not quite sure about summer camp yet?
we got you.
Why Should I Even Want my child to Go to Camp?
Going to summer camp is one of the largest, most significant decisions a parent can make for their child. As parents we want our kids to become self-confident, independent, resilient individuals, who are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s world.
Each day at Camp Can-Aqua we strive to achieve this exact outcome. Through compassion, caring and outrageous fun, our camp is where future leaders come and thrive!
Summer Camp Offers a Unique Environment.
Living away from home provides campers with a community living experience without the influence of parents or teachers. This experience is led by well-trained camp staff, whom are viewed as peers and friends.
Living together with their peers, summer campers develop the critical social skills needed to succeed in life. They learn to get along, they develop tolerance for each other, and they gain an ability to resolve their differences and compromise. Compromise is one of the greatest characteristics kids develop at Camp Can-Aqua.
A healthy self-esteem builds confidence and independence. It encourages the willingness to try new things! Positive nurturing techniques used by camp staff foster a sense of accomplishment, an important step toward developing a resilient self-esteem.
At Camp Can-Aqua we have fun. We know that when kids are playing and having fun, learning and and developing leadership skills, amazing things happen. There are friendships to be cultivated, decisions to be made, and successes to be experienced, all in the name of fun!
Camp Can-Aqua Ontario summer camps are internationally renown and respected. The summer camp experience at Can-Aqua allows kids to gain a global perspective while amongst their peers. Can-Aqua’s traditional camp setting is an ideal platform for positive growth and development.
Our Founder Said it Best: A Note from Louis Gyori (1952-2010)
Below is a letter to parents that was written by our founder in 1987. While each year we innovate and evolve, many things stay the same. In his letter, Lou outlines how important he felt the camping experience was to children. His legacy lives on in our kids today.
Camp is a necessity? Here are what I think are the most important reasons. Camp provides an important part of what parents are trying to achieve in raising their children. Parents want their kids to become self-confident, independent, resilient individuals prepared to meet the challenges of today’s world.
Living away from home provides a community living experience without the direct influence of family, or stresses associated with school and learning. Campers are led by well-trained staff, whom are viewed as peers and friends, rather than teachers or surrogate parents and consequently have a powerful influence.
Living together with their peers develops important social skills. Getting along, developing tolerance for others from diverse backgrounds and habits, and learning to resolve differences so that everyone feels good about themselves are fostered and encouraged. Whether cleaning their cabin or working on a skit for evening program or campfire, campers learn to work together toward the achievement of a common goal and emphasizes the importance of cooperation, persistence and integrity – important life skills! By the end of a session campers are amazed at how much they accomplished – without their parents!
We know that a healthy self-esteem builds confidence and independence. It also encourages the willingness to try new things! Many of our staff were once campers at Can-Aqua themselves. They lived the life. They know the value of praising the effort rather then criticizing the result. They know that if a camper is commended for trying, they are more likely to continue an activity and in time will develop new skills and abilities. This positive nurturing fosters a sense of accomplishment, an important step toward developing a resilient self-esteem.
At Camp Can-Aqua we have fun. We know that when kids are playing and having fun, learning and self-development happens, and they don’t even know they are in a ‘learning’ environment. All the activities are approached light-heartedly but there is structure and skill development built into everything we do. Campers can work toward earning awards in many of our activities. Advancement is based on learning and successfully executing new skills. Summer camp counsellors supervise activities and group interactions in a constructive manner. There are just enough rules to facilitate play, skills to learn, and strengths to build on. There are friendships to be cultivated, decisions to be made, and successes to be experienced, all in the name of fun!
Can-Aqua is one of the greatest camps Canada has to offer.
Okay, But Why Choose Camp Can-Aqua?
Choosing Can-Aqua is a decision that will have a lasting impact throughout your child’s life! Campers grow up at camp; learning, growing and developing into caring, compassionate and accepting, young leaders. When it is time to leave camp, these young people will head out into a world that holds vast opportunities for further success. Their time at camp will make them better prepared for these opportunities and challenges, because while at camp we have learned to live together, to compromise, to cooperate and to support one and other. Here’s just a few reasons for choosing Camp Can-Aqua:
We’re the Perfect Size
Camp Can-Aqua is a sleep away camp for about 200 campers each session, evenly divided between boys and girls. Once at camp, we are certain that not only will you get to know your cabin mates very well, but that you’ll become familiar with the entire community during your stay. Cabin groups range from 8-10 campers, and all cabins come equipped with two amazing counselors.
