CAMP KODIAK

Camp Kodiak is an integrated, residential camp primarily for children and teens with ADHD, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and ASD Level 1 (low support needs). Each session we welcome campers ranging in age from 6 to 18. They come from all over Canada, the US and from overseas. Approximately 10% of our campers are neurotypical, mainstream campers.

We are located near Parry Sound, Ontario (2.5 hrs north of Toronto, Ontario) on a 425 acre site with 2 ½ miles of lakefront. Campers and staff live in lakefront, tongue-in-groove log cabins with electricity and full bathrooms with showers. Every cabin has a large deck overlooking the lake.

Our objectives at Camp Kodiak are to:
- build confidence and self-esteem
- enhance positive social skills
- foster independence
- provide an exciting and successful camp experience.
This is achieved by providing a safe, nurturing and predictable environment, a mature, professional staff, a very low camper-to-staff ratio and a social skills program.

Our social skills program is embedded into everything we do! Counsellors are constantly finding and creating teachable moment to so that campers are learning, practising, and refining positive social skills throughout the day.

Many of our campers have little confidence and poor self-esteem. Everything that is important to kids is hard for them; school, sports and making and keeping friends. Many are hesitant to take on new challenges. In order to ensure that they get the most out of their camp experience Kodiak has developed a core program of activities to which all cabin groups are scheduled. They include swimming lessons, waterskiing/kneeboarding/wakeboarding, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, team sports, tennis, archery, arts & crafts, drama, high ropes, rock climbing, initiatives/low ropes and Water World (inflatables). Campers are encouraged, but never forced, to participate in all of these activities with their cabin group. There are also several times each day when campers are able to choose their own activities and pursue personal interests independent of their cabin-mates.

We program for success! All sports and activities are taught in an organized, step-by-step manner to ensure camper's success. Cooperation rather that competition is emphasized. We offer over 50 sports, crafts, cultural and educational activities to ensure that every camper will experience success in many different areas.

Monday to Friday, right after breakfast, everyone in camp has an hour of academic instruction. There are two components to the academic program, Option 1 and Option 2. Parents select their camper’s academic program prior to their arrival at camp. Campers in Option 1 receive academic tutoring. Campers in Option 2 receive instruction in an educational activity such as music, drama, dance, stained glass, pottery, photography, nature studies, STEM activities, chess, etc.

An important reason for the success of our program is our staff. Approximately one half of our counselors are trained, certified professionals from the fields of education, social work, child care and recreation. Every cabin has at least three counselors where one (or more) are professionals. The remaining staff are university or college students, most of whom are working towards a career in one of the helping professions. The camper-to-staff ratio is 2-to-1. All of our staff undergo a rigorous training period before the campers arrive and all counselors must submit a current a police background check.

We have a doctor and three nurses on staff who live on-site, administer all medication and are available 24 hours a day.

We provide busing from Toronto and airport service at no extra charge for most sessions.