desire and ability to work effectively with children. It’s a unique mix, to be sure, all of which adds to the strength and quality of the summer, weekend, and after-school programs.	Toronto	0
Heroheads Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Heroheads Heroheads is a junior program run by Pedalheads, a day camp that began more than three decades ago as principally a biking program. That organization has grown in the intervening years in every way possible: size, numbers, locations, levels, and programs. There are now 75 locations in 4 provinces and 4 US states. There’s good reason for that: these are quality programs, run expertly, with great care. That said, one of the reasons for that growth is something that Heroheads is a primary example of: offering opportunities for kids to step into a new set of priorities. To step away from competition, and toward having active, silly, engaged, healthy fun. The staff are hired for their ability to hit that balance, one that includes athletic expertise as well as a keen desire to let kids have a blast, and to otherwise encourage them to precisely that. Kids are in their element, with the super hero theme allowing them to reach out a bit more, perhaps, or play a bit more than they would otherwise. It’s all as charming as it sounds, though there’s also a sound basis in outdoor education and skill development. Especially at this age level, Heroheads is a day program that really hits all the right notes, for both kids and parents alike, something that is emblematic of all the various programs and levels offered by Pedalheads.	Toronto	0
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Big Clear Lake Toronto, Ontario Our Take: InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Big Clear Lake Begun 1929, the InterVarsity camps contribute to the goal of creating unique opportunities to bring young people together around the personal challenges that a camp setting can provide. At camp kids unplug and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming.	Toronto	0
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Grand River Brantford, Ontario Our Take: InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Grand River InterVarstiy Circle Square Ranch Grand River was founded in the 1970s as a program of Crossroads Christian Communications TV program, Circle Square. The popularity of the show created an initial interest in the camp programs, though in time the quality of the camps themselves were the draw independent of it. In 2011 Circle Square was bought by InterVarsity, becoming one of nine camps that organization runs across the country. Begun 1929, the InterVarsity camps contribute to the goal of creating unique opportunities to bring young people together around the personal challenges that a camp setting can provide. At camp kids unplug and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The equestrian programs at Circle Square date back to the camp’s founding four decades ago; as strong as ever, they are a particular draw for many of the families that enrol here.	Brantford	0
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Halkirk Halkirk, Alberta Our Take: InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Halkirk The Circle Square Ranch camps were founded in the 1970s as a program of Crossroads Christian Communications TV program, Circle Square. The popularity of the show created an initial interest in the camp programs, though in time the quality of the camps themselves were the draw independent of it. In 2011 Circle Square Ranch Halkirk was bought by InterVarsity, becoming one of nine camps that organization runs across the country. Begun 1929, the InterVarsity camps contribute to the goal of creating unique opportunities to bring young people together around the personal challenges that a camp setting can provide. At camp kids unplug and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The equestrian programs at Circle Square date back to the camp’s founding four decades ago; as strong as ever, they are a particular draw, including the weekly rodeo event, for many of the families that enrol here.	Halkirk	0
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Spruce Woods Austin, Manitoba Our Take: InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Spruce Woods Begun 1929, the InterVarsity camps contribute to the goal of creating unique opportunities to bring young people together around the personal challenges that a camp setting can provide. At camp kids unplug and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming.	Austin	0
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Wolf Creek Wolseley, Saskatchewan Our Take: InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Wolf Creek Begun 1929, the InterVarsity camps contribute to the goal of creating unique opportunities to bring young people together around the personal challenges that a camp setting can provide. At camp kids unplug and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming.	Wolseley	0
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Alberta Sundre, Alberta Our Take: InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Alberta Pioneer Camp Alberta is one of nine InterVarsity camps located across the country. The camping program was begun 1929, an expression of InterVarsity, an association of campus ministries intended to bring Christian values and awareness to young people, and support their spiritual and social growth. The camps were part of the initial vision, designed to create a unique opportunity to bring young people together around the unique challenges that a camp setting can provide. That remains perhaps more true today than ever. At camp they unplug, and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The camp has grown over the years, adding new activities and facilities, all of it furthering the initial goals.	Sundre	0
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Our Take: InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Manitoba Pioneer Camp Manitoba is one of nine InterVarsity camps located across the country. The camping program was begun 1929, an expression of InterVarsity, an association of campus ministries intended to bring Christian values and awareness to young people, and support their spiritual and social growth. The camps were part of the initial vision, designed to create a unique opportunity to bring young people together around the unique challenges that a camp setting can provide. That remains perhaps more true today than ever. At camp they unplug, and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The camp has grown over the years, adding new activities, facilities, and sessions, all of it furthering the initial goals.	Winnipeg	0
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Ontario Port Sydney, Ontario Our Take: InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Ontario Ontario Pioneer Camp is one of nine InterVarsity camps located across the country. The camping program was begun 1929, an expression of InterVarsity, an association of campus ministries intended to bring Christian values and awareness to young people, and support their spiritual and social growth. The camps were part of the initial vision, designed to create a unique opportunity to bring young people together around the unique challenges that a camp setting can provide. That remains perhaps more true today than ever. At camp they unplug, and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The camp has grown over the years, adding new activities, including family camp sessions, all of it furthering the initial goals.	Port Sydney	0
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Pacific Vancouver, British Columbia Our Take: InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Pacific Pioneer Camp Pacific is one of nine InterVarsity camps located across the country. The camping program was begun 1929, an expression of InterVarsity, an association of campus ministries intended to bring Christian values and awareness to young people, and support their spiritual and social growth. The camps were part of the initial vision, designed to create a unique opportunity to bring young people together around the unique challenges that a camp setting can provide. That remains perhaps more true today than ever. At camp they unplug, and turn their attention to the community they find there. The activities facilitate a greater understanding of campers’ talents and abilities, as well as the Christian values that inform the programming. The camp has grown over the years, adding new activities and facilities, all of it furthering the initial goals.	Vancouver	0
Jeanette's Cakes Oakville, Ontario Our Take: Jeanette's Cakes Jeanette Bulger has said that “You are never too young or too old to begin your journey in this wonderful form of art.” There’s a lot in that, both in terms of age, involvement, and how she conceives of baking. She approaches it as an art and anyone who has seen her work can vouch for that—she’s exceptionally skilled, and her cakes are truly works of art. Her location is a professional, working bakery; the facilities are top notch, as is the approach and instruction. Kids who attend the sessions and camps experience that environment first hand and, while there’s a lot fun, there’s the right amount of seriousness as well. The work they see being done there, as well as the perspective that Jeanette brings to it, is inspiring, particularly for young people who share the passion. The skills they learn, too, are of a high level—this isn’t an opportunity for kids just to muck about, but rather to really learn something of the art as well as the science of baking.	Oakville	0
Kandalore Algonquin Highlands, Ontario Our Take: Kandalore Founded more than 70 years ago, the Kandalore program is firmly based in the traditions of camping in Canada, as well as the traditions unique to the camp. All-camp campfires bookend the camper experience, including the Chapter Fire, a signature event held at the end of each month. There’s a lot of whimsy, too, such as the regatta, a day-long program held each session. Those things, and many more, contribute to a camp culture that is vibrant, active, inclusive, and fun. There are some very nice cross-generational programs, including Fairy Night, when senior girls dress up and visit the youngest campers to surprise them with a girls-only campfire. It’s as charming as it is affective. Leadership seeks to provide appropriate challenges, including canoe trips, as a cornerstone of the program, through which campers can build confidence in themselves and in their ability to work with others toward a common goal.	Algonquin Highlands	0
Kettleby Valley Camp Kettleby, Ontario Our Take: Kettleby Valley Camp It’s a truism, but worth repeating, that at camp there is more than meets the eye, and Kettleby is a great example of that. It’s a traditional camp, with all the traditional activities, from canoeing, to swimming, to hiking, to arts and crafts. There are some updates, too, including paintball. But, as director Peter Truman says, “all the activities really are a medium for us to help kids understand that trying new things isn’t a big deal.” And with that comes a lot of social, emotional, and physical growth and development, something that the Kettleby program actively brings to the fore. There has been a camp on this site since the late 1950s. The cities to the south have grown, and it’s not as far from the urban environment as it once was, though that brings a nice plus as well: it’s close to home, something that both parents and campers appreciate.	Kettleby	0
