Camp Activities
Skills, Fun, and
Friends for Life
At Arowhon, activities are more than just a way to fill the day — they’re the foundation of growth, friendship, and confidence. With over 20 activities to choose from, from horseback riding to windsurfing to musical theatre, campers sign up each day for the ones that that challenge and inspire them.
Every activity is taught with by skilled instructors who break big goals into manageable steps and make learning fun. Campers don’t just sample activities — they practice, progress, and master skills that once felt out of reach. Whether they’re earning awards or discovering new passions, they’re building confidence that lasts long after summer ends. And along the way, authentic friendships flourish. Striving side by side, cheering each other on, and sharing triumphs and challenges builds bonds rooted in effort, pride, and support.
On the Water
Our private, pristine Tepee Lake is the centre of camp life. Crisp and calm in the morning, alive with laughter by afternoon. More than a place to cool off, the lake is a classroom for courage. With every skill comes safety training, structured progress, and real responsibility. They don’t just float, they flourish.
From the serenity of gliding through the morning mist to the invigoration of working together against a headwind, generations of Arowhon campers have connected to themselves, each other, and the wilderness from the seats of canoes. From dipping their paddle for the first time to advanced solo maneuvers, canoeing gives campers confidence, independence, and agency.
Equal parts skill and thrill, campers start by learning solid technique, then level up as they master strokes, turns, rolls, and tricks using our fleet of bright, bouncy playboats (yes—they’re as fun as they look). Each new skill unlocks the next adventure, leading many campers to exciting white-water runs where they put their courage, teamwork, and hard-earned technique to the test.
Our fleet of 20 Zests makes sailing both accessible to beginners and challenging for experts. With experienced instructors first in the boats with them and then in safety boats nearby, campers learn to read the wind, trim the sails, and confidently navigate across the lake. From relaxing on deck with friends to chasing victory in a race, sailing at Arowhon has something for everyone.
Balance, strength, and determination come together as campers progress from dockside basics and lightweight training sails to navigating the open lake and mastering advanced maneuvers. The resilience and pride campers get from trying until they master it is unparalleled, and there's nothing quite as exhilarating as catching the perfect gust!
Every camper becomes a stronger swimmer through regular swim lessons focused on stroke improvement, endurance, and lifesaving skills. Supported by trained lifeguards and swim instructors, campers work toward Lifesaving Society levels up to their Bronze Medallion so they can go home feeling confident on the water.
Where confidence
takes the reins
Far beyond just pony rides, every rider finds their stride at the Arowhon stables. Coached by expert equestrians, campers discover confidence, connection, and the satisfaction of partnership with animals.
Campers of all ages and abilities can relax on woodland trail rides or progress through a structured level system, learning everything from stable management to cross country jumping. Arowhon riders develop patience, leadership, and a deep sense of accomplishment.
Right on site and open to everyone at no extra cost, our horseback riding programs includes daily English riding lessons, trail rides (including swimming with the horses on hot days!), and opportunities for jumping and dressage for more advanced riders.
BIG ADVENTURES, BIGGER COURAGE
There’s nothing like pride of finally reaching the top of the climbing wall or the thrill of stepping off the zip line platform and flying through the trees. Outdoor adventure at Arowhon is far more than a physical program, it’s an emotional journey. This is where campers push their limits in a safe environment, practice courage, and learn that trying again is part of the process. With every ascent, shot, and leap of faith they discover new strength in themselves and walk away a little braver and more confident than before.
Campers navigate aerial elements, building trust in themselves and their peers. They can climb up a hanging canoe to lounge in the log chair 50 feet off the ground or glide 400 feet through the maple forest canopy on the double zipline.
Campers build physical strength and mental resilience as they take on the climbing wall one hold at a time. With multiple walls and routes for every level, each camper can find a challenge that feels just right. And with friends cheering from below, each ascent becomes a shared triumph.
Hands-on experiences like bog walks and eco-construction projects teach campers about environmental stewardship and the interconnectedness of life. Campers can get up close and personal with critters in the Nature Lodge touch tanks, learn how to identify edible wilds in the woods, and nourish themselves and camp by helping in the camp garden.
On our range, campers develop patience, precision, and self-discipline, and feel pride in their progress and responsibility. They practice shooting compound, recurve, and crossbows, learn the basics of axe-throwing, and try their hand at the childhood classic BB gun, all supervised by professional staff and set against the beautiful scenery of the Algonquin woods.
Campers Find Their Voice, And a Whole Crowd to Cheer for It
Some kids light up in the spotlight. Some prefer pulling the strings backstage. Others find themselves through painting, pottery, or just like to relax with some beads and string. At Arowhon, we make space for all of it. Our individual choice activity selection allows campers explore identity, express emotion, and feel celebrated for being exactly who they are.
Our camp-wide musical plays offer roles for anyone interested, whether on stage or behind the scenes. Acting, singing, directing, costumes, sets, and A/V - all with expert guidance. Everybody has a place to shine.
Activities like pottery, tie-dye, and copper enameling allow campers to explore their inner artist and express their creativity. Plus, who doesn’t want to make cool things they can bring home to show off?
From beginners to seasoned players, campers explore guitar, ukulele, drums and more. They learn chords, technique, and songs to sing with their friends or perform around the campfire, fostering confidence and camaraderie.
Campers find joy and appreciation in their bodies, express their energy, and connect to themselves and others while moving their bodies in nourishing ways.
Playing with purpose
At Arowhon, laughter, effort, and team spirit lead the way. Kids play hard, try their best, and learn to lose with grace, and win with humility. Our coaches teach teamwork and character, helping campers master new skills while celebrating every shared victory. Whether playing in tournaments or pushing themselves in practice, campers discover that how you play matters far more than what’s on the scoreboard—and that the best moments come from playing hard and having fun together.
Drills and games emphasize fun, skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Kids compete against their own limits, not against each other, thanks to coaches who are trained to nurture what really matters..
Campers receive instruction tailored to their level, progressing through skills and earning recognition as they improve to celebrate their own personal search for excellence.
A fun, low-pressure activity that combines strategy and enjoyment, set against the backdrop of the camp's beautiful hardwood forest.
CANOE TRIPPING
Out There, They Become Who They’re Meant to Be
This is the heart of Arowhon tradition. Supported by expert guides, campers pack a barrel, grab a paddle, and head into the wild, where the only sounds are wind through the trees, loon calls, and stories around the fire. Whether it’s a two-day trip or weeklong expedition, every camper returns changed: stronger, more grounded, more sure of themselves. Trips are age-appropriate and challenge-matched, led by experienced staff with a safety-first mindset and a reverence for the land we travel. Algonquin Park’s 3,000 square miles of lake and forest makes the perfect backdrop for this epic adventure to nurture every child’s soul and spirit.
More Than Just a Camp.
The skills they learn here—the ones that come from trying, failing, trying again, and being cheered on by people who really care—don’t fade with the summer. They build the foundation for who your child is becoming.
Give them a summer that matters.