We provide day programs or a unique overnight camping experience for school groups!

Come to Camp Big Canoe and experience our own take on a school camping trip!

Our site is open until Thanksgiving in the Fall, and the Victoria Day weekend in the Spring for day and overnight visits. Single-day winter programming is available. Our Leadership Team helps to design tailored programs (with focuses on leadership, teambuilding, academics and/or pure fun!) for your group with a spin of Camp Big Canoe energy, delivered by our expert, enthusiastic staff.

Contact us now for more information.

2023 School Trip Information

Camp Big Canoe is located on 240 wooded acres surrounding Hart Lake in Muskoka. We are located 15 minutes east of Bracebridge in the hamlet of Fraserburg, on Sherwood Forest Road. The property encompasses Great Lakes – St. Lawrence forest, rolling hills, Muskoka granite, wetlands, trails and a lake which is shallow and accessible for water activities. Specializing in outdoor education, our program and facilities create a sense of community and belonging with each other and the environment. Accommodation for overnight programs, is in canvas tents set up on platforms. Wash facilities have hot and cold running water and flush toilets. Our main lodge is a wonderful place for meals or an evening program with the fire going. There are various other buildings that can be used for break out spaces or small groups.

This land is part of the traditional lands of the Williams Treaty First Nations: Anishinaabe Chippewa of Georgina Island, Beausoleil & Rama, as well as the Anishinaabe Michi Saagig: Aldervilled, Curve Lake, Hiawatha & Scugog Island.

Staff at Camp Big Canoe

We are proud to say that the staff at Camp Big Canoe are caring and creative. Our trained and experienced staff will get to know the students as they lead them throughout the day. All staff are Standard First Aid and CPR’C’ certified.

Activities at Camp Big Canoe

Each school trip is custom designed to fit the wants and needs of the individual group attending Camp Big Canoe. On the reservation form, you will find a list of activities to choose from. Low ropes, shelter & fire building and archery as some of the favourites! Your program may be 1 day or multiple days in length.

You can choose from: swimming, canoe/kayak/SUP, music & drama, team building, shelter & fire building, campfires, sports & games, arts & crafts, camp wide games, gaga ball, archery, nature hike.

If there are specific goals you want your group to focus on or curriculum you would like to incorporate, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to design the trip around meeting those objectives. A number of our staff are teachers and familiar with Ministry of Education Requirements. We encourage all participants to dress for the weather as most activities can be done in a light rain or cooler temperatures. Indoor activities will be substituted when we are unable to be outside.

Ontario Physical Health Education Association (OPHEA) & Safety

We have reviewed the OPHEA guidelines for all high risk activities to ensure that we meet or exceed all requirements. All of our staff members have received professional training and certified safety equipment are used for all necessary activities. All safety equipment is provided and students will be given instructions on how to use it properly. The Camp Big Canoe staff to student ratio is 1:6

All Camp Big Canoe Staff are trained in Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’. First aid kits are found throughout camp and an AED is located both in the Lodge and the Crabin (near the beach). Staff members carry VHF radios to communicate with the office and each other.

Facilities at Camp Big Canoe

Meals: In the good weather, we like to dine outdoors on our large deck overlooking the lake. When it is less hospitable, we dine in our main lodge. Our Head Chef Keith has been with CBC for over 18 years and works hard to ensure food is hot, tasty and there is enough for seconds. Some dietary restrictions can be accommodated. We are not a nut free facility, however if you have students with nut allergies, we will prepare meals that avoid nut products.

Accommodations: Camp Big Canoe is a rustic camp and provides the unique experience of sleeping in platform tents. Each tent sleeps 6 students on a bed platform with a mattress. We recommend bringing layers of bedding to ensure you are comfortable.

Lodge, ARC, Crabin: The lodge is our main dining hall and large indoor space. ARC is where music & drama is located and the Crabin is the home of our arts & crafts program. All can be used as breakout spaces.

Elephants: The Elephants are our main washroom facility located by the lodge. Toilets, sinks and showers are available with a separate section for staff to use. The Baby Elephants are a smaller washroom facility with toilets/sinks located close to the beach.