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  • Type:
    Overnight camp, Family programs
  • Focus:
    Traditional (multi activity)
  • Cost:
    $2,950 to $3,150/2 weeks
  • Ages:
    5 to 17
  • Gender:
    Coed
  • Main language:
    English
  • Capacity:
    175 to 200
  • Programs:
    0 available; 10 TBD
  • Reviews:
  • e-Brochure:
Request more info
  • Overview

    Here's what makes Camp Can-Aqua stand out

    Camp Can-Aqua is one of the greatest experiences you can give to your child. We're a camper focused world where kids choose their programs daily. As a traditional camp, we're proud of the exceptional skill development we offer to kids ages 5-17. In 2024, we'll continue to provide amazing opportunities, challenges and adventures for campers.

    • Special needs: Not available

  • Programs, Rates & Dates

    Programs and Sessions Calendar

    At Camp Can-Aqua we believe that campers should have control of their day. With this in mind, kids are given the choice of which activities to take part in each day of their session. While each activity day is structured into four periods and one hour of free time, campers are encouraged to select their activities themselves. If they need some help, the staff are always there to guide them in a positive decision making process. Note: Campers attending for one week sessions will have two elective periods and two rotation periods in a program day. At suppertime, campers go to the Can-Aqua Program Board with their counselor, and choose activities for the following day. It’s an exciting process that kids look forward to being involved in.


    Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Camp Can-Aqua currently has 0 program available; 10 TBD.

    Filter activities :


    Name
    Type/Gender
    Specialty
    Location
    Date
    Bus
     Cost
    Email
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 1 - 18+
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $725
    Wilderness Skills|Jazz|Guitar|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Pottery|Woodworking|LEGO|STEM|Meditation|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Sailing/Marine Skills|Swimming|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Dodgeball|Hiking|Mountain Biking|Paintball|Soccer|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Yoga|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 1 - 18+
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $375
    Wilderness Skills|Jazz|Guitar|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Pottery|Woodworking|LEGO|STEM|Meditation|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Sailing/Marine Skills|Swimming|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Dodgeball|Hiking|Mountain Biking|Paintball|Soccer|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Yoga|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 14 - 15
    Leadership Training
    $5,400
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Cooking|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Gaga|Hiking|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 9 - 16
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $5,400
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Acting (Film & TV)|Baking/Decorating|Cooking|Jazz|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|CIT/LIT Program|Leadership Training|Social Justice|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|STEM|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Strength and Conditioning|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Football|Gaga|Hiking|Horseback Riding/Equestrian|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics |Empowerment
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 16 - 17
    Leadership Training
    $5,400
    Mindfulness Training|First-aid/lifesaving |Nature/Environment|Skilled Trades Activities|LEGO|Archery|Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Hiking|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Swimming|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Sports-Instructional and Training|Ping Pong|Gaga|Badminton |Arts & Crafts|Theatre Arts|Photography|Painting|Cooking|Woodworking|Drawing|Pottery|Guitar|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Wilderness Out-tripping|Ropes Course|Wilderness Skills|Videography|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 15 - 16
    CIT/LIT Program
    $5,400
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Cooking|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Gaga|Hiking|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 5 - 11
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $1,650
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Acting (Film & TV)|Baking/Decorating|Cooking|Jazz|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Piano|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|CIT/LIT Program|Leadership Training|Social Justice|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|STEM|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Strength and Conditioning|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Football|Gaga|Hiking|Horseback Riding/Equestrian|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics |Empowerment
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 6 - 16
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $3,150
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Acting (Film & TV)|Baking/Decorating|Cooking|Jazz|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Piano|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|CIT/LIT Program|Leadership Training|Social Justice|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|STEM|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Strength and Conditioning|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Football|Gaga|Hiking|Horseback Riding/Equestrian|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics |Empowerment
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 6 - 12
    Traditional (multi activity)
    $1,650
    Ropes Course|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Cooking|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Guitar|Theatre Arts|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Painting|Photography|Pottery|Woodworking|Nature/Environment|LEGO|Skilled Trades Activities|First-aid/lifesaving |Mindfulness Training|Archery|Badminton |Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Gaga|Hiking|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Ping Pong|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Sports-Instructional and Training|Swimming|Ultimate Frisbee|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Yoga|Fencing|Videography|Ceramics
    Overnight Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 9 - 15
    Waterskiing/Wakeboarding
    $1,450 to $1,750
    Mindfulness Training|First-aid/lifesaving |Nature/Environment|Skilled Trades Activities|LEGO|Archery|Baseball/Softball|Basketball|Board Sailing|Canoeing|Fishing|Hiking|Kayaking/Sea Kayaking|Mountain Biking|Sailing/Marine Skills|Soccer|Swimming|Volleyball|Waterskiing/Wakeboarding|Sports-Instructional and Training|Ping Pong|Gaga|Badminton |Arts & Crafts|Theatre Arts|Photography|Painting|Cooking|Woodworking|Drawing|Pottery|Guitar|Superhero/Marvel/DC|Wilderness Out-tripping|Ropes Course|Wilderness Skills|Videography|Ceramics



