Traditional Summer Camp

Traditional Summer Camp

Registration for 2023 Traditional Summer Camp programs open Monday, January 23rd at 9 am. 

Click Here to Register

Our traditional sessions are the perfect blend of classic camp activities with opportunities for individual growth and group development for campers ages 6 to 14.

Little Acorns (4 Nights) – Perfect for adventurous 6 to 8 year-olds ready for overnight camp.

Horizons 1 &2 (5 Nights) – A great starting point for first-time campers of any age.

Sessions A,B,C (12 Nights) – Our most popular program! Campers experience everything CQE has to offer, including an overnight camping trip.

Download our 2023 Summer Camp Information Guide here

*Please note: All camp fees listed are subject to 13% HST.

Activities
We offer a wide range of activities for all different ages and abilities. Half the day focuses on personal choice where campers can learn new skills and challenge themselves. The other half centers around creative cabin programs that are focused on fun and friendship! We also have camp-wide events like campfires, games, and talent shows. Learn More. 

Outtrip
All campers registered for a Session A, B or C go on an exciting overnight camping trip. These trips vary in length and location, depending on the age and skill of the cabin group. Outtrips allow our campers to build a deeper connection to nature and learn wilderness skills. They are an integral part of the CQE experience, allowing campers to build teamwork, communication, self-confidence and relationships that last a lifetime! Learn more.

Accommodations
All campers live in cabins, with 8 campers and 2 counsellors. Our cabins are basic living spaces, designed to be comfortable and welcoming during rest hours and at nighttime. All our cabins have electricity, porches, and storage space for personal items.

Upon registration, campers will have the choice to sign up for an all gender or single gender cabin. It is important to us that all our campers are able to choose an accommodation that makes them feel comfortable and to be themselves.

All gender cabins are open to everyone – it is a welcoming space for campers who want to share a space with campers of different genders, who have friends or siblings who are different genders, and for campers who identify as non-binary or genderqueer.  

Our all gender cabin options are offered across all sessions in addition to our single gender cabin options and the number of cabins available will be determined by demand.  Every cabin group will continue to be sorted by age, keeping campers within 2 years of each other.  Because our cabins are one open space, changing spaces and privacy options are available for campers.

Each of our camper cabins is staffed with 2 counsellors.  Our entire staff team participates in extensive training each year and our all gender cabin staff will receive additional resources and training focused on creating positive spaces for our campers. 

We are proud to be a camp that encourages friendship, belonging, and inclusiveness and we want to ensure that we continue to grow and support the needs of all our campers and families.  If you have questions about our all gender or single gender cabin option, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ask questions or to discuss at 519-453-8858.

Meals
Campers are served 3 delicious, homemade meals each day, and mid-afternoon and evening snacks. Our menu is designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing, active campers with as few pre-packaged items as possible. Our kitchen is run by a caring and experienced team who love getting creative with food. 

Meals are an important part of camp: it is a time for a cabin to sit down together and share stories with one another. All meals are served “family-style:” campers eat with their cabins for the entire meal. Campers help with setting and clearing tables and bringing food from the kitchen. At the end of every meal we have fun announcements, skits and songs which help prepare campers for the rest of their day!

A Typical Day

7:30 am: Wake Up/Ducky Dip 
8:00 am: Tablesetters
8:20 am: Flagraising
8:30 am: Breakfast
9:15 am: Cabin Clean-up
9:45 am: First Morning Activity
11:00 am: Second Morning Activity
12:10 pm: Free Swim
12:30 pm: Tablesetters
12:45 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm: Rest Hour
2:30 pm: First Cabin Activity
3:45 pm: Bodybreak
4:00 pm: Second Cabin Activity
5:30 pm: Tablesetters
5:45 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Free Choice
8:00 pm: Evening Cabin Activity
9:00 pm: Late Evening Cabin Activity (Bedtime for younger campers)
10:00 pm: Bedtime