Seasons Change, The Spirit Remains 

Genesis 8:22 tells us that “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” 

With the end of yet another fun-filled summer at Canterbury Hills Camp comes an inevitable Fall, often full of time for rest and reflection. The hills are quiet, the trees are turning red and yellow, and it is during this time that we can look to God and thank him for the many blessings we received this past summer. 

Especially when there is so much to be grateful for! Summer 2025 saw the largest number of campers ever, a staggering near-1,300 participants spread across our Day, Bridge, Overnight, Adventure and Teen Camp programs. Beyond sheer force of numbers, this summer was exciting for other reasons as well. One such triumph was the successful running of three sessions of our Adventure Camp program, enabling participants who registered for all three sessions to canoe the entirety of the paddleable Grand River. 

This was also the first summer of our Teen Camp program, a nine-day, eight-night program complete with a two-day campout, offsite canoeing, extended evening activities, and senior staff-led “Choice Chunk” programs. Some choice chunk activities this year included Underwater Hockey, Bird House Building, Door Mural Painting, and a Story Telling Workshop. A total of 24 campers, ages 13 to 15, participated in the program and walked away with forever memories, as well as much interest in applying for our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program next summer.  

Our LIT program brings us to yet another numerical record, given that this summer, we had 29 participants across our LIT1 and LIT2 cohorts. The sheer size of this LIT class was one we haven’t seen since pre-pandemic summers, and their excitement and willingness to learn were greatly appreciated in the camp atmosphere. 

And of course, at the end of it all, none of these campers’ experiences would have been possible, nor any LIT mentorship, without the care and passion of our exceptional camp staff. Made up of 53 highly enthusiastic individuals with a love for all things camp, they carried on a 65-year tradition of fostering friendship, growth, and unforgettable memories. From campfire songs to creek walks, home-cooked meals to expertly maintained facilities, our wonderful staff work tirelessly to bring camp magic to life. Though our site is much quieter without them and the many children they led, we are excited for the many new adventures they are facing this fall and hope to see many of them return for another summer at Canterbury Hills Camp. 

After all, Genesis reminds us, even now in this time of Autumn and thanksgiving, that as long as the earth God so lovingly created remains, there will be summer. I’m personally of the opinion that as long as summer remains, summer camp and all the magic that comes with it will remain too.