Bear Creek Outdoor Centre

Summary Profile

Bear Creek Outdoor Centre answered our questions

Who are you as an organization?

Bear Creek Outdoor Centre is a small overnight camp near Ottawa Ontario with a focus on youth development. Our joy is creating programs and opportunities that challenge, stretch and grow children and youth. Fresh air, friends and adventure are the only three ingredients required for an outstanding summer experience for your child.

Special needs: Not available
LGBTQ+ friendly community

What do you do differently or uniquely well?

This information is not available.

Who are your staff and counsellors?

This information is not available.

What do families need to know about registration?

This information is not available.

COVID-19 Response

We at camp are hopeful that summer 2023 will allow us to run safe and memorable camp programs.

Our programs are small and all measures will be taken to ensure that our camp operates safely.

View recent COVID-19 updates from Bear Creek Outdoor Centre

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Video Gallery

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Bear Creek Outdoor Centre currently has 3 programs available.

Filter activities available:

Name

Type/Gender

Specialty

Location

Date

Bus

Cost

Email

Adventure Leadership Training Institute

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 15 - 17

Leadership Training

$1,950

Renfrew, ON
348 Chemin Burke

Jul 02-14

$1,950

Bear Creek Adventure Camp

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 6 - 13

Traditional (multi activity)

$785 to $1,425

Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 02-14	$1,425
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 16-22	$785
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 23-29	$785
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 30-Aug 12	$1,425
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Aug 13-19	$785
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Aug 20-26	$785

Canoe Tripping Camp

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Overnight Camp
Coed
Ages: 12 - 15

Wilderness Out-tripping

$825 to $1,550

Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 16-22	$825
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 23-29	$825
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Jul 30-Aug 11	$1,550
Renfrew, ON 348 Chemin Burke	Aug 01-07	$825

Financial Aid & Payment Details

Payment Options:

Deposit required with acceptance	Yes
Credit card payment	Yes
Maximum installments available	12

Register or request details

Insider Reviews & Perspectives

The Our Kids review of Bear Creek Outdoor Centre

Jill Baxter founded Bear Creek Outdoor Centre in 1999 as a means of providing meaningful outdoor experiences, something that the Centre has continued to do ever since. Baxter brought a rich CV to her role, including studies in therapeutic recreation at Trent University, and graduate studies in environmental education at Utah State University. In addition to her work at the Center, she is an instructor with the Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure Leadership program. Baxter remains as director of Bear Creek, bringing a nice continuity to the development of the programs offered here and extending the initial goals. Active Challenge is one of the means of doing that. The sessions were created to offer meaningful, mindful experiences to young women in a single-gender setting. As the name suggests, these sessions are about challenge by choice, promoting physical activity and active lifestyles in the purpose of developing confidence and positive self-concept. There’s informed attention given to all aspects of life in camp, including diet. Pascale Messier, a registered dietician councils campers about eating well—she is a public health Dietitian with the City of Ottawa, co-author of the Fuel-to-Xcell healthy school foods project—and her expertise informs the menu as well. In all, from diet to activities to lifestyle, the Active Challenge camps provide a unique opportunity for young women to engage substantially with like-minded peers. The support that the group offers to all participants can, alone, be a transformative experience.

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User reviews of Bear Creek Outdoor Centre — Read all 6 reviews

Best Place Ever!
Sandy D. (Parent)

best place ever!. my son Gage had the time of his life. he's excited about next summer and all the adventures it will bring. Thank you Jill, Don and counselors. sincerely, sandy and Gage.

Growth
Ainslie T. (Parent)

THE BEST!!!! Our son has had 7 amazing years at BCOC and it's the highlight of every summer. They've helped us raise a more confident, caring, adventurist young teen.

2018
2018 parent (Parent)

Hi Jill, My daughter has returned from camp happy, excited, motivated, inspired, and full of stories from camp. Most importantly, she is happy in her skin and in her body, and aware of her strength and how to take care ... Read More

2018
2018 parent (Parent)

Thank you Jill for a great July! Maddi has tried to re-create the recipes from camp and made some pretty tasty dishes! The hard work of your staff and your dedication to helping these young ladies to thrive is very much ap... Read More

Thank you
Heather P. (Parent)

Pick-up day at Bear Creek Outdoor Centre! Thank you Jill for giving my two a fantastic week of adventuring! The special effort to manage J’s allergies was very appreciated and the experience was such a confidence builder for him! They’ll be back next year! ... Read More

Fun
Holly F. (Parent)

My ten year old experienced a wonderful week at Bear Creek. He came home smelly and tired with a huge smile on his face. Exactly how it should be! He would like to live at camp but is settling for a return trip next year. ... Read More

Location & Site Details

Address

Renfrew, ON

348 Chemin Burke, Litchfield, Quebec, J0X 1K0

Ottawa, ON

3828 Burnstown Road, Horton, Ontario

Busing

Camp Vehicle (Bus fee: 100)

Location	Address	Pick up	Drop off
Ottawa Airport	Ottawa	Not provided	Not provided

Accommodations

Sleeping Accommodations

Cabins

Washrooms Facilities

Outhouses
Showers (indoor)

More details about accommodations: The cabin line hosts 6 simple but comfortable cabins, with bunk beds, windows and storage benches. Cabins can accommodate up to 8 people each. The cabin line is equipped with outhouses to take care of our black-water needs. Bear Creek is “off-the-grid”, with pumped well water for drinking, cooking and showering, and solar energy powering the multi-purpose room.

