Our camp is completely free and only available to children/youth whose families are living below the Low Income Measure (LIM) as defined by Statistics Canada.

Please reference our Program Eligibility document for more information.

Children and youth from 9 to 17 years of age can attend camp

If you are new to Christie Lake Kids, please ensure you have read and understood our Program Eligibility document before you consider applying.

Christie Lake Kids requires all applications to be completed by a parent or guardian.

Applications are processed through our online portal, which will go live on March 31st, 2025.

If you have any questions about the application process or require support navigating the online portal, you can email us at Camp@christielakekids.com or call us at 613-742-6922.

Our camp management team will start by reviewing your application; once it has been reviewed, successful applications will receive an email with more information regarding registration and which session they have been placed in. In the event that our program is full, your camper may be placed on a waitlist. Waitlist campers are contacted whenever a spot becomes available, up until the first day of each session.

Once your camper has been registered or placed on the waitlist, you will be prompted to fill out our Camper Information Form and Medical Form in your account which helps us learn more about your camper and their needs. It is important that guardians take the time to submit these forms as they support our summer staff in ensuring that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable camp experience. You will also receive our Parent Handbook which has all the necessary information about our camp program including what to pack, dates, drop-off arrangements, etc.

As a rule, visitors are not permitted when children and youth are onsite to attend camp or any educational or recreational experience in our care, with three category exceptions:

1. The visitor is essential to provide care directly to a camper or staff, e.g, health, safety or wellness reasons.
2. The visitor is providing training applicable to campers and/or camp staff.
3. The visitor has received prior written permission (with min. 48 hours advance notice) from the Executive Director, Camp Director, Facilities Manager or Director, Fundraising and Communications for a business reason not captured in category 1 or 2. For example: vendors, construction or donor visits.

Camp will have 4 sessions, a week long, in 2025. The fourth session is a Leadership camp for youth aged 14-17. We are honing our skill-building program model and  focusing on weekly themes such as sports, arts, and Leadership in Training (LIT).

Our programs provides clear goals for campers to work towards. We will have a tournament or a showcase at the end of each camp session that encourages engagement and skill-building. The model supports effective measurement of skill development, allowing campers to explore different areas, build confidence, and take pride in their skills and talents. Campers can also dive deep into their passions, giving them a sense of ownership and achievement.

Parents and guardians submit an application form and in the form there is an opportunity to indicate their child’s preference. Due to the number of registrations received, completing an application does not guarantee a spot. Campers are notified by writing if their application is successful and only then is the week of their placement confirmed.

Raising the hiring age to 18+ allows us to meet safety requirements, such as police record checks, and strengthens the quality of mentorship and leadership provided to campers. Providing paid positions helps attract and retain committed individuals who view camp as a meaningful job rather than a short-term volunteer experience.

Camp will still be accessible to teens during our Leadership themed week, which is an opportunity for them to learn, grow and excel amongst their peers with targeted and age appropriate programming.

Leadership Camp offers young people aged 14-17 a camper experience in a supportive and educational environment. It provides a space for youth to learn, connect, and grow with intentional goals. Youth learn to make decisions, solve problems, and work with peers in a low-pressure environment, fostering personal and social growth. It also encourages personal development, skill-building, and creates a safe space for self-expression.

Youth who attend this camp are more likely to transition into future leadership roles at Christie Lake Camp and beyond, helping build their resume and future opportunities. We will also sign off on 20 volunteer hours.

We made this change based on feedback from families and camp staff alike. Shorter sessions allow us to bring more children and youth up to camp. It makes camp more accessible for campers who struggle with being away from home; a factor that has been present with campers since the  COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, first-time campers are more likely to feel comfortable with a shorter session, encouraging them to return for future seasons.

We will be keeping the magic of our camp with traditional games and  activities that make camp special. Open campfires, Key master, Jail break, Guinness, Midway, Paint, Bury and Egg and Wet and wild for example. These programs hold a special place in our heart and have so for more than 100 years, so we will make sure every camper gets to experience traditions of CLK Camp.

Two years ago, we introduced formal feedback channels annually with parents, guardians, campers and camp staff alike with the goal of bringing their ideas to life the following summer. Incorporating the voice of those we serve is very important to us. We are excited to trial themed weeks, new programs and slightly shorter weeks in 2025 and we will continue to measure these things to inform future improvements. Our goal is for everyone to be safe, learn new skills and make memories for a lifetime. Camp has continued to evolve over the past 100 years but keeping key traditions intact is what makes Christie Lake Camp so special!