    Registration Details

    Our camp registration process is completely online using the CampBrain portal. For returning families, please navigate to our registration page using the same log in credentials as previous years, as this avoids duplicate family accounts (and also saves you time when registering!) If you are a new family to Can-Aqua, we can't wait to meet you! Our database registers in real time so when working through your registration, any selection you make will remain in your cart for 30 minutes. We hope the enrollment process is straight forward and fast, but if you have any questions, we're happy to help. Our registration portal opens in the fall each year & remains open until one week before the session starts as long as there is availability.



    Financial Aid & Payment Details

    Payment Options:

    Deposit required with acceptance Yes
    Credit card payment Yes
    Maximum installments available 6

    Discounts

    Discount if paid early $100
    Discount for 2nd child $80
    Discount for 3rd child $120
    Discount for 4th child $200

    Scholarships & awards:
    Total annual scholarship fund: $20,000 CAD

    • Louis Gyori Campership Fund

      Amount: 40% Deadline: April 01, 2016 annually
      Type: Need based
      Details: Louis Gyori was the founder of Camp Can-Aqua. His passion, love and commitment to the camping movement in commemorated in a foundation established in his name. The Lou Gyori Foundation focuses on making camp accessible to those in need of financial support. The summer camp experience was something Lou felt all children should have access to.
      Application Details: Interested parties must contact the camp for application form. A letter is requested as part of the application process.
  • Reviews & Insider Perspectives

    The Our Kids review of Camp Can-Aqua

    our take

    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 to 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.

    Three Things: Camp Can-Aqua
    Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at Camp Can-Aqua


    Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum

    Nicolette Martonyi, Parent

    • 00:27 - What's unique about the program at Camp Can-Aqua that made you want to enroll your child there?
    • 03:58 - How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more responsible?
    • 05:37 - How did Camp Can-Aqua help build your son's independence?
    • 07:46 - How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more socially courageous?
    • 09:33 - How did Camp Can-Aqua teach your son to be more curious?
    • 11:00 - Nicolette's advice to parents hesitant about sending their children to overnight camps
    • 15:19 - When did you know that Camp Can-Aqua was the right fit for your child?
    • 17:34 - Did Our Kids help you choose this camp Can-Aqua?
    • 19:05 - What tips or suggestions would you give to other parents to get the most out of Camp Can-Aqua?

