Our Community & Values
A Place to Belong. A Place to Become.
At Camp Arowhon, values and community aren’t just something we talk about — they shape how we live every day. From cabin circles to camp-wide cheers, we foster a culture where every camper feels safe and connected. Our mission is to help young people find the best in themselves.
Guided by empathy and respect – for one another, the natural world, and the traditions that have shaped generations of campers – our staff support campers to take healthy risks in an environment where they feel like they truly belong, resulting in growth that last far beyond the summer.
Foundations of Respect and Care
Camp Arowhon is built on care, respect, and genuine relationships. Our staff take time to get to know and find value in each camper as an individual. Through shared fun and authentic support in challenging moments, Arowhon instills confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging that sticks.
Campers quickly buy into Arowhon’s values because they see them modelled every day — in how staff treat each other, how conflict is handled with empathy, and how respect is expected and returned. This caring is contagious . Campers learn to include and look out for each other, and take pride in being part of a community where kindness is cool.
A culture of Safety
Arowhon campers thrive because they feel safe — inside and out. This allows them to try new things, express their feelings, and ask for help when they need it (because they know they’ll get it). Our staff pay close attention, listen without judgement, and empower campers to find their voice. They cultivate tolerance and understanding, creating a culture where everyone feels accepted, connected, and celebrated.
Learning Through Challenge and Skill Development
At Arowhon, learning matters because it shapes how children see themselves. Each new skill learned reinforces perseverance, agency, and the understanding that growth comes through trying. While achievement awards are meaningful, the real takeaway is a love of learning, and confidence to face future challenges.
Inclusion and Belonging
We are proud to be a camp where very camper is accepted and included just as they are. Arowhon welcomes children of all backgrounds and identities and works to create a place where everyone feels they belong.
Camp is steeped in tradition passed down through generations, and we honour that history while remaining responsive to the world our campers are growing up in. We adapt with care, make space for new ideas, and ensure that no child feels limited by stereotypes or expectations. The result? A place that is both timeless and timely. One where kids feel free to be silly, brave, thoughtful, creative, and completely themselves.
Our Values:
The Arowhon Way
We treat each other with kindness.
We speak to each other with honesty and care.
We respect the land we live on.
We listen as much as we speak.
We cheer each other on.
We try.
We grow.
We belong.
The Community You’ve Been Hoping For
Arowhon’s values are rooted in four generations of campers who have grown up on the shores of Tepee Lake. Over the decades, we’ve seen again and again how time in the wilderness, paired with care, community, and supported safe risk-taking, helps children grow in confidence, resilience, and independence. These aren’t just summer memories — They’re the roots of who you become.
Honouring the Land That Sustains Us
We don’t just spend summer in the wilderness, we’re part of it. When we paddle through quiet bays, feel the moss under our feet, or see the stars in a truly dark sky, we understand that this is worth protecting. We teach campers to respect and care for the natural environment through daily practices that foster responsibility and stewardship. From waste reduction to renewable energy to caring for personal belongings and shared spaces, campers develop a deep connection and collective responsibility for the land at camp and beyond.