Kinark Outdoor Centre Minden, Ontario Our Take: Kinark Outdoor Centre There are lots of great stories in the world of camping in Canada and KOC, frankly, is one of them. It was formed with some very specific goals, one of them being to offer respite to families of children who are on the autism spectrum. It’s been doing that beautifully since it was first opened. It also does what all camps do, which is to offer enriching, empowering, fun experiences to children within a caring, supportive, understanding environment. At Kinark children arrive to a setting that is formed around their needs, and run but staff that are well disposed to meet them. There are all the traditional activities, from gaga ball to canoeing, with barriers to participation removed. The work that the camp does is exceptional, and brings a rich, traditional camp experience to some kids who need it, and love it, yet would have trouble integrating in other camp settings.	Minden	0
Kortright Summer Nature Day Camp Woodbridge, Ontario Our Take: Kortright Summer Nature Day Camp The Kortright Centre is named after author and conservationist Francis H. Kortright, an early proponent of environmental awareness, stewardship, and sustainability. Those are some very big, important ideas, and since it opened in 1982, the centre has dedicated itself to addressing them. Administration has also dedicated itself to bringing those concepts to a wider audience, and doing it in creative, age-appropriate ways. The summer programs are perhaps the prime example of that—they are based in all the big ideas, but kids see them more as fun than learning, which is exactly as it should be. Mud Madness sessions, for example, don’t announce themselves unduly as educative, and the same is true of the spy camp session. Nevertheless, in those as in all the others, kids come away having had a lasting, memorable, and fun engagement with the natural world, having also built an appreciation of nature and our place within it. It’s impressive, to be sure, and there is nothing quite like the Kortright Centre. Of less importance to kids is the infrastructure and the architecture, which is delightful in a way all its own. Staff are truly experts, engaged in their own ongoing work at the centre, including offering exceptional instruction and mentorship.	Woodbridge	0
La Citadelle Summer Camp North York, Ontario Our Take: La Citadelle Summer Camp La Citadelle was established in 2000 with just 5 students and operating out of a church basement. The program has grown considerably since then, with an annual enrolment of 200 students spanning prep-K to Grade 12. Further, in 2015 the school moved into a new space, doubling the size of the physical plan and providing an opportunity to grow the student population and its programs significantly. Despite that growth, the approach remains true to the original intentions. Since its inception La Citadelle has been progressive, and while achievement is one of the six core values, so are compassion and harmony. The camps extend the work of the school into the summer months, and make use of the first-rate facilities. They include a nice range of activity, as well as academic support to help support learners, or couteract the academic effects of the summer break. Some families also use the camps to get a better sense of the school, or to acclimate new students, as well they should.	North York	0
Lakefield Camp International Lakefield, Ontario Our Take: Lakefield Camp International Lakefield is one of the foremost boarding schools in Canada, with a reputation for delivering a quality academic program that is based in the values of cooperation, creativity, leadership and resiliency. The campus, even during the academic year, has the feel of a camp, given that its 315 acres includes lake access and extensive outdoor education facilities, including a world-class ropes course, a multi-purpose waterfront, and a wealth of green space. To say that the school is well situated to offer a strong summer program is an understatement. The camp, as the name implies, draws campers from around the world, as it has done since it was begun in 1985. ESL courses are available, and they are both strong and intensive, though the immersion experience is important too. That said, there are other programs as well that are equally strong, including leadership. The school is host to other summer programs in addition to the international camp, including the Leahy Music Camp and the Lakefield Literary Festival, which afford an interaction with others and an authentic engagement with the school’s local culture. The campus is a hive of interesting activity throughout the summer season, something which adds a nice sense of community to all of the programs hosted here, the international camp prime among them.	Lakefield	0
Lovell International Camps Saanen, --------------- Our Take: Lovell International Camps Some camps are truly one of a kind, and Lovell is absolutely in that class. Lovell International Camps was founded in Switzerland by two Canadians steeped in the Canadian camping tradition—William and Sandra Lovell—and who transplanted it to the Swiss Alps. Today the camp welcomes campers from around the world, and in many senses, it really is a traditional, Canadian summer camp in that a range of activities is offered, including swimming, outdoor education, and leadership training. Where it differs, apart from the locale, is in offering a truly international experience, as well as opportunities for enrichment, as with language lessons and partial immersion. Bryce Lovell, son of the founders, is the director, adding a nice conceptual continuity to the program. Winter and summer sessions are available. In Switzerland. It may not be for everyone, but is very appealing to very many, and is a great experience for all.	Saanen	0
Mad Science of Toronto Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Mad Science of Toronto Mad Science has been offering day and after-school programs for nearly three decades, and in that time has grown to include programming across southern Ontario and around the world. They’ve also become an industry leader in providing fun, substantial learning experiences to groups of young people. The core belief is that kids learn best when engaging with others in hands-on activities, something that is consistently borne out by the Mad Science programs. The activies are built with the ages, stages, and outcomes of the provincial science curriculum. So, while kids for the most part aren’t aware of it, they are extending an interest in the core outcomes. It’s telling that the Toronto District School Board has approved Mad Science as an official partner, another demonstration of the sound academic basis for the sessions. But, fun is important, too, as is sating curiosities, which is perhaps what Mad Science does best. Locations dot the GTA, making the programs easily accessible.	Toronto	0
Mayfair Clubs Markham, Ontario Our Take: Mayfair Clubs The Mayfair Clubs are a great example of fun you can take seriously. Camps and sessions are run by certified instructors with a keen interest in ensuring that kids get the right introduction to the sport as well as an active lifestyle. Instructors are also adept at ensuring that kids have a great time, and they do, as foregrounded by some of the session names, especially the younger kids; it's not group swimming lessons, but Splash and Laugh Camp. Those are nice touches that are also a hint at the overall approach. The three locations are a draw, broadening the reach of the camps while also contributing to the breadth of resources and expertise available at all. There’s lots of learning going on, to be sure, but what kids and parents also appreciate is the chance to get some beans out with some like-minded peers. There are sessions through the summer and throughout the year. All is professionally run and operating out of first-rate facilities.	Markham	0
McGill Conservatory Day Camp montreal, Quebec Our Take: McGill Conservatory Day Camp Held on the campus of McGill University, the resources available are understandably top notch. Home to professional grade studios and performance spaces, the camp sessions rightly make great use of all of it. The staff is seasoned—the camp is into its third decade of operation—which is a definite plus. They also bring a level of expertise that is a specific draw for many families and campers. There is a sense of participating in something bigger, and for many campers, the sessions are a first opportunity to really get their passions out into the air, and in front of peers and mentors who share them, and can truly appreciate the level of talent being expressed. For many kids, this is an opportunity to build skills and connections, which is great. But for many others, it’s a chance to get their feet wet, and to experience something new, especially within the Mix It Up sessions.	montreal	0
McMichael Children and Youth Art Camps and Programs Kleinburg, Ontario Our Take: McMichael Children and Youth Art Camps and Programs The McMichael facility is, frankly, as much of a national treasure as the art that it houses. You really can’t praise it enough—it’s truly a jewel in the crown of Canadian arts. In addition to year round programs, the summer sessions, in particular, unabashedly get kids involved up to their elbows in art, from creation to appreciation. The sessions are active, though created to really promote the work and the collections to kids on their level, inspiring them to better appreciate their talents as well as the talents of those around them. The experience of being at the collection, too, creates a sense of ownership for the works collected there. The gallery intentionally blurs the line between art and environment, and the camps seek to extend that, getting kids out into the world, and to see how that world is reflected in the work of some of the country’s greatest artists. These camps are not just art classes or art appreciation workshops, they are vibrant, well-led programs allowing kids to have fun while interacting with others around the arts.	Kleinburg	0
Me to We Take Action Camp Bethany, Ontario Our Take: Me to We Take Action Camp The Me to We program was begun to promote social activism, particularly around global humanitarian issues. That said, as the name and the programs predicate, the beginning point is allowing youth to learn how they, quite literally, can change the world through adopting leadership roles within their communities and beyond. The Me to We Take Action Camps are based in Canada and hosted in two locations in Ontario and one in Arizona. They are, in every way, an expression of the values and the goals of the larger Me to We organization. At the camps, kids have an opportunity to come together to spend a week with like-minded peers in order to grow their sense of agency as well their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. The camps are fun, to be sure, but they’re also presented as a beginning, in a sense, of what the kids will then do in their communities and beyond. For many, the experience can be a transformative one, and certainly, that’s the goal that serves as a foundation for the camps.	Bethany	0
