“every now and then
a little nonsense is cherished by the wisest men.”
Our Mission
To inspire and develop the youth of today. Through fun and engaging adventures, we promote the development of positive decision-making, self-discovery, cooperation and grit.
Our Philosophy
At Camp Can-Aqua we recognize the value of each individual, encouraging them to challenge themselves through learning, exploration and responsible risk taking. Understanding the power of the imagination, we create a world that is engaging, inclusive and full of wonder, where children develop a strong sense of comfort and belonging. In this community, each child is able to recognize their importance as they are encouraged, supported and included in all aspects of camp life.
What Can-Aqua offers is the opportunity for campers from all over the world to challenge themselves to be their very best as they take part in their own journey for fun, discovery and adventure.
A Quick History of Camp Can-Aqua
The seed of Camp Can-Aqua was planted in 1979 when Louis “Lou” Gyori discovered the property that would become our home. He instantly connected his lifelong dream of starting a camp with the land we now sit on. In 1980, with the children of family friends, he opened Camp Can-Ski. The camp’s early focus was water-skiing, a sport Lou was passionate about teaching and one in which he excelled.
It didn’t take long for Lou to realize that a more diverse and inclusive program was the best way to foster the values he believed mattered most. For Lou, fun was simply the lure; the true purpose of camp was to teach life skills, build character and nurture integrity. Within a few years, Camp Can-Ski evolved into Camp Can-Aqua—a traditional overnight summer camp in Ontario offering a broader range of activities, new opportunities for learning and a stronger foundation for independence and personal growth.
Lou’s unselfish nature was evident in every interaction he had with camp professionals, parents and campers. His enthusiasm for camp life was impossible to contain, and he generously shared his experiences, ideas and practices with anyone who asked. His goal was always the same: to ensure that every camper felt supported, challenged and valued.
Throughout the decades, Lou dedicated himself tirelessly to giving staff and campers the best experience possible. During our 25th Anniversary, camp alumni presented Lou with a paddle featuring a ripple on a still body of water. The symbolism was powerful. Every person who passed through camp created a new ripple, expanding outward, spreading positivity and carrying the lessons of camp into the world.
Lou embraced that ripple concept wholeheartedly. Today, the ripple remains a central symbol of our camp experience and something we speak to our campers about every session. Each child creates their own ripple through the way they interact with and support others. Those ripples can have a remarkable impact—sometimes even changing someone’s life for the better.
As we approach our 50th year of camping excellence, with Andrew Martin at the helm of the camp, the spirit of Can-Aqua lives on in every camper who learns, explores and creates here. Lou’s legacy continues to inspire the values, community and culture that define us.
The ripples of adventure continue to spread at this remarkable overnight summer camp.
Our Founder
Louis Gyori (1952-2010)
Lou devoted his passion, energy and life to enriching young people through the power of summer camping in Ontario. His love for camp began as a child, where the roots of his dream first took hold. From those early experiences, he knew he wanted to create a place where young people could learn, grow and discover their best selves. Every step he took from that point forward was guided by that vision.
Lou arrived to this property with a dream and an unwavering belief in his purpose. With a commitment to the campers who would one day arrive, he set out to build something extraordinary. Through steady persistence and a single-minded focus on creating a meaningful, supportive environment for youth, Lou planted the seeds to grow our property into the vibrant camp community we know today.
