Camp 101 – Camp Manitou

FreshKid

6-8 years old

Manitou’s Freshkids, aged 6-9, experience an exceptional camp environment with a remarkable 95% return rate. With small cabin sizes, three-member counselor/CIT teams, and a focus on safety, our youngest campers thrive in a vibrant community that fosters respect and connection. From personalized activity schedules to a mix of land and water sports, arts, and outdoor adventures, Freshkids build lasting friendships and skills. With options for two-week or longer sessions, we balance diverse experiences and individual needs, ensuring each child feels secure and engaged.

Juniors

12-13 years old

In the bustling Junior section, catering to campers finishing grades six and seven, the emphasis is on outdoor activities rather than cabin-based downtime. With a stellar attendance record, campers eagerly participate in their favorite activities, some even engaging in them daily. The culture encourages trying new activities, fostering self-confidence among campers who, at this age, readily embrace challenges they might have hesitated to tackle in the past. New campers seamlessly integrate into the Manitou family, welcomed by emails and personal greetings even before arriving. Former first-year campers share their experiences, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to new campers in cabins and sections. While swimming is optional, some opt for bronze med or bronze cross qualifications, and canoe trips ranging from three nights to ten days add an adventurous flair. The Junior section, divided by gender, experiences both combined and separate evening programs, enhancing the camaraderie through cabin-centric activities, social outings, and bi-weekly bunk.

Sophomore

10-11 years old

Manitou’s Sophomore experience combines returning Freshkids with new campers finishing grades 3 and 4, fostering a sense of community and connection. First-time Sophomores receive extra attention, with personalized activity schedules, ensuring alignment with preferences and placement with desired peers. Campers actively participate in creating their schedules, engaging in up to five diverse activities daily, including land sports, water activities, arts, and outdoor adventures. Evening programs, specifically tailored for this age group, range from “paint your counselor” to “air bands,” creating memorable highlights. In addition, bi-weekly cabin nights feature fun activities like crazy games, tubing, or campfires. Sophomore counselors cater to the physical needs of campers, fostering a healthy, well-adjusted environment. Regular communication with parents within the first five days ensures a smooth transition, emphasizing Manitou’s inclusive culture and support for new campers. Former campers speak to the entire camp about the significance of being part of the Manitou family, encouraging outreach and connection every step of the way.

Seniors

14-15 years old

The Senior section at Manitou, composed of campers finishing grades 8 and 9, serves as the leadership core and mentors for the camp community. Embracing diversity, we intentionally introduce new campers from various locations worldwide, creating an enriching experience for all. With a commendable track record of over 90% attendance, seniors enjoy the flexibility to engage in their favorite activities daily or even twice a day, becoming teachers and mentors to younger campers. The expansive choice of 32 activities allows campers to pursue their interests, and new campers seamlessly integrate into the Manitou family, welcomed by emails and personal greetings. Senior campers are encouraged to try new activities, fostering self-confidence and broadening their skill sets. Unlike many camps, Manitou offers the freedom for campers to choose their activities, change them weekly, and even participate twice a day. The Senior section, divided by gender, experiences combined and separate evening programs, fostering camaraderie through cabin-centric activities. Weekly bunk nights feature fun activities like crazy games, tubing, or campfires, complemented by a special seniors hour for socializing with friends. The Senior Leadership program, a precursor to the CIT program for second-year seniors, allows campers to mentor younger peers, develop leadership skills, and contribute to camp events. This transformative year offers seniors the opportunity to give back to the community, fostering a sense of fulfillment and connection.

Soccer
Horseback Riding
Eco Adventure
Climbing
OCS
Golf
Video
Photography
Guitar
CIT Village
Adventure Park
Hockey
Climbing
Culinary Arts
Creative Arts
Newspaper
Pottery
Woodworking
Radio
Rock Music
Crafts
Tennis
Dining Hall
Basketball
Theatre
Fitness
Boys Camp
Wakeboard
Swim
Volleyball
Tripping
Health Centre
Sailing
Freshkid Village
Dance
Girls Camp
Greenhouse
Baseball
Canoe/Kayak
Yoga
Drama Inc.
Fireside
Waterski
Eco Adventure

Not many camps can boast about their camp food but at Manitou our campers and staff eat better when they arrive at camp than they do at home!

A good meal means a happy camper so our camp kitchen is excellent. We have a world-renowned culinary team and we take great pride in offering kids a wide selection of menu options that are both healthy and delicious. The kitchen is famous for its cooking, including fajitas, pizza, chicken wings, lasagne, and fresh cooked eggs for breakfast.

Here are some highlights from the Manitou kitchen:

Our famous salad bar at lunch with over 40 different toppings, 3 different types of lettuce and many dressing options.
Delicious homemade baked goods with each meal from our very own baker, iIncluding the daily bread.
A vegetarian option that is available to all campers and staff. You get to choose!
A fresh fruit stand that is out all day long. (Yes, even between meals!)
Snack Attack: camper snack in the afternoon and before bed
Our Thursday brunch includes smoked salmon, croissants, eggs, and much more!

The vast majority of food allergies can be accommodated easily due to our dedicated sous chef who handles special meals exclusively. We’ve been nut safe since 1999.

At Camp Manitou, right from pre-camp, all staff are taught to ‘Always challenge safety’. That means we take great measures to ensure the camp is an unquestionably safe environment and we spend considerable hours teaching our staff about all elements of risk management safety, health as well as the little things; watching out for dehydration, reapplying of sun tan lotion, nutrition, eating habits, proper use of insect repellant, allergy and anaphylaxis, and a host of over another 20 topics. Risk management sessions however are very serious and not a sound can be heard as staff realize the responsibility they undertake as camp staff.

We believe in being prepared for any situation, large or small, that might arise. In order to deal with these, all of our staff are trained during pre-camp in all the necessary accident, emergency and fire procedures. We have a well equipped health center located on camp property that is staffed at all times. Our medical team consists of health care assistants, nurses/nursing students and pediatricians/family physicians, all who live on site during the summer. The district hospital accessed by our full time driver and medical staff is just a 20 minute drive. We even have seven Epipen/Auto Injector stations around camp as our staff is all trained on anaphylaxis signs and symptoms and use of Auto-Injectors even for campers that may have a first time reaction at camp.

Camp Directors meet each unit the first day of the session and stress the safety rules so they understand their importance. This takes time but it sets a tone for camp and allows the kids to ask questions and understand the importance of each rule. The entire head staff team of 60 also meets each morning to review any pertinent medical issues.

Camp Manitou is accredited by the Ontario Camping Association (OCA). Camp membership in the OCA is not automatic: any camp seeking OCA accreditation must undergo a two-year provisional period, during which time it is visited by OCA representatives each year, and must meet all standards before being accepted for full membership.

Discover the details

FreshKid

Juniors

Sophomore

Seniors