Medeba Summer Camp West Guilford, Ontario Our Take: Medeba Summer Camp Medeba was founded in 1952 in order to provide a traditional camp experience, one where campers can enter a community of peers who share an engagement within the Christian faith, fostering spiritual growth. The programs are based in the traditions of camping, though have been updated over the years, including the development of rock climbing and mountain biking programs. Additional sessions to the summer camp extend the programming into the shoulder seasons; attention has also been given to the various age groups, with clear, sound programs developed for the various ages and stages. The focus of the camp is on inclusion and personal development, and all the activities have been carefully added and maintained in order to further those core goals	West Guilford	0
Mi-A-Kon-Da Dunchurch, Ontario Our Take: Mi-A-Kon-Da One of the greatest advertisements for Mi-A-Kon-Da is undoubtedly Pam Lamont, who as directed the camp for nearly three decades. She’s personable, spirited, and given to saying things like this: “I believe sincerely in the educational, social and recreational values of camping. Camp provides an ideal environment for a young woman to grow and mature feeling valued, confident, and capable.” All of the activities at Mi-A-Kon-Da point to that overriding goal. The site, itself, is as remarkable and it is unique: it’s situated on its own island and surrounded by crown land. Arriving on site is like stepping into a painting by Tom Thompson, a world away from the bustle of city life. The programming clusters around traditional camp activities, and new programs are added only when they are sympathetic to the culture and goals of the camp. When rowing was introduced, for example, Lamont was careful to ensure that the focus was on the experience of working together as a team, and having a new experience, rather than competition. “I said I don’t want this activity to be about levels. I just want it to be an experience. If they want to pursue it in a competitive way, they may … a lot of the girls who do our dance program, they do it just for fun. And that’s great.” It is. Every camp is unique, though Mi-A-Kon-Da, in particular, proves that point.	Dunchurch	0
Mooredale Day Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Mooredale Day Camp Location is important, to be sure, and Mooredale is a great example of that. Hosted in a charming community centre in the heart of leafy Rosedale, there is a sense of calm and community here that you may not necessarily expect of a location so close to the heart of Canada’s largest metropolis. It’s charming, with lovely outdoor play spaces, heated pool, as well as indoor facilities that give a sense of the lived history and heritage of the neighbourhood. There is a real sense of camp here, too, augmented by the tennis club and the nearby ravines and green spaces, which the counsellors make good use of, as they do of the resources further afield, through day trips to downtown locations, Kelso Conservation Area, and elsewhere. Great location, experienced staff, and a lovely feel—for those interested in a quiet, kid-oriented, kid-paced camp close by, Mooredale has a lot to offer.	Toronto	0
Muskoka Woods Rosseau, Ontario Our Take: Muskoka Woods Located in the heart of cottage country, the vast offering of activities, and sparkling facilities, are what attract families and delight campers. There are all the traditional camp activities, though there a host of others in addition, from axe throwing to radio production. It’s a lot, to be sure, and some campers might feel a bit overwhelmed deciding what they want to do on any given day. That said, the camp has a reputation for delivering a stellar experience, something it is uniquely able to do. Buildings are modern, and staff are engaged and supportive. Day programs are of interest to families with cottages nearby, and specialty weeks, including girls’ only sessions, are varied and appealing.	Rosseau	0
MWS Montreal Language Camps Montreal, Quebec Our Take: MWS Montreal Language Camps There is more to learning a language then conjugating verbs, and MWS is a great example of that. Participants live and interact on the campus of McGill University, something that provides a wealth of first-class resources, but also a first-class experience. Storied, old, beautiful—environment is important, and McGill, unquestionably, sets the right tone in the heart of Montreal. The language program is intensive, picking up where other immersion programs fall short. Likewise, there is a keen desire to get participants out into the surrounding culture. That’s a bit of tourism, on one hand, and fun in and of itself. More importantly, it provides a window onto the rich, living culture that language, and bilingualism, is a key to experiencing. Yeats said that education shouldn’t be about filling a bucket, but lighting a fire. In terms of language learning, as well as independence and personal development, that’s what MWS does.	Montreal	0
Niagara Christian Collegiate Fort Erie, Ontario Our Take: Niagara Christian Collegiate The Niagara Parkway—the route through which Niagara Christian Collegiate is accessed—is a sleepy, scenic drive along the eastern edge of the Niagara Peninsula. The campus, for anyone driving by, can seem sympathetically sleepy, a world away from the hustle of urban life. Which, to some extent, it is. What you don’t see—and perhaps what even locals don’t accurately grasp—is the diversity of the programs and the breath of facilities here, especially demonstrated during the summer season. There are ESL sessions, offering intensive instruction and immersion, while the location offers a unique perspective on North American life. The campus looks onto the Niagara River and the United States on the other side. There’s a lot of history here, including the centuries-old forts that dot either side of the border, as well as the natural heritage, including Niagara Falls and the Niagara Escarpment just a short drive away. All of those assets, as well as proximity to international transportation hubs in Toronto and Buffalo, NY, make the camp accessible to campers from around the world. As such, for campers arriving locally, the experience is can be remarkably international. In addition to the ESL sessions, NCC also offers academic, adventure, and equestrian programs.	Fort Erie	0
Olympia Sports Camp Huntsville, Ontario Our Take: Olympia Sports Camp All sports camps seek to develop skills, and competition can, understandably, seem like a natural aspect of that process. Olympia, too, is certainly about skill development, though leadership navigates the competitive aspect particularly well—not shying from it, but placing it within a context of personal goals and goal setting. “It’s not about getting to the top of the climbing tower,” says Nicole Nicole Christamtsis, “it’s about getting higher than you did the day before. That’s an important lesson.” It is, and one that Olympia is very adept at delivering. Many campers are true keeners, arriving at camp with some very sport specific goals, and intending to build upon their prior expertise. That said, not all do, and there is a place for them here, too. For many campers, Olympia is an opportunity to try new things as much as it is building on existing skills. The programs are vast, with facilities to match, and the instructors bring professional coaching to all of them. The focus throughout is on building confidence, independence, interpersonal skills, encouraging campers to meet new people and try new things. The experience is challenging and active, in equal measure to recognition and reward.	Huntsville	0
Onondaga Camp Minden, Ontario Our Take: Onondaga Camp Onondaga is one of the oldest camps in the country, having recently celebrated its centenary. It was established by Keith Crowther, a staff member of Upper Canada College, and was moved to its current site in 1931, and it’s been co-ed since 1975. There’s a lot of history, and the current owners, all past campers, bought the camp in 1992 and have since developed the property, including a new dining hall completed in 2004. While the site may not show its age in the way that other camps might, the program continues to reflect the ideals that were established with the founding of the camp all those years ago. Traditional activities have been augmented over the years, including high ropes, wakeboarding, and a driving range for golf instruction. The breadth of programming is a draw, both for campers looking to further develop their skills, as well as those interested in trying new things. The board of directors includes three past directors, which, in addition to Duncan Robertson’s 25 years at Onondaga, offers a nice continuity to the maintenance and development of the camp experience.	Minden	0
Ontario Science Centre Camp North York, Ontario Our Take: Ontario Science Centre Camp The experience of arriving each morning at the Ontario Science Centre itself can be inspiring, and doubly so for young people with an interest in space, science, or technology. The environment has a bustle to it, and certainly, there’s a lot going on. It’s also one of the foremost science interpretive institutions in the country, with a range of resources that are unmatched, and all of it created with a young person’s gaze foremost in mind. The goal of the institution is to inspire a curiosity and an engagement with science, and they achieve that in spades. The camps extend the expertise of the staff, and the half-day sessions are a particular example of that. They allow young people to wade in, testing the waters as it were. They and the full-day sessions are creatively programmed—it would probably be enough to just let the kids experience the exhibits and the collections, or park them in the IMAX theatre, but the staff has larger intentions, as demonstrated by the themes that they build the various sessions and programs around. Kids come away having had an unique experience of the centre, available only through these sessions, and having gained an expanded sense of their talents, skills, and abilities. Sharing time with peers of like minds, like interests, and like academic goals is also one of the reasons families enroll here, and why they come back each summer. The PA day and holiday sessions allow kids a chance to dip back into that environment at intervals outside of the summer season, reconnecting with familiar faces within a familiar setting.	North York	0
Outward Bound Canada Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Outward Bound Canada Outward Bound was an early adopter/promoter of some of the things that are very much in the air today, namely providing young people with an opportunity to grow leadership skills, resilience, and grit. Getting people out of their comfort zones has been the operating principle since it was founded in 1969, though the basis in the values of ecological stewardship has also been a key component. The programs offered, included these summer sessions for young people, are well within the category of lifetime experiences: each is unforgettable, both for the sense that participants gain of the geography of Canada, and the sense that they gain of the geography of their skills, abilities, and capabilities. It’s not an understatement to say that these programs can be life changing, as they often are in a whole range of positive ways. For kids bumping up against the boundaries of their school and social environments, and Outward Bound trip can provide a welcome opportunity to spread their wings in significant, meaningful ways, all within a safe and supportive setting, guided by experienced, expert instructors.	Toronto	0
