WDC Camp Activities

Campers will join our Nature Instructor once a week to learn about all the cool things nature has to offer! Nature is one of our curriculum based programs with a different lesson each week. This program is a favourite for campers of all ages.

Goats, sheep, and cows, oh my! Don’t forget the chickens! Each week, campers will learn something new about our farmyard friends.

Each week in our Peace & Reconciliation program campers will learn about matters of reconciliation, history, and traditions of Indigenous peoples. For more information on Willowgrove’s commitment to reconciliation, click here.

Willowgrove’s one-of-a-kind Take Root Farm Project provides children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of gardening, and nature programs, led by knowledgeable staff. For more information on the Take Root Farm Project, click here.

Each day, cabin groups head to one of our heated pools to learn water safety and how to swim. Campers participate in lessons Monday through Thursday and enjoy a free swim on Fridays.

Safety@Camp: Campers are only allowed inside our gated pool deck when supervised by a member of our Aquatics staff, and must complete a Swim Assessment to swim without a lifejacket during free swim.

Campers in the Intermediate, Sophomore and Senior Divisions learn all about canoeing on a private pond.

Safety@Camp: Our Canoeing program is led by a member of our Aquatic Team who hold either Bronze Cross or Lifeguarding certifications.

Campers in the Intermediate, Sophomore and Senior Divisions learn all about kayaking on our private pond.

Safety@Camp: Our Kayaking program is led by a member of our Aquatic Team who hold either Bronze Cross or Lifeguarding certifications.

Can you make it to the top? At climbing, campers learn how to solve climbing routes and see if they can make it to the top of our climbing wall. Routes are reset yearly and range from beginner to advanced.

Safety@Camp: Campers must be harnessed to climb and are taught safety procedures before being belayed by a highly trained member of our climbing team.

Campers will try to solve problems (aka short routes) with the help of their fellow cabinmates guiding them with verbal instruction.

Safety@Camp: Our bouldering walls have extra thick crash mats that provide soft landing zones.

How many bullseyes can you get? Campers learn all about how to shoot an arrow and test their skills with targets at varying distances.

Safety@Camp: Campers are taught safety procedures before shooting and use arrows that are equipped with foam ends!

Campers test their axe throwing skills and see who can get closest to a bullseye.

Safety@Camp: Safety axes used are designed especially for children.

Practice shooting hoops on our basketball court and play a game of 2-on-2. Basketball is offered during our sports lessons and as a lunch activity for Intermediate, Sophomore, and Senior campers.

Younger campers participate in our Learn to Bike program. Campers learn the basics of biking on one of our balance bikes where they will learn to master the art of balance before adding in pedals. Campers looking for more advanced biking will be provided with bikes with pedals.

Safety@Camp: Campers are required to wear helmets while on a bike. Helmets are cleaned between uses.

Campers will learn how to ride a bike on one of our trails. Trail riding includes learning to ride on a gravel road, dirt trails, and grass trails.

Safety@Camp: Campers are required to wear helmets while on a bike. Helmets are cleaned between uses.

Campers in the Primary to Intermediate divisions get to explore the wonderful world of art through interactive and tactile projects.

Campers in the Sophomore and Senior Divisions get to participate in either the sports or arts specialty streams. Campers will choose their stream when they arrive at camp and have the opportunity to switch throughout the summer.

As part of our sports program, campers love learning how to pass, set, and spike!

GOOOAAALLLL!! Included in our sports program, campers get a chance to practice their dribbling and goal scoring skills.

Campers explore Willowgrove Creek learning about the insects, minnows, crayfish and more that live in the ecosystem.

Campers get up close and personal learning how to catch and release amphibians and insects that live at our frog pond like frogs, turtles, and more!

Safety@Camp: All campers wear a lifejacket when at the pond.

This play based activity will have campers having fun in one of our two haylofts. Our haylofts are filled with straw and have fun activities like slides, swings and more.

Campers in the Primary and Junior Divisions have lots of fun exploring and imaginative play in their designated parks! Campers play in the parks in the mornings during drop off, snacks, and lunch (after they eat, of course!)

One of our camper favourite programs, cabin groups get to ride on one of our wagons around the property.

Campers get to slip their way down our two lane slip ‘n slide. Campers can race their fellow cabin mates to see who will get to the bottom first!

Once a week campers try their hand at cooking over a campfire. S’mores, banana boats, and more!

Safety@Camp: Before cooking, campers are given safety instructions as to what is appropriate behaviour around a campfire.

Twice a week, campers play a wide game with their entire Division. Campers are assigned a colour team (Inferno = Red, Riptide = Blue, Chinook = Yellow, Tremor = Green) at the first wide game of each week and compete over the summer for their team to be named the Willowgrove Colour Team Champion! Wide Games vary by Division but include games like tag for younger campers and capture the flag for older campers.

Gaga Ball is a variant of dodgeball played in a gaga ball "pit". The game combines dodging, striking, running, and jumping, with the objective of being the last person standing. Another camper favourite activity!

Each afternoon, campers receive a freezie. It’s a great way to cool off on hot afternoons! Campers receive half of a jumbo freezie. Freezies are usually Mr Freeze brand but can vary each week.

Fun fact, the word “Tuck” is an old British word that refers to food - often candy and treats!

Each Friday campers will take part in a unique themed special event. Each special event is made up of a series of challenges that campers tackle with their colour team or cabin group.

See “Wide Game” for more information on Colour Teams.