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Two people peeking over wooden stable boards with a horse wearing a Candy Cane band painted on its face.

Preparing for Camp

What to pack, when to come, and more

Typical Schedule

Overnight camp

  • Sunday drop-off, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
  • Friday pick-up, 6:15-7:00 p.m.

Shorter weeks may have different arrival days.
Please check your camp confirmation.

Day camp

  • Daily drop off is 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
  • Daily pick up is 4:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Key Links

Packing for Day Camp

Pack for a great day outside

Day campers should bring a nut-free lunch and snacks. Your child can also choose to purchase Canteen snacks and/or a hot dog lunch on the last day.

You’ll also want to send a labelled bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, bug repellent, raincoat, and water bottle.

Dress for the
barn

Pack long pants and sturdy, closed-toed footwear for horseback riding. Approved riding helmets are provided.

Late
pick-up

For an additional fee, you can pick up your child between 5:00 and 5:15 p.m. Please select late pick-up during registration or call our office.

Packing for Overnight Camp

Packing list

Check out a complete list of what to bring (and what to leave at home).

Sneak peek: Phones and other screens, valuables, and anything you wouldn’t want lost or damaged at camp are best left at home.

Label your things

Help us make sure your child comes home with everything they started with. Use labels, markers, or whatever works for you, to get your child’s name on everything you can.

Theme meals

Be ready to dress up for theme meals! Costumes are optional but always encouraged for extra fun.

Themes announced each spring.

At the end of the week, it’s time for the Sheriff’s Banquet, a Ranch tradition since the very beginning. Campers are welcome to bring something a little fancy or fun to wear and get dressed up for the occasion.

Medications

Medications, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins, will be kept securely by the Camp Designated Medical Person.

Check out our medication instructions.

 

Pack medicines properly

  • Everything in a clear plastic bag, labelled with the camper’s name and date of birth
  • Daily medications should be in a blister pack or original container.
  • Accompany each medication with the correct form for daily or as-needed medications
  • If your child needs to keep a puffer or EpiPen with them, please send two: one for your child to carry and a second to be kept with the Camp Designated Medical Person.
A group of young children sitting on the floor in an outdoor pavilion, engaged and smiling during a group activity.

Stay connected during camp week

Entrusting your child to our team is a big deal, and we take caring for each child seriously.

InterVarsity has been operating summer camps in Canada for more than 90 years, and we have developed systems that work to keep kids safe, included, and loving camp!

Learn more about how we operate Worry Free Camp.

Worry Free Camping

Communicating with your child during camp

Camp is screen-free and we love it! Phones and other online devices are not permitted at camp unless an exception has been arranged in advance for medical or accessibility needs (see exception for some teen camps below).

However, there are several ways to connect with your camper:

  • Mail: Your messages are delivered daily to your child. Many families like to pre-write letters or put together parcels for their child and drop them off at sign-in for us to deliver through the week. Please be sure any food items in parcels are nut-free.
  • Care packages: You can send your child camp-prepared care packages to let them know you’re thinking of them while they’re away!
  • E-mail: People can also send one-way emails to their child while they are at camp. Our office team will print and deliver emails daily.
    • Pay a small fee for email credits up front.
  • Camp office phone: In case of emergency or urgent communication, our office staff will facilitate phone calls via our camp phone. If your child is struggling with homesickness or requests to call home, we will get in touch with you first to let you know how they are feeling and come up with an action plan together (ie. setting up a phone call or going home for a night).
    • Call the camp office at (519) 754-0171
  • Teen Week, Crew Camp, and LIT campers: may choose to bring a device to camp.
    • The devices will be stored in the office, and campers will have two allotted times during the week to check their devices.
    • There is no wifi available for teen campers.

Photos

Peek in on camp fun happening throughout the week. Keep an eye on your email for a link and a confidential code to access your child’s week of camp photos while they are away.

Beat the first-time
camper jitters

Learn about horses

Check out our worksheet on horse facts, and you’ll know a flank from a forelock before you even step in a stirrup.

Try a bedroom campout

If your younger child is nervous about their first night, try a practice campout! Pack some pyjamas, a flashlight, and their travel toiletries in their bag, and practice getting ready for bed and snuggling into your sleeping bag. At camp, your young child’s counsellors will also be there to help, but confidence always feels good.

Young boy wearing a helmet smiles while riding a horse outdoors on a sunny day with green trees in the background.
A group of people outdoors, with one person raising their hand and green trees in the background.

Faith matters at camp

Circle Square Ranch is a Christian camp. As you prepare for camp, grow in expectation that your child will have the opportunity to learn more about the love of God and grow in faith. Christian programming at camp is designed to be no-pressure, and welcoming of children from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds.

There’s no such thing as a silly question

When it comes to your child’s health, safety, and camp experience, all questions are good ones.

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions or learn how we take care of the details to ensure safe and fun experiences for your child.

Worry Free Camping