Pedalheads Bike, Swim and Sport Vancouver, British Columbia Our Take: Pedalheads Bike, Swim and Sport Pedalheads began more than three decades ago as principally a biking program. Kids came, learned to ride bikes, and then rode them, together, all over the place. That has continued to this day, though the organization has grown during the intervening years in every way possible: size, numbers, locations, levels, and programs. There are now 75 locations in 4 provinces and 4 US states. There’s good reason for that kind of growth: these are quality programs run expertly, with great care. It’s also due to the focus of the programs—it’s not about training for the Olympics, rather the focus is first on having fun, together with peers and mentors, and growing into active, healthy lifestyles. Kids feel less of a pressure to excel, perhaps as they would in a typical dance studio or gymnastics gym. Without the pressure of those kinds of goals, at least occupying such a central place in the culture of the camps, kids are free to develop skills, yes, but with fun, active engagement, and personal development as the true measures of success. In that, for many families inundated with so many competitive options, Pedalheads is a very welcome breath of fresh air. That isn’t to say there isn’t ample opportunity for skill development—there is—but it’s all within a charming context of, first, just getting out there and doing it. It’s about lighting a fire, before anything else, inspiring kids toward living actively.	Vancouver	0
Ponacka Highland Grove, Ontario Our Take: Ponacka Founded in 1948, Ponacka has been family run for more than 70 years, providing a wonderful continuity to the programming and the culture of the camp. It was founded very much in the vein of what Taylor Statten was doing at Couchiching and the Algonquin camps that continue to bear his name today. Namely, these programs based in woods-lore and campcraft—all the most traditional camp activities—in order to promote confidence, social interaction, and a set of core values. Then, as now, that's why families turned to Ponacka. The all-boys atmosphere is attractive as well, giving boys a unique space to develop and grow into a sense of themselves and their talents.	Highland Grove	0
Power of Words Academy North York, Ontario Our Take: Power of Words Academy As workplaces become more collaborative, the ability to clearly express ideas is, perhaps more than ever before, a core skill across all areas of interest. No matter how good an idea is, if it can’t be expressed effectively, it risks being lost in the shuffle of a very busy world. Likewise, the old saw is as true now as it ever was: great stories happen to those who can tell them. That’s the point where Power of Words begins, namely that student success is tied to effective written and verbal communication. It’s also about finding a bit of joy in there as well—debate is a growing area of interest in the public and private school sectors, not only because it’s important, but also because it’s fun. Power of Words offers afterschool and weekend sessions throughout the year to give students a chance to grow their skills in a supportive, dedicated environment. In addition, the summer sessions offer opportunities to drill down on debate and language skills, offering some variety to the season’s activities while also helping with the summer lull in academic work. While some programs aim at the high school level, the Power of Words session allow younger students to get their feet wet, which is a draw for many of the families that enroll.	North York	0
Ranch Massawippi Roxton Pond, Quebec Our Take: Ranch Massawippi The facilities at Ranch Massawippi are in themselves a draw―there is a consistent, well-tended, feel to all the program areas, from the stables, that are spotless, to the wilderness program areas. This is a place where both kids and horses can be happy, which is important, to be sure. The programs are expertly run, and well-staffed. A draw for many families is the immersion in the French language, and campers have no choice but to build their language skills, and they do, often to remarkable levels given their relatively short time at camp. The month-long sessions are of particular interest to teens who wish to improve their French in order to improve academic standing or to study abroad. Academic interests aside, it’s a very strong, well developed camp that offers a unique suite of activities in a traditional camp setting.	Roxton Pond	0
Ridley College Summer Programmes St. Catharines, Ontario Our Take: Ridley College Summer Programmes The Ridley summer programs are robust and well attended. More than 1800 enrol each summer, so in a sense the camps have a population that doubles and then some the student population on campus during the school year. The reason they are so popular is because they are so well run. The symphony sessions—there’s one for young musicians who compete for spots, another for tyros—are staffed by members of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. They’re the only true symphony camps of their kind in the country. Other offerings range across a fairly wide swath of interest, including those that appeal to international students, to those programmed with local kids in mind. It’s a great mix, and even though kids are in different sessions, many of them are run consecutively, allowing a nice interaction between young people of like interest as with as those with divergent interest. The campus is frankly gorgeous, with a wealth of green space. The facilities, too, are top-notch, including outdoor ed equipment, two professional-level performing arts spaces, and a wealth of resources. The camps make extensive use of all of it. The ESL camps are some of the best in the region and beyond. The attraction is multi-faceted, and the proximity to Niagara Falls and Toronto are included within that. The ESL sessions provide international students with a strong camp experience, a residence with peers from around the world, and an intensive language immersion and instruction. In those, and across the summer programs, there’s a lot to love.	St. Catharines	0
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts Canning, Nova Scotia Our Take: Ross Creek Centre for the Arts One of the great things that many camps offer is a chance to live within, in a sense, a new reality. When campers arrive at Ross Creek they enter a professional environment, and work alongside theatre professionals. For young people interested in the arts, particularly the performing arts, that experience alone can be transformative. That the setting is so beautiful, to say nothing of state of the art, only furthers the theme. The sessions here are a one-of-a-kind experience in a one-of-a kind setting, run by people who are passionate about their art. In all of that, there's a lot to love. And that's just the beginning.	Canning	0
Royal Canadian Yacht Club Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Royal Canadian Yacht Club The Toronto Islands, apart from being close by, are endlessly fascinating. That they even exist—a natural setting with one of the best views of the Toronto skyline—is fantastic in and of itself. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club, one of the premiere, oldest, and most traditional clubs of its kind in the country, is a jewel in the crown. Just going there—setting out by ferry each day of a camp session—is, quite rightly, for many kids part of the thrill. To engage within the club environment just continues a theme. It's a unique, stellar opportunity to work with others improving skills, indulging passions, and engaging people of like interest, taste, and outlook. For the right child, each day of a camp session at the RCYC is full of pinch-me moments: great instruction, great views, and lasting memories.	Toronto	0
Royal Conservatory School Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Royal Conservatory School For many there's a sense of awe when they enter the Royal Conservatory, and, well, rightly so. It's the premier music school in Canada, and can feel like ground zero in music education which, in many senses, it actually is. So many great artists have learned and taught here, something that can make it all seem more than a bit intimidating. The camps, though, turn that all on its head. There are sessions for experienced musicians to work together with others of equal talent, but the program is about more than that. It's about having a significant, fun experience with music. Sessions are available for all levels of musician, including those who are just starting out. There are opportunities to hear instruments, and touch them, and learn about what they can do. The fact that there are professionals coming in and out of the building, and working in the practice halls, augments the experience of the environment. For many, it's magical. For all, it's a unique experience, one that will generate lots of great memories and, more often than not, some new friends, too.	Toronto	0
Royal Ontario Museum Summer Club Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Royal Ontario Museum Summer Club At the risk of stating the obvious, the resources available at the ROM are varied, vast, and unequalled, and the summer programs make the most of all of it. Like the museum collections, the summer sessions are based in social and natural history, with each session based around a certain theme. Simply attention the museum for a week is, for many kids, a thrill in and of itself. Developing a relationship with docents only furthers that; campers feel that they have a unique access to the staff and the collections, and, frankly, they do. The summer programs have been running for more than 75 years, and while it’s less obvious in the day-to-day, there’s a tradition here as well, one of growing an interest in the world around us, and building an engagement with others based in a specific set of curiosities. The camps are very professionally presented, with programs run by expert, experienced staff. Any way you care to cut it, there’s a lot to love.	Toronto	0
Science North Camps Sudbury, Ontario Our Take: Science North Camps We think of camp as a place, though it isn’t really, it’s an experience, one of getting together around some shared values, shared curiosities, and a bunch of fun. And, the Science North camps are all of that. The camps are expertly run in part because, given their reach and scope, they have to be. Each year the camps, with both French and English sessions, attract in excess of 3000 young people in locations from Kenora to Pembroke in the east and Sioux Lookout to Barrie in the south. It’s a huge catchment, with all programs doing the same thing: getting kids together and engaged around some key concepts in science. Instruction is informed and adept; it’s real science, and a lot of fun, too.	Sudbury	0
Spirit of Math Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Spirit of Math Founded in 1980, the Spirit of Math program has a long and impressive history of success. From the spark of an idea, it’s grown to 43 locations and more than 6000 students. The sessions are vibrant and active, and motivate kids through competition and fun. The sequential curriculum is a draw, to be sure, in that it focusses on fluency and mastery in ways that spiral curricula, unfortunately, don’t. The leadership of the program has been the definition of consistent, with a third generation of the founding family now moving into leadership roles. In the world of academic programming, Spirit of Math is a touchstone, one that other programs rightly look to as a model.	Toronto	0
