Why Camp Menesetung?
The Short Answer
When we ask our campers why they choose to return every year the answers are consistent: Camp Menesetung is a community with HEART, we are unique in our full pursuit of positive relationship building & our celebration of differences. Menesetung is a place where campers feel empowered to be their best self and build strong friendships within the context of outdoor adventure.
Here are some other reasons!
Choice
Throughout each week, campers have opportunities to choose many of the programs they would like to participate in. For example, for session 4 you can choose to either ‘swim in the pool’, ‘play a game of gaga ball’, ‘shoot at archery’, or ‘read a book at the hammocks’!
Themes
Each week and every day comes with it's own fun theme! This means that every day and every week of our programming is unique - all campers are encouraged to return for another week to see what else is in store! One day could be Super Spy Academy and another Backwards Day! You'll have to find out!
All week themes will be announced at the beginning of June.
Rejuvenation Station
Throughout their day, any camper is welcome to visit our Rejuvenation Station as a quiet 'cool down' zone for those that need a change of pace from the stimulating fun outside. This drop-in special place on camp is staffed at all times and serves as a safe place for campers who benefit from quiet reading, doing a puzzle, fidgeting, talking to a Counsellor, or thinking on their own.
Culture of Change & Adaptability
The voices of our campers and camper parents matter in shaping the future of Menesetung. We actively seek feedback and continue to improve and refine our programs each year.
Menesetung Perks
Our camper:staff ratio is 6:1 or better. Your camper will be well looked after!
Registration includes all meals, snacks, T-Shirt, and tax!
All campers, regardless of their area of area of specialization, have the opportunity to experience our full range of program areas, including: Archery, Beachcraft, Climbing Wall, Canoe, Pool, Arts & Crafts, Music & Drama, Outdoor Living Skills, Low Ropes, Sports & Games, Live Out Loud and more!
Day Camp includes a hot lunch with the option of adding Breakfast or Dinner with before or after-care.
Overnight campers also experience the wonder of evening programs, campfire, vespers, sleepovers, morning optionals, and the special friendship moments that come from spending quality time with other campers their age.
Our staff are energetic individuals who LOVE to have fun, are trained in Standard First-Aid & CPR-C, have undergone vulnerable sector screening, and have completed extensive training (12-18 full days of training with us before each summer begins).
The Long Answer
Why Summer Camp?
For the last 130 years, summer camp has helped millions of North American children and youth connect with themselves, each other, and the natural world around them.
In a world that is moving increasingly faster, and technology often winning the battle for attention, ensuring that kids have time for reflection and personal growth is a challenge! Camp offers the chance to pause, put down the screen, listen to the world, and sit with yourself.
As anyone who has gone to camp, lived in dorms, or lived in a shared house knows, living in community creates lots of opportunity for growth. Camp is a place where steps are taken towards independence, appreciation, and empathy. Ensuring kids are getting lots of practice at making friends, working through conflict, and managing relationships with others is crucial to developing their social skill set. This is what camp is all about! Camp is also about challenging yourself through trying new activities, thinking big thoughts, and helping new friends, under the guidance of invested staff.
And of course, endless research proves that when we spend time in the outdoors, we improve our health, our relationships, and our sense of community. Being at summer camp means living in nature, waking up to the birds, adventuring in the forest, rolling down a hill, singing at a campfire, listening to the sun set, and wondering up at the stars. Nothing soothes the soul like being in nature and feeling connected to the world around us.
Why Menesetung?
Since 1933, Camp Menesetung has provided a high quality, subsidized, classic camp experience to children and youth in a safe and empowering environment. What makes Menesetung special is the connection between our campers and staff. Our specially selected team are camper-motivated, undergo intensive training, and hold a Standard First Aid/CPR-C certification. We are proud to be a smaller camp that is able to provide excellent camper:staff ratios of 6:1 or better, allowing us to intentionally create an atmosphere of freedom and safety, and enabling us to really invest in our campers to support them as they grow during their time with us each summer.
Some of the activities we offer at Menesetung are: archery, arts & crafts, campfire, climbing wall, canoe, hill games, low ropes, live out loud, music & drama, outdoor living skills, swimming (pool), beach walks, talent show, outtrips, and community involvement. More information on our 'Program Areas' page!
Our site and facilities are ideal for those new to camp life. As a small site we foster an inclusive atmosphere where all campers have many opportunities throughout their day to meet and visit campers from other cabins. All of our cabins have electricity, most have washrooms, and all have washrooms with showers a few steps away, including our fully accessible washroom and shower facility!
As part of our priority of become a welcoming and accessible place to all, we have onsite fully accessible washrooms, showers, dining hall, and most outdoor areas. At this time we are still working towards creating fully accessible sleeping accommodations (We do have ground floor cabins with single bed options). We believe everyone should be able to attend camp, we provide in-house 1:1 camper support, and have a bursary program available for families in financial need - please contact us for more information. Find out more about our 1:1 Support Program.
Let's not forget about Lake Huron! When the weather gets too exciting coming off the lake we have indoor spaces to run programming as well as a large secure storm shelter equipped for extended sleepover parties if needed. Lake Huron also blesses us with world-class sunsets, and a beautiful sandy beach; all this while our campers have the luxury of swimming and playing in a nice and safe pool. More information on our 'Facilities' page!
At Menesetung you can ease into camp life, or dive in where you are comfortable:
Day Camp -> Bridge Camp -> Beginner’s Week -> Overnight Camp -> Leader In Training -> Counsellor In Training ->
Joining the Paid Staff Team -> Living life as a caring, helpful, open-minded, creative, and fun individual -> Becoming an Alumni Volunteer!
At Menesetung you have CHOICE. No camper is ever forced to participate in an activity, having options and creating their own can be empowering and is part of our camping philosophy along with our mandate to Listen & Learn, and to promote a culture of change and adaptability. Throughout every day we have a staffed 'Rejuvenation Station', a cooldown 'chill' space, available for anyone at anytime if they need a change of pace from the stimulating fun outside. Each week also features our selection of choice-based programming, including our Choose Your Own Adventure program, Cabin Choice sessions, Morning Optionals, and Choose Your Own Program areas. Imagine yourself as a Menesetung camper... You wake up to the birds - What would I like to do today? I'm in a safe place with new friends, and people to support me - How can I be the best me today? How can I make the world a better place today? Seize the day.
Menesetung is a spiritual Camp that welcomes everyone of all perspectives, whether they come from a religious, agnostic, or atheist background - all are welcome here! The more perspectives the better to help us Listen & Learn and think big thoughts. Spiritual programming at Menesetung might include: guided meditation, sand mandalas, yoga, reflecting around the campfire, or listening to parables from Christian or other faith backgrounds. Camp Menesetung is accredited by both the Ontario Camping Association and the United Church of Canada, consistently achieving 100% ratings, ensuring that we meet and exceed the best practices in the industry for safety, leadership, programming, and administration.