Camp Kawartha has provided summer camp for kids since 1921. We are an award-winning year-round facility with a focus on leadership, outdoor & environmental stewardship. With creative, adventure-based & traditional camp activities, along with a dedication to the highest standards of programming, we inspire children to be responsible stewards of their human & natural communities.

The Our Kids review of Camp Kawartha

Since 1921, Camp Kawartha has offered a traditional camp experience based in outdoor activity and camp craft. The Clear Lake site, which includes 186 acres forests, wetlands, and lakefront, is the locus of the overnight programs. The environment centre, next to Trent University, is the mustering point for programs relating to environmental stewardship as well as host to the day camps. It's also a teaching facility, associated with the Trent School of Education, used to introduce concepts and strategies for effective environmental education and alternative, sustainable living. There campers gain a first-hand experience with environmental initiatives, both passively and actively, including sustainable architecture, solar ovens and cookers, and other innovations. Sessions offer a range of duration, allowing campers to start early, easing into the camp concepts and values as they move from the primary programs up through leadership training. Staff is well-versed in the culture of Camp Kawartha, including camp alumni, which adds to the quality of the camper experience.

Camp Address

Peterborough, ON, Lakefield, ON

Adam Strasberg, Summer Camp Director
B.A., B. Ed.

At Camp Kawartha, everything we do is focused on fostering positive stewardship.  We inspire kids to care for one another and to care for the environment.

As a Summer Camp Director, it is my goal and mission to help campers discover the joys of outdoor learning and to experience the independence that overnight camp brings to each child.  I want kids to grow as responsible individuals and to participate in the best experience possible. This is deeply rooted in my first overnight camp experience as a 9 year old back in 1979. Camp is a place to hone your skills, develop your emotional intelligence and to explore what inspires you. 

Our camp is a special place as it’s a child-focused, inclusive and caring community that is committed to your child’s growth while attending to individual needs. It is staffed by life-long campers who grew up at Camp Kawartha as well as new staff from other camps and workplaces. Collectively, they bring their positive attitudes and best practices to our team. We value our partnerships with parents and families and the opportunities to help your children grow through risk-taking in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Our website at www.campkawartha.ca is an excellent resource to discover the variety of programs that we offer. We appreciate that families are looking for a diverse range of camp experiences. We offer weekly day camps for campers 4 - 8 years of age, and overnight experiences for campers aged 6-14 lasting anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. Finally, our 4-week leadership programs are the culminating experiences for campers aged 15-17 and help prepare them as future camp leaders and beyond. 

Our website also contains video, blogs and a parent manual to help you learn the ins and outs of Camp Kawartha and understand our goals in ensuring the best and safest experiences for our families. This parent manual is created in the spirit of helping the parent and camper get familiarized with our routines and to showcase the building blocks we have created to produce a stable and highly rewarding summer

Thank you for considering Camp Kawartha and giving us the awesome responsibility of looking after your children. We look forward to an unforgettable summer, meeting new and old friend and building memories to hold us through to the following summer.

On behalf of the Camp Kawatha team of staff,
Adam Strasberg, Summer Camp Director
Email: [email protected]

Sleeping Accommodations

Amenities

Washrooms Facilities

Sports facilities

Landscape

• Loves the freedom of being outdoors, learning new activities, developing new friendships

  This summer was our daughter’s 3rd summer at Camp Kawartha. Every year that she has attended, her stay has gotten longer and longer and her request. As we picked her up this time, she asked for an extra week next year. She loves the freedom of being outdoors, learning new activities, developing new friendships and being encouraged by the amazing team of counsellors. I joke about this but I believe that if we gave our daughter the opportunity to spend the whole summer at camp, she’d take it! Keep in mind she’s only 10!!

• Positive experience for both my kids

  My Son and Daughter have both attended Camp Kawartha over that last 7 years. It has been an amazing experience for them both, My son found his love of the outdoors during the 7 day trip, as well as applied this to his Duke Of Edinburgh Award Designation. My daughter will continue thru the entire process and wants to become a summer counselor, She enjoys the staff and always comes home talking about it for the next few weeks. It’s been nothing but a positive experience for both my kids.