    More reviews of Camp Can-Aqua

    Michelle, Alum

    A Place That Makes Everyone Feel At Home

    Read review

    Karen Lawrie, Parent

    A place my daughter feels confident

    Read review

    Wes, Parent

    See You Next Summer

    Read review

    Lorri, Parent

    A Summer We Will Never Forget

    Read review

    Karen, Parent

    A Place Where She Feels Confident

    Read review

    Yvonne Heath, Parent

    A family affair

    Read review

    Linda, Parent

    Best Summer Camp In The Country

    Read review

    Jack, Camper

    6/5

    Read review

    More reviews of Camp Can-Aqua


    Michelle, Alum

    A Place That Makes Everyone Feel At Home

    Camp Can-Aqua is the best place in the world, there is no other place like it. This camp focuses on developing a community and making everyone feel at home. Can-Aqua offers many activities from archery to water skiing and there is always something for everyone. I have been going to Camp Can-Aqua for 10 years now and I cannot imagine my summer without it. Camp Can-Aqua has helped to shape me into the person I am today by pushing me outside my comfort zone to try new things ... Show More


    Karen Lawrie, Parent

    A place my daughter feels confident

    My daughter has always been nervous about overnight camp. Finally, she has found a place where she feels confident, safe and happy. This is her second year here. Last year, she cried when we picked her up to come home from camp after 2 weeks. This year, she’s all in for a month at camp! Camp Can Aqua is awesome ... Show More


    Wes, Parent

    See You Next Summer

    My 11 year old daughter went this summer for her first overnight camp experience as an only child and based on her reviews Camp Can Aqua gets a solid five star rating. To our pleasant surprise, the food was one of the best attributes of the camp apparently which is a total shock since she's is an especially picky eater. Without getting into all the details the proof is in eating the pudding and apparently she's is demanding to go back next summer to eat the pudding. Special thanks to the staff and the director. See you next summer ... Show More


    Lorri, Parent

    A Summer We Will Never Forget

    My oldest son had his first summer up at Camp Can-Aqua and when we picked him up he couldn’t stop raving about the place! LOVED every moment of it, he said everyday he would continuously look forward to the next activity. In fact he spoke so positively about his experience that his younger brother would like to try it out next year! I really like how we would check the Facebook page for pictures that you post while they are up there. A summer he will never forget! My two boys can’t wait for next summer! See you then ... Show More


    Karen, Parent

    A Place Where She Feels Confident

    My daughter has always been nervous about overnight camp. Finally, she has found a place where she feels confident, safe and happy. This is her second year here. Last year, she cried when we picked her up to come home from camp after 2 weeks. This year, she’s all in for a month at camp! Camp Can Aqua is awesome ... Show More


    Yvonne Heath, Parent

    A family affair

    My husband and his sister were at camp more than 10 years. I was camp nurse for 5 years for 4th session. Our twins are there for their 8th year. What does that tell you?? It's our most favorite place in the world!!


    Linda, Parent

    Best Summer Camp In The Country

    This has to be the very best summer camp in the country. The staff, management, the grounds and the activities truly enrich the lives of every child that attends. What an amazing chapter in your child's life to be able to attend Camp Can-Aqua!!!! Truly the BEST!!!!**** ... Show More


    Jack, Camper

    6/5

    This is the first time I've ever been to an over night summer camp and this experience was AMAZING. When I got there everyone was so friendly and welcoming and there is always something fun to do would rate it 6/5 if I could ... Show More


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  • Gallery

    Camp Can-Aqua - profile photo

    Video Gallery

  • Meet the Staff

    Director's Message

    Summer Camp is one of the most important decisions you will make for you child. The experience children get for those few short weeks each summer is one, which is certain to shape them into a more confident, independent individuals. The opportunity for them to carve out their own social identity allows them to develop friendships that become long lasting and remark... Read more



    Staff and Counsellors

    The Camp Can-Aqua staff team consists of a diverse group of people ages 17-70. All staff undergo regular criminal background checks, verification of certifications and reference checks. Building our team each summer, we look first inside our community. The majority of our team have grown up at Can-Aqua and are excited to return and recreate the exceptional experiences they received as kids. In addition to internal hires, Can-Aqua seeks to bring in a small group of new staff both nationally and from abroad. In seeking specific skills for the camp, we are supported by Camps Canada, an agency which works with many OCA accredited camps in acquiring screened, highly skilled and professional staff members.

