Camp Winnebagoe

After decades of experience, we believe that our clothing list is reflective of the needs of our campers. Quantities, however, depend on the length of stay of the camper, whether your child tends to lose items, whether your child prefers to change clothes often or if your child likes to roll in the mud! We urge you not to bring any expensive or “fancy” clothing to camp.

All parents of campers new to Winnebagoe are called within the first week of camp by our Unit Heads. Honest and accurate reports are shared with parents about the camper’s progress and transition to overnight camp.

Camp is 220 KMs (approximately 125 miles) from Toronto, a 2 ¼ hour drive.

We have two four-week periods or an eight week full summer program. A two-week stay is offered for children completing Grades 2, 3, and 3 only upon availability of space in these cabins. Should there be openings for this shorter term, the weeks coincide with the 5th and 6th weeks of the camp season.

Yes. We have four doctors during the course of the summer each living at camp for a two-week stay. In addition, there are 2 NURSES in residence.

Our youngest campers – those children in Grades 2, 3, and 4 – have THREE full-time counsellors supervising. All other age groups have TWO full-time counsellors. We mention “full time” specifically since our cabin counsellors do not double as activity staff during the day. Instead, they are with their campers throughout the entire day, moving with them from activity to activity, participating in the daily routines, building strong bonds with each child.

Staff range in age from 17 – 25 years old. Senior Counsellors, those in charge of a cabin group, must be a minimum of 19. Unit Heads, those supervising approximately 6 cabin groups and their staff, are a minimum of 21. Heads of Activities, those overseeing a specific activity area and its staff, are 19 and over.

We employ 145 staff and have a population of 300 campers. We believe strongly in a well-supervised, safe conscious environment.

Food is served “Kosher style” in that there are no pork products served and no dairy products offered with meat meals.

We are able to provide meals for various restrictive diets including vegetarianism, lactose intolerance and kosher options.

Yes. The daily schedule includes Swim Instruction every day for all age groups. Sundays are the exception with no Swim Instruction that day.

Birthdays are a big deal at Winnebagoe! The birthday boy or girl’s table in the dining hall is decorated and cabin mates take time to make signs and hang streamers and balloons. Counsellors plan a special activity in honour of the big day and a cake (nut and peanut free!) is served after dinner. One package from parents is permitted with items to be shared with the cabin group (absolutely no nuts or peanut products!). At 7:00 that evening, parents are allowed to make a brief birthday call to their child. At the end of each week all of those people who have celebrated a birthday get the chance to “skip around the dining hall” to Benny’s famous birthday song.