Summer Camp & Retreat Facility

Annual General Reports Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility 2022 Annual Report Click here to download 2022 PDF 2021 Annual Report Click here to download 2021 PDF Older Annual Reports Please contact our office if you are interested in readying the older annual reports going back to 1960. info@campisbetter.com Financial Statements Audited Financial Statements are available on request. You can view the yearly financial information submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency here.

Activities Each day, campers get to shape their own camp experience, trying out new things, pursuing favorite hobbies, and having fun with friends. We make sure there’s something for everyone—whether it’s outdoor exploration, creative arts, sports, or unique themed activities. Discover all the possibilities that await! Camper Choice Sessions Choose Your Own Adventure Sessions Games in the Core Camp Wide Games Camper Choice Sessions Camper Choice Sessions At Pearce Williams, campers choose which activities they'd like to do for 4 1-hour long session blocks each day! Campers pick out of 4-5 sessions lead by our amazing staff team. We have core, camper-favourite sessions such as swimming, bracelet making, and archery that run more often. We also have passion-based sessions that are created by our staff! These type of sessions bring so many cool opportunities to our campers such as crocheting, different sports, and wilderness skills. Each session block you can typically find an athletic session, a crafty session, a wilderness based session, and a wild-card! We do our best to make sure there is something for everyone! Explore some of the sessions we have run in the past: Tie Dye Salamander Searching Rocket Building & Launching Chalk Art Basketball Swimming Bracelet Making Soccer Pond Exploring Water Games Charcoal Art Crocheting Soccer Ball Making Cup Stacking Gymnastics Dress Up Board Games Dance Beach Volleyball Noodle Sword Pirates Stuffed Animal Tea Party Fire Building Archery Shelter Building CYOAs Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) Sessions One of the four daily session blocks is called Choose Your Own Adventure, or better known as CYOA! What makes this block different from the other session blocks? CYOA is a session dedicated to helping campers build a specific skill. Instead of choosing different CYOA's each day, at the beginning of the week campers pick which CYOA they would like, and they will go to that CYOA every day during this time block. The goal being to build and expand on a specific skill throughout the entire week. Choose Your Own Adventure sessions are based off of skills that our diverse staff team have and we think campers would love. Explore some of the Chose Your Own Adventure sessions we have run in the past: Bird House Building Basketball Bracelet Making (Make different kinds each day) Soccer Art Workshop Crocheting Gymnastics Dance Outdoor Survival Skills Games in the Core Games in the Core These games are offered during transition and free-time periods. There are occasionally sessions based around these activities because they are so popular. 9-Square Gaga Ball Stilting Giant Connect Four Carpet Ball Corn Hole Wall Ball Basketball Camp Wide Games Camp Wide Games There are many times during the week where the entire camp comes together to play large games! Here are some of our favourites: Capture the Jugs Survival Smugglers & Spies Circle Rules Football Sponge Warz Satchel & the Sword Horses, Knights, Cavaliers Counsellor Hunt

Are you interested in taking on a leadership role at at camp in 2023? Then a Leadership Team role at Pearce Williams may be for you. Check out the job postings here to get started. LEADERSHIP TEAM Program Coordinator The Program Coordinator will work with our Summer Camp Director & Director of Camps and is responsible for the coordination and delivery of amazing camp experiences through the activities campers and staff participate in. Wilderness Camp Coordinator The Wilderness Coordinator is responsible for working with the Summer Camp Director to develop and lead our wilderness camp programming, and will support our main camp programming as needed. Pearce Williams wilderness sessions include tent camping for up to 24 campers, on our wilderness specific site. Campers are led through wilderness based programming throughout the week, including training for their single day canoe tripping experience. Camper Counsellor Care Coordinator The Camper Counsellor Care Coordinator is responsible for working with the Summer Camp Director to be a direct support for the counsellor/programming staff as well as being a primary resource for camper needs and behaviour. Camp Medic Our Camp Medic is responsible for running our camp Infirmary for the summer. Camp Medic responsibilities include, but are not limited to: being responsible for the operation of the camp infirmary, health practices and medication distribution. The Camp Medic will provide a current criminal reference check and have relevant experience. Standard First Aid is essential. The Camp Medic needs to follow the Medical Directives given and seek help for any medical issues beyond the scope of their knowledge. Integration Coordinator The Integration Coordinator will lead integration staff and campers with disabilities this summer and is responsible for coordinating with participant’s families, training staff on integration and inclusion, providing support for integration staff and campers, and more, over the course of the summer. Leadership Development Coordinator The Leadership Development Coordinator will lead our Counsellor-In-Training and Leadership Camp staff and campers this summer and is responsible for coordinating with participant’s families, training staff on leadership, and providing support for CIT’s, staff, campers, and more, over the course of the summer. APPLY NOW