  • Location & Operations

    Address

    Haliburton Highlands, ON
    503 Beaver Lake Dr., P.O. Box 70, Cardiff, Ontario, K0L 1M0
    Oakville, ON
    323 Church Street, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1P2
    Ottawa, ON
    116 Third Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 2K1



    Busing

    • Oakville/Toronto Bus (Bus fee: $45 each way)
      Location Address Pick up Drop off
      Oakville Place Mall 232–298 Leighland Ave, Oakville, Ontario Not provided Not provided
      Shops At Steels 2900 Steeles Ave E, Thornhill, ON L3T 4X1 Not provided Not provided
    • Ottawa Bus (Bus fee: $45 each way)
      Location Address Pick up Drop off
      Algonquin College - Parking Lot #9 1385 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa Not provided Not provided


    Property Details

    Sports facilities

    • Archery Range
    • Basketball Court
    • Rope Course
    • Soccer Field

    Landscape

    • Beach
    • Forested Area
    • Lake/Pond/River
    • Nature Trails
    • Open Field

    More details about property: Camp Can-Aqua is safe and comfortable, while remaining rustic and traditional.



    Accommodations

    Sleeping Accommodations

    • Cabins

    Amenities

    • Electricity in Sleeping Area

    Washrooms Facilities

    • Flush Toilets
    • Outhouses
    • Showers (indoor)
    • Showers (outdoor)

    More details about accommodations: Camp Can-Aqua is proud of our "5 Star Rustic" accommodations. Living is simple but very effective. Our cabin loops are basic, but comfortable and provide ample light to ensure kids feel safe and secure.

    Are meals provided? Yes.

    Is Camp Can-Aqua technology free? Yes. Camp Can-Aqua strives to be technology free in camp. We ask that cell phones, computers and head phones be left at home as we feel they serve to remove campers from participating.



    Rentals & Services

    Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
    The Bancroft Leadership Centre fosters an inclusive environment that supports our campers while challenging them to take productive risks and to try new things. Our outdoor centre invests in the individual experience of every camper. This investment is our starting point and the foundation that our community is built on. At the Bancroft Leadership Centre we believe in hands on learning and the development of cooperation, team work and compromise within peer groups. Individual growth and challenge by choice is a fundamental theme at our Centre. Development within a safe and supportive environment is the core of our camp experience.

    Available for private rentals: Yes
    The Bancroft leadership Centre is fortunate to have its own private lake. It offers several waterfront activities such as canoeing, kayaking, bic boarding, sailing, swimming, and waterskiing. We are also lucky to have a wide array of land-based activities which include an archery range, low ropes course, arts and creativity centre, a beach volleyball court, a life-sized chess board, ping pong tables, tetherball courts, a theatrical performance area, playing fields and campfire circles. While at our facility, participants will reside in one of twenty cabins on our site. Our cabins can accommodate up to 10 people per cabin. Participants/Guests will sleep in bunk beds and will be required to bring their own bedding. We have one main washroom complex that includes shower facilities, located in the middle of camp. Accompanying supervisors may reside in one of the smaller cabins that have been set aside specifically for adult supervisors, each have a private bathroom, complete with a shower. All of the supervisor cabins are in close proximity to the student cabins.



    Associations

    Ontario Camps Association Associations
    Canadian Camping Association/ Association des camps du Canada Associations
  • What's New

    In the News

    November 23, 2023
    Ottawa Winter Reunion COMING SOON!

    Camp Can-Aqua invites new and returning families to our annual Winter Reunion on Saturday December 16th at the Tom Brown Arena from 1-4pm. ... Read More

    May 26, 2023
    Our First Camp Of 2023!

    Family camp was our first program of 2023...... Read More



    Stories

    • Lego arrives at Camp Can-Aqua in a big way

      At Camp Can-Aqua we are excited to announce a new addition to our program pallet!

      A summer camp that prides itself on the instructional opportunities and creative challenges offered, our lego program BUILDS upon that concept in a fun and exciting way. With over 125,000 pieces of lego, this summer not only will kids be able to take advantage of all the water sports, creative arts and land activities, but the builders in the crowd will get to dive right in to a mountain of lego!