Stratford Festival Stratford, Ontario Our Take: Stratford Festival Canadians are famously modest, and that’s not always a good thing. We think of things as “good for here” but the Stratford Festival is truly great for anywhere: a world-renowned theatre, operating at the very top of its class. Christopher Plummer literally has a room with his name on it at a local hotel, and he’s made a lot of use of that room over the years. The big names come because of the quality of the theatre, its direction, and its reputation. And, for all the same reasons, kids come from throughout North America to attend the summer sessions at Stratford. There they bump elbows with the greats, and they learn from professionals, in a professional setting, with other kids of like minds, talents, and goals. There are a wealth of resources at the festival, and the camp sessions make use of all of it: spaces, costuming, props, expertise. It’s not just like being part of Stratford, for the duration of their time there, campers truly are part of Stratford. For kids interested in following their acting and production muse, sessions here can be as inspiring as they are life-changing.	Stratford	0
Swallowdale Camp Rosseau, Ontario Our Take: Swallowdale Camp Swallowdale began its life in 1943, and moved to its current location, in the heart of Muskoka, in 2017. The leadership has remained in the Walbank family, though since 1996 operations have been overseen by Canadian International Student Services (CISS), something that makes the program essentially one of a kind. Campers arrive each summer from around the world, providing all of them—including those who arrive domestically—an international experience. The programming is traditional, as is the setting, though includes supports, such as ESL instruction, for those arriving from overseas. The international feel, and exposure to peers from around the world, is one of the strengths of the Swallowdale environment, and for many families is a principal draw. The focus of the programming is on providing fun while building leadership, interpersonal skills, and self awareness.	Rosseau	0
Sylvan Learning Burlington Burlington, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Burlington Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Burlington	0
Sylvan Learning Centre Brantford Brantford, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Centre Brantford Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Brantford	0
Sylvan Learning Guelph Guelph, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Guelph Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Guelph	0
Sylvan Learning Hamilton Hamilton, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Hamilton Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Hamilton	0
Sylvan Learning London London, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning London Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	London	0
Sylvan Learning Oakville Oakville, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Oakville Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Oakville	0
Sylvan Learning Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Ottawa Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Ottawa	0
Sylvan Learning South Mississauga MIssissauga, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning South Mississauga Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	MIssissauga	0
Sylvan Learning Thornhill Thornhill, Ontario Our Take: Sylvan Learning Thornhill Sylvan Learning Centres were founded in 1979, and the company has grown to include locations throughout North America. Sylvan’s reputation has grown as well, principally through the visibility of the locations and their association with effective academic tutoring. Still, there is more to Sylvan than perhaps most people may know, and the seasonal camps and programs are included in that. Yes, the focus can look somewhat academic at first glance—engineering, STEM, robotics, coding—though the feel of the camps is less formal, less academic, and more geared to gather children around topics and activities that they are passionate about, in addition to having fun. They will learn a lot, no doubt, though often the empowerment that the camps can bring is, for many families and kids, their principal value, and the thing that keeps them coming back year after year.	Thornhill	0
Teenagers Abroad Paris, --------------- Our Take: Teenagers Abroad The teen impulse to get out into the world, and to experience the freedom and independence of travel, is considerable. That said, the parental impulse to keep them safe at home is considerable too. The academic benefits of Teenagers Abroad have been proven over the more than three decades that the program has been in operation, and there is a strong track record of safe travel, both things that rightly attract parents. Teens get what they want—a sense of adventure and of growing maturity—and parents get what they want, namely to know that there is a purpose to the trip, and that it will be managed well from beginning to end. The staff are keen, knowledgeable, and absolutely experienced. The network of international locations that fall under the Teenagers Abroad umbrella is a testament to the reach and quality of the programming.	Paris	0
The Cube STEM Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: The Cube STEM Camps Many camps don’t conform to some of the common ideas of what camp is, and The Cube is an example of that. The focus is technology, not canoeing or camp craft, yet the goals of the camp are strikingly similar to those of more traditional programs: they are tools used to bring campers together around common interests and creating opportunities to work and grow together. For the campers, it’s a unique opportunity to work with others of like talents and passions, and to really indulge their curiosities in an engaging setting. It’s perhaps not for every child, but then again, no camp is. Campers finish the sessions with greater confidence, having learned something about themselves. Which, of course, is what all great camps share.	Toronto	0
The Dalton School Camps and Programs Toronto, Ontario Our Take: The Dalton School Camps and Programs Dalton is a dual language school—Mandarin and English—and its year-round programs, as well as the camp sessions in the summer, extend the work of the school. All students are welcome, whether enroled at Dalton or elsewhere, though the programs are perhaps a particular draw for families of the school. The summer, especially for kids in intensive immersion programs, can result in a bit of a step back; a summer program can support the learning that they’ve done, and deliver them back in September in good shape. For others, the programs are built around the core programs of the school and the expertise of the staff. It’s fun—camp is supposed to be, after all—but with a strong basis in academics. That said, Dalton does a good job of bringing the fun forward, so that campers are really only aware of the fun. For example, Lego sessions are built around STEM; a session offered re cooking with chocolate is built to promote concepts of health and nutrition. All sessions share that spirit of engagement and learning. In all, it’s a nice blend of activity and development.	Toronto	0
The Gow School Summer Program South Wales, New York(USA) Our Take: The Gow School Summer Program Peter Gow founded the Gow School in the 1920s to serve students who, for a range of reasons, weren’t finding success elsewhere. Gow believed that small class sizes and an open mind, when it comes to instruction, can make all the difference, especially for those who are at risk of falling through the cracks of a traditional approach to academics. The students at the top of his mind were those with some form of linguistic disruption—students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia or issues with central auditory processing. The program has changed over the years, though the spirit of investigation, of finding better ways to support learners, remains. The summer programs extend all of that work, allowing campers to experience a supportive learning and play environment surrounded by true peers and a staff that truly understands them. That in itself can be transformational. The summer is for fun, so while there is some learning, it’s meant to help with the summer academic dip, helping to deliver students back to class in September ready to learn. But, yes, fun and activity is a primary goal, and the summer sessions bring that, too.	South Wales	0
The Taylor Statten Camps Algonquin Park, Ontario Our Take: The Taylor Statten Camps The traditions we associate with residential summer camp—the values, the activities, the aesthetics—are in many respects due to the work of one man: Taylor Statten. Returning home from the Boer War, Statten joined the YMCA in 1902 and soon became the national Boy’s Work Secretary, a position that included the directorship of Camp Couchiching in Orillia, ON. He also established the Canadian Standards Efficiency Training program, a series of graded activity levels intended to give children the opportunity and incentive to develop intellectual, social, and physical skills. What made Statten’s programs unique was the focus that he brought to them. In place of the regimented, sum-is-better-than-its-parts approach of scouting and cadets, Statten built programs around the individual, seeking to develop each child’s potential and to celebrate their individual strengths. Camping in Statten’s hands was about expression, independence, and an appreciation of the diversity inherent in any group. Adventure and resourcefulness were important, but so was imagination, identity, and a close appreciation the natural environment. In 1916, Statten put his ideas into practice by founding Camp Ahmek, a camp for boys set within the boundaries of Algonquin park. The centerpiece of the camp, then as now, was the stone fireplace in the main hall, one that Tom Thomson helped build, hauling sand for the mortar that would bind the stones. Pierre Trudeau would sit before that fireplace as a camper, as did all three of his sons. Justin Trudeau, in speaking of camp, described his experience, giving what is, effectively, a précis of Statten’s initial vision: “[camp] had an immeasurable impact on my family and me. For my father, my brothers and I, being campers and counsellors at Ahmek taught us much about nature, about responsibility, and, most importantly, about ourselves.” Wapomeo, a sister camp to Ahmek, followed in 1924 and, taken together, the two camps provided a model for many, many camps to come that, in turn, reflected the organization and the values that Ahmek and Wapomeo had demonstrated. It’s quite a story, in every way, and one that continues today. These two camps provide a definition of the culture of camping in Canada, and that’s because they provided a model for so many of them, as well as the great work they continue to do.	Algonquin Park	0
Thornhill Park Tennis Club Thornhill, Ontario Our Take: Thornhill Park Tennis Club The Thornhill Park Tennis Club was founded in 1951, and ever since has been one of the premier clubs in the area. For campers, it’s not only an opportunity to improve their skills through intensive training from instructors at both provincial and national levels, but also an entry point to the broader tennis culture of the GTA. It’s true that playing better opponents can improve your game, and for many kids, the camps are a first opportunity to play with coaches and peers who have a like interest and skill level. The summer sessions include swimming, making for an active, enjoyable day. The two locations, too, are a plus, allowing access for a wider catchment area.	Thornhill	0
