Summer Camp & Retreat Facility

JOIN OUR STAFF TEAM FOR SUMMER 2026! Positions Apply Now APPLY NOW POSITIONS WHY CAMP APPLICATION DETAILS Pearce Williams is looking for 40 students (ages 16 to 25) who want a work adventure and experience like no other for the summer of 2026. Must like children. Must be willing to try new things. If this is you? Read on… We are also hiring an Indigenous Support Person - Click here to see that job description WELCOME TO A SUMMER UNLIKE ANY OTHER Pearce Williams is planning to hire 40 summer staff this year to run our traditional overnight sleepaway camp programs. We encourage you to apply early so you can be included in our group interview in January 2026. Those who attend our in-person group interviews have a much higher likelihood of being hired. The summer of 2026 will be awesome as we continue to bring campers and families back to this place they call home for amazing adventures and fun! We are looking for students (high school and post-secondary) to work this summer. You must be ready to give it your all, which includes living on site, Sundays to Fridays, each week of work you are granted. Apply Now WHY WORK AT CAMP? Why Camp If you're ready to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure, you're in the right place At Pearce Williams, our mission is simple but powerful: to do what needs to be done to give campers the most amazing experience. It's a motto we live by, and it shapes everything we do. Variety of Summer Positions: We're on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals to join our diverse staff. From counseling positions, where you'll nurture and guide six to eight children per session, to the adventurous Wilderness Camp, we offer a range of roles to suit different interests. Yes, you might find yourself sleeping in tents, getting wet, and doing all sorts of wacky and wonderful things—because that's what camp is all about! Training Opportunities: If you're worried about being thrown into the deep end, don't be. We provide paid training in May and July, including a work bee day, a training weekend, and a training week. Your development is important to us, and we invest in your success. Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of balance. At Pearce Williams, you work from Sunday afternoons (on-site by 3 PM) until Friday evening (around 5 or 6 PM). This means you get Saturdays off to recharge, explore, and make the most of your summer. “Because of camp I get to surround myself with people, staff and campers alike, that inspire me every single day. These people have also allowed me to discover myself, and to grow into the best me I can be.” “I feel like even though I was mature before camp I feel even more mature now. The way I look at people, respond to things, and deal with stress has changed and I think that’s because how I grew this summer!” “Because of camp I am able to get in front of any crowd and feel relaxed. I have been able to grow in confidence , and can firmly say that I know what I want to do with the rest of my life.” Apply Now! APPLICATION DETAILS Camp will ask you to commit to the following dates. All training is paid. Training day & site orientation on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9am - 3pm (lunch provided) Training weekend - Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:00 pm to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 5:00 pm Training week - Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 7:00 pm to Friday, July 11, 2026, at 5:00 pm We then run 6 weeks of camp in 2026 from July 12 to August 21. You would live on site while you work at camp, from Sunday afternoons to Friday afternoons. We do not house staff on weekends and you need to have reliable transportation to camp each week Note that you do not have to work all 6 weeks of camp - it depends on the number of campers who sign up and your own availability. Preference is given to people who can attend all training and work all 6 weeks of camp. New Staff Application - If you are new to Pearce Williams as a staff member. Returning Staff Application - If you are applying for a job at Pearce Williams and have worked at PW before - use this form - even if you have missed a year or two. Counsellor-In-Training Application - We accept 15 engaged youth into our CIT program each year. Please fill out the online staff application by clicking the button below, then have your parents fill out the Camper Application for the Counsellor-In-Training Adventure Week, and have two of your references fill out the reference form. Volunteer Application - If you would like to volunteer at some point at Pearce Williams. Reference Form - The reference form for new staff and CITs can be found here. Apply Now! App Details

Tier Pricing Explained Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Pearce Williams offers a voluntary three-tier payment program. You may choose the tier that is most suitable for your family. TIER SYSTEM EXPLAINED Our Pricing Model 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, YET IT OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLL 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. If you cannot afford the cost of Tier III, please email or call (519-764-2317) for a scholarship application. Scholarship applications are due by March 31st each year, and are open now. Apply for camp on November 1, 2025! Click Here to Apply Questions? Drop us an email: info@campisbetter.com

