A third generation family-run camp, Wilvaken offers a wide variety of free-choice activities in a bilingual environment. Campers visit us from Quebec, Ontario and internationally. We are proud of the sense of community and discovery in our Eastern Townships setting, remembered by our families for years. Be a part of Wilvaken this year - Where everyone knows your name!

The Our Kids review of Wilvaken

Located in the Eastern Townships, Wilvaken offers a close-knit, traditional camp experience. Now directed by Lara Willis, the third generation of her family to head up the camp, it has had a long and very consistent leadership that remains true to the initial goals for the facility. When you arrive you feel that you’ve entered an ordered, welcoming, and safe environment, and indeed you have. Families are drawn to that, as well as the values that form the basis of the program. The camp maintains a bilingual environment, which is a draw as well, allowing campers to continue their language learning while experiencing different cultures. Days are active, and evenings quiet, calm, and centered around friendship, fellowship, and the core traditions of the camp, including a candle-lit walk on the second to final night of each session. It's fun, with all the skill-building and exercise that you should expect, though there's a bit of magic here, too.

Camp Address

241 chm. Willis, Magog, Quebec, J1X 3W2, Canada

Maya, Dave and Lara Willis, Directors

Wilvaken is in its third generation as a family-owned camp. Started in 1958 by Dave's parents, the camp philosophy from the very beginning was to embrace the natural environment, while living in a small community. The opportunity to develop independence and nurture lifelong skills and friendships has always been a common theme in Wilvaken's approach to camp life.

Maya and Dave have been co-directors and owners since 1985, having taken over from Dave's parents at that time. Dave was involved with Wilvaken from the very beginning, when he helped build the first cabins on the property. He went on to being a staff member there and at other camps from the mid-1960's to the early 1970's. He then followed a career in computer software development before returning to Wilvaken. Maya was a Respiratory Therapist for several years, formerly department head at a hospital in Montreal and was also active in camping prior to joining Dave. When they took over Wilvaken in 1985, Maya made this her full time occupation and has become the camp mom.

Lara joined her parents as co-director in the summer of 2016 after having spent most of her childhood summers trying every activity at Wilvaken. Lara completed her Bachelor of Education degree at Bishop's University in June 2014. She discovered that time spent as both camper and counsellor allowed her to develop new skills as a teacher and adapt to the classroom in a way that might not have otherwise been possible.  Her goal is to work with youth to encourage independent thinking and a sense of learning in everyday life.

Lara believes that learning can happen both in and out of the classroom; Wilvaken's values of community, cooperation, independence and inter-dependence go hand in hand with her approach to teaching.

As co-director, she hopes to instill these values in both the staff and campers at Camp Wilvaken. She is looking forward to seeing Wilvaken from a new perspective and help it move into the future.

Sleeping Accommodations

Amenities

Washrooms Facilities

Sports facilities

Landscape

• Hear it from our staff

  I spent 11 summers on the shores of Lake Lovering. Three as a camper and eight as a counsellor. The days before the beginning of camp were always very exciting and never diminished during the many years I was at camp. Even today, 8 years, 10 months, 4 days and 13 hours after my official departure from the camp, each June I cannot stop thinking that another summer is beginning at Wilvaken. Even today 8 years later (and more), I reminisce with the same friends with whom I carried a garbage bag and a spatula for Talent Night!..(translated from French) - Marc, camper and staff

  It is a wonderful feeling to know that you are all sitting around the campfire this evening, to start off another Wilvaken summer. Wilvaken is such a magical place, a place where people from all over the world come together to enjoy the summer. Wilvaken is truly a home away from home. It is a friendly, comfortable, secure place with so many friendly smiling faces. Although I never had the opportunity to be a camper at Wilvaken, I was fortunate to be a staff member for a few summers. I have to admit that when I first arrived, I had no intention of staying for many summers. I remember telling Dave that I liked to experience new things and that I never stayed in one place for a long time. Well, 6 summers later, I reluctantly said goodbye to summers at Wilvaken. The magical, warm feeling of Wilvaken kept me coming back year after year. - Michele, staff

