Get to know our program
Camp Huronda was founded in 1964. For seven years, Camp Huronda rented space at Camp Beausoleil and Camp Couchiching before finding a permanent home on Lake Waseosa in 1971, at the previous site of Camp Waseosa. Camp Huronda is the only camp facility owned by Diabetes Canada and the only camp that runs a full summer program.
Camp Huronda is located on the shores of Lake Waseosa in Ontario’s beautiful Muskoka area. It occupies 100 acres of land and includes gorgeous waterfront areas, a cool forest, and rugged hiking and mountain bike trails.
Camp life
Campers live in rustic cabins with their cabin mates and counsellors. Cabins are equipped with bunk beds with built in drawers or bed-side dressers, have emergency exits in the rear of the cabins and are also equipped with a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors. Each cabin has an area for blood glucose (sugar) testing and supplies for treating lows, which are checked and replenished on a daily basis.
All camper cabins have live-in counsellors who sleep overnight at camp to support our campers. Camp Huronda operates at a 3:8 ratio, meaning there are three counsellors for a maximum of eight campers per cabin.
Washroom and shower facilities are located in buildings close to the cabins and campers have scheduled shower time every 48 hours. In addition to shower times, campers have the opportunity to swim almost every day.
Campers must be dropped off and picked up at Camp Huronda by their families. Drop off happens in the afternoon on the first day of each session with pick up happening late morning on the last day of camp.
While your camper is at Camp Huronda, please feel free to send camper mail clearly labeled to the address listed on this webpage. Parents and guardians may also email their campers at camphuronda@diabetes.ca. Please note that this is only an outgoing email service; campers are unable to reply to emails.
Land acknowledgement
We recognize that our work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across Canada. We also wish to acknowledge that Camp Huronda is located on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Mississauga and Anishinabewaki people. Today, Huntsville is still home to many Indigenous people, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to meet and work on this territory. We wish to express gratitude for the resources on this land we are using, and honour all the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people who have been living on the land since time immemorial.
Diabetes Canada knows that land acknowledgement is only a first step in the essential act of reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous peoples.
About the Camp
Campers & Staff
Our campers
At full capacity, Camp Huronda accommodates 90 summer campers, all living with type 1 diabetes. Campers from ages 7 - 15 are welcome to attend these overnight two-week long camp sessions.
Our Staff
Counsellors and instructors
Camp Huronda program staff come from all over the world. Many of our staff have been campers at Huronda since they were first diagnosed. Our program team all complete a comprehensive one-and-a-half week of staff training as well as various assignments prior to camp.
Camp Huronda staff are all certified in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C, Bronze Cross assistant lifeguard certification and have a clear criminal background check. Staff working on the waterfront are National Lifesaving Society Lifeguards, Water Safety instructors, Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Instructors, or have other relevant certifications. Our challenge course, out-trip and other skill area staff possess Advanced Wilderness First Aid certifications as well as Challenges Unlimited Ropes Course facilitator training.
Camp Huronda is also supported by an extensive medical team. Led by our medical director Dr. Trent Mizzi, the Camp Huronda medical leadership team is comprised of:
- Dr. Karen McAssey (assistant medical director)
- Amanda Coschi (nursing coordinator)
- Andrea Martikainen (dietetic coordinator)
- Three on-site physicians
- Two medical residents/fellows
- One nursing team lead
- Eight nurses (including out-trip-specific nursing staff)
- Eight camp aides
- Two dietitians
- Dietetic interns
- Nutrition students
Activities
All campers at Huronda will get a chance to try every activity at camp. Mornings at Huronda are spent rotating through a variety of activities with your cabin group. During free-choice time, campers have the flexibility to choose which activities they would like to spend their time doing. Regardless of the activity, our campers have the chance to develop trust, strengthen their communication and team building skills, feel a sense of self-accomplishment, and so much more.
Afternoon-skill-area time is where campers get to specialize in two skills of their choosing. Through Huronda’s specialized progressive level system, all campers spend two weeks in their skill areas and learn the essential skills to become masters of the areas of their choosing!
Art
Our art program helps campers explore their creative side, expand their knowledge of art techniques and history, all while using the beautiful setting of Camp Huronda for inspiration.
Canoeing & kayaking
Our boating program provides separate canoe and kayak streams. All campers and staff will wear properly sized Transport Canada-approved personal flotation devices while canoeing and kayaking. Proper paddling techniques are taught by Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) certified staff.
High ropes/static course/rock climbing
Camp Huronda has a four sided climbing tower as well as a two tiered challenge course, complete with team elements. Campers can develop their climbing techniques all while building confidence in themselves and teamwork with others. All climbing elements are facilitated and supervised by Challenge Unlimited Inc. (CUI) certified staff.
