Nestled in the great northern forests of Muskoka, carved out along iridescent blue lakes and rivers, stands Camp Manitou, our "Place of Great Spirit".

It stands today, much as it has stood for over forty years, as a unique summer home where children from around the world come together to unlock and enrich their passion for group living as they participate in sports, arts, and outdoor adventure. Camp Manitou was founded in 1959 and is renowned for its ability to nurture and develop children's social and emotional growth. It is in this safe, and accepting environment that children then have an opportunity to develop lifetime friendships, and deep personal bonds. Such bonds are created by being part of a cabin group, participating at a camp activity, connecting with sensitive, caring counsellors, and enjoying a shared camp spirit.

We believe that a camp must encourage a co-operative environment where campers learn to live together, make choices together and grow together as friends. It is these traditional camping elements that we emphasize and integrate with high quality programming which ensures Manitou campers live out a full, well rounded camp experience that builds memories of a lifetime.

A successful camp must create a family-like atmosphere, where humour combined with a positive outlook is the basis of each and every day. At Manitou we foster a respect for people and an appreciation for new ideas and differences. Our goal is that every camper feels a special sense of belonging, the feeling that "this is my camp". Once that family feeling is created, it is then that we can focus on accomplishing the objectives of a Manitou camp experience: Fun, Friends and Fufillment for each and every camper.

The tradition of developing programming excellence to children who value individual areas of interest lives on at Manitou. However, Manitou goes further as we cultivate children's social and emotional growth in concert with their skill development. But what we are most proud is that learning at Manitou occurs in a relaxing, accepting and flexible atmosphere where fun is the medium through which skills develop and confidence accumulates.

Most importantly, at Manitou we want to ensure that campers always have fun, create lasting memories and form unique and special friendships that will follow them for a life-time. It is these friendships that become the greatest benefit of a summer camp experience.