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A traditional Canadian summer camp where adventures begin

Swallowdale Camp

Operating on the beautiful grounds of Rosseau Lake College in Ontario’s world famous Muskoka region, Swallowdale Camp is the perfect choice for a traditional summer camp adventure. Canadian and International campers join together to develop skills in sports, arts, outdoor activities and leadership. Camping traditions run deep in the Canadian spirit and are embodied in this programme, which has been in continuous operation since 1943. At Swallowdale Camp, students come to appreciate the stunning beauty of the nature that surrounds them, and the cultural distinctions that make up our global community.

Swallowdale Camp Brochure

Swallowdale Camp

Key Facts

Location

Lake Rosseau, Ontario

Ages

8 – 14 years, boys and girls

R

Course Options

  • English as a Second Language (ESL)

  • Forest School

Feature Selling Point

Traditional Canadian Summer Camp

Dates

July 06 – August 02, 2025

Accomodation

Shared residence Rooms

Swallowdale Camp

Programme Options

Campers will choose one of the two programme options:

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The General English + Activity option is the ideal choice for international summer students who want to improve their English.  With this option, students receive 10 hours of English as a Second Language (ESL) lessons per week. This includes classroom instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with a focus on helping students of all proficiency levels to improve in their fluency and accuracy of speech.

English lessons comprise two of the five daily periods. You can then choose different land, water, or art activities to fill the remaining two or three periods. 

General English + Activity (10 hours)

Daily Schedule: 10 weekly hours of lessons (2 lesson periods) + 3 activity periods

English Proficiency: All levels accepted

The General English + Activity option is the ideal choice for international summer students who want to improve their English.  With this option, students receive 10 hours of English as a Second Language (ESL) lessons per week. This includes classroom instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with a focus on helping students of all proficiency levels to improve in their fluency and accuracy of speech.

English lessons comprise two of the five daily periods. You can then choose different land, water, or art activities to fill the remaining two or three periods. 

Forest School + Activities (10 hours)

Daily Schedule: 10 weekly hours of lessons (2 lesson periods) + 3 activity periods
English Proficiency: All levels accepted

Forest School at Swallowdale Camp is an excellent option for campers who are passionate about nature and want to learn more about the environment around them. The goal is to involve and educate campers using the incredible outdoor facilities and unique outdoor classroom that our campus has to offer. Forest School teaches younger learners about environmental best practices, while they gain a better appreciation for the local geography, native Canadian traditions, and basic outdoor survival skills.

Classes take place outdoors, in forest and fields around the camp (weather permitting).

Forest School lessons comprise two of the five daily periods. Campers then choose different land, water, or art activities to fill the remaining three periods.

    Swallowdale Camp

    Facilities

    A front view of some of the facility buildings

    Swallowdale Camp offers the perfect combination of a traditional Canadian summer camp and the comforts of home. It is based at Rosseau Lake College, a highly-regarded private boarding school located on Lake Rosseau. The Muskoka region of Ontario has long held a special place in the hearts of its year-round residents and seasonal cottagers. With freshwater lakes offering spectacular views, surrounded by the natural beauty of forested landscape, it’s no wonder that this region holds a strong reputation as one of Canada’s premier recreational destinations.

    Facilities Include:

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    Modern Classrooms

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    Dining hall

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    2 sports fields

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    Extensive waterfront facilities for swimming, boating, canoeing, and kayaking

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    Art Studio

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    Student Lounges

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    Comfortable dormitory accommodation

    Three bunk beds in a room.
    A large dining room with tables and chairs.
    A small hut on a dock next to a body of water.
    A room full of tables and chairs.

    Campers are separated by age and gender and live in one of three school residence houses.  We place up to eight campers in a room, depending on the size and layout.  All rooms include beds (or bunk beds), desks, chairs, dressers and wardrobes and campers will each receive a clean pillow and sleeping bag.  There are full toilet and shower facilities in each residence, which are shared.  Campers must bring their own towels and toiletries.  Safety is our number one priority so staff live on the same floor of the residence with the campers and students are monitored 24 hours a day. 

    We provide three meals plus a healthy snack each day.  Meals are served in the school dining hall. Campers will sit together with their assigned group and their counsellor at a large table.  Our menu offers a variety of nutritious meals, all cooked on-site by professional staff.  Meals at Swallowdale are famous for being lively and loud – campers are encouraged to join in the songs and cheers!

    Swallowdale Camp

    Location

    Swallowdale Camp takes place at the beautiful grounds of Rosseau Lake College in Rosseu, Ontario, Canada.

    Go to Google Maps

    Swallowdale Camp

    Daily Activities

    Outside of English Lessons or Forest School Lessons, campers participate in a wide range of land, water, or art activities.
    Activities are chosen at camp, and may change weekly.

    Water Sports:

    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Fishing
    • Swimming
    • Stand Up Paddle Boarding

    Land Sports:

    • Archery
    • Ball Hockey
    • Basketball
    • Fitness
    • Outdoor Survival
    • Soccer
    • Volleyball

    Arts & Movement:

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Dance
    • Drama
    • Yoga
    • Guitar (beginner)
    • Woodworking
    A woman standing on a dock with kayaks in front of her.
    A boy playing an acoustic guitar.
    A group of kids kicking a soccer ball in a field.
    Two young girls working on a woodworking project.
    A girl in a yellow canoe.
    A man and a girl holding up a fish on a dock.

    Swallowdale Camp

    Schedule

    Each day is comprised of 5 periods, during which campers participate in their English or Forest School lessons, plus do their activities.  Each evening, campers participate in evening activities, which are arranged and coordinated by the staff.
    One optional full-day excursion is offered to campers each week (for an extra fee).

