About YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth 

Located on the rocky shores of Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park, YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth (CQE) is a leader in providing quality camping experiences for youth in a positive, supportive environment (since 1953). Through a wide range of activities, we encourage campers to challenge themselves and develop friendships that last a lifetime. Central to our program philosophy is the belief that spending time and having fun in an outdoor community creates an environment that allows participants to develop our five core values: Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Honesty, and Inclusiveness.  

Canadian flag at CQE
Cabins
Mess Hall
Dock Path
Arial View
Windsurfing
Family Canoe
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Each summer, Camp CQE welcomes more than 1,000 kids and teens aged 6-16 to its sun-kissed shores on the glistening Georgian Bay. We’re located about four hours (drive) from London, ON, and two hours from Toronto. We’ve been around since 1953, and we love to see returning and new CQE community members every year! CQE is a summer camp that values honesty, caring, respect, responsibility and inclusiveness. And our engaging outdoor programs aim to illuminate these qualities in every camper.

We know that CQE is a second home for our families who return year after year. Past campers will tell you they have made lifelong friends and overcome many challenges at CQE. We love being the place that provides a high-quality camping experience and the skills, opportunities and support needed to ignite each camper’s full potential.

Our programs — which are based on YMCA Camping Quality 8 Recommended Practices — reflect our mission and core values. And we select camp employees based on their skills, expertise, and their commitment to representing our values as role models. The Quality 8 are a set of principles that shed light on what you can expect from a YMCA Camp. They inform our camp programs and operations and are designed to ensure that the Quality 8 are an integral part of every camper's experience.

  1. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is fun.
  2. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is safe socially, emotionally and physically.
  3. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is a place of friendship.
  4. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is a place of caring, belonging and responsibility.
  5. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth participants learn and are challenged.
  6. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth treasures the natural world.
  7. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth meets personal life needs.
  8. YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is a place to return to. 

New to CQE? Register to attend our annual Open House running June 14 &15, 2025.

Read more about Summer Camp, leadership programs, and our activities in the links above.

2025 Camp Registration   

Registration for all summer camp, Family Camp and Island Retreat programs is now open! Registration for all our camps must be completed online through our camp registration portal.

Login to your Camp Account

If you are applying for financial assistance, or you would like to use an extended payment plan, you will also be able to register through the online registration portal.  You will be required to pay the deposit but nothing else at the time of registration.  Financial assistance applications are available on the online registration portal.

If you have any questions leading up to registration, please contact our camp office at 519-453-8858 or email
 

Overnight Summer Camp Program Cancellation Policy:

Please note that there is a non-refundable deposit of $100 for Overnight Summer Camp programs.

Cancellations before May 15, 2025: A refund for programs and bussing minus the non-refundable deposit will be granted.

Cancellations after May 15, 2025: Refunds for programs and bussing minus the non-refundable deposit will be granted for medical reasons only.

Written notice of the cancellation as well as a medical certificate must be sent to cqe@swo.ymca.ca and approved by the Camp Director in order to qualify for a refund.

The follow situations are not eligible for refunds:

  • If a camper is removed from the camp program at the choice or request of the camper or camper’s parent(s)/guardian(s)
  • If a camper is unable to follow and abide by the camp’s guidelines, safety rules, the camp code of conduct and/or the child guidance policy.
  • If a camper is sent home due to injury.
  • If a camper is sent home for any communicable flu-like or gastro illness or symptoms, as well as other communicable diseases such as chickenpox/shingles, measles, covid 19, or other diseases at the discretion of the camp director that pose a risk to the camp population. Campers will be sent home rather than placed in isolation areas for the comfort of the camper and due to the camps capacity.


Family Camp and Island Retreat Cancellation Policy:

Please note that there is a non-refundable deposit of $100 for for Family Camp & Island Retreat programs.

Cancellations 6 weeks or more prior to the start of the program: A refund for programs and bussing minus the non-refundable deposit will be granted.

Less than 6 weeks prior: Refunds for programs and bussing minus the non-refundable deposit will be granted for medical reasons only.

Written notice of the cancellation as well as a medical certificate must be sent to cqe@swo.ymca.ca and approved by the Camp Director in order to qualify for a refund.

The follow situations are not eligible for refunds:

  • If a camper is removed from the camp program at the choice or request of the camper or camper’s parent(s)/guardian(s)
  • If a camper is unable to follow and abide by the camp’s guidelines, safety rules, the camp code of conduct and/or the child guidance policy.
  • If a camper is sent home due to injury.
  • If a camper is sent home for any communicable flu-like or gastro illness or symptoms, as well as other communicable diseases such as chickenpox/shingles, measles, covid 19, or other diseases at the discretion of the camp director that pose a risk to the camp population. Campers will be sent home rather than placed in isolation areas for the comfort of the camper and due to the camps capacity.

School Groups:
In the case that you need to cancel your program the $100 deposit is non refundable. In the event that you cancel within seven days of your intended visit to YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth we require that you pay 50% of the total amount stated on this contract immediately after cancellation (deposit included). In the case that you cancel within 72 hours of your intended visit you will be required to pay 90% of the total amount stated on this contract immediately after cancellation (deposit included).

Financial Assistance    
YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth is committed to providing camp experiences for all youth, regardless of economic circumstances. CQE is able to provide financial assistance to families who are unable, but not unwilling, to pay the full camp fee.

The level of assistance is based upon need and differs for each family. To apply for financial assistance you can apply on online through our registration portal. If you are unable to apply online you can request an assistance form here. If you have any questions, please contact us at 519-453-8858.

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