On the first morning of camp, campers learn about typical activities, brainstorm creative themes and activities, express what activities they are most interested in, and craft a unique schedule for their group. Cabin groups are assigned to “host” meals, campfires and evening programs – where campers work together to come up with a fun theme and watch it come to life. Parents receive a copy of their camper’s schedule at pick-up on the first day so that campers can come to camp prepared for their fun day ahead.

Our leaders are thoroughly trained to support campers through missing home, using proven strategies to help them manage this challenge. The Bridge Camp program is specifically designed to gradually introduce campers to their first overnight experience, giving them the time and opportunity to build connections with their leaders and peers during their first two days of “day only” camp. This approach is highly effective, and most campers become excited and confident about staying overnight once Wednesday comes along. We recognize that overnight camp can feel intimidating for both campers and their parents/guardians, especially for first-time campers. While missing home is common, the Bridge Camp program was created to foster personal growth and give nervous campers the opportunity to experience overnight camp. Our goal is never to push campers beyond their limits when it comes to feelings of missing home. We use a range of strategies to support them and focus on helping them stay at camp and managing their feelings in a warm, compassionate manner. Our team is experienced in guiding Bridge Campers through these emotions, and we ask that you trust our expertise in handling your child’s feelings of missing home. We encourage parents to help their child embrace the overnight experience. One way to do this is by sending motivational, handwritten letters for your camper to open at bedtime. These notes can offer comfort and boost confidence as they settle in. 

If a camper’s homesickness becomes intense and our strategies are not enough to help them settle, we will contact parents/guardians to discuss the best way to support the camper. Our top priority is always to ensure a positive and rewarding experience, and we work closely with families to determine the best course of action.

Please note that from Wednesday on, it’s not our practice to allow campers to leave and return the next day, as this can disrupt the cabin dynamic and exacerbate missing home for others. To help manage this on both ends, we gently discourage parents/guardians from using language with your child that suggests they can leave the sleepover portion, avoiding phrases such as “We will come pick you up right away no matter what” or “You don’t have to sleep at camp if you don’t want to”.  Helping your child build resilience and excitement for the overnight experience is key to their success. We encourage positive conversations before camp, discussing how they can manage missing home and practice coping strategies. Preparing them for these emotions and providing tools to navigate missing home can make a big difference. Campers feel so proud and confident in themselves after overcoming this personal challenge. 

We are committed to working with families to ensure a positive overnight experience, and being aligned on expectations about staying overnight at camp will help us achieve that goal together.

Each Bridge Camp session has two dedicated sleeping cabins—one for boys and one for girls—with assigned leaders in each. For their daytime activities, we form co-ed groups with all the Sprouts/Juniors in one group and the Intermediates in the other. These groups are designed to ensure that campers are with others who are at a similar developmental stage. On average, each group consists of 12 campers and 2 leaders.

As long as both campers are registered in the same session, all sleeping cabin requests for campers of the same gender expression will be accommodated automatically (as we only have one cabin for each gender expression per Bridge Camp session). Daytime activity group requests will be be automatically accommodated for campers in the same grouping (Sprout/Junior or Intermediate). Please note that due to Bridge Camp being our smallest program, we do not offer flexibility in group requests for campers who are not in the same age grouping.

Why Do We Group Campers by Age?

Our camp activity schedules are carefully designed to match the developmental stage and maturity level of campers. Leaders collaborate with their campers to create a schedule that reflects their interests and abilities, ensuring a fun and fulfilling experience.

A 7 year-old’s experience differs greatly from that of a 12 year-old. Grouping campers by age helps us:

• Provide activities that are appropriately challenging and engaging
• Foster friendships among campers at a similar developmental stage
• Maintain balanced and positive cabin dynamics

For example, older campers may take on a longer, more challenging hike, while younger campers may engage in simpler crafts suited to their skills and interests.  Large age gaps can disrupt group dynamics and make it difficult for leaders to offer activities that meet the needs of all campers. By keeping groups close in age, we ensure that campers bond easily, thrive together, and enjoy age-appropriate experiences, while also setting our staff up for success in leading engaging and meaningful programming.

Bridge Campers stay in cozy log cabins, each housing a group of 12 campers and supervised by at least two staff members in an adjoining room. Each cabin is equipped with its own washroom (toilets, sinks and shower), and common area for group bonding activities. Cabins are assigned based on gender expression, which can be indicated during the registration process.

Each Bridge Camp cabin includes three camper bedrooms, each with two bunk beds (four single beds). Campers spend time in their cabins on Monday and Tuesday, allowing them to get acquainted with their space, create name tags for their bunks, and settle in. By Wednesday, they feel confident and ready for the two fun overnights ahead.

Much like siblings in different classes at the same school, campers usually stay with their own groups for activities, no matter the camp program. However, there are opportunities for them to see each other during meals (where all groups gather together—Bridge and Overnight Campers in the dining hall, and Day Campers at picnic tables just outside) and sometimes during transitions between activities. While the surrounding forest is vast, the main camp area is compact, and the key program areas are all within close range, making it relatively easy to connect with siblings in other groups. While the program is designed for campers to remain with their own groups, siblings/ cousins/ friends in other groups will still have moments to smile, wave, and check in with each other throughout the day. Starting Wednesday, Bridge Campers will have additional opportunities to interact with Overnight Campers during evening activities, snack/free time, and campfire.

Because Bridge Camp is smaller compared to other programs, and since the cabins are shared between the two Bridge Camp groups, campers can expect to interact most often with others from Bridge Camp, though there will be some opportunities for crossover with the other camps as well.