Summer Camp & Retreat Facility

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!

Mail at Camp 1 Email your Camper Campers can receive two (2) emails per camp session. Make the most of your emails – write it exactly like a letter full of family news! Emails will be printed at 9am daily and delivered during the lunch hour. Please include the Campers Name, Cabin & Counsellor Name in the subject line. Emails can be sent to: campers@campisbetter.com . Please note that we are not able to process camper replies to email. 2 Sending Physical Mail Feel free to send your camper a couple of pieces of mail at camp! If you are sending letters through the mail, be aware of shipping times and ensure letters arrive prior to picking your child up. A more time conscious option is to bring pre-written letters in envelopes with your camper at the beginning of the week and hand them to your camper’s counsellor at drop-off. Their counsellor will distribute them to your camper throughout the week. Our address is: Pearce Williams c/o –CAMPERS NAME 8009 Iona Road Fingal ON, N0L 1K0 3 Campers Sending You Mail If your camper would like to send letters to you or anyone else in your family, you can send self-addressed and stamped envelopes with your camper! If you let your camper’s counsellor know you have sent one or more self-addressed envelopes, they will ensure that your camper sends some mail out. Your camper’s counsellor will collect the mail that campers may have and they will be placed in the mail daily. If your camper writes any letters to send out and did not bring pre-stamped envelopes, these letters will be handed to you at the deregistration table prior to taking them home.

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 4 -7 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:$460 T2:$435 T3:$420 APPLY NOW

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

Contact Us Please reach out if you have any questions or inquires about our summer camp, rental facilities, outdoor education or general info! We are happy to help. Let's Chat Phone 519-764-2317 Email info@campisbetter.com Social Media

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 Share the Love GIVE THE GIFT OF CAMP Children Love Summer Camp. Love looks like a cabin full of giggles. Love looks a campfire shared with friends. Love looks like a quiet moment under the stars. SHOW A CHILD WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE HERE > You can make a camper like Hannah your valentine. Every year Hannah looks forward to spending her summers at Pearce Williams — but this year, her family's financial hardships mean camp is suddenly out of reach. Your $700 gift will give Hannah a week that changes everything.- Be Hannah's Valentine's Day Hero! Will you be Hannah's valentine? When you give $14, you provide craft supplies for campers when inspiration strikes. When you give $28, you provide a cabin with a full makerspace to spark imagination. When you give $56, you provide multiple cabins with enough materials for a week of creativity. When you give $114, you fill a camper's week with delicious meals. When you give $350, you help open the gate to a week of fun by partially sponsoring a camper. BE A VALENTINE'S DAY HERO - GIVE NOW You can help teach campers about the love of camp. You can help campers make lifelong friends, make happy memories, and find a home away from home. You can give campers 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 a camper's life. Your gift changes their summer and everything afterwards. Your gift shows a camper they matter. Because of you, camp is possible this Valentine's Day Joe Richards, Executive Director & Guitar Player Anchor 2 Donation

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.