Camp Kawartha

While Ontarians endure the sub-zero temperatures of winter, it is hard to imagine the days to come of warmth and sunshine. But alas, those days do arrive and ideas of camp and being in the outdoors become within reach.

At Camp Kawartha however, other than the warmth, this experience does not have to be a distant idea. Open year-round with two facility locations, its operations include summer camp programs, curriculum-linked education programs, corporate team building programs and facility rentals to a wide variety of users.

The camp is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the highest standard of programming, with a particular focus on outdoor environmental awareness, outdoor and environmental education and stewardship that includes leadership training programs for 15–17-year-olds.

Camp Kawartha offers students three exciting avenues for adventures to learn about the natural world; summer camp; an outdoor education centre and an environmental education centre.

The summer camp offers a variety of day and overnight camp for students aged 4–17. It has developed programs that build leadership, promotes self-esteem and self-confidence and fosters a sense of community and environmental awareness.

Sessions for older campers 14–17, who are seeking adventure-based experiences or who would like to develop leadership skills can experience a physically demanding two-week wilderness canoe trip led by experienced staff through the Algonquin or Killarney Park.

Students 14–16 may choose a two-week session of challenge and adventure. Working with fellow campers in a non-competitive, supportive environment, rock climbing, white water kayaking, caving, mountain biking, high and low ropes, canoeing, initiative tasks and more.

The Outdoor Education Centre offers over 50 high quality, experiential-based Ontario curriculum-linked programs to elementary and high school students. These programs taught in multiple seasons, fall in five broad categories; environmental science; environmental arts; Canadian history; adventure and leadership and physical education and recreation.

The educational staff provide an in-depth list of available teachings that pinpoints the best curriculum fit by grade, such as Habitat Enhancement or A Day in the Life of a Voyageur for Grades 9–12; Biodiversity for Grades 9 and 11; Maps and Mapping for Grades 11 and 12; and A Day in the Life of a Voyageur or Archery, Atlatl and Axe Throwing for Grades 9–12. The programs even include a wide variety of winter activities including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Camp Kawartha’s Environmental Education Centre, situated on Trent University’s 200 acre wildlife sanctuary lands in Peterborough, serves as a training ground for future teachers in strategies for effective environmental education and alternative, sustainable living.

The several environmental education programs it offers throughout the seasons may target students taking Grade 9 Geography; Grade 9 and 10 Science; Grade 11 Biology or Environmental
Science and Grade 12 Environmental Resource Management.

To book a class trip or for more detailed information on what Camp Kawartha has to offer, visit campkawartha.ca or call 705-652-3860.