Summer Camp

JOIN US THIS SUMMER!

REGISTRATION OPENS JAN. 1st

Summer camp registration opens Jan. 1st!  If you registered with our online system last summer, all of your information is saved and ready for you to choose your 2026 camp weeks! If you are new to camp at Lambton Centre–welcome!–follow the registration links to create your profile and register. Any questions? Call our office at 519-786-5663.

REGISTER TODAYREGISTER TODAY
A SUMMER LIKE NOTHING ELSE!!

Play. Learn. Grow.

Unlike many big-box summer camps, our focus is on helping our campers build self-confidence, promoting self-esteem and developing positive peer interaction within a Christian environment. Lambton Centre is the place where kids learn about who they are and are challenged to strengthen themselves in both body and spirit. Lambton Centre provides one of the most affordable and fun camping experiences in Southwestern Ontario! We blend traditional programs – swimming, archery, mountain biking, crafts and campfires – with new activities like low elements challenge course, canoeing claymation and GagaBall! All programs focus on discovering the natural world while helping young people learn more about themselves.

Founded in 1961 as the Lambton United Church Centre, Lambton Centre Summer Camp is affiliated with the United Church of Canada, and all of our summer camp programs are open to the public regardless of religion or spiritual beliefs, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

Lambton Centre Summer Camp program is accredited through the Ontario Camps Association and the United Church of Canada Camping Standards.

CHECK OUT WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Testimonials

“Camp is important in our family for siblings to be apart so they can gain appreciation for each other. For the child going it helps to gain confidence, independence and self awareness. There are opportunities to learn new things and have new experiences. And, best of all, no screens for a week!!”

– 2023 Camper Family

“Attending camp every year at Lambton Centre is a highlight of [my child’s] year! He enjoys making new friends , he loves the leaders, and he feels he is accepted unconditionally for who he is.”

– 2024 Camper’s Parent

A SUMMER OF FUN AND MEMORIES

SUMMER CAMPS 2026

SUMMER CAMP FAQs

We believe every child deserves a summer camp experience. When it comes to child-development and growing great humans, the benefits of camp are lifelong.

Some of the things we love about what camp offers include:

  1. Building Independence and Confidence: Campers have the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, learn from mistakes, and solve problems they may not encounter in their every day lives.
  2. Create Connection and Build Social Skills: Camp provides an environment where campers from different backgrounds come together to share experiences and form friendships. Face-to-face conversations, in-person games and activities (no video gaming here!), and even sharing a cabin create space for new ways of communication, co-operation and conflict resolution. Lambton Centre runs dedicated activities such as team building and low ropes to intentionally foster some of these skills.
  3. Physical Activity and Connection to Nature: At camp, campers have the chance to unplug from the digital world and spend time in creation. Whether it’s playing soccer, building forts in the ravine, a game of capture the flag, or catching frogs at the pond, camp offers full-days of activity. Outdoor physical activity builds confidence in being outdoors, promotes better sleep, improves mood and enhances cognitive function.
  4. Learning New Skills and Hobbies: It’s so great when a camper runs up to their counsellor and proclaims, “Look what I made!”, or when the bedtime conversations of campers are all about the challenge wall they conquered that day. Watching a camper learn to light a fire or cook a meal on a camp out are experiences that cannot be replaced. It’s great to see campers take their skills and new found hobbies like crochet or paddle boarding to the next level!
  5. Practicing Emotional Intelligence: Camp is a place where campers live in community, look out for each other and learn to care for others. Cabin groups quickly become families of fun and support. Campers are celebrated and valued for who they are as a whole person, not just their accomplishments. Campers learn to find good in others, respect unique interests and talents, and build strong relationships across age groups.

Want to hear more? Check our this article by ourkids.net: The top seven benefits of summer camp

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. Additionally, all staff are certified with their ORCKA Basic Canoeing Levels 1-3 during staff training week.

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 by their counsellors for their individual abilities, humour and interests.

Our camp ratios are 1:4 during overnight and 1:5 during day camps (1:8 maximum depending on ages and needs of the campers).

Our leadership staff are always “floating” to ensure that all staff and campers are supported.

Camp is a high energy, highly social environment. Individuals who may need some space or quiet time throughout their camp experience can visit the Lambton Centre sensory room and camper library. Introduced in 2025, this is a space where campers can sit with a counsellor to read, colour, fidget, or just take a breath when they need it.

During overnight camp weeks, the hour after lunch is designated as rest hour. During this time, cabin groups rest in their air-conditioned cabins napping, playing quiet games, reading, etc.

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).

Shorter camp programs (1-3) nights will have varying drop off and pick up times which will be emailed one week prior to camp.

All registration takes place in Robinson Hall.

During day camp weeks, we ask parents to bring campers into Robinson Hall on Monday mornings where we will check ID and sign you in. Tues-Fri, sign in will be done at the gate and your counsellor will meet your camper at the playground!

Our kitchen staff strives to prepare a menu that meets the needs of all campers. Please ensure you have listed your camper’s 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 supplementary items that can be kept in the kitchen and served with meals (i.e. vegan protein).

Missing home is a normal part of first experiences at summer camp. It’s also part of the learning and character building that takes place for each camper. 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 do not allow phones at camp:

  • To keep all campers safe from photos or videos that they may not know are being taken in cabins, etc.
  • To ensure equity amongst campers–not all campers have access to the same technology and phones can be divisive when trying to create community.
  • To ensure our emergency procedures remain streamlined and effective. Keeping everyone safe is our priority.
  • 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 issued walkie-talkies to communicate while at camp. Staff 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 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 should you need to get a message to your camper or their counsellor.

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, games 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.

In addition to swim time, water games and activities are a regular part of our camp program.

Thank you to our community partners

A camp that families can trust.

OCA accreditation ensures the highest quality of programming and safety.

Accredited with the United Church of Canada Camping Association.

THE SUMMER AWAITS!

REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE

Questions about any of the camps? We would be happy to help.

Office 519-786-5663

[email protected]

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