  “Being Italy's counsellor this past month has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I remember being a camper in Italy in 2012 and how much that summer meant to me and I never ever thought I could have another Italy experience that would compare to that summer. Yet here I am now, nearly 20 years old, and the girls I had the pleasure of spending the last weeks with have made me relive my most precious memories in this cabin.... Wilvaken has a habit of bringing the most incredible, kind, genuine people together and I'm thankful everyday I have this place to call home.” -Alicia, camper, CIT, staff

• Hear it from our parents

  "I just wanted to say a big thank you from all of us. The boys had a phenomenal time at camp. The drive from Magog to Toronto was an almost non-stop recounting of camp activities, events and people. Both boys have been camping for several years but Paul and I don't remember this level of enthusiasm before. Our congratulations to you and your staff on an excellent job. When we asked the boys what the biggest difference was between Wilvaken and previous camp experiences, they said that it was the people connection. They loved the programmes and the riding especially but it was the sense that they got to know everyone and made good friends in a very short period of time. They are both eagerly talking about next summer." - First year parents of two boys (11 and 13)

  "We think very highly of Wilvaken. [My daughter] has enjoyed every moment at the Camp and has made some close friends that she remains in touch with and meets with when visiting Canada.

  Access to sailing, canoeing, water skiing and camping are all activities that I had a chance to do as a kid. As a proud Canadian living abroad, I was keen for [my daughter] to experience those same activities on a lake in Canada. Wilvaken came highly recommended and fit the bill." - Parent of a 15 year old girl

  "She enjoyed the children in her cabin as well as other children that she met through the various activities. [My daughter] really appreciated having the freedom to choose her activities. She enjoyed the size of the grounds as well as the number of campers. [My daughter] thrives in smaller communities and looks forward to returning next year. She enjoyed everything at camp. We are very likely to recommend Wilvaken."  - First year camp parent from 2016

  "My kids are thrilled with their camp experience. A 10 from both - they loved their time at Wilvaken and are already building the case to spend 1 month there next year!" - Parent of two children- boy (13) and girl (10)

  "I was very impressed by the camp, the staff and the activities.  It is definitely a camp with a lot of spirit and camaraderie. My son went very unwilling at the beginning and left wanting to go back for 4 weeks and as he said, 'I had the time of my life.' " - Parent of first time camper (boy, 13)

• Hear it from our campers

  “When I came here in 2010, I had no idea the kind of impact this place would have on my life. I truly have met my best friends here. Not only people who inspire and amuse me, but people who I'm 100% sure have changed me for the better. I know that I am a different person because of this place.... I've watched my [twin] sister come out of her shell in 2 weeks more than I ever have in her entire life. Wilvaken has also given me the confidence to leave and go out into the world with a different perspective. I don't know how Wilvaken managed to gather the most funny, kind, genuine and best people in the world, but I can definitely say that this place has changed me for the better and made me who I am today.” -Margaret, camper 2010-2016

  “I don't know how to capture what has happened to me over the course of five years at Wilvaken, but I know for sure that it is more than the sailing or the theme days, or anything else; it cannot be summed up by the word fun. I don't know just where I'm going, and I'm scared, but this place takes me away like no person or song ever will be able to, and I thank it for that.” - Henri, camper 2006-2010

  "HEY EVERYBODY! I had the best time at camp this year and I'm going to keep on coming back every year because I love Wilvy so much. It's fun being there with my best friends. When I first heard about Wilvaken from my friends, I was a little scared then I got there and it was like my second home. I can't wait till next year!" -Leigh, camper

  “My experience at this camp was amazing. It gave me the opportunity to make new friends from other countries and I'm still in contact with some. It also gave me the chance to experience new things and develop new skills. Being part of the India [cabin] boys is an honour and each member has taught me different aspects that might even change my life, some may apply outside of camp. In the cabin India, a bond was created between each camper. It's called brotherhood. From now on, I consider them as brothers, which I will never forget.” - Vandad, camper 2013-2016