Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp
Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp Update Summer 2024
Please note that Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp is not currently running for Summer 2024.
In 2014 Moorelands launched a 3-year pilot project of a day camp, with some success in serving local children from Kawagama Lake and neighbouring areas.
Since Covid, things have changed and today Moorelands Camp now invites youth from the Simcoe-Muskoka and Haliburton local areas to enjoy a one-week overnight camp experience both as an alternative to the day camp for local children and to open up the overnight camp opportunity to more children.
Although we are not currently running a day camp, we shall continue to evaluate the economic landscape, as well as interest and demand for day camp programming. Day Camp for summer of 2025 is being explored, and we will update this page with any future program changes.
If you are interested in a week-long camp experience on Kawagama for your child, check out our overnight summer camp at Moorelands Camp. Please call or email to check availability.
Thank you for your support!
Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp is an adventure-based day camp usually held each summer on Kawagama Lake.
Each session of Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp is Monday to Friday. Camp begins at noon on Mondays, and at 8:45 am on Tuesdays through Fridays. The campers also have the opportunity to stay for the evening on Wednesday and participate in a hike and cookout.
Come for one week, two weeks, or every week! Campers will enjoy action-packed days full of fun and exciting activities. No need to pack any food or snacks, daily delicious and nutritious hot meals are included.
Junior & Inter Camp (Grade 1 – 6)
Campers in Grades 1 – 6 join our Junior & Inter Camp. Campers are placed into cabins with campers from the overnight camp or form their own cabin. They arrive most days at 8:45am and leave camp most days by 5:15pm.
Every camper gets a swimming lesson and the opportunity to choose 2 more skill-based activities! As well, they participate in camp wide games, cheers in the dining hall and other fun activities! On Wednesday night, they have the opportunity to stay for a cookout with a later pick up.
Friday Night Fun (optional)
On Friday nights Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp campers have the opportunity to join Moorelands overnight campers for the theme dinner (skits, songs, costumes, and fun) and campfire to celebrate their week at camp. Parents are invited to join the fun and attend the campfire which begins at 7 pm and ends at 8:45 pm.
Senior Camp
(Grade 7 & 8)
New this year is the Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp Senior Camp! Campers in Grades 7 & 8 are placed in cabins with campers from the overnight camp or form their own cabin (based on numbers). They arrive each day at 8:45am and stay later than Junior and Inter campers, leaving most days by 8:15pm.
Senior campers are able to participate in Senior Challenge. This competition is only for Senior cabin groups and involve a variety of team building initiatives, secret challenges to build personal leadership, and tons of fun! They also get a swimming lesson and the opportunity to choose 2 more skill-based activities they will do throughout the week. As well, Senior campers participate in the evening programs at Moorelands Camp, are served dinner, and have Friday Night Fun included in their fee.
Wednesday Night Campout (optional)
On Wednesday nights, Senior campers have the opportunity to stay overnight with their cabin and sleep in a tent with friends overnight. They will hike or canoe to their campsite, play a variety of games and go swimming, and have a meal around the campfire. The next morning they will be provided with breakfast and re-join activities with the rest of the campers.
Activities
On Monday, campers choose two skill-based activities. Every day throughout the week they work on developing their skills and gaining competence. There are lots of activities to choose from! As well, each camper participates in a stroke improvement course every day. See chart below for a full list of our activity choices.
Moorelands Activity Picks
- Swim Instruction (Mandatory)
- Wilderness Survival Skills
- Land, Lake and Sky (Nature science)
- Arts & Crafts
- Adventure Team Challenge
- Vocal Music
- Sports
- Paddleboarding, Kayaking and Canoeing (must demonstrate swimming ability)
- Archery (grade 5 – 8 only)
- High Ropes Course (grade 5 – 8 only)
Themes
Each week at camp there is a fun theme, with related activities, meals, and stories woven into the schedule! We have exciting themes to look forward to this summer. Theme information will be sent out with camper registration confirmation packages.
Lunch
Healthy and hearty hot lunches are provided each day as a part of your camp fees. Each lunch includes one entrée, a salad bar option, and of course, dessert!
Dinner
Senior campers are also provided a hearty and healthy dinner each day as a part of the camp fees. Each dinner includes one entrée, a salad bar option, and of course, dessert! Dinner offerings are similar to what is offered at lunch.
Example meal one
- Salad bar
- Perogies
- Rice
- Veggie Mix
- Watermelon
Example meal two
- Salad bar
- Homemade soup
- Chicken burgers
- French fries
- Oatmeal cookies
Transportation
Kawagama Day Camp is located on a peninsula in Kawagama Lake, and the only way to get there is by boat! Campers may arrive by boat to the front dock of camp. Alternatively, for a fee, Moorelands-Kawagama Day camp offers pick up and drop off at the government dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina and we will transport campers from the marina to the camp.
Morning Drop Off
On Mondays, drop-off is at noon to the front dock of Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp, or to the government dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina.
Tuesday to Friday you may drop off campers from 8:45 – 9:00 am at camp. The Moorelands Kids’ boat will pick up campers and leave the government dock at 8:45 am.
Evening pick up
For Junior & Inter campers, regular pick up from camp is 5:15 to 5:30pm. The Moorelands Kids boat will drop campers at the Government dock at 5:30pm.
For Senior campers, regular pick up from camp is 8:15 to 8:30pm. The Moorelands Kids boat will drop campers at the Government dock at 8:30pm.
