Christie Lake Camp has been in operation since 1922, making it one of the oldest summer camps in Ontario.

On the surface, our program resembles that of many other camps. Children learn swimming, canoeing, camp craft, ecology (“naturelore”), and art. They play sports and games, go hiking, and set out on overnight and extended canoe trips. The difference is, the CLC program is specifically designed to meet the needs of children living in poverty.

All of the campers at CLC come from families living in poverty. The experience of growing up without much money can mean many different things. However, research and experience have consistently proven that poverty puts Canadian kids “at risk” in dozens of ways. For instance, our kids are more likely have experienced abuse, more likely to have learning difficulties, more likely to have behavioural and/or emotional disorders, more likely to live in an unsafe neighbourhood, and more likely to get involved in criminal activity.

Many kids arrive at camp afraid to fail. Many arrive with poor social skills. Some have few clothes to bring up, while some are loaded down with worries about problems at home.

Christie Lake’s program emphasizes the development of physical and social skills, building up self-esteem that lasts.

In working through the program, kids find they have accomplished things they never thought were possible. By the end of their two-week session, each child has several awards to show off. They have learned that they can succeed, and they take this improved self-image back to their activities in the city.