Our Philosophy
“YOU BELONG”
Sparrow Lake Camp is part of the United Church of Canada and a community intended for people of all faiths, philosophies, and ways of being. We invite campers of all ages to experience the sense of wonder and belonging for which summer camp is so well known. We are not here to judge anyone. We also have no expectation of anyone to change who they are - because who you are, right here and now, is exactly who you were always meant to be.
FAITH
We believe that, above all else, we are called to love one another—without caveats. As simple as it is to say, loving others as we wish to be loved ourselves is not always simple for anyone. Loving others doesn’t just mean caring for them; it means acknowledging their humanity and perspective. It means accepting people as they are, right here and now. It’s about opening the door to the stranger and providing a safe space for everyone.
As a summer camp, this means we have an amazing opportunity to express our own values through providing great hospitality to kids and families—without reservation or judgment. We hope to make people feel a sense of belonging because we truly believe they do belong.
We do not offer programming that provides specific religious instruction, uses religious language, or involves Bible study. Instead, we focus on building a community where kids can learn to share, forgive, love, laugh, grow, build friendships, overcome obstacles, and soak up the fresh air and natural beauty of the rustic camp setting.
Our hope is that by experiencing a place like Sparrow Lake Camp, campers will take the lessons they learn into the world and share the spirit of camp with others. We hope they will feel special in the world and see how special others are as well. We hope they’ll be able to get along just a little better with people they might disagree with. If they choose to explore faith and spirituality on their own, we hope it will be because they learned to explore the world around them, not because they were told there is only one path through life.
MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS
We welcome all people to join the fun of camp and aim to provide quality hospitality for all our guests, regardless of age, sex/gender, gender expression, sexuality, faith, race, socio-economic status, ability, or any other way in which people are categorized. We value each person as a unique and special human being and a member of a global community to which we all belong. There is no requirement for campers or guests to belong to any specific group, and there is no expectation to join one.
Our program places special focus on the creation of community and human connection—or, to put it simply, we want kids to make friends. We take friendship-building very seriously—just as seriously as we take having lots of fun! Campers can expect plenty of opportunities to learn about their cabin and group-mates, and to share their own experiences and views with others through fun and engaging programs. While they canoe, climb, swim, draw, and eat their way through their time at camp, our campers are also navigating the ins and outs of doing all those activities with others. With some coaching from counselors, campers are resolving conflicts non-violently, sharing, learning, and growing together as a community.
Each day, we also take a short period to reflect on our connection with others during our ‘Morning Watch’ and ‘Vespers.’ We teach campers about the land they stand on and the people who lived here before European settlement. We fly different community flags, such as the peace flag, Pride flag, or earth flag, along with the Canadian flag each day. We sing songs about belonging and friendship, and read poems and tell stories on a variety of subjects that help kids understand their own place in the community and in the universe as a whole.
Some notes on accessibility and accommodations:
While we are working on our path through the serious work of making the physical camp facilities more accessible and inclusive, we are still an older property. Many of the buildings being close to 100 years old. Because of this, we don’t currently have fully wheelchair accessible accommodations and cabins and washroom facilities are divided for the most part in line with binary genders - male and female.
Our staff training differs from that of a personal support worker or other professional carer. As such, we suggest that you contact our office to discuss how we might be able to properly accommodate you or your child at camp in a safe and truly inclusive manner. In a lot of cases, 1:1 support, supplementary care, modified activities, personalized schedules, allowing a carer to accompany free of charge, and/or other accommodations can be put in place.
CONNECTION WITH NATURE
We understand that the entire planet is covered by a rich and interconnected system of living things—large and small—each with a special role to play in the whole. Just as these living things belong to the world around us, so too do humans. As cities continue to expand, we are increasingly privileged to connect with the living world around us.
Located just 90 minutes from Toronto, Sparrow Lake Camp is situated on a large peninsula extending into Sparrow Lake. With over 125 acres of land, the camp is primarily made up of Precambrian shield and healthy mixed forest. This area is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants, insects, fish, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife—all contributing to the beauty of this place.
Each summer, we invite hundreds of young people and families to enjoy this space and take the opportunity to reconnect with the world as it exists without human interference. We want kids to learn about the world of life all around them and to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air that aren’t always part of their daily lives in cities.
Sharing your gifts
Being a good friend begins with understanding ourselves and what we have to offer others. For campers and families at Sparrow Lake Camp, this means having the time, space, and opportunities to explore and grow in one’s own way. It also means taking the time to do things with others and contribute to the group’s overall enjoyment.
While we have spent a great deal of time considering our philosophical approach to camp, we don’t talk about it much at camp—it’s something kids DO. Our daily schedule is designed to give kids opportunities to spend time in their cabin and activity groups, as well as time to explore activities that interest them personally. Camp-wide games and events allow kids to play and laugh with their entire community, contributing to the fun in their own unique way. So while we hope campers have a meaningful experience at camp, we also want them to find that meaning for themselves, based on where they’re at in life.
Whether it’s making a new friend, learning to sail a boat ‘solo,’ creating a sculpture in the forest, acting in a skit, cooking over a fire, or any of the countless other things unique to the camp experience, we hope that every person—young and old—who comes to Sparrow Lake discovers a bit more about what they’re capable of and shares that feeling with the world.