Are meals provided? Yes

Is Bear Creek Outdoor Centre technology free? Yes We are a wilderness camp and as such there is no access to wifi at camp

Property Details

Sports facilities

Climbing Wall

Landscape

Beach
Forested Area
Lake/Pond/River
Nature Trails
Open Field

More details about property: Spectacular natural setting that is completely "unplugged" With over 400 acres of forest, two lakes – including a private 45 acre lake exclusively for Bear Creek Outdoor Centre – and our namesake creek, Bear Creek is a true wilderness retreat. Our own private waterfront, on the shores of Cranberry Lake, boasts a sandy beach with dock, floating dock, floating “lily pad”, and water trampoline. Participants also have access to canoes, paddle boards, and water toys. Bear Creek is also home to a 24 ft rock climbing wall, large grassy soccer field, mountain biking, low-ropes courses, picturesque fire pit, and innumerable walking and hiking trails. You won’t find Wi-Fi – but with all this adventure, you’ll find you don’t miss it!

Rentals & Services

Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
Outdoor education programs in June and September

Available for private rentals: Yes
We are delighted to host your event or retreat at Bear Creek Outdoor Centre. Custom program design is coordinated with Bear Creek staff to ensure that your custom program or event matches the vision you have for a camp retreat. In the past we have been privileged to host family reunions, corporate training, club and group training and fitness retreats. Each event is unique, from a simple facility rental to catering and programming we are excited to work with you. Please email [email protected] and lets get started together on your event at Bear Creek.

Associations

What's New

Director's Message

Jill Baxter, Director Bear Creek Outdoor Centre

It is hard to believe that we are making plans for our 22th summer at Bear Creek. We are very excited to open up new programming for summer 2023 with 4 more weeks of adventure camp and canoe tripping in July.
Over the years I have had the great privilege to become very close to all of our camp families and to share in the growth of these amazing young people. I am exceedingly grateful for each precious moment. For each burst of sunshine, each proud achievement and each new friendship formed at camp.
What an amazing community we have all built together.

I can't wait to see you at camp.

Jill

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In the News

November 1, 2019
Celebrating 20 years of the most wonderful little camp community
Over the years I have had the great privilege to become very close to all of our camp families and to share in the growth...... Read More

Stories

Residential summer camp for your child, only $25/week!
That’s right folks you heard it here! Your child can experience all of the fun, all of the growth, the confidence, the resiliency, the skills, and the friendships that only a residential camp experience can offer for the low price of just $25/week.

I know that you are a believer in the value of residential summer camp. You know the stories, you understand the “why” but you hold back because the sticker price is scary.

I am here to help you get camp off of your “nice to have” list and put it on the “must have” list for your children.

The new school year is a time to start things fresh for your family. You equip yourself with all of the right tools, new pencils, new running shoes and a shiny new family budget. This is the time of year where we, as families, set our priorities and make decisions about how we will design this coming year.

Include camp in your investments for your children, and then automate it. Just as with other investments when you automate the process you can sit back and think about other things and rest assured that you are on track to realizing your intentions.

Most banks offer online savings accounts with no fees. I have an online savings account that I have nicknamed “camp”. Every two weeks a small amount of money goes into that account automatically. It’s just gone out of my checking account and I hardly noticed (the amount has been budgeted for!).

I can then safely register my child for camp next summer right away and take advantage of the early registration discounts that most camps offer in early fall. Then, in the spring, when time comes to pay the camp tuition balance the money is there…Ta Da!

Now all you have to do is get out there and find the perfect camp.

Check out http://www.ourkids.net to find out what camps are out there. Talk to the camp director to see if this camp is right for your child.

And when camp is all over make sure to save your tuition receipt and talk to your tax specialist about allowable child care expenses for residential programs.

Yeah camp!

Posted on September 25, 2018
Traditional Canadian Camp
Bear Creek Camp is a traditional Canadian camp located on an incredible 500-acre private wilderness retreat near Ottawa Ontario. Our property has 2 private lakes and miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. All of our campers will go on overnight hiking trips and canoe trips off camp property. Campers enjoy all of the games, crafts, special events and activities of a traditional summer camp.

Bear Creek Outdoor Centre

Summary Profile