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 Summer Camp. Maria sat alone at lunch every single day. No friends. No one to talk to. Her mom worked two jobs and couldn't afford sports or activities. Maria spent her summer watching TV in an empty apartment. Then Maria was given the chance to go to camp. You can give Maria an amazing summer. Help get a kid to camp today. GIVE TO CHANGE A LIFE TODAY Imagine Maria standing with a bow and arrow for the first time. "I can't do this," she'll tell her counselor. But her cabin mates will start cheering. "You got this, Maria!" They'll believe in her before she believes in herself. Maria's first arrow will miss. Her second arrow will miss. But her third arrow? Bullseye. That night, Maria won't be able to stop smiling. "I didn't know I could do hard things," she'll say. Here's what will happen next: Maria will make four best friends that week. She'll discover she's braver than she thought. She'll go home standing taller. You can make that happen. Your $675 gift will give Maria a week that changes everything. You'll show her she matters. You'll give her courage she'll carry forever. Will you send a kid like Maria to camp this summer? Please give to the camper scholarship fund so that we can send 40 kids in need to Pearce Williams this summer. When you give $25, you give a hungry child lunch and snacks for a whole day at camp. When you give $125, you provide that same child meals for a week. When you give $675, you sponsor a camper for a whole week of camp filled with activities, new friends, and wholesome meals. HELP A CHILD GET CAMP - GIVE A GIFT NOW You can help Maria become more independent. You can help Maria learn to problem solve. You can help Maria make lifelong friends, make happy memories, and find a home away from home. You can give Maria the summer camp experience. When you give, here's exactly what you do: You help kids have amazing staff, program supplies, and a safe space to create lifelong happy memories. You are a difference maker in Maria's life. Your gift sends her to camp. Your gift changes her summer and everything afterwards. Your gift shows her she matters. Will you help another kid like Maria? Joe Richards, Executive Director & Guitar Player Donation_Form

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.

Christian Values & Education At Pearce Williams, our mission is simple: Welcome. Teach. Serve. Welcome all who come. Teach all who wish to learn. Serve God in all we do. Everything we do flows from these words. They guide how we treat people, how we live in community, and how we share God’s love through camp life. Rooted in the United Church of Canada As an incorporated ministry of the United Church of Canada, we embrace a theology that is: Inclusive – God’s love is for everyone. We welcome campers, staff, and guests of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities. Open-minded – We encourage exploration of faith through curiosity, conversation, and respect for differing beliefs. Justice-focused – We follow Jesus’ call to love our neighbours, work for peace, and care for those in need. Creation-centred – We see the natural world as a gift from God, calling us to live sustainably and protect it for future generations. How We Live Our Mission Welcome – From the moment you arrive, you are part of the Pearce Williams family. We create a safe, accepting environment where everyone feels at home. Teach – Our Christian education is woven into daily life - through stories, shared experiences, and moments of reflection that inspire kindness, empathy, and courage. Serve – We live out our faith through acts of service, leadership opportunities, and caring for each other and creation. Faith in Action at Camp Christian education at Pearce Williams is about living our values, not imposing beliefs. Campers and guests are invited to: Reflect on what matters to them Explore the teachings of Jesus in ways that connect to their own lives Discover how faith, community, and service can make the world better Here, faith is not just something we talk about, it’s something we do.

Families need camp together too, and at Pearce Williams the whole gang can join us for a week of overnight summer camp, hosted on our 170+ acre property in rural Ontario. FAMILY CAMP Archieved For campers young and old, come finish the summer off with your camp family at Pearce Williams! Family Camp is running the weekend before school ends from Friday June 20th to Sunday June 22nd. Family Camp is all about giving you and your family a chance to relax and enjoy camp. Our staff will lead activities all day long - we have programming for children and adults every morning and afternoon. Each family gets their own space and the chance to mingle with others as well. Evenings are filled with AMAZING family programs and special guests. Pearce Williams staff will even help serve your family at meal time so that you don’t have to worry about anything but spending time together, at camp! Activities at camp include: swimming, archery, nature/ecology discovery, sports, low ropes, chapel, drama, singsongs, hiking, sleep-outs, cook-outs, rocket building, GaGa ball, 9 Square in the air, Battle Stilts, and much more. Adult:$350 Child(3-14):$300 Child(0-2):$65 Cancelled

