Jonny loved going to camp. Every year, he would start to look forward to it as soon as school was out for summer. So, when he was diagnosed with a chronic disease at age 11, his first question was, “What about camp?” His mother, Donna, found one on Lake Waseosa, near Huntsville, Ont. “I started making calls and then I found Camp Huronda, for kids with diabetes. It offers all the things Jonny loves like swimming and canoeing - along with doctors and nurses to monitor insulin injections,” she says.

Camps have come a long way from the basic Happy Trails of years gone by. Whether your child loves canoe trips in the wilderness, wants to play soccer all day long, or is a special-needs camper, chances are there’s a camp tailor-made to your child. The trend now is toward specialty ones. “The choices are phenomenal,” says Brian Blackstock, president of the Ontario Camping Association (OCA) in Toronto. “Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous increase in camps where parents can send kids to develop their special interests - sports, drama, music - whatever it is.”

At Canadian Adventure Camp on Lake Temagami, Ont., kids get to choose from more than 30 core activities, says Michael Bakker, assistant director. “We try to keep the kids interested with new challenges,” says Bakker. “We now offer a state-of-the-art wakeboarding program, so kids who have done the waterskiing are drawn to this.” But the focus is on letting kids just be kids, says Bakker. That’s why the camp accepts kids up to 17 years, because they don’t agree with young teens working all summer.

Many camps offer leadership training, especially to older teens who have been coming to the camp since they were kids. “At eight years old, campers go on a one-night canoe trip. We make it fun for them, by giving them foods they like, such as burgers, for example. If it’s pouring rain, we bring them back and they can go another night. The goal is to make everyone comfortable,” says Mike Moore, who operates Camp Kandalore, close to Algonquin Park. “When the same kids are 16 years old, they can go on an extended canoe trip; at 17, they become leaders in training, and then come back as staff. And they remember what it was like when they were the little kids.”

In recent years, there has been a trend toward professional development of camp staff, especially over issues like bullying or homesickness, through seminars and sponsored events. As well, experts, such as Dr. Deborah Peppler, an internationally respected expert on bullying, speak to staff regularly, says Dave Graham, director of Camp Kandalore. Staff were coached on how to pick up quickly on signs of bullying, which aren’t always obvious, especially with girls. “All of these issues are front and centre, and we are driving the awareness of these issues,” he adds.

One of the biggest concerns for parents is the safety of their child. There are no guarantees, of course, but one way to lower the risk is to check into an accredited camp. For instance, the OCA sets out more than 400 standards that must be met and maintained in order for a camp to become accredited with the organization. “I know that many parents are not aware of these standards and would find the information interesting. As a parent myself, I find much comfort in knowing that the camp that my children attend has met such standards,” says Tia Pearse, who runs Camp Tawingo in Huntsville, Ont.

Whatever camp you choose, a big hit with parents is the ease with which they can now apply. Using the Internet, you can access many of the camps online, download an application form and send it back online. For some, you can even pay online using your credit card.

Perhaps the most important trend is that everything old is new again: there is an emphasis on a simpler way of life, reconnecting with the earth and placing a value on tradition. Many camps do not allow kids to bring up cell phones or have any email or Internet access. “Kids have so much access to activities and recreation in the city, and so little access to the wilderness experience, that many kids will search for traditional camps that can offer it,” says Graham.

“We may be very up-to-date in equipment but we hang on to traditions. We still have three campfires every session, for instance,” says Bakker. “That’s one of the things that camps are all about.” And all camps focus on the life lessons that kids just can’t get anywhere else: fostering independence, nurturing self-esteem, finding strength within. And having fun while doing it.

What’s up on the horizon? “I think we need to focus on educating people as to what camps are all about, especially new Canadians. I think we’ll see more camps trying to appeal to different cultures,” says Bakker. “One thing is for sure, however, camps have been around for a long time, and they’ll certainly be around in the future.”

“You will see camps tailoring programs for kids even more, but you’ll also see camps rooting in their history and tradition,” says Graham.

General camps: These camps continue to lead the way for overnight camps with a variety of outdoor-based activities including arts and crafts, games, sports, archery, swimming and canoeing.

Specialty camps: Gaining in popularity, these camps are ideal for kids who want to develop skills in specific areas, whether it’s music & dance, drama, horseback riding, canoeing, science or French. Many of these camps will also round out programs with traditional activities such as swimming or arts and crafts.

Sports camps: A plethora of these camps is available to offer specialized instruction, skill development and strategies in different sports, ranging from hockey and volleyball to basketball and soccer.

Eco camps: Focus is on connecting with the earth, with lots of hiking and nature exploration, nature crafts, learning how to garden, identifying insects and tracking fish, exploring wetlands and watching out for our feathered friends.

Day camps: These camps are growing in popularity, since they can offer a wide variety of programs for short periods - this is where you’ll find everything from film production camp and dragon boating to arts & crafts and puppeteering camps.

Special Needs: Some camps integrate children with special needs into their programs. Other camps operate specifically for special-needs children or for children dealing with a specific disease, such as Camp Oochigeas (for kids diagnosed with cancer). As well, some organizations such as the Canadian Diabetes Association operate their own camps, and offer financial assistance for families who can’t afford the full fee.

Find the Camp That’s Tailor-Made for Your Child
For a comprehensive selection of camps in Ontario visit the Today's Parent Toronto 2004/2005 Directory.

Talk to other parents They may have information and experiences to share.

Visit a few camps beforehand if you can. Your on-site parent’s intuition will prove invaluable. After all, you know your child best.