Summer Camp 2026
"Rooted in Jesus, Growing in Nature"Join us for Rooted’s first ever summer camp. This day camp will give you the “away” camp experience while staying right here in Guelph. Campers will spend the day almost entirely outdoors: hiking, exploring the forest, learning in the garden and agrihood, doing team building activities, and learning new skills (like seed saving, making jam, crocheting, and more!) During our daily worship time we will sing songs, hear from camp speakers, and talk about spirituality in small group time. This one-of-a-kind camp experience offers environmental education, hands-on engagement, and space to learn about faith while caring for creation.
Camp is $240 per week, for campers entering SK-grade 6, full day 8:30-4:00 pm. Registration opens February 2! Space is limited, so register early! We do not want the cost to be a barrier for any camper, so scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. Please email rooted@kortrightchurch.org for more information on scholarships.
In order to register, you will need to set up a church centre account. See the tutorial below:
Have questions about camp? Check out our FAQS below.
Week 1: July 6-10 – “Farm to Fork”
Join us in our gardens and kitchen to learn how to use different foods to create delicious meals, snacks, and desserts! A few of the special activities this week will include making jam, creating your own tea blends, painting an apron, and putting together your own recipe book. This week campers will explore food from seed, to plant, to fruit, to table and learn what goes into the process of growing tasty food.
Week 2: July 13-17 – “Survivor”
Calling all wild ones to join us in the agrihood and woods. This will be our most adventurous week of camp! Learn how to build a nature compass, how to harvest rainwater and grow your own food, track animals in the forest, play camp-wide games, and help build a sun shelter in the agrihood. Caution: May get muddy!
Week 3: July 20-24 – “Art in the Park”
Join us for an unforgettable week of Rooted camp where we explore how to make masterpieces in the garden! Create pottery, learn how to paint using natural pigments from the Earth, participate in a session drawing birds in the bird sanctuary and help us create a collective art piece for the garden landscape.
Week 4: July 27-31 – “Wonder Lab”
Join us for a week of environmental science in the garden, agrihood, and woods. Engage in the wonders of nature and learn the science behind healthy ecosystems. We will have an expert scientist helping conduct experiments down by the river, teaching about fish, animals, and insects. We will learn how important science is in the garden and how to use science to help grow plants and keep a healthy eco-system.
Week 5: Aug 4-7 (short week!) – Grannies in the Garden
If you think Janet and Rita (from Bluey) are fun, you will have a blast working with some of our favourite grandmas and grandpas this week. We will be learning some fun skills like canning, crochet, embroidery, and baking scones with food from the garden. Kids will also get to build a birdhouse in grandpa’s woodshop, and learn from some experts who have a lifetime of experience caring for creation. This intentional week of intergenerational ministry will be unlike any other camp experience you will have.
Week 6: Aug 10-14 – Garden Party
Join us for a week-long garden party! Some of the options this week will include: learning flower arranging, building your own garden box to take a small piece of garden home with you, helping build a labyrinth, making your own tea blends from garden plants, and more! The final day of camp will include a garden tea party, where the campers will enjoy high tea in fun hats, play yard games, and more!
FAQS
1. Do I have to go to Kortright Church to attend camp? (or any church for that matter)?
Absolutely Not! This camp welcomes campers from any religious or non-religious background. We will share messages about Jesus every day, and it is a Christian-oriented camp, but we encourage curiosity and questions. Our goal is exploration, not indoctrination.
2. Will my camper get their clothes dirty?
Yes, probably!
3. What should my camper bring?
Campers should bring a nut-free lunch, a couple of snacks, a hat, waterbottle, and sunscreen. They may also want a rain jacket/splash pants in case of inclement weather. We will be outside rain or shine.
4. Can my camper be placed with their friend/sibling?
Yes, you can request on the registration that your camper be placed in the same group as a friend or sibling. We try to honour requests. They should sign up for the same morning activity, and we will try to place them in the same afternoon team. Keep in mind, this is a small camp, so all campers will see each other during the day!
4. What are the camp safety measures?
All of the staff for Rooted summer camps are police checked, we have at least one CPR/first aid certified individual on-site each day, and we have a special training protocol called “Leading with Care” that teaches all of our leaders high ethical standards for working with children, including caring for kids whos beliefs are different than our own.
Bumps and bruises are likely to happen. But all staff and key volunteers will be trained in safety protocols.
The Executive Director of Rooted, Rev. Konnie Vissers, will be on site most days to act as the Camp Chaplain, attending to any specific needs for campers, volunteers, and staff.