Blog

Mission and Service Story – November 29: Summertime Memories

Rideau Hill Camp helps make camp accessible to more families while supporting leadership and cultural learning. Here is the Mission and Service Story for November 29, 2026.

If you ask someone about some of their favourite childhood summers, and they might tell you about swimming until their fingers wrinkled, staying up late with friends, or the first time they tried something new and exciting.  

For children who attend summer camp, these experiences can become some of their favourite memories. There’s time to explore, make friends, gain independence, and discover new things about themselves. But, with the ever-rising costs of living, not every family can afford to send their children to camp. 

At Rideau Hill Camp in Kemptville, Ontario, making camp accessible to more families is a key part of the work. About 30% of Rideau Hill campers receive financial assistance. The camp works to keep registration fees as affordable as possible.

For over 75 years, Rideau Hill Camp has welcomed children and youth for summers filled with outdoor activities, friendship, and learning. In 2026, 320 campers took part in eight programs throughout July and August, with activities and experiences suited to different ages and stages of development. 

One family shared that their children wouldn’t have been able to attend without financial assistance. With help from campership partners and the family’s own contribution, they were able to spend a week at camp making friends, trying new things, and finding a place where they belonged. The family said the confidence and relationships their children gained are continuing well beyond their time at camp. 

This year, Rideau Hill introduced a Leadership in Training program for older youth. Participants developed skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, and some are already interested in returning as volunteers or future staff. 

There are opportunities to learn beyond outdoor activities, too. Through a growing partnership with Minwaashin Lodge, Indigenous team members visit each week to share teachings, stories, and cultural knowledge. Campers have the chance to ask questions, learn from Indigenous voices, and explore what caring for the land and one another means. 

Keeping these programs running takes dedicated staff, ongoing maintenance, and support from the wider community. Our gifts to Mission and Service help Rideau Hill Camp care for its facilities, support its staff, and keep camp within reach for more families. 

For some children, camp is a familiar summer tradition. For others, it may be their first chance to discover what they can do, make new friends, or feel part of a community. 

Rideau Hill Camp wants every child to have that chance. Our gifts to Mission and Service help make it possible. Let’s give generously. 

–

Use the accompanying PowerPoint slides for a visual overview.

–

Access this story as a printable PDF here.

–

More Mission and Service stories are here!

Mission and Service Stories were previously called Minutes for Mission.