At Lambton Centre, safety is our top priority. We understand the importance of caring for each child while they are in our care and we take every measure to ensure safety and fun are aligned. Lambton Centre has been serving Sarnia and Lambton County since 1961, and have earned the trust of the community. We take that trust seriously. In addition:

• Accreditation: Lambton Centre is accredited with the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) and with United Church Camping. This means our site and programs are inspected and audited regularly by two different third-party groups of experienced camp professionals. To maintain accreditation, Lambton Centre must meet and show evidence of safe practices, policies and protocols for staff, campers and families.
• Health & Safety: Lambton Centre follows Lambton Public Health advice for each season. The swimming pool, kitchen, cabins and beach are inspected annually by Lambton Public Health, including surprise inspections throughout the summer. Low-ropes course elements are inspected annually by Adventure Works with written reports provided following each inspection. Health and safety protocols are in place, including hygiene and hydration practices, to help mitigate risk of illness and injury.
• Trained Staff: All staff at Lambton Centre undergo a rigorous training schedule prior to camp. Training includes supervising and caring for campers, emergency procedures, programming and ensuring the best experiences for campers and their families. All staff are certified in Standard First-Aid and CPR C. Staff over the age of 18 are also required to submit a police record check with vulnerable sector screening.

At Lambton Centre, we love the fact that we are a small camp. A full individual week of camp is typically capped at 60-80 campers, which means every camper is seen, known, loved and valued for their individual abilities, humour and interests. Our camp ratios are 1:5 during overnight camps (with a full cabin), and no higher than 1:8 during day camps. Our leadership staff are always “floating” to ensure that all staff and campers are supported.

Camp is a high energy, highly connected environment. But, that doesn’t mean it should exclude individuals who may need some space or quiet time throughout their camp experience. In 2025, Lambton Centre introduced our sensory room and camper library. A space where campers can sit with a counsellor to read, colour, fidget, or just take a breath when they need it. All campers have supervised access to this space as needed.

One week before camp, you will receive via e-mail a detailed list of what to pack. A basic list to get started with includes:

Overnight Camp:

• Pyjamas, toothbrush & toothpaste
• Socks & undergarments for each day
• Shorts & t-shirts for each day
• Pants & Sweatshirt
• Bathing suit & swimming towel
• Hat & Sunscreen
• Flashlight
• Rubber boots & raincoat
• Running shoes & sandals
• Rash guard/sun shirt/long sleeve t-shirt
• Hairbrush & Toiletries
• Bath towel
• Bug spray
• Bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, bottom sheet/blanket)
• Laundry bag

Day Camp:

• Hat & sunscreen
• Running shoes & sandals/crocs
• Bathing suit & towel
• Bug spray
• Boots & rain gear
• Complete change of clothes (shorts, t-shirt, underwear)

5 night overnight camps drop off Sunday evenings between 6:30-7:30pm. Pick up is Friday at 2pm.

Day camps drop off is 9am (8:30 with before care). Pick up is daily at 4pm (4:30 with after care).

Camps of 1, 2 or 3 nights will have varying drop off and pick up times which will be emailed one week prior to camp.

All registration at drop off takes place in Robinson Hall.

Our kitchen staff strives to prepare a menu that meets the needs of all campers. Please ensure you have listed your campers dietary restrictions on their registration form so that our team can adequately prepare. Please note Lambton Centre is a nut-free facility. Campers with very sensitive dietary needs are welcome to bring items that can be kept in the kitchen and served with meals (i.e. vegan protein).

Our staff make every attempt to make your camper’s stay as enjoyable as possible. Staff are trained specifically how to talk through and redirect feelings/fears to help campers see the value of staying until the end of their camp week. Staff may call home if necessary in extenuating circumstances. Campers are not permitted to call home. If you would like an update on how your camper is doing during their week, please call the Lambton Centre office at 519-786-5663.

No. Camp is about community, connection and developing independence. Devices such as cell phones, tablets, video games, etc. detract from the camp experience and don’t allow campers to get the full camp experience.

Additionally:

• We say no to cell phones to keep all campers safe from photos or videos that they may not know are being taken in cabins, etc.
• We say no to cell phones to ensure equity amongst campers–not all campers can afford the technology and phones can be divisive when trying to create community.
• We say no to cell phones to make sure our emergency procedures remain streamlined and effective. Keeping everyone safe is our priority.
• We say no to cell phones to allow campers space to learn, grow, be silly and enjoy childhood without the fear of being caught on camera/shared with others who are not in the camp program.
• Staff are given walkie-talkies to communicate while at camp. They are not permitted to use their phones, except on their breaks in the designated staff space.

Phones that are accidentally brought to camp will be locked in the camp office until pick up.

Absolutely!

Letters: At registration you can drop of letters, notes or care packages that you would like to have delivered to your camper throughout the week. Our staff will make it a special delivery mid-week.

Stay Updated: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see a few photos and videos during the week. More will be posted after each week finishes.

Phone: Campers are not permitted to make or receive calls. For emergencies, our Camp Director will contact you. You can also contact our main office.

As a United Church of Canada centre, our mission is to serve the community. That’s how we demonstrate our faith. At camp, our faith formation comes from living our values, not imposing our beliefs. Individuals of all backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and identities are welcome.

Our daily WILD time (Wonder, Imagine, Learn, Discern…a fancy word for figure out) is all about giving campers space to reflect on what matters to them, why it is important in their lives, and how they can live out their values in community. Though we encourage participation in this daily reflection time of songs, skits and fun, campers can choose their own way to reflect.

We are guided by the Faith Formation at Camp document produced by the United Church of Canada, which includes the themes of:

• Finding personal meaning
• Creativity
• Mercy & Justice
• Traditions
• Environment & Care of Creation
• Resting
• Questioning
• Leadership
• If you’d like to see a copy of this document, please e-mail the office and we’ll be happy to share it!

EVERY DAY!!!! We love that we have space to be able to get every camper to the pool and/or the beach daily. Every camper is on the water daily under the watchful eyes of our NLS Certified lifeguards and staff. Swim tests are held at the beginning of each new week so that our staff can support each camper as needed, keeping them safe in the water. When at the beach, all campers wear lifejackets for water play/activities. Campers are welcome to wear lifejackets in the pool, and are encouraged to do so if they are new/still learning swimmers. If you have a lifejacket that your camper prefers, please send it with their name on it.