Adventure summer camp brings kids closer to nature in Milton

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Published March 27, 2024 at 9:28 am

Emma Murphy saw a gap in the types of summer camps available to kids in Milton and surrounding areas. That’s when her business instincts kicked in.

The result is Create U Camps, an adventure-based summer camp located on a working farm in Campbellville operating since 2016.

“We offer an outdoor, farm adventure camp,” said Murphy, a former teacher in Toronto. “We’re located on a 10-acre farm, so there are some unique opportunities here.”

Murphy said there are several factors that make her camps so popular among local kids and families.

“Our goal is to offer a screen-free, text-free adventure to kids starting at age 4. We have activities like archery and rock climbing, art and science and math projects, and more traditional camp activities like arts and crafts.”

Being a working farm also allows kids to experience new things.

“There are chickens, goats, farm dogs and cats, bunnies and chicks. The animal interaction is one of the reasons we’re so popular.”

Another reason is the relatively small number of kids who are accepted into each week-long program.

“We only have about 45 kids here at any given time, well-below the industry standard of councillor to camper ratio. It feels much more personal than some of the bigger camps around. We really get to know each other and the kids have plenty of time and space to run around and explore.”

Murphy said there are many kids who come back year-after-year, some of whom are now camp leaders themselves.

New this year is a group called Tween Girls, just for ages 10 to 14.

“It seems to be harder for girls of that age to find things geared towards them. There are plenty of sports camps that appeal to boys.”

Camps run for seven weeks over the summer, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with optional hours from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. available.

The cost is $395 for a week, including all fees and taxes.

There is also a leader-in-training program for prospective camp leaders. The additional upside for local high schooler students is that they can earn the 40 hours of volunteer time they need to graduate.

The camp runs out of Five Star Ranch, 11233 Second Line, conveniently situated near Hwy. 401 and Guelph Line and  easily accessible from Milton, Georgetown, Burlington, Guelph, and surrounding areas.

For more information about the camps, or to sign up for the leader-in-training program, visit the camp website.

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