What is Camp?
Never underestimate the importance of having fun
At Camp Centennial, we live fun, we pack each day full of it. Days at Camp are filled with activities ranging from rock climbing, rappelling, low ropes course, field games, forest activities, fort building, canoeing, singing, campfires, outdoor cooking, and so many other activities.
Although fun may be the vehicle, we believe that using fun to learn allows us to create a world of new experiences that are truly valuable. Our Camp is based on a belief towards education that demands experience in order to prompt learning. We know that each and every Camper CAN and WILL achieve great things if they are pushed as well as supported to do so.
We use our regular activities with the realization that it is not the activity but the experience that is of greatest value. As such we do not schedule the days to necessarily include any specific one of those activities. We do plan the days to ensure that the experiences we have are valuable ones. Sitting around a campfire singing songs and cooking treats is wonderful: yet knowing that those same Campers are quite likely walking away with a feeling of confidence and independence is the true value of Camp.
What does a day at Camp Centennial look like? We can’t tell you. We can’t tell you because excitement, spontaneity, and creativity are the characteristics that our staff have in common. Those characteristics are the ones that create a world inside our gates that can be totally unrecognizable to the one outside Camp. It is a world created, joined, and enjoyed by the imaginations of the Campers. That is something our counsellors work hard and take pride in providing. The counsellors come from many walks of life, each with their own unique skills and personality.
Every spring, we all come together at our staff trainings to learn the aspects of safety and to instil the realizations of responsibility that we hold here by hosting your children. With all of this in mind, the experience of a day at Camp combines the leadership of the counsellors, the opportunities of our facilities, the value of our philosophies, and the wonderful nature that only Campers can bring to a day.
We may not be able to tell you exactly what a day at Camp will look like, but we can tell you what your Campers will walk away having experienced. They will experience an excited group of counsellors welcoming them into Camp each morning. They will experience counsellors who provide opportunities for your Camper to learn, then provide challenges for those lessons to be valued.
Camp Centennial provides a unique blend of independence and support. We believe songs bring people together, we believe challenges make us stronger, and we believe being active means we get to see more, do more, and meet more! We know that it takes a blend of support and independence towards each Camper that will allow them to grow. We foster that in all that we do.
Where that will take us, we can’t tell you exactly, but we can tell you that your Camper will return home at the end of the day with stories to tell, a little tired, a lot happy, and quite likely dirty – and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
We look forward to getting outside with you soon!
Promise and Expectations
We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or would like to speak further regarding the experience your Camper will have at Camp this summer! We would also encourage you to chat with your Camper regarding what we expect from them.
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Our Promise: Camp Centennial’s program is based on the belief that there is nothing more important than learning and no better way to do it than with a laugh, a smile, a story, a game and maybe an adventure. We know that by using challenges and activities such as canoeing, climbing, rappelling, hiking, outdoor cooking, swimming, and flat out playing; we are able to teach Campers the invaluable lessons such as independence, respect, and an appreciation for being outdoors and active. Our program is Camper centered. That means all that we do, we do with the purpose of Camper development. We know that each and every Camper CAN and WILL achieve great things if they are pushed as well as supported to do so. We believe in teaching Campers how to do things, not doing things for them. This starts with our staff. We understand that it is the connection we make with your Campers that have the deepest opportunities for learning. As such we train our staff extensively and work constantly on our development, alongside that of the Campers.
Our Expectation: What we need from you is a commitment from your Camper that they’re interested, eager, and willing to try! We strongly believe that each Camper has a phenomenal capacity and we’re eager to help them grow into the best versions of themselves. Those are high expectations for a Camper but they are also wonderful opportunities. Not every Camper arrives comfortable with the idea of this new realm called “Camp,” and that’s okay! That is part of the growing process and it is well within the understanding of our Counsellors. As mentioned, growth is the point but it is important to understand that respect is non-negotiable. We require a positive attitude at Camp. Camp is all about pushing our boundaries outside of our comfort zones and learning about ourselves in doing so. That can be an intense experience! As such, respect is something we demand from everyone who attends Camp. Please make sure that your Campers are committed to those ideas and are excited to be here.
