Think of it as camp…PLUS! 

You get to participate in all your favourite camp activities; make new friends, discover the wonders of nature on a wilderness canoe trip…PLUS be guided through leadership & personal development workshops to gain an understanding of what it means to be your best self!

By participating in the M.I.L.E.S. program, you will be embarking on an amazing journey which will help you develop life, social and wilderness skills that are sure to last a lifetime. 

Camp Awakening summer camp programs operate out of established Ontario summer camps – Kilcoo Camp for boys in Minden (Haliburton Highlands) & Camp Oconto for girls in Tichborne (north of Kingston) – to offer an accessible cabin, a wide range of adapted outdoor activities, and a safe & inclusive environment.

Our host camps – Kilcoo Camp for boys and Camp Oconto for girls – have incredible facilities.  Access to a wide range of activities both on land and on water allow campers to try something new and challenge their perceived limitations at their own pace and at their own level of ability. 

Every day is different and we do our best to ensure every camper has the opportunity to try all the available activities, regardless of experience. The camp staff will teach and guide campers step-by-step. 

Activities include:
Archery
Arts & Crafts
Campfires
Canoeing
Ceramics/Pottery
Challenge Courses
Chapel (non-denominational Sunday morning gathering)
Cook-outs
Climbing Tower (special activity)
“Crash-surfing” (Windsurfing Awakening-style!)
Dance
Diving Tower
Drama
Field Trips
Frisbee Golf
Horseback Riding (girls only – special activity once per session)
Kayaking
Land Sports & Activities
Nature
Paddle Boarding
Parasports
Sailing
Special All-Camp Games
Swimming
Tennis
Woodwork
Yoga

During their session at camp, each camper will also have the opportunity to take part in a canoe trip where they will learn to paddle a canoe, pitch a tent, and cook over a campfire.

Activities of Daily Living:

Campers are reasonably independent with their activities of daily living (eating, dressing, and toileting) and must be able to direct their own care.

Camp Awakening does not provide direct 1:1 support, however our camper to staff ratio is typically 2:1.

Camp staff are trained to offer support with personal care routines as caregivers.  Staff do not have a PSW designation or provide full attendant care services, but definitely provide help & support with meal times, dressing, bathroom routines and adapting camp activities for meaningful participation.

Assistive Devices:

Approximately 75% of campers use an assistive device and they bring their equipment to camp from home.

However, Camp Awakening provides a Terra-Trek all-terrain wheelchair for each summer camp program. It is used by multiple campers in a single day to travel between activity areas, as needed.

Cabins:

The Camp Awakening cabins are located in the heart of each host camp – and across from the dining halls!

Each cabin has electricity; ramps; two wheelchair-accessible washrooms with showers, plus storage and a single bed for each camper.  Staff sleep in the same cabin, but in a separate room.

Host Camps:

Camp Awakening summer camp programs operate out of established Ontario summer camps – Kilcoo Camp for boys & Camp Oconto for girls.

While Camp Awakening staff are great role models and mentors skilled at adapting activities to meet each campers’ desire for adventure, the camp properties are rustic.  There are gravel and dirt pathways and several small hills. For these reasons, power wheelchairs can be difficult to accommodate at camp.