Support our dining hall and the wonderful staff, campers, and guests who use it: Give Today Reach out to learn more: Louisa Flock Donor & Fund Development Coordinator 519-764-2317 donate@campisbetter.com Help keep us smiling in the Dining Hall for years to come! Emergency Appeal: Dining Hall Hot Water Heater Tank Here's what happened: After years of faithful service, the dining hall’s hot water tank has suddenly failed, making it hard to provide consistent hot water for cooking, cleaning, and daily use and causing large water output in the basement when we do use it. Due to the significant leaks and cracks, we now unexpectedly need a full replacement. We're installing a modern on-demand system that’s reliable, energy-efficient, and built to last -- a definite upgrade from what the dining hall currently has. It will provide instant hot water when it’s needed most, reducing waste and improving daily life in one of the most important buildings at camp. Why it matters: Campers and our staff rely on the dining hall daily for meals, dishes, washing up, and even showers in the accessible bathrooms throughout the whole summer. Beyond summer camp, this vital resource is used throughout the year by rental groups, school programs, retreats, and events. Reliable hot water is essential to keeping things running smoothly, safely, and comfortably so that camp can continue to host groups in the off-season while helping kids experience the magic of camp in the summers. Why your gift matters: Replacing the whole system efficiently comes at a significant cost—no less than $15,000—and we can't do it without you. With your help, we can ensure Pearce Williams remains a welcoming and well-equipped space for all who visit. Your gift will help restore comfort, safety, and functionality to an essential part of our camp operations. How you can become a difference maker today: Here are some examples of how your contribution can make a difference! $100 – Supports tools, materials, or connection parts needed to get the system running. $250 – Contributes to professional labor for safe, code-compliant installation. $500 – Helps cover a portion of the unit cost or plumbing upgrades. $1,000 – Funds a major part of the tank system or installation labor. $5,000 – Drives the project forward in a big way—powering hot water for years to come! Donate Today

Sample Schedule Explore this page to gain a deeper understanding of the amazing week your camper will have! By reviewing this schedule together with your camper, you can help ease any pre-camp jitters and build excitement for the activities ahead. *Schedule may be different than what you see here. Some weeks have a slightly altered schedule: Wilderness & World Camps - Schedules follow a similar structure but are adapted to accommodate specialized programming. To read more about how these camps differ from Main Camp programs, visit their descriptions here: Wilderness , World Camp . Leaders-In-Training Camp - Shorter Week & the addition of night games for the older age group. First Timers / Primary Camp - Shorter week, earlier bed times & no sleepout.

The Counsellor-In-Training Adventure Learning Week is solely for 15 year olds who want to learn, who enjoy working with children and who may want to work at Pearce Williams in the future. The program includes a one-week training camp, followed by two weeks of cabin placement working directly with a Pearce Williams counsellor.  COUNSELLOR-in-TRAINING ADVENTURE LEARNING WEEK JULY 5 -10 2026 The Counsellor-In-Training Adventure Learning Week is solely for 15 year olds who want to learn, who enjoy working with children and who may want to work at Pearce Williams in the future. The program includes a one-week training camp, followed by two weeks of cabin placement working directly with a Pearce Williams counsellor. Contact our office (info@campisbetter.com ) for more information and to set up an interview for your CIT camper. t1:$450 T2:$430 T3:$410 APPLY NOW