Packing Guide View our printable packing guides and keep scrolling to read about our favourite packing tips to prepare for a great week at camp! Tip #1 Pack in One Bag Packing all your camper’s belongings, including their sleeping items, in one bag keeps everything organized and easy to manage. It reduces the chances of items getting lost or left behind and helps campers keep track of their things throughout the week. Having everything in one place simplifies unpacking when they arrive and makes it easier to pack at the end of camp. Plus, it’s more convenient for transportation and for campers to carry! Tip #2 Put Daily Outfits in Sealed Bags (Younger Campers) Packing outfits in individual Ziplock bags is a great way to keep campers organized. It simplifies getting dressed each day by providing a complete, ready-to-go outfit—no searching for missing socks or matching shirts! Plus, it helps keep their bags organized throughout the week, making it easy to see what’s been worn and what’s still fresh, reducing mess and stress at camp! Tip #4 Send a Laundry Bag Packing a laundry bag for summer camp is essential for keeping dirty clothes separate from clean ones. It helps kids stay organized and makes it easier to keep track of what needs to be washed when they return home. Tip #3 Roll Your Clothes (Older Campers) Rolling clothes is a great way to save space and keep things organized. It helps maximize luggage capacity, making room for all the essentials. You can even roll outfits together, making it easier for kids to grab a complete set of clothes for each day, keeping the suitcase neat throughout the week! Tip #5 Label EVERYTHING Labeling everything helps prevent lost items by ensuring that each piece of clothing, gear, and personal belongings is easily identifiable as your child’s. With so many campers sharing common spaces, labeled items make it easier for counsellors to return misplaced belongings. By clearly marking each item with your child’s name, you can give yourself peace of mind, knowing that their belongings are less likely to get mixed up or lost! Tip #6 Pack a Comfort Item Packing a comfort item for your child can significantly enhance their summer camp experience. Familiar objects like a stuffed animal or blanket provide security and reassurance in a new environment, helping to ease homesickness. Having something familiar to cuddle or hold onto can make the transition smoother, allowing your child to focus on making new friends and enjoying their camp adventures!

Outdoor Spaces Enhancements We need your help to fund Hammock Village at Pearce Williams We’re thrilled to announce that, thanks to the generous support of our community, we’ve successfully funded 17 brand-new picnic tables for our beloved camp! But the journey doesn’t stop here! We’re on a mission to transform and enhance our outdoor spaces even further. Get ready for the next big project – the creation of a serene Hammock Village! This tranquil retreat will offer a unique place for relaxation, connection with nature, and a new way to experience the beauty of Pearce Williams. This upgrade will ensure that our facilities continue to serve our community for many years to come. Join us in this venture by considering a contribution towards this lasting investment in our shared outdoor spaces. Your support is not just for a hammock—it's for countless memories to be made!

Monthly Giving Monthly giving is an easy way to ensure that Pearce Williams Summer Camp continues to change the lives of kids through unforgettable summer camp experiences. By becoming a monthly donor, you are investing in the future of our campers, ensuring they have the opportunity to build lasting memories, develop new skills, and form lifelong friendships. What are the benefits of Monthly Giving? You will NEVER forget to give. Choose the amount you want to donate, and on the 15th of each month, this amount will be automatically deducted from your bank account or credit card. (Unless it falls on a weekend and then the withdrawal will occur on the following Monday.) You can change your gift amount at any time. You can easily amend your gift amount, put it on pause, or cancel by calling the Pearce Williams office. There are no hidden fees or charges. You will receive a consolidated tax receipt with giving statement at the end of the year - so convenient at income tax time! Become a Monthly Donor Become a Monthly Supporter Give Today Reach out to learn more: Louisa Flock Donor & Fund Development Coordinator 519-764-2317 donate@campisbetter.com