      Let the creating begin!!!

    • Thanks to CanAqua for a memorable summer experience

      Just a quick note to thank you for the amazing time my son, Shawn, had at your camp over the last couple of weeks. As he explained to me it was even more fun than he ever imagined that it would be. Although he has only been home for a few days, I have already noticed a marked improvement in his self-esteem and I know I have your program to thank for that. Thanks again for your commitment to making sure kids thrive and grow at your wonderful, fulfilling camp. I will see you next summer. Best Regards, Rachelle

    • Had a great time!

      Dear Can-Aqua Staff, I really enjoyed my stay at Camp. I tried so many new things that I never thought I would ever get to do. I really enjoyed my cabin mates. I am really glad I had those campers in my cabin, they were super awesome! The activities that I enjoyed most were water skiing, snorkel, gletch, and board surfing, but mostly knee boarding. The food was so awesome! I a™m very picky...I only like certain foods. But the food was so good and I ate every meal without disliking one piece of food! My parents really liked my gletch projects, and I a™m going to try to find the supplies so I can make my own gletch projects whenever I want. The evening program that I enjoyed the most was capture the flag, it was super fun. It wasn™t like at home where you play the game with like 7 people. At camp its fun playing it with tons of people, plus you have then entire camp to run around while playing the game. When my cabin the Swallows went to cookout with the Robins we enjoyed eating hotdogs, and roasting marshmallows. Thanks for a fun week at Camp Can-Aqua! I hope to come next year! =] Hailey

    • Thank You Can-Aqua

      I hope you know how grateful I am for Camp Can-Aqua! Each year I make new best friends and great memories. I come home with new knowledge in multiple activities and a huge smile on my face! Lacey

    • Family Camp!

      Good Afternoon, I wanted to drop a quick not to say THANK YOU for an amazing weekend. William and I had a great time and even as we pulled out of the parking lot he talked about how he wants to come back next year. During dinner on Sunday night he made me catch him with his elbows on the table and before bed we sang “Let Me See Your Boogaloo”. However my wife really didn’t understand why he was standing on the chair at dinner saying sorry. It was the perfect weekend for a 5 year old. He was able to experience what life as a camper would be like including the best activity, campfire. You have an fantastic staff, full of energy, caring, committed and wanting to have fun, if who we met this weekend are any indication of what the rest of the summer staff are like, summer of 2011 will be great! Again thank you for a great weekend, have an amazing summer and I hope to see all of you again next June for Family Weekend. Sincerely, Neil

    • Family Camp Thank You

      Hi Guys, I just wanted to tell you how much fun we had at Family Camp. A new family tradition was born this past weekend. We had fun and saw our kids in a new light. Thank you to you for taking on a huge challenge in running the camp and thank you to your amazing counselors that made us all feel welcome and even a little young again like camp days were just yesterday. I've known for a long time that camp is a must for our kids. See you in third session and next year at family camp again. Bianca

    • Camp Thanks

      Dear Can-Aqua, On behalf of my niece and nephew Emma and Jack, I would like to thank you and your staff for an amazing introduction to the wonderful world of Camp Can-Aqua. We all had a great time. Special thanks to Al who stayed longer than scheduled at woodworking, and let us squeeze in a quick project at the last minute. The second and third helpings of taffy on snow were also a hit! Our counsellor Emily was a great host and made us feel right at home. When I asked the kids what they liked the best, they said “Archery and canoeing”. When I asked what they liked the least, they said “leaving at the end of the weekend”. All in all a great success! Thanks, Keith