TIFF Camps & Workshops Toronto, Ontario Our Take: TIFF Camps & Workshops This is the kind of camp that parents wish they had when they were kids. Truly, it’s a bit like a dream come true: kids spend time with film industry professionals, engaging with their passion for the technical and/or storytelling aspects of the medium, along with peers who share that passion. Hosted in the Bell Lightbox, it’s like stepping back stage of an internationally recognized film festival because, well, that’s exactly what it is. Kids come away having had a unique experience, gaining confidence in their creative and social abilities. They also gain a sense of participation within one of the cultural cornerstones of the city. Any way you slice it, there’s a lot to love. It’s not for everyone, but if a child even has just an inkling of an interest in film, this is the place to indulge it.	Toronto	0
Toronto Kidz Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Toronto Kidz Brigitte Gallegos, founder and director of Toronto Kidz Summer Camp created the camp to make the most of what the city has to offer. She wanted to allow kids to explore areas of their city, and to let experience the full range of what it has to offer. The programs—a series of weekly day camp sessions offered throughout the summer months—have been designed to access those possibilities. Each session is built around a specific theme, and the entire city is a programming resource: Pirates Week includes a cruise around Centre Island; Animals and Nature Week includes a trip to High Park Nature Centre; Pokémon Week includes a visit to Fort York. It is run out of a space within the St. Martin-in-the-Fields church, just north of High Park and in the heart of one of the city’s most varied urban communities. The location, in any way you care to look at it, has a lot to offer. There are private green spaces and a wealth of indoor activity space, all of it providing a welcome break from the bustle of the city. Each day at camp includes crafts and drawing, and stimulation with music and dance. The course of each day includes all of that, from running games in the park, to sitting quietly to record the day’s events in a journal.	Toronto	0
Toronto Zoo - Zoo Camp Toronto, Ontario Our Take: Toronto Zoo - Zoo Camp The Toronto Zoo is of course a world class destination, one that is all kinds of fun in and of itself. The joy of the camp sessions, for many kids, is a chance to engage further, and to step a bit behind the curtain. The overnight sessions only extend that sense further. Kids interact with the animals, staff, and peers in a stellar environment, engaging with animals but also with a range of concepts, from empathy to natural diversity, to conservation. For some kids it's a chance to test-drive a range of academic interests. For all kids, it's just a lot of fun that they won't forget anytime soon.	Toronto	0
True North Sports Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: True North Sports Camps If you’ve ever attended one of the Our Kids camp expos, you’ll have seen a clot of kids gathered constantly around the True North booth. There’s a great reason for that: True North was founded by young people for young people to have a lot of fun with young people. Kids, rightly, love it, and the reason is the vibrancy and expertise of the counsellors that run the various programs. There is method to any madness, and skill building, including team skills and sports specific practice are top priorities. But, it’s a credit to the camp that it’s the joy of involvement with others that has become the hallmark of True North. There’s nothing quite like it, as any of those kids crowding the expo booth will tell you, if you’re able to get their attention.	Toronto	0
UCC Summer Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: UCC Summer Camps The UCC Summer Camps have been offered for more than four decades, and the strength of the programming is a product of that pedigree. We readily think of tradition when considering overnight camps, though perhaps are less inclined to when thinking of day camps. UCC, however, is a great example of development over time, including generations of staffing, hiring alumni of the program. One of the strengths of the UCC camps is undoubtedly the exceptional infrastructure of the school. To say that it’s unequalled, in terms of physical resource, is an understatement. Drama programs have the use of a professional grade stage; field sports have professional grade facilities; and on it goes. The growth in the programming—as with debate, coding, robotics—is in response to the needs of the families that attend, and they are intended to build skills as well as to allow children to work within groups of shared interest, passion, and ability.	Toronto	0
UCC Summer Life Toronto , Ontario Our Take: UCC Summer Life The UCC Summer Camps have been offered for more than four decades, and the strength of the programming is a product of that pedigree. One of the strengths of the UCC camps is undoubtedly the exceptional infrastructure of the school. To say that it’s unequalled, in terms of physical resource, is an understatement. A new addition is the Summer Life program, one intended for international students as an opportunity to build their English language skills. Students stay in residence with others from around the world. Programing takes advantage of the offerings and leadership of the day camps, the city, and the vast range of facilities on campus. While the Summer Life program is new, is nevertheless is built on the expertise at the school as well as the expertise and staffing of the day camp programs. We readily think of tradition when considering overnight camps, though perhaps are less inclined to when thinking of day camps. UCC, however, is a great example of development over time, including generations of staffing, often hiring alumni of the program. The Summer Life sessions are built upon that foundation.	Toronto	0
University of King's College Halifax, Nova Scotia Our Take: University of King's College King’s College is the oldest university in Canada, and the first English-speaking university in the commonwealth outside of the UK. Founded in 1789, it has understandably acted as something of a touchstone for academic life, and indeed has provided leadership in that regard. The summer programs provide a unique opportunity for young people to experience the campus, and to find a home there. The day camp makes use of the world-class campus facilities, offering a range of activities. Humanities for Young People, a residential program for kids 15-17, is a defining feature of the summer season. It attracts students from across the country to engage with peers and faculty in topics in the humanities. For many participants it’s a chance to dip a toe into the realities and the pleasures of university life. For all, it’s a chance to engage meaningfully with topics of importance to them and to the world. Each summer program is based in a theme chosen for that year. The 2018 theme is migration, with students looking at human migration in the past and present, and how migration has shaped the country. Participants take a lot away from these sessions, foremost among them the inspiration to push themselves further, and with a greater sense of not only what they want to study after high school, but also a greater understanding of what they personally can bring to it. There isn’t a wealth of programs like this one, which is why so many students turn to Kings.	Halifax	0
UTS: Experience Innovation Toronto, Ontario Our Take: UTS: Experience Innovation UTS is remarkable for all kinds of reasons, including an alumni that boasts two Nobel Laureates, twenty Rhodes Scholars, eleven Olympians, and three ambassadors. In the century since it was founded, UTS weathered some interesting times, including student protests in the 1960s. (At one point a student presented the headmaster with a blank sheet of paper saying "this is a list of our demands.") For many years, the school was at the centre of the debates that would, in time, bring some important advances to public schooling in Canada, including the abolition of matriculation exams and a 4-year secondary school program. In that and in so much else, UTS has marched to the beat of its own drummer, charting an innovative path through everything it has done. That’s true of the summer programs as well. They are of a kind that only UTS could supply. The sessions are unique, and uniquely inspiring, and lead by experienced school faculty. Kids who take part will find themselves in a group of peers who share their perspectives, their curiosities, and in many cases, their academic inclinations. That’s a lot. And it’s fun, too, all taking place in the heart of the country’s most diverse metropolis, and within one of the country's foremost academic institutions.	Toronto	0
Waldorf Summer Camp Thornhill, Ontario Our Take: Waldorf Summer Camp The Toronto Waldorf School, since it was founded, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the core Waldorf methods and values: active learning, process over product, and cross-curricular, collaborative learning. Families that enroll typically are also attracted by an overt attention to ethics, environmental stewardship, interpersonal values, and the encouragement of individual expression. The summer programs extend all of that, within an extensive facility that includes a wealth of green space, whcih is made great of use of through regular interaction in nature. Sessions focus on relationship building, creativity, and play, allowing kids a nice opportunity to get away from the screens, among much else. For many it's a welcome to relax, to take part within a different context, and with a different set of priorities, than they typically expeirence within the course of their daily lives.	Thornhill	0
Wilvaken Magog, Quebec Our Take: Wilvaken Located in the Eastern Townships, Wilvaken offers a close-knit, traditional camp experience. Now directed by Lara Willis, the third generation of her family to head up the camp, it has had a long and very consistent leadership that remains true to the initial goals for the facility. When you arrive you feel that you’ve entered an ordered, welcoming, and safe environment, and indeed you have. Families are drawn to that, as well as the values that form the basis of the program. The camp maintains a bilingual environment, which is a draw as well, allowing campers to continue their language learning while experiencing different cultures. Days are active, and evenings quiet, calm, and centered around friendship, fellowship, and the core traditions of the camp, including a candle-lit walk on the second to final night of each session. It's fun, with all the skill-building and exercise that you should expect, though there's a bit of magic here, too.	Magog	0
YMCA Camp Pine Crest Torrance, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Camp Pine Crest It’s been operating continually for more than a century, making Pine Crest one of the oldest continuous youth programs in North America. The YMCA has many camps, of course, and has also played a considerable role in developing what camp is and what it can do. Many of the kinds of programs that we associate with summer camp were developed in Y settings, so Pine Crest has a pedigree that goes well beyond its age. The program remains very traditional, and tripping is an important part of what the camp offers. The activities are based around growing skills as much as they are confidence, esteem, and cooperation. The staff is dedicated, and largely made up of people who themselves have grown up within the Y camping programs, either at Pine Crest or elsewhere. The setting is pretty much as good as it gets, nestled in Muskoka, an area rightly celebrated for its natural beauty. It’s gorgeous. Leadership programs for youth 13 to 16 are a particular draw.	Torrance	0
