Camp Can-Aqua: Parent Interview with Nicolette Martonyi

Watch our Parent interview with Nicolette Martonyi to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at Camp Can-Aqua.

Transcript of the interview

What’s unique about the program at Camp Can-Aqua that made you want to enroll your child there?

I loved the opportunity to try out the camp with the whole family before sending my child there. They have a program called Family Camp, where before and after the season, they open up the camp for families. You can go and enjoy all the activities, look at the place, meet many of the counselors, the camp director, and be part of the camp experience your child will have. They blew our minds. It was just amazing. I felt like a kid again. It really stuck with me how, with a very simple wooden cabin, you can have so much fun—you don’t need the five-star towels or luxury bathrooms to have a great time. I believe in starting at the basics, and these rustic cabins are a perfect, safe, and fun way to experience summer camp.

How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more responsible?

He is turning 14 next week and is becoming a very responsible teenager. Every time we pick him up from camp, especially now that he’s doing four-week sessions, we see a real change in him. This past summer, after four weeks at camp, I saw growth in responsibility that I would expect to take six months. At Can-Aqua, he becomes so engaged and proud of his accomplishments that he wants to share them with us. Before he left, I asked him to send us a letter—usually the last thing a teenager wants to hear from a parent. But in four weeks, we received five letters, each a page and a half long, full of achievements, awards, and stories about trying new things. Can-Aqua has made him not just independent but organized. After losing clothes the first year, he promised to do better—and the next year, he came back with everything accounted for, without me reminding him.

How did Camp Can-Aqua help build your son's independence?

The first time we went as a family, our youngest, who was six years old, loved it. He went back on his own the next year at age seven. Honestly, I wish we had found Can-Aqua earlier so he could have started even sooner. He loves it so much that for his birthday, he asks for an extra week at Camp Can-Aqua instead of gifts. He is a very independent child, but Can-Aqua made him not just independent, but also more organized in his thoughts and in how he manages himself. We’ve been returning to the camp every year, both for family camp and as a camper. I’ve seen how the counselors interact with kids and families. I’ve never heard anyone say no to a child outright. Even when an idea isn’t safe, the counselors find a way to redirect it safely without shutting the child down.

How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more socially courageous?

Initially, he wasn’t the type to have long-term friendships, but that changed with Can-Aqua. I wasn’t keen on getting him a phone, but now I’m glad we did. Around 80% of his communication with peers revolves around camp friends. When I asked which session he wanted to attend next summer, he reached out to his friends and they all coordinated to go to sessions three and four—a full month together at Can-Aqua. Trying new things and developing leadership skills are things I’m proud of. Without any push from us, he’s become more engaged at school—volunteering, mentoring younger students, and leading sports activities.

How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more curious?

He took on new activities he had never tried before, even though he’s very good at kneeboarding. Camp seems to encourage him to keep trying new things. He’s expressed interest in becoming a teacher and now wants to be a counselor at Camp Can-Aqua. He’s also a competitive swimmer, and his life-saving certifications help him feel confident showing those skills at camp. He’s even planning to complete his last certification just 20 minutes after arriving this summer. The kids meet counselors from around the world and witness what it means to travel, learn a new language, and gain life experience. One girl from Hungary worked in the kitchen to improve her English and left as a transformed person. Kids learn what they can achieve by being open to new experiences.

Nicolette’s advice to parents hesitant about sending their children to overnight camps

I think a child needs to want to go to camp. I would certainly not suggest pushing a child. But going to Can-Aqua as a family together was an amazing experience. Using the Family Camp program made our child want to go to camp even before he was old enough. When we were there, we saw all the different things—the way the health centre is run, how there’s always a nurse on site, and how they ensure safety without being rigid. I’ve never seen a child go out on a canoe or kayak without a lifejacket, and they don’t need constant reminders. Camp Can-Aqua is extremely safe and fun—a place where kids open up and try things they never thought they’d do. My son sings on stage, something he’d never do at home. If your child is hesitant or shy, I recommend trying Family Camp first. We’ve recommended Can-Aqua to many friends, and now their kids have been going for years.

When did you know that Camp Can-Aqua was the right fit for your child?

It was at that first family camp. Imagine a clear, gorgeous, private lake, extremely kind people, and nature all around you. During Family Camp, I find myself getting up at 5 or 6 a.m. just to take in the lake and take pictures. It’s such an amazing place to help a child grow up—be responsible, connect with nature, and meet people from different backgrounds. I was a very independent child myself and went to overnight camp starting at age six in Europe. Giving my child the same opportunity to grow without me has been hard at times, but I now see the difference between him and other teenagers. He knows I trust him, and he’s learned so much from his Can-Aqua village.

What tips or suggestions would you give to other parents to get the most out of Camp Can-Aqua?

Let them experience it. Don’t give them rules—these kids already live with rules from September to June. Can-Aqua is a place where they can just be. One child we know had separation anxiety and difficulty being away from parents. The counselors handled it so well. The parents were kept in the loop but didn’t have to be in direct contact with the child. The situation was managed in a way that made everyone feel safe. That child finished the summer just like everyone else and never went back to that level of anxiety. When I pick up my child and he doesn’t want to leave, some might think it’s heartbreaking—but I think, no, we did good.