Adventure Pursuits - Sports and Adventure

Campers ages 10 – 14 years, are invited to spend a week on our beautiful waterfront campus for teambuilding, paddling, and of course adventure! Through a unique combination of indoor climbing, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding and waterfront games, campers enjoy a fun-filled week while acquiring lifelong skills. Highly qualified and national-level instructors will introduce campers to paddling with a partner, canoe safety, power strokes and steering strokes. Weather permitting, campers spend at least two hours daily on the water learning a variety of canoe skills. Campers learn how to maneuver a canoe using such techniques as the "J" stroke and the "C" stroke, as well as pivoting using the draw and pry strokes. Rescue options are discussed and demonstrated by the instructors for awareness. One day each week the group embarks on a fun, three to four hour canoe trip along Lake Ontario’s shoreline, a wonderful and safe introduction to longer ventures. To meet the safety requirements for waterfront activities, please note that ALL CAMPERS must have the equivalent swimming ability of the Lifesaving Society Swimmer 4 level, as well as pass a swimming and treading water assessment (10 continuous lengths and 5 minutes of continuous treading) on the first morning of camp to be permitted to go out on Lake Ontario. All campers should bring a proper-fit personal life jacket and appropriate water shoes for canoeing. Not only will the campers learn how to paddle in a canoe but they will also learn basic technique and skill to paddle on a stand up paddleboard as well.

Each afternoon, campers get to have fun on the indoor climbing wall and will learn the basic fundamentals of top rope climbing and solving boulder problems through technique demonstration, games and practice. Campers also acquire skills in belaying, improving their climbing technique and gaining confidence rapidly. Led by certified instructors, the rock climbing focus is to encourage and develop excellent team work, goal setting and oral communication skills. Inclusive to the benefits of indoor rock climbing are muscle development, good balance, discipline, coordination, and problem solving skills. Campers should bring running shoes (not crocs) for climbing in the afternoon.

The program also includes swimming in Appleby’s pool and a nutritious meal with hot selections daily. Adventure Pursuits is an active and engaging program where campers gain valuable skills in communication, cohesion and trust! From racing fellow canoers, to laughing with new friends to challenging themselves to the top of the rock wall, campers will have a great time in Adventure Pursuits!