Campers reveal, in their own words, what made their experience so fantastic and memorable. I love camp because it’s a welcoming, calming experience and so fun! – Makela For my first time at camp this was an amazing experience. – […]
Summer Camps Guide
Cottage or Camp?
How will your children spend their summer? Life skills, friendships and fun are just a few of the benefits of a camp experience, writes Catherine Ross. As a camp director, I had many conversations at camp fairs with parents, who […]
Life long lessons learned at camp
The summer camp experience and training provided enables campers to gain crucial skills that will extend into the work world. Camp is a great place to learn (among many other things) how to swim, sail, paddle, kayak, water ski or […]
Dealing with homesickness at camp
Worried your child will suffer a serious hankering for home during her first camp experience this summer? While homesickness isn’t unusual, a proactive approach now can minimize the blues later. Work up to it. When her children were younger, Stephanie […]
Making lifelong friends at camp
Outdoor adventures, funny memories, and even good-natured pranks are all part of the special bonding that happens at summer camp. Last summer, I interviewed several campers about their summer experiences in preparation for a writing assignment. Two themes emerged. First, […]
Choosing the perfect camp for your child
Research carefully to ensure your child’s camp is a safe, nurturing environment where they will thrive, learn and above all, have fun, writes Catherine Ross. Now is the time to start thinking about registering your child for their first summer […]
Why camp counsellors are awesome
Across the country, thousands of eager former campers are counting the days until summer camp begins. Some new campers may be more anxious than excited, as day one draws near. And once camp begins, the person who will influence the experience of each camper […]
Consider an Ontario camp for your child this summer
Why should I send my children to summer camp? Summer camps in Ontario have been providing quality programs for children and young people for over a century. But the population and cultural diversity of Ontario has grown considerably over the last hundred years. The truth […]
Let them go, then leave them be
Parents who are concerned about homesickness need to do their homework before sending their child to camp, writes Catherine Ross. Recently, a friend commented that she would not be allowed to visit her granddaughter at camp this summer. The camp had adopted […]
Three dads reflect on their camp days
Twenty-five years as a camp director and researcher has given me the opportunity to ask hundreds of former campers and camp counsellors if they believe their camp experiences influenced their lives in any significant way. What I learned and validated through research is that camp […]