Camper Policy and Expectations At Pearce Williams, we create a safe , respectful , and nurturing environment to our campers, family, and staff. To help us continue to achieve this, we have established the following guidelines that all campers are expected to follow. These guidelines help us provide excellent experiences to all who visit. Respect and trust are the most important elements of our camp experience. We ask that before you send your camper off to camp, please talk to them about respecting other campers, the staff, camp policies and the camp facilities. Respect for Others Treat all campers, staff, and visitors with kindness and respect. Harassment, bullying, or exclusion of any kind will not be tolerated. Practice good communication, listen to others, and be considerate in group settings. Respect for Property Take care of camp property, including cabins, equipment, and nature. Respect personal belongings of others, and avoid taking or damaging items that aren’t yours. Behavioral Expectations Follow instructions from staff and camp leaders. Use appropriate language and behavior at all times. Keep noise levels appropriate for different settings (e.g., quiet time, meals, and sleep time). Abusive and/or inappropriate language and actions, harming campers or staff, and destruction of camp property are not tolerated. The camper will be sent home with no refund and potentially billed for damage caused to property. Technology & Personal Devices Pearce Williams has a no-phone policy during camp sessions to encourage face-to-face interaction and outdoor activities. Campers are prohibited from bringing electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, gaming systems), but if necessary, these items must be approved by Camp Director. Health & Wellness ALL medications must be in their original containers and handed in to the Camp Medic upon arrival. Upon arrival, we conduct head lice checks for all campers as a precautionary measure. We recommend that parents check their child’s head for lice prior to arrival to ensure a smooth check-in process and help maintain a lice-free camp environment. Parents are strongly encouraged not to send their child to camp if they are feeling unwell or showing symptoms of illness, as this helps prevent the spread of sickness and ensures a healthy environment for all campers and staff. Due to recent outbreaks, this summer (2025) it is mandatory for campers to have the MMR vaccination and provide proof. See our "Health & Safety" page for further details. Prohibited Items Electronic Devices: Phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices. Vapes/E-Cigarettes: The use of e-cigarettes, vapes, or any related items is strictly prohibited. Flame Starters: Lighters, matches, fireworks, flint & steel, or any other flammable materials. Food and Snacks: Unless specifically brought due to dietary restrictions, campers should not bring food. All food brought to camp must be handed in with the kitchen upon arrival. Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco: No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products are permitted at camp, including non-prescribed medications or substances. Weapons: Any type of weapon, including knives, firearms, or any other dangerous objects, are not allowed at camp. Pets or Animals: For health and safety reasons, no pets or animals are allowed. Aerosols or Sprays: Aerosol cans, including spray deodorant or hairspray, are prohibited due to fire safety concerns. Aerosol sunscreen is okay to bring. Valuables: Expensive jewelry, watches, or other high-value items should not be brought to camp to avoid loss or theft. If you are unsure about whether an item is allowed, please contact our staff before bringing it to camp. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all campers. Disciplinary Action If a camper does not adhere to any of the above policies, staff will first engage in a discussion to address the behavior. Repeated violations may result in additional action, which may include removal from camp, at the discretion of our Directors. We reserve the right to contact the parent/guardian of any camper who refuses to respect other campers or staff. Abusive and/or inappropriate language and actions, harming campers or staff, and destruction of camp property are not tolerated. The camper will be sent home with no refund and potentially billed for damage caused to property. If a camper does not adhere to the policies it may impact future weeks at camp and their ability to attend camp the following summer.

Our Team. Meet the Pearce Williams full-time team! Our dedicated staff are committed to creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for all. Joe Richards Executive Director joe@campisbetter.com Ila "Hiccup" Manderson Director of Camps & Programs hiccup@campisbetter.com Nikki "Sunshine" Lavoie Office Manager & Guest Services info@campisbetter.com Justine "Jolly" Wright Donor Relations & Bookkeeper give@campisbetter.com Geoff "Flash" Auckland Maintenance Lead flash@campisbetter.com

Jr Sports & Arts week is all about our 7-12 year old campers and gives them the ability to choose from a variety of sports and arts programs that are offered each day. JR SPORTS & ARTS JULY 19 -24 Sports & Arts Week is all about sports and arts for our 7-12 year old campers - hence the name. Sports & Arts Camp will give your camper the ability to choose from a variety of sports and arts programs that are offered each day. Your camper is offered many opportunities to try out new activities in both the areas of sports and arts. The overall goal at Pearce Williams is to allow your camper to gain self-esteem, self-confidence, and learn how to live in community, and how to interact with others. Activities at camp include: swimming, nature, sports, teamwork/team building games & initiatives, Makerspace, archery, chapel, drama, dance, hiking, cook-outs & sleep-outs, rocket building, gaga ball, 9 Square in the Air, campfires and so much more! t1:$675 T2:$650 T3:$625 APPLY NOW