Autumn arrives like a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful. Every leaf that turns red, orange or gold reminds us that these tiny expressions of wonder are everywhere.  At Camp Kawartha, we believe that helping children step outside and truly experience these moments are at the very heart of stewardship. When young people feel a sense of kinship with the forests, the lakes, and the living web all around them, caring for the Earth becomes second nature. Through hands-on outdoor learning, sustainable building projects like our newly completed Birch Cabin, and community partnerships that honour nature as teacher, we are nurturing a generation that has the skills and knowledge of how to give back to the planet that sustains us. Thank you for being part of this shared journey, where each changing season becomes an invitation to reconnect, restore, and re-imagine what’s possible together.

Celebrate the Seasons!

Discover the Wonder of Winter Learning!

At Camp Kawartha, winter is one of our favourite seasons! Come explore the winter wonderland that is Camp Kawartha! From tracking wildlife in freshly fallen snow to experimenting with energy transfer and insulation, students engage in meaningful, curriculum-linked learning that brings science, geography, and teamwork to life.

Why bring your class this winter?

• Hands-on, inquiry-based learning: Observe winter ecosystems and explore how living things adapt to the cold.
• Curriculum connections: Programs meet Ontario standards and integrate seamlessly with environmental science, leadership, and Indigenous perspectives.
• Comfort and safety: Our experienced educators, warm facilities, and detailed pre-trip planning make it easy for teachers and students to thrive outdoors — even on chilly days.
• Team spirit and joy: Snowshoe races, winter survival skills, and creative challenges build confidence, cooperation, and laughter.

With over 60 award-winning programs and a passionate team ready to guide your students, Camp Kawartha turns winter into a season of discovery, connection, and wonder.

Bundle up, step outside, and let winter inspire your learners.

"I witnessed my students who are typically full of energy take moments to be still. 

Specifically, they took the time to bird watch and were in awe watching them. They found their own beauty in nature and it was a joy to see."

Book your winter day trip or overnight visit today — spaces fill quickly!



P.S. For local schools booking at the Environment Centre, we offer a bus subsidy generously supported by the Gainey Foundation to help make our mandate of connecting kids with nature a reality.

Register for Nature School!

Step into a learning experience that sparks curiosity, nurtures empathy, and cultivates a lifelong connection with the natural world. At the Environment Centre Nature School, our programs engage the whole child through hands-on exploration, creative play, and immersive experiences in the outdoors.

Students don’t just learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems — they develop a profound understanding of how nature works and their role within it. By fostering well-being, curiosity, and confidence, we help young people grow into thoughtful, capable, and environmentally conscious adults — ready to lead and care for the world, whatever path they choose.

The Camp Kawartha Environment Centre Nature School is where children thrive, nature inspires, and tomorrow’s leaders begin their journey.

"I love the programs at the Environment Centre because I feel welcome and wanted. I love how the instructors make learning a fun experience. The other kids are so friendly, smart and kind. It makes a great environment to just be yourself and have fun."



Stories from the Land

by Marty Cleary

Hi all,

The skies were grey, the leaves were orange, and what was black and yellow? If you guessed a spotted tussock moth, you'd be right!

Our theme for the day was Healthy Habitats! One of the ways that we contribute to creating healthy habitats is through our gardens and landscaping. Planting many different types of plants, shrubs and trees helps give wildlife options for food, shelter, and nesting. 

Students helped contribute to the Woodsy Gitigan (garden) by making plant labels, moving mulch, and watering with compost tea. We toured the garden, recognizing some plants, like strawberries, and learning about new ones, like wood sorrel. We planted some haskap and nannyberry shrubs. We hope to see them thrive in the Spring!

We encountered some wonderful bugs today, including worms, crickets, ants, caterpillars, and a very fast praying mantis. (No bees crawled up anyone's nose, so that's a win!)

We had a gratitude circle with a special treat: apples and honey! There was a lot of gratitude for cats, dogs, chickadees, and of course our favourite game of the day: Field Stones! It is a simple concept of stealing resources (popsicle sticks) from the other team, but with plenty of strategies and different roles on each team. 

Students patiently hand fed chickadees, who are especially happy to have the food to cache for the Winter. Did you know that a chickadee's hippocampus (the memory part) gets about 30% bigger in the Fall? Scientists believe this helps them remember the tens of thousands of spots where they hide seeds to eat in Winter!

Looking forward to our next Woodsy adventures,

Partnering for the Goals:

'Outdoors for All Program'

Too many children face barriers that keep them from experiencing the natural world. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Camp Kawartha’s Outdoors for All Program ensures that children from the greater Peterborough region — and beyond — can explore, learn, and grow, regardless of financial circumstances. Through these experiences, they develop the knowledge, skills, and curiosity to become the environmental stewards of tomorrow.

Social inequity is one of the greatest drivers of environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Our mission is to connect children with the outdoors and teach them sustainable, regenerative ways of living that give back to the earth. As more families face financial and social barriers, programs like Outdoors for All are more essential than ever — helping children experience the world, care for it, and ultimately make it better.

"No one will protect what they don't care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced" ~ David Attenborough

Summer adventure awaits at Camp Kawartha!

From canoeing and hiking to nature exploration and new friendships, our summer camp sparks curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. Whether your child is a first-time camper or a seasoned adventurer, every day is full of discovery, fun, and connection with nature.