Landsports
The land sports area lends itself to a variety of sporting programs. The land sports program allows for a wide skill development which can be transferred into different athletic programs. Both drills and full games of favourites like baseball, tennis, soccer, basketball, road hockey, and more are all offered in the land sports area.
Participants can expect to not only learn the official guidelines of games and sports, but develop applicable skills in playing these sports and gain important skills like teamwork and effective communication.
Low ropes
A low ropes course provides campers with an opportunity to test their individual and teamwork skills in a supportive and controlled ropes program with a variety of different elements.
Mountain biking
Whether exploring our extensive trail system or navigating our obstacles course, campers get to test and improve their biking skills. Our mountain bikes instructor ensures that campers use a bike that is the correct size and that they are always wearing CSA-approved helmets.
Music
The music program is designed to allow participants to experience, learn, and develop their musical skills and abilities in a unique environment. With opportunities to work one-on-one with staff as well as collaborate with peers, participants will learn to read, write, play, and appreciate a variety of musical styles. This program will engage participants with the arts while developing self-confidence in skills they can continue to develop, even outside of camp!
Outdoor living skills
In our Outdoor Living Skills (ODLS) program, campers will get the opportunity to learn the tricks of wilderness survival and earth education. Whether it be through learning how to cook over a fire, tying new and useful knots, or learning about your local surroundings, ODLS can teach every camper new outdoor skills.
Out-trips
All campers at Huronda participate in a hiking or canoeing trip. Our youngest campers will participate in an overnight camping experience on site, while our middle-age group go on an overnight canoe trip on Lake Waseosa.
Our two senior groups will continue being challenged on a three or four-night out-trip in Algonquin Park! The physical abilities and medical needs of all campers in the cabin are taken into account when planning each trip. Each trip is led by a staff member who is trained in canoe or hiking trip leadership and all trips off-site are equipped with a satellite phone. A medical staff member will accompany all trips that take place off of Camp Huronda’s site.
All out-trips are single gender, cabin-specific trips designed to continue building lifelong friendships and a sense of community.
Pottery
Camp Huronda’s Lions Creative Centre houses two kilns for firing pottery as well as a wide assortment of glazing supplies and molds. The pottery program allows the children a longer period of time to focus on a pottery piece which typically requires more attention.
Swimming
Lake Waseosa provides the perfect backdrop for developing swimming skills at Camp Huronda. Complete with a shallow and deep end as well as a water trampoline, our certified staff provides lessons in diving, strokes, and much more. What better way to enjoy one of the most beautiful spots at camp!
Target Sports
At our covered Lions Archery Facility, campers can improve their concentration and perseverance skills, rain or shine! A large selection of archery equipment for campers of all sizes provides the opportunity for campers to learn and practice archery skills under the direct supervision of qualified staff members. The Target Sports program has recently expanded to include axe throwing in the program. As always, safety is our top priority.
Guides
In the guide, you will find information on:
- Packing lists
- Directions and transportation for drop off and pick up
- Mailing address
Rates & Dates
| Sessions | Dates | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| A | June 30 - July 12, 2024 | $2200 |
| B | July 14 - July 26, 2024 | $2200 |
| C | July 29 - August 10, 2024 | $2200 |
| D | August 12 - August 24, 2024 | $2200 |
| D1 (ages 12-15) | August 12 - August 17, 2024 | $1100 |
| D2 (ages 7-11) | August 19 - August 24, 2024 | $1100 |
Diabetes Canada offers subsidies to families who qualify for financial assistance. These subsidies are made possible through the generous support of various donors.
It is our responsibility to ensure that donations go to support families experiencing financial hardship that would make attending camp impossible.
To determine eligibility for a subsidy, you will be asked to complete a financial assistance application. When reviewing applications, income will not be the only consideration in whether an applicant qualifies for subsidy. Our goal is to ensure that all campers have an opportunity regardless of their financial situation while using donations as prudently as possible.
Who is eligible for financial support?
You may be eligible for a subsidy if you:
- Receive financial assistance from an identified government program, OR
- Experience financial hardship and do not receive government financial assistance.
What does financial hardship mean?
Financial hardship means that a person has difficulty paying for basic daily living expenses (e.g. food, shelter, clothing), and does not have access to savings or other financial resources.
Note: Supporting documents will be required to determine eligibility. Please be prepared to provide a copy of your paystub, T4 or Notice of Assessment to accompany your application.
Important to Note:
To ensure that we are providing equitable access to financial assistance we will not be able to consider you request until you have completed the financial assistance application form in full. This includes the requested supporting documents.