YMCA Camps Belwood, Ki-Wa-Y and Wabanaki St. Clements, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Camps Belwood, Ki-Wa-Y and Wabanaki You really can’t go wrong with a YMCA camp, and there are a few very good reasons for that. The Y has been fully invested in camp programs since Taylor Statten first developed them for the Y in 1902. In the years since, the programs have grown and diversified, literally providing the models that the vast majority of camps looked to when they created their programs. The culture of camps has grown as well, and the organization now has an embarrassment of riches, from top-level administration to program staffing. Everybody involved is here because they want to be here, and have demonstrated a passion and ability to work with kids through the core tenets: mind, body, spirit. Because of the extent and breadth of the operations, the standards are set extremely high. It can be frustrating, at times, to fill out all the online registration forms, but, nevertheless, they are testament to how everything is run: professionally, with care, experience, and expertise. Between the three camps run out of the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA, there is a diversity of options, allowing campers to grow from their first overnight experiences close to home, to intensive tripping in Killarney or sea kayaking on Georgian Bay. As such, the KW YMCA is a one-stop shop of the full range of quality camp offerings, and quality, established programs and locations.	St. Clements	0
YMCA Cedar Glen Schomberg, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Cedar Glen The YMCA camps have long history and tradition in Canada, and Cedar Glen is an example of both of those. The programming is solidly based in the traditions, which is something that attracts families. There is also a nice bit of breathing room--days are active, but not to the point of exhaustion. It's a nice pace through the day. Programs are also reflective of the core values of the YMCA: mind, body, and spirit. Those values are a very nice piece of the offering, and one that rightly is a draw. The location--closer to the GTA than most Y camps--is also a plus.	Schomberg	0
YMCA John Island Camp Spanish, Ontario Our Take: YMCA John Island Camp You really can’t go wrong with a YMCA camp, and there are a few very good reasons for that. The Y has been fully invested in camp programs since Taylor Statten first developed them for the Y in 1902. In the years since, the programs have grown and diversified, literally providing the models that the vast majority of camps looked to when they created their programs. John Island, in particular, offers a charming, traditional camp experience: the poetic vision of nights around the campfire, days on the water, friends everywhere and not a device in sight. It’s a model that has worked to develop initiative and confidence in young people for more than 100 years, and John Island is a great demonstration of why that is. Leadership programs may even apply toward high school credit, which is a nice plus. That said, the inter-generational engagement, the opportunities to grow through graduated, appropriate challenges, is why families turn first to John Island. As well they should.	Spanish	0
YMCA of Greater Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia Our Take: YMCA of Greater Vancouver You really can’t go wrong with a YMCA camp, and there are a few very good reasons for that. The Y has been fully invested in camp programs since Taylor Statten first developed them for the Y in 1902. In the years since, the programs have grown and diversified, literally providing the models that the vast majority of camps looked to when they created their programs. The culture of camps has grown as well, and the organization now has an embarrassment of riches, from top-level administration to program staffing. Everybody involved is here because they want to be here, and have demonstrated a passion and ability to work with kids through the core tenets: mind, body, spirit. Because of the extent and breadth of the operations, the standards are set extremely high. Between the three camps run out of the Vancouver YMCA, there is a diversity of options, allowing campers to grow from their first day-camp experiences, to family camping, to intensive tripping and hiking, to developing leadership skills. The range of environments, including the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Sunshine Coast allows for a range of experience unique to these programs. In all, there’s a lot to love.	Vancouver	0
YMCA Summer Day Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Summer Day Camps You really can’t go wrong with a YMCA camp, and there are a few very good reasons for that. The Y has been fully invested in camp programs since Taylor Statten first developed them for the Y in 1902. In the years since, the programs have grown and diversified, including day sessions, for which the Toronto YMCA has consistently lead the charge. The culture of camps has grown as well, and the organization now has an embarrassment of riches, from top-level administration to program staffing. Everybody involved is here because they want to be here, and have demonstrated a passion and ability to work with kids through the core tenets: mind, body, spirit. For parents, that brings a lot of confidence and peace of mind. Further, because of the extent and breadth of the operations, the standards are set extremely high. It can be frustrating, at times, to fill out all the online registration forms, but, nevertheless, they are testament to how everything is run: professionally, with care, experience, and expertise. If you want to see how day camps should be run, look no further than the YMCA of Greater Toronto Summer Day Camps. The wealth of programs locations throughout the city, and extensive busing, too, add to the efficiency for families and resources available for programming.	Toronto	0
YMCA Wanakita Haliburton, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Wanakita Wanakita is one of the camps in Canada that others look to when growing or innovating their programs. It has a very traditional feel, with all the traditional activities on offer. The addition of a summer long family camp was conspicuous when it was begun over a decade ago, though has become the model for many others throughout North America. Wanakita has grown over the years, with the last significant acquisition perhaps being that of the Haliburton Hockey Haven, which doubled the program areas at a stroke. The family camp and resident camp programs are separated, and, for the most part, never the twain shall meet, and there are benefits to that, not the least being separate dining halls. Wanakita has an impressive tradition of leadership as well, with many of its alumni having moved on to prominent roles, nationally, both in the Y and in camping. Some traditions aren’t retained in the ways that some would like—the culture of singing, for one, isn’t what it once was—though it’s a testament to the ongoing quality of the camp that every generation of camper is as covetous of how the camp was when they were there. As ever, Wanakita remains a vibrant camp environment, one in which values are as important as activities.	Haliburton	0
YMCA Wanakita Family Camps Haliburton, Ontario Our Take: YMCA Wanakita Family Camps Wanakita is one of the camps in Canada that others look to when growing or innovating their programs. It has a very traditional feel, with all the traditional activities on offer. The addition of a summer long family camp was conspicuous when it was begun over a decade ago, though has become the model for many others throughout North America. Wanakita has grown over the years, with the last significant acquisition perhaps being that of the Haliburton Hockey Haven, which doubled the program areas at a stroke. The family camp and resident camp programs are separated, and, for the most part, never the twain shall meet, and there are benefits to that, not the least being separate dining halls. Wanakita has an impressive tradition of leadership as well, with many of its alumni having moved on to prominent roles, nationally, both in the Y and in camping.	Haliburton	0
York University Lions Camps Toronto, Ontario Our Take: York University Lions Camps The focus of the Lions camps is less about drilling down than it is building out, allowing campers opportunites to experience a wide range of athletic activity, from field sports to martial arts. The intent is to bring young people together around a range of inclusive wellness activity, to challenge them a bit, and to build their confidence and resilience at the same time. The staff is sympathetic to all of that, made up of youth leaders from the York student community. That, too, is a plus, offering campers an opportunity to gain a first-hand sense of what empathetic leadership and mentorship looks like, as modeled by counsellors that have distinguished themselves in exactly that. It’s telling that some of the activities are fanciful, such as Quidditch, pirate training, and superhero training—they are fun, and less about skills and more about the shared experience. There are some intensive sessions, such as strength and conditioning for teens, but the even there, the goals include a meaningful engagement with others around some shared challenges, shared laughs, and everything in between. The facilities, it goes without saying, are excellent, all based within the York campus.	Toronto	0
York University; Science Engagement Toronto, Ontario Our Take: York University; Science Engagement In his memoir “Uncle Tungsten,” the late Oliver Sacks wrote at length about his boyhood chemistry experiments, cloistered away in an attic, exploring a world that, in a range of ways, captured his intellect and his passion. The one thing that it wasn’t, however, was social. Like so many of the science stories of the past—Galileo, Tesla, Newton, and on and on—an interest in science meant working alone. Happily, with the growth of STEM programs, we’re getting beyond that. More than ever, science is collaborative, socially engaging, and fun, all things that the York programs have long sought to bring forward. The sessions engage with the outcomes of the provincial curriculum, and build off what the campers are learning during the school year. But the sessions also extend that in a range of meaningful ways, through hands-on, cooperative learning. Students work within a professional setting, lead by student leaders that themselves are working in those fields throughout the year. All of that can be transformative to a young person’s love of science and their place within it, and in growing an ability to collaborate creatively with others around a unique set of problems. The facilities, as you’d expect, are exceptional—a majority of the sessions take place within Faculty of Science at the Keele Campus of York University—as is the organization of the programs and sessions. For some campers, it's an introduction to university life, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better one.	Toronto	0