We Are a Child Centred Camp Where Campers Choose Their Own Adventure!!!
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.
We Have Exceptional Leadership
Andrew Martin offers over 20 years of experience as Camp Director. His outlook on camping, partnered with his creativity and enthusiasm are the foundation of our accepting and positive camp community. Core to his philosophy of camping, Andrew believes that kids who feel safe and welcome will have confidence to express their needs & passions. Ensuring campers achieve this is his goal because, when kids feel authentically connected; the programs, excitement and fun, become additives to the already life changing experience. Supporting our Director is a team of Associate Directors who have worked with Andrew for many years.
We Offer Instruction as Well as Recreation Activity Options
Kids learn and grow in many different ways. At Can-Aqua, we believe it is essential to provide kids with options between structured programs where levels are achieved and less structured programs that are just for fun. Here, you are encouraged to try new things and challenge yourself, but never forced into programs because of tradition. The world is constantly changing and, at Can-Aqua, we strive to evolve in all the right ways.
We Have Exceptional Summer Camp Staff!
Our counselors take great pride in the achievements of each camper while encouraging them to progress at their own rate. Most of all, they understand the importance of being a positive role model and a friend. Most of our staff have spent time at Can-Aqua during their youth as campers and have long-term experience in our leadership development program. This ensures that the community remains consistent, reliable and familiar for kids who return to year after year.
Can-Aqua staff are constantly going through rigorous training. As minimum staff standards, all team members are required to hold current first aid and CPR. Lifeguards at Camp must hold their National Lifeguard Service (NLS) certification and any staff in specialized instruction has been trained to teach in the area.
The words “Can-Aqua Experience” are often heard among our campers, parents, staff and junior counselors. This experience is like no other as it provides action packed skills, values, friendships and fun for all involved. The end result is an unforgettable summer experience for your kids. Our camp creates long term memories and life-skills by fostering youth development on an ongoing basis.
Top 4 Tips for Making Sure Camp Can-Aqua is Right For You
1
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS
Does your child have a question about their upcoming experience at camp? Please don’t hesitate to call or email us at Can-Aqua, as we are glad to help. Finding the answers to these questions will be very helpful in making your child feel as comfortable as possible about the upcoming summer fun.
2
LOOK AT THE CAN-AQUA WEBSITE AS A FAMILY & CHECK OUT OUR SOCIALS
Sitting down with the family to explore the Can-Aqua website will help both campers and parents prepare for the upcoming fun of the summer. This may also bring out those important questions that your child may want answers for:
•“What kind of activities are there at Camp Can-Aqua?”
•“What does the typical camp day look like?”
These questions and many more can be answered with a look at our website. Knowing what to expect will help your child get ready for the fun and excitement of camp.
3
WRITE A FUN LETTER/EMAIL TO YOUR CHILD WHILE THEY ARE AT CAMP
Nothing is more special for a camper than a letter or package sent from home. Staff deliver mail throughout the week during rest hour, and receiving a written message from you will mean the world to your child. Asking questions and providing positive encouragement heighten the camp experience, and help them know that you are rooting for them!
4
VISIT IN THE OFF SEASON
Will you be passing by the camp before the session starts? Feel free to come by for a visit or tour. Meeting some staff and seeing the grounds first hand go leaps and bounds towards helping new campers acclimatize to this welcoming environment.
Interested in coming for a tour of camp? Want to see our site? Want to meet some of the staff? What to get a sense of what Can-Aqua is all about?
There is nothing better then coming and seeing things first hand. If you are willing to make the drive to camp, we would love to book a day to be there to show you around the site and answer any questions you have.
We love when families come to visit us and would be happy to give you a tour between the months of September and June!
*Please call or email ahead when coming for a visit. We don’t want to miss you!