• Camp is a big part of my childhood memories

  This was the first time my two children had ever attended camp – they are 9 and 11 so I’ll be honest in saying I was a little nervous but excited for them as camp is a big part of my childhood memories and Camp Kawartha did not disappoint!! They LOVED it – the activities, cabins, crazy staff names and stories, new friendships, new experiences! When I picked them up they were both bubbling with confidence and stories of their week adventures! Truly an awesome experience for them both – thank you!!

• I am already planning next years camp

  At 13 years old, I had never attended camp before. I was a bit nervous and excited about coming. I had a spectacular experience; when my parents came to pick me up I didn’t want to leave. All campers and counsellors were extremely nice, welcoming and made me feel at home. I am already planning next years camp, can’t wait!!!!!!!

• Best Summer Camp by far!

  Best Summer Camp by far! My son went for the Nature Camp (4days,3nights) and he didn’t want to come home. The people are amazing. So welcoming and accepting of everybody. It was well organized. Drop off and pick up were a breeze. My son is already asking when he can go back. His camp leaders were great, they left a lasting impression. Keep up the great work! This may have been our first experience with Camp Kawartha, but it sure won’t be our last!!

• Camp is a special place

  I was a Camp Kawartha camper for seven years as a child and now over 20 years later my own children are having the same experiences that I had at camp. My heart swells every time we drive into camp and I am so proud that my children get to have Camp Kawartha as part of their childhood. Camp is such a special place that it cannot be explained in words, but is a feeling of happiness and belonging that resides in your heart and soul year round and stays with you even into adulthood.

• Camp experiences have broadened their life experiences

  We the Bluestein family, have been sending our 3 boys to camp Kawartha since they were day campers (10 years). Their camp experiences have broadened their life experiences by learning to share, be independent, learn new skills, to appreciate the environment by going on canoe trips and living of the land, and learning respect for others.

• A big part of my boys` summers for seven years

  Camp Kawartha has been a big part of my boys` summers for seven years. We return each year due to the exceptional staff and programming. My boys are turning into wonderful young men, in part because of the mentoring they have received at Camp Kawartha, and the new experiences they have each year. My eldest was on staff this year, and I like to think he is providing the same mentorship to new campers that he was so lucky to receive. I would recommend Camp Kawartha without hesitation.

• Lots of new experiences

  My boys had a great time at the daycamp. I thought it would be a great way to introduce the camp before they did a sleep over camp. At the end of the first day, they asked to go to sleepover camp!! The staff were energetic, organized and fun! My kids had lots of new experiences and came home everyday, tired, dirty and happy!! A perfect way for young kids to spend a few weeks. We will be back next summer, for sure.

• What two weeks did for us!! Increased self-confidence & self-esteem

  My daughter went to Camp Kawartha not knowing anyone there. This was a huge step for her as she really enjoys just being at home. She was a very shy girl with low self-esteem and very little confidence in herself. What two weeks did for us!! She has so much self-confidence and her self-esteem is incredible. She learned a new sport (Archery) that she continues to do! She tried new foods, which she continues to eat! She met new friends which she continues to talk to! She has changed so much! And for the better! What an amazing kid! What an amazing camp! Thank-You Camp Kawartha!

• Time for our daughter to start spreading her wings

  This was our first experience in sending our daughter to an overnight camp. We were very nervous about doing this, but knew that it was time for our daughter to start spreading her wings. We are originally from the Peterborough area, so I had always heard about Camp Kawartha. So when it came to booking a camp for her to go to, this was a fairly easy decision. The price was within our budget amount and the activities appeared to be really awesome. So we booked our daughter with her friend (the camp was very accommodating in keeping the girls in the same cabin) We picked our daughter up on Saturday and have not stopped hearing about how awesome of an experience she had! As parents, this is what you hope for!! She definitely wants to go back next year…so what more can we say? This truly was an amazing experience for our daughter and our family! We have all spread our wings! Thanks Camp Kawartha!! See you in 2015!…oh and we will be sending our younger son next year too!

• Family Tradition

  Our 10 year old daughter had a fantastic time at Camp Kawartha again this year - following in a fine family tradition. It is wonderful to see how she grows and develops as a person at camp. I'm envious of her canoeing, archery and sailing skills - as well as the daily swims! Thank you to all the great staff at CK - we couldn't be happier with our choice of camp.