Give your child a summer to remember — where learning, laughter, and the great outdoors come together!

Full registration opens November 1, 2025 @ 7PM!

HELP SEND KIDS TO CAMP!

You can make a difference in a child’s life! By purchasing a Lakers Lacrosse Raffle ticket, you’ll help an underprivileged child attend an Outdoor Education program with their class or be part of a Summer Camp experience with their peers.

Our Camp Kawartha "Outdoors for All" fund is seeing more requests for support than ever before — many families are struggling to give their children these meaningful opportunities. All proceeds from the raffle will go into the Fund.

Your ticket purchase can help a young person enjoy what is, for many, the experience of a lifetime.

Raffle Details:



• Tickets: $10 each or 3 for $25 (only 300 tickets will be sold)
• Prizes: One of two exclusive Camp Kawartha T-shirts signed by the 2025 Century 21 Lakers Lacrosse Team — perfect for the diehard sports fan on your holiday gift list!
• Draw Date: December 15th at 1:00 p.m.
• Winners will be contacted directly.

To Purchase Tickets:

Email info@campkawartha.ca or call 705-652-3860 x208.

Your small investment will have a big impact — helping kids discover nature, build confidence, and create lifelong memories.

Thank you for helping send a child to Camp!

We send out our sincere thanks to the Century 21 Lakers Lacrosse team for providing their support of the Fund and the kids who will benefit!

Celebrating Birch Cabin

“This investment by the Ontario Government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is a clear demonstration of our government’s commitment to building healthy, vibrant communities across the province. Camp Kawartha is doing incredible work to foster environmental stewardship in our youth, and the Birch Cabin will serve as a lasting legacy of that partnership.” ~ MPP David Smith

On Friday, October 31st, Camp Kawartha celebrated the official opening of Birch Cabin, the newest addition to our growing collection of sustainable and regenerative buildings. Birch Cabin embodies our mission to educate youth and the broader community for a sustainable, regenerative future.

We were delighted to welcome Joel Porter, representing MPP David Smith, who joined us to officially open the cabin. Deirdre McGahern shared insights into the building’s innovative design and construction — including the contributions of students from our Youth Leadership and Sustainability (YLS) program, who worked alongside Straworks to gain hands-on experience in straw bale construction and other eco-friendly building practices. From its strawbale walls and living roof to its energy-efficient windows and non-toxic finishes, Birch Cabin is a living example of green design in action.

We are deeply grateful for the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, whose funding acted as a catalyst for this project and helped attract additional contributions from the Peterborough Foundation and Echo Foundation, allowing us to bring this inspiring initiative fully to life.

"It allowed us to continue our journey of upgrading our cabin inventory, replacing aging, energy-inefficient buildings with sustainable, modern structures. This is part of our broader vision to lead the Ontario camp community by example and inspire others to explore their options. Sustainable, net-zero construction is within reach of anyone committed to making a difference—and this project showcases the possibilities that come with that mindset" ~ Jacob Rodenburg

Team Building for Businesses

Camp Kawartha’s award-winning team-building programs are designed to energize, connect, and inspire your group. Through hands-on activities and expert facilitation, we help teams strengthen communication, boost collaboration, and discover fresh ways to thrive in today’s fast-paced work environment. Ideal for corporate retreats, workshops, or professional development sessions.

Get outside and have and adventure together — try cooperative games, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. Many organizations love blending work and play: start with team-building activities in the morning, enjoy a delicious lunch, and then return to focused work sessions in the afternoon.

Looking for something more celebratory? We also host weddings and special events at our beautiful Clear Lake and Environment Centre sites, making any gathering memorable and unique.

Remembering Jane

It is with great sadness that we We mourn the passing of Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most inspiring advocates for nature, science, and humanity. Jane founded the Jane Goodall Institute to protect chimpanzees and their habitats, and later Roots & Shoots to empower youth to take action on global challenges. As a UN Messenger of Peace she inspired communities worldwide to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity.

At Camp Kawartha, her influence touched our Environment Centre Nature School. In 2021, our Rootwood program planted a Miyawaki Forest and learned about old-growth ecosystems — a project that continues to inspire students today.

Thank you, Jane, for your vision, compassion, and tireless dedication. As our teacher Jamie says: “Now it’s up to us to grow more Janes for the world!” Your torch is carried by millions, and your vision of hope, compassion, and action lives on.

“I think it’s really important that the younger generation learns that there are different types of forest and that they don’t all look the same or they’re not made up of a single type of tree that it is important for the biodiversity to have these different plants and different planting methods.” (Rootwood student talking about our Miyawaki Forest)

Glen and Nick's Annual Climate Ride

Meet our very own climate heroes!

Every year, Glen Caradus and Nick Ormond inspire us with their incredible Climate Ride. On October 11th, they each rode 250 km — a combined total of 500 km! This year, their ride supports the 5 Counties Children’s Centre, an amazing organization providing therapy and treatment to help children with developmental delays build everyday life skills like walking, talking, and self-care.

The funds raised will help create a healthy green space for treatment and play in our community. Urban habitats like these not only support local pollinators and wildlife, but also give children a place to explore, learn, and experience the wonder of nature — something we witness every day as outdoor educators.