Payment Options & Financial Aid Every child deserves a week at camp. Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Pearce Williams offers multiple financial aid options. You may choose to use the financial aid that is most suitable for your family. Tier Pricing Payment Plans Scholarships Tier Pricing System Explained The Tier System allows us to continue to offer our amazing summer camp programs while letting everyone know the true cost of camp. The average cost of camp in Ontario is $1300 per week. Expenses for a camper to attend a single week of camp at Pearce Williams are well over $1000 when all is taken into account. We keep our fees for camp families significantly lower than the provinical average by subsidizing them through donations and rental income. Based on the above information you may choose the tier that is most suitable for your family. Tier I provides significantly subsidized fees compared to the true cost of camp. Tier II offers more subsidization of our fees for those who need to pay a little less. Tier III offers the lowest fees available for camp, making our programming as accessible to families in need as we possibly can. THIS PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY AND IN NO WAY INFLUENCES THE EXPERIENCE CHILDREN RECEIVE. It offers the opportunity for families to take an active role in supporting the true cost of their child’s camp experience. Only the office staff know what tier you have selected, and that information is used only for billing purposes. Tier Pricing Payment Plan Payment Plans This season, we’re excited to offer a FLEXIBLE MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PLAN , making camp more accessible for all families. Here's how it works: payments are automatically scheduled for the 20th of each month leading up to camp. It’s a simple way to spread out the cost, ensuring your camper can enjoy their summer without the financial strain hitting all at once. However, we understand that every family’s situation is different. If the preset dates don’t fit your budget, don’t worry. Reach out to our main office, and we’ll gladly adjust the payment schedule to better suit your needs—whether that’s moving to different monthly dates or even switching to a bi-weekly plan. We know camp can be costly, but our goal is to make it work for you, so your camper can have their best summer yet. Scholarships We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience camp. If you cannot afford Tier III pricing, we offer scholarships to help make camp accessible. To apply, please email info@campisbetter.com or call us at 519-764-2317 for a scholarship application. Applications are open now and must be submitted by March 31st each year. Scholarships

Give in Memory of a Loved One A donation is a very special way to honour or remember a loved one, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your thoughtful choice of Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility as the recipient of your donation.

Catering to kids who might be unsure about staying at camp for a full week session, our First Timers camp session offers a fantastic opportunity with a three night stay at camp, with all the same fun of a full week stay! FIRST-TIMERS August 5 -8 Primary/First Timers Camp is the perfect introduction to camp for 5-9 year old campers. At Primary Camp, your camper will get to discover all that Pearce Williams has to offer in a shorter time period. Your campers first time at camp will lead to a lifelong love of camp. The goal at Pearce Williams is to allow your young camper to gain self-esteem and self-confidence, while living in a supportive community setting. Primary Camp is a great way to get younger campers comfortable with the overnight summer camp experience. Activities include: swimming, nature, sports, Makerspace, chapel, drama, dance, hiking, cook-outs, rocket building, gaga ball, 9 Square in the Air, campfires and so much more! t1:$430 T2:$415 T3:$400 APPLY NOW

Land Acknowledgement To acknowledge the traditional territory upon which Pearce Williams resides is to recognize its longer history, one predating the establishment of the earliest European colonies. It is also to appreciate and respect this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived and may continue to live upon it. Pearce Williams acknowledges that their practices and spiritualities were and are tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek (on-is-saan-e-bec), Haudenosaunee (hau-denosaunee), Ojibway/Chippewa, and Lunnaapeew (luna-pow) peoples, and we deeply appreciate their historic connection to and stewardship of this land. We also recognize the contributions Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community and to our province and country as a whole. As settlers, we are grateful to be able to live and learn as guests here today and welcome all who visit to join our collective commitment to make the promise of Truth and Reconciliation real in this community, while advocating for justice for Indigenous peoples across the country.

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Help children get to summer camp. Donations for children in need to be able to attend overnight summer camp in Southwestern Ontario and Elgin County YOU CAN HELP A KID GET CAMP CHANGE A LIFE TODAY - GIVE Children need to have a space to run, play & discover. Children need to get outside. Children need Summer Camp. HELP A CHILD GET CAMP - GIVE A GIFT NOW Emma wakes up to a cold apartment, an empty fridge and not knowing when she will eat, the cost of food is out of reach for her family. Emma cuddles with her stuffed elephant trying to remember a better time. Emma’s mommy is trying to give her a happy childhood, but her part-time job does not allow for sports or extra activities, or even the basics. Emma’s family is struggling - our community is struggling. HELP PEARCE WILLIAMS GROW LOCAL LEADERS for ELGIN COUNTY & SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO You can give Emma a home away from poverty. You can give Emma the Pearce Williams Summer Camp experience. Many children like Emma will not have the opportunity to attend summer camp this coming summer without your help. Please give to our camper scholarship fund so that we can send 40 kids in need to Pearce Williams this summer. $600 provides a week at sleep-over camp for a child in need. Can you give the $1.64 per day to help a child get to camp for a week? Can you give $120 to provide a day at camp for a needy child? Can you give $25 to help feed a child for a day at camp? HELP A CHILD GET CAMP - GIVE A GIFT NOW You can help Emma become more independent. You can help Emma learn to problem solve. You can help Emma, and children like her, make life-long friends, make happy memories and find a home away from home. You can give a child the summer camp experience. Your gift will not only help with camper scholarships, but it will also help in many other ways. You’ll help kids have amazing staff, program supplies and a safe space to create life-long happy memories. You are a difference maker in the lives of the children who come to camp. Our goal is to have as many children as possible be able to come to camp. You can help that happen. Joe Richards, Executive Director & Guitar Player Donation_Form