Camp White Pine — Local services in Toronto

Having spent every summer at Camp White Pine since age 7, I can genuinely say that I am the person I am today because of the time spent there. Living in a cabin with 12 other girls for the entirety of the summer, I learned the value of friendship, independence, and teamwork. For two months of the year, I was able to forget the stresses of the city, including both personal and within school, and be myself - carefree and happy. These two months every summer enabled me to become confident in who I am - celebrating personal successes, whether overcoming fears or working as a team to complete a creative arts project, and finding comfort in those around me. After being a counsellor for four summers, I was able to see the importance of camp from a different perspective. Campers who come into the summer as shy and introverted kids, leave camp in August as outgoing and more self-aware teenagers due to the freedom given on a regular basis. In a day and age where it is difficult to find a teenager without his or her cell phone in hand, Camp White Pine provides a unique experience where technology is left behind and friendship, self development and confidence is developed in...

Camp is my favourite place in the world! It's the place where I do all my favourite things and get to be with all my favourite people. From learning to become a better water skier to learning how to better get along with others, White Pine teaches me new things everyday.

What I love about camp is that everyone belongs. We all have the place at camp where we can go and do what we love. At free periods I go to ski and some of my friends may go to FAD (Fitness, Aerobics, Dance) or land sports, or a creative art. The options are endless!

Another thing I love about camp is getting to live with my best friends. I never get board or lonely because there is always someone to talk to. Your friends become you family. You create a bond with you cabin mates and staff that is so special and something that could never happen any where else. At White Pine the staff are like you big sisters or brothers. They will help you with whatever you need, they teach you right from wrong and they are also your best friend.

There is no place better then...

Last weekend my family and I were in the Haliburton area looking for a beach to spend our day . We found kiwi beach online and followed Google maps which led us to camp white pine . Unknowingly our group of 13 cars entered the campsite unable turn around midway we made it to the office where we were greeted by extremely rude and aggressive individuals who yelled at us to leave the property. I personally felt attacked by these individuals, and very concerned that these people are shaping the minds of young people. I acknowledge that we make a mistake and took a wrong turn but there is a way to speak to people . I personally felt that their behavior that was displayed was due to the fact that we were people of colour and visibly muslim. This incident has really taken a toll on some members of my family. I would recommend parents who are sending their children to this camp to reconsider and think about the kind of people they associate with...