Best Summer Camps In Ontario
With such open outdoor spaces and large lakes, Ontario provides the perfect summer playground for kids. There are a lot of summer camps in Ontario for children to explore all types of adventure and learning activites. You can find all-girls and all-boys camps, or from those focusing solely on adventures, sports and even chocolate-making.
There’s also a completely off the grid programs to get children away from their screens and out in the beautiful nature of Ontario. Whatever you want from an Ontario camp, read on to let your children discover the outdoors with any of these programs.
Hamilton, ON
Chocolate Tales has three summer camps that last a week each and are located at their studio in the Greater Toronto area in Hamilton, Ontario. Each camp session offers unique activities where children make chocolate, bake, and play outdoors.
These themed camps take place on alternating weeks. Children ages 7-12 don't need any baking or chocolate-making experience to attend, as they'll learn it all from the helpful staff of Chocolate Tales. To mix things up, plenty of outdoor activities and games are also part of the itinerary. Discounts apply for siblings or bookings for more than one week.
Children attending the chocolate camp can learn all about tempering and creating with chocolate and even get...
Toronto, ON
The Jardin Infantil Academy runs six streams of popular summer camps in the West End – High Park in Toronto. Founded in 2000, they serve children as young as 5 years and above and parents can sign campers up for multiple weekly sessions. Their mission in their own words is to “nurture curious young minds, to develop confident, resilient, and passionate children with strong problem-solving skills.”
What makes JIA camps different: They incorporate Multilingualism in all their programs, through the “Word of the Day” game! Their Cooking Camp is also Multicultural, as the chefs on the making prepare and taste foods from around the world. Also, this year, featuring a brand new Camp: “Go with...
Camp Wahanowin
Orillia, ON
Established back in 1955, Camp Wahanowin centers on the core values of community, growth, respect, and tradition. It's all about achieving personal growth through challenges, with the goal of encouraging kids to be their very best selves. Individuality and independence are seen as key.
Camps last from one day for a brief introductory session to the entire summer. In between there are camps that run for a weekend, a week, or even a month. A couple of the shorter options are suitable for kindergartners, while longer camps accept older students in grades 1 through 9th.
Amenities include recently upgraded cabins and sports courts. Camp Wahanowin also has a bungee trampoline and a flying trapeze that...
Camp Can-Aqua
Bancroft, ON
Camp Can-Aqua is all about putting kids in charge of what they do and when. There's a wide variety of exciting activities with its location close to Bancroft. With 40 years of experience and experienced staff with training, Camp Can-Aqua knows exactly how to keep kids entertained and educated.
Days comprise four periods of activity plus an evening program. Free time is also built into the schedule. At dinner each evening, children pick their activities for the following day so everyone knows where they need to be.
Camp Can-Aqua's facilities include a private lake, meaning water activities like canoeing, kneeboarding, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and windsurfing are available. There are also arts, land activities, and overnight trips.
Camp Kawartha
Peterborough, ON
The history of Camp Kawartha dates back around a century from 1921. They offer summer camps for students ages 4 and 17 that are all about immersion in outdoor life. The range of programs includes day and overnight camps, canoeing and adventure camps, and leadership camps for teenagers.
They are located in Peterborough and at Clear Lake. As well as an introductory camp lasting 3 days, sessions run for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Kinder camps for younger children run for a week with several day camps also in operation.
Facilities at Camp Kawartha include the impressive outdoor education center at Clear Lake and an environment center at Peterborough. This non-profit has won multiple awards...
Camp Hurontario
Georgian Bay, ON
Solely operating as a summer camp for boys, Camp Hurontario has been running for close to 80 years. The camp is a two-hour drive from Toronto and is situated to the north at Thirty Thousand Islands in Georgian Bay.
Boys aged between 5 and 16 are welcome here. Sessions last between one to three-and-a-half weeks, commencing in late June. Each program is tailored to specific age ranges and levels of experience.
