The Campers
We welcome campers (5* - 12 years of age) from Muskoka, Ontario, and all over the world. Campers are grouped with 6-9 of their agemates (their “Cabin groups”) and are assigned a counsellor for the week. Although campers have assigned Cabin groups, for much of the Day Camp day all of the Day Campers are together at programs. They can also choose to be with older or younger friends at many times throughout the day.
(*Campers who are 5 years old must be going into Grade 1)
The Staff
We believe that the true value of a summer camp experience is the personal connections campers make with each other and with the staff. We invest much of our energy and resources in developing and training our staff - ensuring that they are exceptional at connecting with children and helping their campers connect with each other. Our staff believe in and live a ‘camper-centered’ approach to leadership and are chosen for their desire to be with children and help them grow through the Camp experience.
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The Summer Staff
95% of our Summer Staff were Camp Tawingo campers. For many, Tawingo has been their summer home for 8, 9, even 10 years. They know and love everything about Tawingo and we know them equally well. Most graduate from our Tawingo Leadership Course, most have proven to be skilled in all areas of outdoor living and leadership and are committed to ‘giving back’ to a new generation of campers, the experience they had as campers at Tawingo. All of our staff participate in an extensive staff training period of 10-14 days prior to the start of camp.
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The Year Round Staff
Tawingo is blessed to have a team of warm, friendly, and talented staff who work year-round to make sure we are fully prepared to welcome campers, guests, and seasonal staff to this magical place we call Camp Tawingo. They are dedicated to making every step of the registration process easy and pleasant, and work tirelessly to ensure every camper’s experience is extraordinary.
The Directors
Mike & Tia Pearse
Mike and Tia Pearse have been the Owners and Directors of Camp Tawingo since 2002. Mike and Tia both enjoyed teaching careers before making Camp Tawingo their home in 1999. They’ve raised three children of their own, all of whom continue to work and play at camp each summer. Mike and Tia have spent their entire adult lives 'having fun building great kids’ and helping their staff to do the same.
Jack & Helen Pearse
Jack and Helen co-founded Camp Tawingo in 1961 with a vision of creating a summer oasis of wholesome traditional, camper-centred fun for all children; and devoted their lives to Tawingo for 42 years. Jack was known around the world as a leader and a trailblazer in the Summer Camp industry. Jack and Helen always believed that the world would be a better place if every child had the opportunity to go to camp.
