Everything you want to know
Real adventure, carefully run. Here's the practical side of WILDE — hours, transport, packing, safety and pricing — so you can send your camper out the door with confidence.
More than a Summer Camp
Not all camps are created equal. A summer spent outdoors does far more than fill the days. These are big years for growing brains, and the right camp builds confidence, resilience and curiosity that lasts long after Labour Day. Fun and real growth aren't a trade-off; at WILDE you get an elevated experience designed for child development.
Earned confidence
We gently push kids out of their comfort zone — and the brave things they try outside become real, lasting self-belief.
Resilience & independence
Off the screen and figuring things out with their crew, kids build grit, problem-solving and a little healthy independence.
Nature, not screens
Whole days immersed in forest, creek and river — fresh air, real play, and a genuine love of the outdoors.
Skills that stick
Hands-on, level-based learning (hello, merit badges) keeps minds sharp through the summer and turns play into progress.
Camp at a glance
Hours & care
Camp runs Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm. Optional before-care from 8:30 and after-care to 4:30.
Sessions
9 weeks of camp, June 29–August 28, 2026. PreCamp also available June 15–26.
Transport
Optional Wilde Bus for Adventure Camp from Collingwood, Craigleith and Clarksburg.
Lunch
Pack a lunch, snacks and a full water bottle daily — camp is peanut-free.
Curious what a day actually looks like? See the daily schedule →
Adventure with Care
Adventure is the point. Safety is the foundation. Every WILDE activity is planned with risk assessment & management, trained staff, and the right gear.
Small, supervised groups
Low ratios and experienced outdoor educators who know every trail and water hazard.
Trained & equipped
First-aid-trained staff carrying kits and throw bags; pre-assessed sites; weather and water monitored all day.
Allergy aware
We plan around your child's allergies and medical needs — just tell us at registration.
First Aid Certified
Staff are trained & certified in Standard First Aid & CPR "C."
Hop on the Wilde Bus
Drive your camper to the day's destination — the farthest is about 25 minutes from Collingwood and 20 from Thornbury — or skip the morning drive entirely and let our own dedicated camp bus do it.
Three easy stops
Convenient pickup and drop-off locations in Collingwood, Craigleith and Clarksburg.
The weekly itinerary
Program locations and bus details arrive the Friday before each week starts — and we'll keep you posted if weather changes the plan.
Simple add-on
Add the bus for $55/week, or $6.75/day drop-in — book it with registration or week by week.
Everything rides along
Lunch, water and gear travel with your camper — straight to the adventure in the morning, home from the same stop at day's end.
Wondering what goes in that backpack? See the packing guide →
Set them up for the day
The everyday essentials. For the full checklist — water days, rainy days and the leave-at-home list — open the packing guide.
- Closed-toe shoes that can get muddy
- Weather-appropriate layers + rain gear
- Water shoes for creek & water days
- A Transport-Canada-approved PFD from home (water days)
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- A refillable water bottle
- A packed lunch + a snack
- A small backpack to carry it all
Programs & rates
Three programs, one big summer. 2026 confirmed rates — register anytime.
Parent FAQ
What ages is WILDE Camp for?
Ages 4 to 17 — one camp, three steps. Adventure Camp (ages 4–11) is the classic five-day WILDE week. The WILDE Way Leadership Initiative (ages 12–14) turns the challenge up and adds real leadership. Junior Instructor / LIT (ages 15–17) puts teens inside camp life as Junior Counsellors.
Where is camp?
Home base is Kimbercote — 100 acres of forest, creek and field at 316362 3rd Line, Kimberley, Ontario, on the edge of the Blue Mountains.
From there we roam to the region’s best wild places — the Beaver River, Kolapore, Metcalfe Rock and Peasemarsh Beach — all within 15–25 minutes of Collingwood and Thornbury.
Does my child need outdoor experience?
Not a bit. WILDE is built to be challenging and fun for total beginners and seasoned explorers alike — instructors meet every camper where they’re at and stretch them just past comfortable. That’s where the confidence comes from.
What are camp hours?
Camp runs Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm. Optional before-care starts at 8:30am and after-care runs to 4:30pm — $25/week each, or $50/week for both.
What are the 2026 dates?
Adventure Camp (ages 4–11) runs 9 weeks: June 29 – August 28, 2026.
WILDE Way (12–14) and Junior Instructor / LIT (15–17) run in four two-week sessions: June 29–July 10, July 13–24, July 27–August 7 and August 10–21.
Camp runs right through Canada Day and the August long weekend — no closures.
Is there a bus?
Yes — the Wilde Bus! Adventure Camp offers our own dedicated camp bus from Collingwood, Craigleith and Clarksburg for $55/week (or $6.75/day drop-in).
Families get the week’s itinerary the Friday before, and we’ll always tell you in advance if weather shifts a pickup location.
How much does camp cost in 2026?
- Adventure Camp (ages 4–11): $409/week
- WILDE Way Leadership Initiative (12–14): $700 per two-week session — early-bird $660 before April 1, 2026
- Junior Instructor / LIT (15–17): $700 per two-week session — early-bird $660 before April 1, 2026
- Optional: bus $55/week · before/after care $25/week each ($50 for both)
What should my camper bring every day?
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes that can get muddy
- Rain gear: jacket, pants, boots
- Water shoes for creek & river days — no Crocs or flip-flops
- A Transport-Canada-approved PFD from home
- Hat, sunscreen & sunglasses
- A refillable water bottle
- Packed lunch + snacks
- Bathing suit & a change of clothes
- A backpack to carry it all
Want the fun version — water days, the leave-at-home list and night-before tips? Open the Packing Guide. A detailed packing list also arrives with your registration.
How do you keep kids safe?
Adventure is the point — safety is the foundation. Staff are trained in first aid, CPR and wilderness safety protocols; activity sites are pre-assessed; equipment gets regular checks; emergency response plans cover every scenario; and low camper-to-staff ratios keep every camper in sight.