On the evening that your camper attends cookout (Wednesday), pick-up is at 7:00pm at the pick up dock of Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp, or at the government dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina.
Staff
Kawagama Day Camp has highly qualified, caring staff, with a 1:2 staff to camper ratio. The staff are certified in many skill-based areas and are trained to help campers develop their confidence and improve their skills.
In addition, all staff are certified in First Aid and a registered Nurse is onsite.
Summer 2020
We have the following sessions available in 2020:
- Session 1: July 6 – 10
- Session 2: July 13 – 17
- Session 3: July 20 – 24
- Session 4: July 27 – 31
Session Rates:
| Program/Option | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior & Inter Camp | $280/session | For campers in Grade 1-6 |
| Senior Camp | $400/session | For campers in Grade 7 & 8. Fees include evening programming Monday – Friday |
| Friday Night Fun | $30/session | For Junior & Inter campers only. |
| Wednesday Overnight | $75/session | For Senior campers only. |
| Boat Pick Up | $50/session or $10 each way | Pick up and drop off is from the Government Dock next to Mountain Trout House. |
Methods of Payment:
- PayPal (using a credit or debit card)
- Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard) – call our office @ 416-466-9987 x301
- Cheque (Payable to “Moorelands”) Mail to: Moorelands Kids, 251 Consumers Road, Suite 601, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4R3
What is “Friday Night Fun”?
On Friday nights, Junior & Inter campers have the opportunity to join Moorelands Camp overnight campers for the theme dinner (skits, songs, costumes, and fun) and campfire celebrating their week at camp. Campers who stay for Friday Night Fun are picked up at the end of the evening from Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp or from the Government Dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina at 9:00 pm. The cost is $30/session.
Parents are also invited to attend the campfire. They are able to park their boat at a dock at Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp or can request a pick up from the government dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina (for a fee).
What is “Wednesday Night Campout”?
On Wednesday nights, Senior campers have the opportunity to stay overnight with their cabin and sleep in a tent with friends overnight. They will hike or canoe to their campsite, play a variety of games and go swimming, and have a meal around the campfire. The next morning they will be provided with breakfast and re-join activities with the rest of the campers. This opportunity is only for Senior campers and is a great chance for campers to make stronger relationships with those in their cabin groups. The cost is $75/session.
Government Dock Pick Up
For campers who are unable to get to camp using their own boat, Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp offers transportation from the Government dock next to Mountain Trout House Marina. The cost is $10 each way or $50/session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kawagama Day Camp is a small adventure-based day camp that shares facilities and programming with Moorelands Camp. Campers are able to experience many fun activities throughout the day such as paddle boarding and every camper is given a swimming skills lesson.
Kawagama Day camp focuses on skill and leadership development. Campers learn about and have opportunities to practice positive leadership habits and qualities at each of our activities. Every day campers work on skill-building activities of their choice. Additionally, there are group games and cabin activities.
Campers are supervised by staff at all times. The overall staff to camper ratio is 1:2.
Campers are placed in single-sex groups, with up to 10 campers in a group. At certain times during the day, they participate in games and activities with their cabin group and at other times, campers are involved in their chosen skill-based activities which are coed. Moorelands-Kawagama Day Campers form their own cabin group or are placed in a group with other overnight campers from Moorelands Camp.
Every cabin group has a cabin or similar space assigned to them. They can change for swimming and leave belongings (for example jackets or extra shoes) in the cabin for the entire week
All washrooms at camp have flushing toilets. The girls end and boys end each have 8 toilets that are shared. The Hub (recreation hall) and dining hall also have facilities for girls and boys.
Lunches include a hot entrée, salad bar and dessert. Those who do not like the entrée can easily make a meal from the salad bar; it always includes a protein.
Safety is our number one priority! If your child is ill or injured, they will be seen by the camp nurse and we will let you know. In case of an emergency, we will access the appropriate emergency services and inform you as soon as possible.
If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible. All cancellations may be subject to a $30.00 administration fee and require at least 2 weeks’ notice. There is no refund for late cancellations.
Moorelands-Kawagama Day camp programming is designed for week-long experiences. We do not provide daily or drop-in services.
On Monday, campers choose two activities in which they want to build skills in addition to a swimming lesson. Every day there are three activity periods ensuring that skills are built upon daily. The curriculum is planned to build skills; changing activities does not work well with the skill progression. If a camper is having problems within an activity, staff are always there to help them adjust.
If it rains during camp, staff have rainy day plans ready to go. Games and activities take place indoors or under cover so the fun continues!
Swimming is part of every day at camp. There are opportunities for both instructional swim and free swim.
Yes, there are some activities that are age restricted. Please see the activities section for details.
Your camper is welcome to stay for Friday Night Fun, even if you cannot join them. After 4:30 they will spend time with their cabin group doing activities, and then they will enjoy the theme meal, and the campfire. After Friday Night Fun pick up is at 8:45 pm.
Moorelands-Kawagama Day Camp has campsites that are a hike or canoe paddle away from the main program areas. Campers will hike or paddle to the site as a group and staff will also stay onsite with the campers.
If you are interested in overnight camp for a week, contact us for further information. Call 416-466-9987 ext. 300 for more information.
Senior camp is a longer day that includes dinner, evening programming and Senior Challenge. Campers stay each day until 8:15pm and Friday Night Fun is included in the price.
If you require camp for your child before noon on Mondays, please contact us and we may be able to make arrangements.