    Display None

    The General English + Activity option is the ideal choice for international summer students who want to improve their English.  With this option, students receive 10 hours of English as a Second Language (ESL) lessons per week. This includes classroom instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with a focus on helping students of all proficiency levels to improve in their fluency and accuracy of speech.

    English lessons comprise two of the five daily periods. You can then choose different land, water, or art activities to fill the remaining two or three periods. 

    Evening Programme

    The evening programme is an opportunity for students and staff to do activities together. Participation is mandatory and is a combination of house-based activities and leisure options. Students from each residence house may team up to face each other in competition. Students may also enjoy camp-wide activities including the following: 

    • Banquets
    • Campfires
    • Camp Games
    • Cardboard boat races
    • Dances 
    • Sports Games
    • Talent Shows
    • Walk to Town
      Excursions

      One full-day optional excursion is offered each week to our campers.  These excursions are an additional cost and must be paid for at the time of booking.  All supervision, transportation, entrance fees, and meals are covered.

      Depending on when they come, they may choose to go to:

      • Niagara Falls ($200)
      • Canada’s Wonderland ($175)
        Swallowdale Schedule 2024
            Departure
        Arrival   Jul-23 Jul-30 Aug-06
        Jul-10 2 Weeks
        $ 4,150        		 3 Weeks
        $ 5,775        		 4 Weeks
        $ 7,300
        Jul-17   2 Weeks
        $ 4,150        		 3 Weeks
        $ 5,775
        Jul-24     2 Weeks
        $ 4,150

        2025 Dates & Fees

        Departing
        July 19
        Departing
        July 26
        Departing
        August 02
        Arriving
        July 06
        2 Weeks
        $4750
        3 Weeks
        $6700
        4 Weeks
        $8500
        Arriving
        July 13
        xx
        2 Weeks
        $4750
        3 Weeks
        $6700
        Arriving
        July 20
        xx
        xx
        2 Weeks
        $4750

        Disclaimer text:

        Extra Fees

        • Optional Niagara Falls – CAD 200
        • Optional Canada’s Wonderland – CAD 175

        • Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Fee – CAD 125 – UM fee applies to all students flying as unaccompanied minor with the airline
        • Custodianship Fee – CAD 150
        • Extra Night Fee – CAD 250 – Applies to all students who arrive early or depart late
        • Extra Transfer Fee – CAD 250 – Applies to all students who arrive or depart on non-scheduled dates
        • Late Arrival / Early Departure Fee – CAD 200 – Applies to all students with flights scheduled to arrive after 22:00 or depart before 09:00

        All fees are in Canadian Dollars.

        *Canadian and US citizens currently residing in Canada or the United States are asked to contact CISS for domestic rates. Taxes are included. Information updated: December 12, 2023

         

        Experience Matters

        Video Gallery

        Experience Matters

        Photo Gallery

        A man sitting on a paddle board in a body of water.
        A large dining room with tables and chairs.
        A group of kids posing in front of a canadian flag.
        A group of girls posing for a picture on the grass.
        A man and a woman in life jackets standing on a dock.
        A room with bunk beds and a desk.
        A man and a girl holding up a fish on a dock.
        The building where the vacation home is located.
        A group of people posing in front of the levitan sign.
        Four young people in blue t - shirts posing on a boat.
        A brown building in the middle of a green field.
        A sand volleyball court in a wooded area.
        A group of young people walking on a bridge.
        A group of children laying down on a blanket.
        Three boys posing for a picture in a field.
        Two young men holding up a fish on a dock.
        A group of people paddling in canoes on a lake.
        A group of children aiming their bows at a target.
        A room with tables and chairs.
        A man climbing on a rock wall.
        A house sitting on top of a hill in a wooded area.
        A small gazebo sits on a dock next to a lake.
        A group of boys standing in a room with luggage.
        Three bunk beds in a room.
        Two boys sitting on a couch with guitars.
        A group of people standing on a dock with paddles.
        A girl is working on a piece of wood.
        A brown building with a red door.
        A black building with red doors.
        A boy is riding a paddle board in the water.
        A deck with red adirondack chairs on it.
        Two young men in kayaks on a body of water.
        Three girls in life jackets posing for a photo on a dock.
        A young boy holding a fish on a dock.
        A small hut on a dock next to a body of water.
        A group of canoes lined up on a dock.
        A building with a red door in the middle of a wooded area.
        A log cabin in the woods.
        A young girl sitting on the ground holding a basketball.
        A log cabin in the middle of a grassy field.
        Three children in a red canoe on a lake.
        A house sitting on top of a hill in a forest.
        A room with a table and chairs.
        A white teepee in front of a house.
        A boy in a yellow shirt is aiming at a target.
        Two young men standing on a paddle board in a lake.
        A small log cabin in a wooded area.
        A girl in an orange kayak sitting on a dock.
        A girl cutting wood with a chainsaw.
        Two boys standing next to a log hut in the woods.
        Three girls hugging each other near a lake.
        Two girls sitting on a paddle board in a body of water.
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        Summer Camps

        FAQ

        Parents and students may have questions about our programme and we are happy to bring you the frequently asked questions here.

        Summer Programmes FAQ

        Summer Camps

        The CISS Difference

        Since 1979, CISS has provided students from around the world the opportunity to come together in Canada for transformative summer learning experiences in traditional camps, language programs in cities, and other adventure experiences. With a focus on fun and unique opportunities to learn, our summer programmes promise to give you the experience—and the Canadian memories—of a lifetime.

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        Specialized care for the unique needs of Campers

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        Motivated, caring and qualified staff

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        Personal attention

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        Student-centred programmes fostering independence

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        Programmes to suit different interests and ability levels

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        Strong focus on Canadian traditions

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        Fostering a multicultural and open-minded atmosphere

        A student and staff member smiling at the camera
        A student sitting on a paddleboard

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