Outdoor Education Centre
Let us come to your school.
Outdoor Learning for almost a Century!
Camp Kawartha has been providing meaningful outdoor experiences for children, youth and adults for more than 88 years. Founded on the shores of Clear Lake by the Rotary Club of Peterborough in 1921, the camp has grown into a year-round learning centre dedicated to promoting stewardship, nature and environmental awareness, recreational opportunities and leadership to the surrounding community and beyond.
The Kawartha Outdoor Education Centre operates from September until the end of June, providing dynamic and innovative programs grounded in the Ontario Curriculum for students from grade 1 to 12. Please feel free to select any program, which we can modify to suit older or younger students.
The Camp Kawartha Outdoor Education Centre Difference:
Our staff strive to deliver nothing short of a magical experience for students in the natural environment. We believe we can do this by offering:
Excellence in Programming
We incorporate a wide variety of exciting teaching techniques including drama, storytelling, music, hands-on games and activities. Our programs are educational, engaging and fun! Students will learn everything from Environmental Leadership to Environmental Science. We are also able to tailor-design a program to fit a unit of classroom study or to modify existing programs to emphasize an area of learning that you want to focus on. Please refer to the teachers' testimonials page for comments from teachers who have attended our Centre.
Environmental Education
With a wind turbine, passive and active solar systems and unique straw bale buildings, including a solar straw bale greenhouse, we provide students with concrete and inspiring examples of alternatives to fossil fuels. Our newly revised alternative energy program features solar cookers, solar ovens, model solar powered cars and a variety of hands-on and experientially based equipment. Our renowned environmental programming teaches children about what animals and plants live in their community. Our award winning Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, is one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings.
Commitment to Professionalism
Our educators, all university graduates, many teacher-trained, share a lifetime commitment to excellence in education in the outdoors. They combine a wide range of knowledge and experience in natural science, history, geography, environmental studies, outdoor living skills, group development and adventure learning. Our staff is continually upgrading their skills by attending workshops, conferences and courses.
Small Learning Groups
At the Kawartha Outdoor Education Centre, students benefit from a low student to instructor ratio (usually one instructor to twelve students, or less). Our staff take the time to become acquainted with each student, providing them with the special attention they need to excel in outdoor learning.
Easy to Plan
You can select an experience which best suits your class or youth group, from an overnight visit to an entire week at the centre packed with field trips, adventure and exploration. (Most school visits are 2½ days in duration.). We are happy to create learning experiences that best suit your needs, budget, areas of interest and curriculum, from an overnight visit to an entire week filled with field trips, adventure and exploration. Your stay will be easy to plan and easy to manage. Here are two examples of a typical Monday to Wednesday schedule for an elementary grade five class and a High School Leadership Group.
Our Commitment to Safety
We carefully examine all aspects of our programs on an ongoing basis to ensure they provide the highest standards of safety and care. Our ropes course, climbing wall and climbing equipment are inspected annually and our staff attend training courses to remain current in all aspects of risk management and safety.
All instructors have CPR and first aid certification. There is also an AED (automated external defibrillator) unit onsite in the dining hall.
Great Food
Mealtimes are a special part of the day at our Centre as we gather for fellowship and delicious food. Our Centre's small size give our cook the time to prepare wholesome meals with fresh ingredients and local produce. Students and adults with special dietary needs are given individual attention and alternative meals. Nutritious snacks and fruits are available between meals and in the evenings.
Read more about our food philosophy.
* Please note, we prohibit all foods that contain nuts or traces of nuts.
Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of our facilities.