Activities available at this boys' camp include sports such as archery, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, and windsurfing. Kids can also get involved with arts and biology here.
Camp Hurontario occupies an island in Twelve Mile Bay. Facilities and activities make full use...
Camp Northway
Algonquin Park, ON
Camp Northway is a girls' summer camp located in Northway and a canoe-tripping boys' camp in Wendigo. It offers something different and nature-based, as there is no electricity at either site. This feature helps keep its authenticity and stay true to its roots that started all the way back in 1906.
Camp Northway accepts children aged between 7 and 16, with a maximum of 60 attendees at any time. There's one member of staff per 3 kids to guide them through their wilderness living experience. The boys' canoeing camps are open to 12 to 16-year-olds.
A typical Camp Northway day for girls will include pursuits such as arts and crafts and drama in addition to...
Camp Muskoka
Bracebridge, ON
Situated near Bracebridge in Ontario, Camp Muskoka is an overnight summer camp that welcomes both girls and boys who are between the ages of 6 till 16. This Canadian summer camp aims to provide an ultimate fun experience for all campers no matter what.
A typical day at summer camp starts with a morning run, field games, and yoga before breakfast. After the children have full stomachs, they chose their activities for the afternoons. They can relax by Cougar Lake, practice their archery skills, or sing in the recording studios. Later in the evening, all of the campers gather around a campfire and get to interact with one another before they head off to bed.
Camp Pathfinder
Algonquin Park, ON
The history of Camp Pathfinder dates back to 1914, with programs for boys between 7 and 16. Located at Source Lake in Algonquin Park, kids from all over Canada, the United States, South America, and even Europe attend Camp Pathfinder.
Uniquely, this camp offers family camps where boys and their parents can attend simultaneously. It's the perfect introduction to camp life for rookies.
Canoe trips are what it all began with. Now, programs focus on providing an experience based mainly on the natural world, with minimal technology. A long tradition of fellowship exists here.
As well as canoeing, activities to get into here include the arts, ecology and nature, athletics, paddling, ropes, and swimming. Some...
Camp Chikopi
Magnetawan, ON
Camp Chikopi is a boys-only summer camp perfect for children who love sports. Whether it's swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, or wrestling, the camp gives equal opportunity to each child to showcase their talent and reach their full potential under the mentorship of experienced staff.
The camp is located in Ontario and is an adventure-filled sports camp that challenges kids in unique and innovative ways. It helps boys grow personally, develop team-building skills, and learn the art of independence and self-confidence.
It's perfect for students between the ages of 7 to 17 and offers overnight sports programs. The program includes all sports and you can also choose free specialized instruction in a particular sport such as...
Camp Davern
Maberly, ON
Camp Davern's ethos centers on a back-to-nature approach. Camp Davern is located close to Maberly, Ontario, occupying a 150-acre site. Up to 120 kids aged between 7 and 16 can attend at any one time.
As well as summer camps, outdoor education programs are offered in spring and fall at Camp Davern. This is a non-denominational camp, and sessions last for one week or a fortnight. The philosophy here focuses on two things — trying out new things and forging friendships.
A variety of on-land and water activities are offered. Children can also get involved in arts pursuits and projects, undertake challenges and treks, or head out canoe-tripping for up to 10 nights. As well...
Circle Square Ranch Grand River
Brantford, ON
Intervarsity Circle Square Ranch Grand River is a Christian camp that offers overnight and day camps. It teaches children about religion, inclusivity, and faith in a safe and comfortable atmosphere. However, that is not all the camp comprises of.
Found in Brantford, Ontario, the camp offers many sports and adventurous activities for students to enjoy and learn, including swimming, rope climbing, and archery, to name a few. The camp particularly specializes in multi-level horsemanship programs for beginners as well as advanced riders.
The camp enrolls children aged 5-15 and offers various programs not only for their spiritual guidance but also for personal growth. All programs include age-appropriate discussions regarding the bible. The camp also offers...