First Time Here?

One ER nurse or a doctor lives on-site 24/7 each session to provide medical care and administer medications. The Smiths Falls and Perth Hospitals are within a twenty-minute drive if emergency services are required. Ambulance service is local and serviced by Paramedics.

All of our counselling staff have Emergency or Standard First Aid and the Red Cross Bronze Cross award. Staff also receive intensive on-site safety training. All buildings are equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are located nearby. Buildings and fire protection services at camp are inspected annually by the local Fire Department.

Our cooks prepare popular, well-balanced meals that appeal to the hearty appetites of our campers. We offer a vegetarian choice at each meal. Fresh fruit and salad are served daily.

You can download our Health and Safety Committee Policy here. Our Tick Protocol and Daily Health Check Policy can be found here.

When you drop your child off on the first day of overnight camp, you will be directed to the parking area where you will be met by your child’s Camp Counsellor. They will assist you with the luggage and will show you to the cabin your child will be residing in. Please join us on the last day of our two-week sessions for our Closing Ceremonies! It's an informal celebration of camp life and community that will provide you with a glimpse of the camaraderie and accomplishments that develops when a whole group of campers live and grow together. We believe its quite magical!

Camp Otterdale is a peanut and nut free zone. We also can provide special diets for our campers and staff who have specific allergies or restrictions based on religious or philosophical beliefs. Every meal has at least two options, unless there are other needs: Meat and Vegetarian.

Our Kitchen Staff are very receptive to providing a special diet for your child and will work with Captain and Muskie to ensure the safety of preparation and cooking, as well as the ordering and planning of specific meals. If your child requires a special diet, please indicate this on the Child information section when you are registering them.

At Camp Otterdale, we live with respect, our philosophy that camp is a place “where everyone belongs,” every single day, in all aspects of living in this community. We strive to eliminate barriers, to promote equity, and to encourage the voices of everyone in our community.

We recognize and highly regard the diversity of people. We are committed to broadening our awareness, to supporting any individual, to advocating on behalf of any individual who may need our unconditional encouragement.  Our Leaders, many of whom have been involved in diversity awareness training and applied workshops to support themselves, their peers and campers, are committed to recognizing the values of diversity and social inclusion as the underpinnings of what we stand for and what we do.  As well, we discuss and challenge any situation that may be considered exclusive, including systemic barriers. 

At Camp Otterdale, we embrace equality and fairness as core values in all that we do. Our commitment to diversity and social inclusion encompasses the accessibility of information and services, and the opportunity to benefit from programs and employment.