    • Why Camp Is So Important To Me

      The year I got my Wholly Rollers III, I was a senior camper. It was my best summer at camp as a child and was the year I realized that camp would hold an important connection with me for the rest of my life. That summer, I earned a coveted award for being able to roll a kayak three times in a row on both sides of the boat. I also navigated my first big outtrip and after weeks of swimming lengths in the lake, I failed my Bronze Medallion. While the highlights of my time make it easy to explain that particular summer, it wasn't the things I did that made such a mark. Now, almost 20 years later, I remember the summer I was 13 like it was yesterday. It was the year that my counsellor Boyd, taught me about the person I wanted to be. This single lesson summarized in my mind, the true value of the camp experience. Never before in my life had I felt as secure and confident as those two weeks I lived with seven other boys and the coolest counsellor at camp. Our cabin was proud to boast that we were œBoyds Kids only hours after we first arrived. He managed to earn our trust and loyalty by the end of the first day. We were ready to do anything for him, and somehow we knew he'd do no less for us in return. There were so many things I admired about him; characteristics I never forgot as I grew up. Boyd listened to us. I remember thinking then as I still do now, that often adults don™'t listen! Perhaps it's because the issues of youth seem simple to grownups who have experienced those same emotions hundreds of times since they were kids themselves. Perhaps that repetition makes the topics now seem boring. Boyd never dismissed us. Not only did he listen, but he took the time to get to know us as a cabin. Our likes and dislikes, fears and interests. He also never missed a chance to introduce us to other staff and campers as we travelled throughout camp. I always felt important when I was with him and always felt part of whatever was going on. In watching over me while I was at camp, Boyd taught me the value of inclusion. Just as it did with me, being inclusive makes everyone feel important and part of the group. Even though it was my best summer, the session wasn'™t all easy for me. In the senior cabin beside me, there was a kid that I didn't get along with. He was loud and obnoxious, your typical bully. He would often try to single me out or embarrass me, which became a real obstacle in my time. A week into camp, I told Boyd about my problem. By then I was certain I could trust him, exposing my insecurity and frustration, I believed he would have an answer. After listening to my problem, he thought for a moment, then offered simply three points: don't ignore it, don'™t be embarrassed by it and don't worry about it. That simple advice made me feel better and in the end, to my surprise, he was right. Later that night he put us together in an activity where we had to work together. In helping me through my problem Boyd taught me that when you are up front and honest about how you feel, anything is easy to overcome when you have the support of someone you trust and believe in. I have endless tales to tell of my 13th summer of life. As time moves forward and my experiences become more vast, never do those memories fade, not even a little. They reside in me with such strength. While I know that those memories have changed slightly over time, and my counsellor, whom I remember to be perfect, is probably not so perfect in reality, the lessons he taught me about the person he was have stayed with me. They have shaped me into the person that I am today. While I never profess to be perfect, I'm proud of the person I am. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for those opportunities I had as a child; to be at camp, to learn outside and to grow. Those short summer weeks when I was encouraged to take risks, to challenge myself, to overcome fear and to learn how to trust. How fortunate I am that now, as an adult, my job gives me the opportunity to provide meaningful memories, like the ones I had, to hundreds of campers each summer.

    • Thanks!

      Dear Can-Aqua Staff, I have been thinking of writing to you many times since Alana has been home from your camp. I called you once and left a message so I hope this letter will be able to express to you in words how I feel. For starters, as a mom, I am forever grateful for your camp. When my daughter came home, she was like a reborn person. She expressed to me her desire to change and become a better, kinder, nicer daughter. I was shocked at first with this newfound positive side. She stated such things as "I'm going to be more responsible with respect to school, helping out around here and how I relate to others." I cried happy tears when she shared this with me. I truly believe she had an amazing transformation because of the magic at your camp. She has talked on and on about how fantastic everyone and everything is at Can-Aqua. She's stated camp is where she wants to be more than any other place in the world. She has made very close friendships that are continuing as we speak. When I asked what happened to her over the 4 weeks to help her change in such a positive manner she pointed to many things such as: time to reflect on self, becoming one with nature, relating to others in such close groups, being responsible for self and others and the list goes on. I could go on and on too but I think you get the picture am painting. Words will never be able to express the gratitude I feel for what you and everyone else at Can-Aqua did for my wonderful daughter. I thank you for including her, giving her a chance to belong and become confident and responsible, helping her with character development and showing her that there is a wonderful side of life full of love for self and others. Truly, Mary Lou - Mary Lou

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