Child 1 Age 6 - 14 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Wilderness Skills, Sport (multi)
Child 2 Age 9 - 17 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Wilderness Out-tripping, Wilderness Skills, Sport (multi)
(5) Overall experience
This camp is well worth it and in the words of another parent friend, “the best parenting decision I’ve made.” I truly resonate with this and attribute my children’s well-roundedness, resilience, and adaptability to Camp Bil-O-Wood. I give this camp my fullest endorsement.
My children are stronger humans, more compassionate, and have gained important life skills such as learning to get along with, and live with others of different backgrounds. They have a variety of sport skills and have learned the art of slowing down and connecting. Kids are able to be kids and to grow in huge ways.
(5) Reason for choosing the camp
Wilderness skill, no cell phones, nature, whole-hearted fun! Camp Bil-O-Wood is all about food, friends and fun. My children have become stronger humans here. They have learned what makes them passionate and have become more intrinsically motivated humans. They have both developed skills and the wherewithal to be able to pursue their passions with drive.
(5) Program quality and activities
The programs at camp are varied, from campfire building to soccer to swimming to Pilates. Kids are exposed to a plethora of activities on a daily basis. They are becoming friends with campers and counselors from across the country and the globe. They're exposed to different languages, nationalities, and worldviews. Not only do they become more crafty in the craft shoppe, they're imaginative as they create cabin skits on the fly and set up camp in the wilderness.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
Working together as a cabin group is one of the most meaningful things about Camp Bil-O-Wood. Campers stay in cabins within their age/grade range and learn to clean the cabin, play volleyball and go to swim call together. They navigate the ups and downs of life away from caregivers back home in a supportive environment where they learn to thrive and overcome social and emotional obstacles.
(5) Skills and growth
My children have been able to choose a sport to focus on, each session they have attended camp Bil-O-Wood. From basketball to archery to weights and conditioning, campers are given the opportunity to grow in skill and hone a passion area. Whether learning to salsa dance, sing a song with their cabin or roast a s’more around the campfire, campers are growing exponentially at camp with the support of amazing counselors and staff members.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
Seeing the enthusiasm of the staff members and counselors is one of the most contagious pieces of camp life. At Bil-O-Wood, the example that is set by the leadership is one of the reasons I choose to send my children year after year. Not only is there a long tradition of modeling and building character, there is a standard of optimism that pours onto campers.
(5) Preparation and packing
The packing list for camp is incredibly helpful. Not only is the list helpful, but staff members and the camp owners are always available to offer support with any questions about packing. The packing lists are online and easy to print out so each camper can use it as a guideline for what to pack.
(5) Advice and tips
Camp Bil-O-Wood is incredibly wholesome and I find it so refreshing for my children each summer they attend. My children have the choice of whether or not they go to camp and they make the decision to go back year after year. The friendships, memories and life lessons are next to none. Couple this with a long history of experience and a setting in the Canadian wilderness and you will wish you could attend as a youth, once again, yourself!
