Worry Free Camping
Sending your child to camp takes trust. Here is what we do to earn it. We’ve got it covered.
Our staff care about your kids
Circle Square Ranch staff choose to create summer camp adventures for your children because we want to make a difference as role models and mentors.
That’s why we devote ourselves to investing first and foremost in the people who care for your children.
Who is supervising my child throughout the day and night?
Each camper is placed in a cabin group with one or more cabin leaders who quickly get to know each camper in their care, and are responsible for ensuring that nothing gets in the way of an incredible camp week.
During parts of the day, your child will go out on adventures with an activity group with a caring leader. Their cabin leader will check in with each child at meals and different points throughout the day.
What is your hiring process?
We put considerable effort and care into hiring the right team of passionate people to care for your children. All applicants complete an extensive application, interview, and provide references that can speak to their ability to work with children, work as part of a team, and live out their faith.
Criminal record checks with vulnerable sector screening are always mandatory for all staff and volunteers.
Staff training requirements
Staff receive a week of mandatory training each summer covering topics including camper care, abuse prevention, and how to make every camp activity a memorable experience.
Camp staff who work in extra-safety-required areas, including the barn, climbing, and the pool, must pass additional training. Supervisors in these areas hold provincially recognized certifications.
Can I talk with my child’s cabin leader directly?
Absolutely! At drop off time, your child’s cabin leader will be available to discuss any of your instructions or concerns, or answer any questions you might have.
How old are summer camp staff?
We believe that when well-equipped, young adults can rise to the challenge and make fantastic and fun role models for your children. We also believe it is critical to give responsibility to young adult leaders appropriate to their age and experience. Our youngest “Leaders in Training” are 15 to 16 years old, and work under the supervision of older staff. Camp areas, such as the barn, the pool, and the male and female cabins, always have experienced staff 18 years or older available.
Faith at the Ranch
Circle Square Ranch is a Christian summer camp. Faith is part of every day. We believe in sharing the love of God with every child in no-pressure ways that engage each age group.
To learn more about the faith-based program components, and how passion for Jesus plays out at camp, read the FAQs.
Does my child have to participate in Christian prayer or worship?
No. Campers are required to attend campfires, meals, and other parts of the day where Christian prayer or worship occurs. There is no pressure for them to personally participate.
What will you teach my children about God?
At camp we focus primarily on sharing the basics of the Christian faith. For example, that God loves us, that Jesus died to save us, and that the Bible is full of truth. Staff will often share their own personal faith journeys in age-appropriate ways. Feel free to get in touch with our office if you have more detailed questions and we would be happy to elaborate.
Does my child need to be a Christian or go to church to come to Circle Square Ranch?
No, your child doesn’t need to have any experience at church or be a Christian to come to camp. We are very intentional to welcome campers from all faith and ethnic backgrounds.
Parents are trusting us with what matters most to them. That responsibility is something we take seriously, and it is carried by every member of our team. It influences how we hire, how we train, and how we run every activity.
Andrea & Steve Richardson, Executive Directors
Food kids look forward to
The Ranch kitchen team is passionate about getting food on the table that is familiar, yummy, nutritious, and filling. Every day campers are given three balanced meals with snacks in between.
How do you accommodate dietary needs?
If your child has dietary needs, let us know in advance. We accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets, and common food allergies.
Is Circle Square Ranch nut free?
The kitchen does not serve or use nut products, though trace contamination cannot be fully guaranteed. If your child has a severe nut allergy, please contact us before registering.
What kind of meals do campers enjoy?
Typical camp menus include familiar, flexible meals. For example, lunch may include burgers with vegetable sticks, or cheese pasta with salad. Campers will enjoy home-baked desserts for their afternoon snack. Breakfasts may include foods like bagels, scrambled eggs, sausages, yogurt, and cereal.
Safety everywhere, all the time
We double-check helmets, lifejackets, harnesses, and so much more. But don’t tell the campers, they think fun comes first, and we aren’t going to break it to them.
How do you keep campers safe at the pool?
Each camper completes a swim test their first time in the pool. Two to three certified lifeguards are always on deck focussed on water safety, with other staff available for general supervision, camper care, and pool games!
Campers who do not successfully complete the swim test are required to wear a properly-fitting lifejacket.
The pool water is monitored daily and is regularly inspected by the Brant County Health Unit.
How do you keep campers safe at the barn?
Our barn team carefully selects horses with friendly dispositions and reliability. Each horse is trained and tested before they carry campers.
Barn staff are trained in extensive protocols that meet or exceed Ontario Camp Association safety standards. Barn leaders are passionate and experienced equestrians.
Helmets and closed-toed shoes are required for every rider, every time. Camp provides approved helmets, or campers may bring their own.
How do you make sure other activities are safe?
Higher risk activities at camp, from archery to wide games, are carefully assessed by year-round staff and subject to risk management policies. While we champion fun and adventure, we do not engage in reckless or risky games at the Ranch.
My son was anxious before his first summer at Circle Square Ranch. Horses were the thing he was most nervous about. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the staff picked up on that. They met him where he was, moved at his pace, and by the end of the week he didn’t want to leave. He has been back every summer since. I can’t say enough about the staff there.
Camper Parent
Staying in touch
We share photos throughout the week so you can follow along with life at camp. Updates are posted on a secure, password-protected site with the first photos typically available by Tuesday around lunchtime. Your child is having a full, active week from the moment they arrive, even if they do not show up in every photo.
There are a couple of great ways to stay in touch [links to Preparing for Camp page – to the section about letters/emails] with your child while they are at the Ranch.
Can my child call home?
We want campers to feel comfortable, supported, and fully involved in camp life, so we don’t encourage regular phone calls home. Our staff check in with campers throughout their stay and are attentive to how they’re settling in. If your child is having a difficult time or asks to call home, we’ll connect with you so we can work together on the best way to support them.
Still looking for more information?
