Activities
With activities for all ages, your children and teens will love the variety and opportunity to learn new outdoor skills and exercises.
Experienced Instruction to OPHEA Standards
Many activities are used universally within each program or based on each group's desire. ECOC ensures that all activities meet the standards set by the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) and guidelines outlined by OPHEA ».
Experienced instructors lead the activities with the support of teachers. Instructional sessions are skills based, age appropriate and fun. Students rotate through chosen activities in small groups (8-12). Activities are selected based on the theme of the program desired and the age of the participants.
Activities by Type & Grade
Land and water activities are listed below and sorted by grades that can participate for your convenience. Click on an activity below to learn more.
Land
Grades 1-12 (All Ages)
- Archery
Archery teaches students the use of a traditional recurve bow and arrow while shooting at static targets. Archery is an all-abilities all-ages activity utilizing fine motor control and abilities.
- Disc Golf
Disc Golf is an all-abilities sport using simple discs to play a game similar to traditional golf. Come test yourself on our 9 hole par 36 course spread throughout the property.
- Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking offers students the chance to experience our extensive kid friendly trail system, in a controlled and supervised environment. Using our Giant 21-speed mountain bikes, students learn safety and handling before heading out on the trails. Grade specific supervision ratios are required.
- Sports & Games
Sports & Games includes a number of “traditional” sports like beach volleyball, ball hockey, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. These can be done as sessions or during recreational/free time.
Climbing and Ropes Course
- Climbing Wall
Wall Climbing is an outdoor program on our 40ft climbing wall. The wall features two different vertical climbs, each with a varying degree of difficulty. The wall utilizes an Auto-Belay system, under the supervision of a trained instructor. Students learn to get out of their comfort zone and push their abilities to new heights in this program.
- Challenge Course
The Challenge Course consists of four different climbing elements in our High Ropes area. Three of the elements are individual climbing elements, with varying degrees of difficulty. The fourth element is a multi person climb where participants have to work together to reach the top. All participants are belayed by a trained instructor, using a Climb Only approach.
- Bouldering
Bouldering is an indoor horizontal climbing traverse wall. An opportunity for climbers to challenge themselves and each other in safe lower to the ground climbing experience. Perfectly suited to younger grades and older students who want more of a group challenge. Note: climbing heights vary for different grades.
- Low Elements & Trust Initiatives
Low Elements/Trust Initiatives uses minor games and activities to have the students work together to perform various tasks. Features include a Whales Back, Spider Web, and Zig Zag. A great all-ages activity to improve group dynamics and cooperation.
Nature Games
- Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger Hunt allows students to work in small teams of 2-3 to find all of the natural items on the Scavenger Hunt List. Scavenger Hunt is better suited for Grades 1-6.
- Orienteering
Orienteering teaches students to use a compass to locate various points on a course around the camp.
- Camoflauge
Camoflage is a Predator Prey hiding game played in a 50m2 zone. Students hide and chase each other as predator or forest dweller, by learning to conceal theselves and their movements.
Relay and Tag Games
- Camoflauge
Camoflage is a Predator Prey hiding game played in a 50m2 zone. Students hide and chase each other as predator or forest dweller, by learning to conceal theselves and their movements.
- The Survival Game
The Survival Game is set in a designated forested area with several “food & water” stations (blue and red signs) mounted on trees. Students are divided into groups of Herbivores, Carnivores & Disease. After our staff explain the boundaries and rules of the game, students are “released” into the survival area. The students have a chance to model a living ecosystem, as they try to “survive” in the game.
- Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag uses the sand dune area for this large group game. Students are divided in half (2 large groups). Each side hides a flag in their territory. Teams enter the opposing team's area to try and capture their flag without being tagged.
Evening Activities
All Grades 1-12
- Campfire
Campfires are are great way to finish a busy day at camp. In the evening, ECOC staff prepare a campfire at one of our waterfront fire pits. Students enjoy a picturesque sunset, sing songs, and relax by the fire. We ask the students to help with the programming by preparing a short skit or song before arriving at camp, to present to the group. A gameshow style campfire can also be coordinated, and is a popular choice for Grades 7 & 8's.
- Talent Show / Lip Sync
Show off your special talent or sing along to your favourite song with your friends. Fun music and dancing always get students up and expressing themselves.
- Minute To Win It
This is an alternative evening program used on poor weather evenings. Groups travel around to different stations, competing in minute-long challenges. The group who gains the most points at the end of all challenges wins.
- Night Hike / Astronomy
For smaller groups, this is an opportunity to use ECOC's large telescope and check out our local Galaxy to learn a bit more about the stars and constellations right above us.
- Activity Centre
With a little bit of everything, each student can find an activity to suit them and their peers. Activities include: Basketball, Gaga Ball, Roof Ball, 4 Square, Ball Hockey, Wiffle Ball, Ping Pong, Giant Jenga, and much more.
Water
Grades 1-12 (All Ages)
- Swimming
Swimming occurs in one of our two designated waterfront swimming areas. Each area has a max depth of 4.5 ft, with a sandy bottom, and is supervised by qualified NLS Lifeguards. There are a number of water sports available to swimmers while on the water front (water volleyball, etc). A swim screen must be completed onsite at ECOC prior to participation in any water activities.
Grades 5-12
- Canoeing
Canoeing offers safety instruction, basic canoe strokes, safe entry and exit of our durable and stable Drummond canoes. Small games are played to help students learn the basics of this traditional camp activity. A swim screen must be completed onsite at ECOC prior to participation in any water activities.
Grades 7-12
- Flat Water Kayaking
Kayaking offers safety instruction, proper paddling techniques, and safe entry and exit of a flatwater kayak. Fun games are incorporated into mastering the basic skills of this water sport. A swim screen must be completed onsite at ECOC prior to participation in any water activities.
Grades 9-12
- Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding offers safety instruction and proper paddling techniques. Fun games are incorporated into mastering the basic skills of this water sport. A swim screen must be completed onsite at ECOC prior to participation in any water activities.
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