More reviews coming soon

1-UP Leadership Programs at Ernescliff College

A Class for Young Ladies

AlevelUp Basketball Training

Allegro Academy of Music and Art

Animation Portfolio Workshop Boot Camp

Appleby College Summer Programs

Army and Navy Academy Summer Camp

ART-ON-LOCATION with Dawn-Angela

ARTiculations

Athlete Institute Summer Basketball Academy

Aurora Cultural Centre Summer Art Camps & Children's Programs

Bannockburn Day Camps

Base de Plein Air Mont-Tremblant

Baseline Sports Baseball Camp

Bayview Glen Camp

Bayview Village Junior Tennis Camp

Bee Smart Learning Centre

Bee-nastics

BeyondSTEM

BigRock Aikikai

Bishop's College School Summer Language Camp

Bishops Gate Golf Academy

Block 8 Academy

Bond Academy Day Camp

Brain Power Enrichment Programs

Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts

Brick Labs

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Britannia Yacht Club

Budding Genius - Central Mississauga

Camp Cherith - Lanark

Camp Cherith - Ontario

Camp Chikopi

Camp Claret Du Lac Elgin

Camp Crossroads

Camp Davern

Camp de vacances Kéno

Camp Edphy International Canada

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Camp UofT Scarborough

Canadian Children's Opera Company

Canadian Contemporary School of Art

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Cedar Springs Camp

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Children's Arts Theatre School

City of Mississauga

Claremont Nature Centre

Code-it Hacks

College Bourget Summer Camp

Concordia Camps

Connections: Queen’s Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA)

Conservatory of Dance and Music

COOKSMART

Creative Club Camp

Creative Kids Place

Creditview Farms Inc.

Crescent Camps & Summer Programs

Crestwood Valley Day Camp

CYBL Rising Stars Camp

Del Active Sports Camp

Design Exchange (DX)

Discovery Day Camp

Durham College Summer Camps

e2 Young Engineers - Greater Toronto Area North

e2 Young Engineers - North Vaughan

Earth Studies

East York Baseball Camp and Skills Development Clinics

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Just Bounce Trampoline Club Inc.

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Kidnetix

Kids in the Spotlight

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Lakeridge Resort Limited

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LB Acting Studio

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Limelight Cheerleading Allstars

LIT Education Inc.

Little Theatre Etobicoke

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LSA- Lifetime Skills Academy

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Models International Management

Montreal Impact Soccer Schools

National Yacht Club Sailing Camp and School

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Niagara Academy Tennis Programs

No Strings Theatre

North Beach Volleyball Ultimate Sports

North Toronto Soccer Club

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Oakville Galleries

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Organic Farm Camp at Quinta do Conde

Ottawa School of Art

Oxford Learning High Park

Peak Performance Golf

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Planet Kids

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Port Credit Yacht Club Learn to Sail

PortPrep - Arts and Animation Portfolio Camp

Power Cheer Toronto

Power Soccer School of Excellence

Power4Teens

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PSB & Interplay Dance

Radiant Girls

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Randolph Kids Performing Arts

Real Programming 4 Kids

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Rivers Edge Camping Association

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Robotics Camp - Montreal

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Rooks to Cooks

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Royal City Soccer Camps

Ruth Rumack's Learning Space

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Ryerson Performance Youth and Community Programs

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Sail Parry Sound

Salem Ridge Golf & Academy Junior Camps

Sans Souci Riding Centre INC.

Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club

Science and Technology Summer Camps UOIT

Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance

Seneca College King Day Camp

Shadow Lake Centre

Sidney Ledson Institute

Snapology of Halton-Mississauga

Space Explorers Program

Speckles Art Studio Camp

Sports Camps Canada

St. Michael's Summer Experience

Stanstead College Summer Camps

STEAMlabs

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STEM Lab Robotics

Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre

Stonewood Equestrian Riding Academy

Studio PAVAS

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Supercamp @ Vanier College

TAC Aquatics - Swim School, First Aid and Lifesaving

TAC Sports - Toronto Athletic Camps

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TB West Community Services

TechyKids

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Tomorrow's Master of Digital Media Program

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Toronto School of Art

Toronto Windsurfing Club

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Town of Richmond Hill

Township of King

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TV Casting Ranch

Ultimate Coders

Under the GUI

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UTutor Education Centre

Vaughan Basketball

Venture Academy Summer Program for Troubled Teens

VRKidz

Wanda's Creative Clay

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Whitchurch Riding Academy

Wilderness Tours Adventure Resort

Wildhorse Camp

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WillowWood School Summer Programs

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Winning Techniques Camp

YMCA of Oakville

YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka

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YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region

Young People's Theatre/YPT

Zebra Robotics

Zodiac Day Camp

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