Swallowdale Summer Camp

The educational approach at Swallowdale is practical and immersive, with 10 hours of lessons per week. For the Forest School, classes take place outdoors in the camp's natural surroundings, using hands-on exploration to teach about local wildlife, plants, and environmental stewardship. This course is open to all levels of English proficiency. The Leader-in-Training program combines classroom sessions on teamwork, communication, and leadership with practical, supervised experience in activity planning and group management, requiring an intermediate to advanced level of English. Group sizes are kept small to ensure personalized attention and effective learning.

The base package includes 10 hours of specialized lessons per week (Forest School or LIT), 15 hours of instructed activities, accommodation, three daily meals plus an evening snack, full supervision, emergency medical insurance, arrival and departure transfers, a CISS t-shirt, and a certificate of completion. The camp also offers full WiFi access. Optional excursions to Niagara Falls or Canada's Wonderland are available at an additional cost. Extra fees apply for unaccompanied minor services, custodianship, early arrival or late departure, non-scheduled transfers, and late arrival or early departure flights.

Campers stay in comfortable residence rooms at Rosseau Lake College, with 2–3 students per room based on size and layout. Each room is furnished with beds (or bunk beds), desks, chairs, dressers, and wardrobes, and each camper receives a clean pillow and sleeping bag. Full shared washroom and shower facilities are located in each residence, with boys and girls accommodated separately. Safety is a top priority, with staff living in the residences and providing 24-hour supervision. Campers are responsible for bringing their own towels and toiletries.

The camp provides a full board meal plan with three nutritious meals per day, plus a healthy evening snack. All meals are prepared on-site by professional staff and served in the school's large dining hall. Campers sit with their assigned group and counsellor, and the dining atmosphere is lively and communal, often including songs and cheers. Special dietary needs, including vegetarian options, can be catered to upon request, ensuring all campers have suitable and enjoyable meals.

Campers enjoy a well-rounded program with 15 hours of instructed activities each week, complemented by daily recreational periods and lively evening events. The activities span water sports, land sports, and creative arts, allowing participants to try new things or develop existing skills in a supportive environment. Evenings feature camp-wide gatherings such as campfires, talent shows, sports games, and dances, fostering a strong sense of community. Optional full-day excursions to major attractions provide cultural and recreational variety beyond the camp grounds.

The camp is based at Rosseau Lake College, which features modern classrooms, a dining hall, two sports fields, extensive waterfront facilities for swimming and boating, an art studio, student lounges, and comfortable dormitory accommodation. The waterfront includes a beach area and equipment for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The campus is fully equipped with WiFi, and the surrounding forests and fields serve as an outdoor classroom for the Forest School program. The combination of well-maintained facilities and natural surroundings ensures a safe and engaging environment for all activities.

Swallowdale Camp offers a high-quality educational experience led by experienced instructors and staff who are dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching atmosphere. The programs emphasize hands-on learning, personal growth, and environmental awareness, helping campers build confidence and leadership skills in a real-world setting. The camp's unique approach combines the traditions of a Canadian summer camp with structured nature-based and leadership education, creating lasting memories and meaningful friendships for participants from around the world. With decades of experience, CISS ensures that every aspect of the camp is well-organized and focused on camper well-being and development.