Camp WILD is a summer-camp style women's retreat.
All women over 18 are welcome, including cis and trans women.
A wellness retreat with a playful twist.
Camp WILD is a summer-camp style wellness retreat, with a focus is on mental, physical and emotional health with a foundation of PLAY!
Research shows that play releases endorphins, improves brain functionality, and stimulates creativity. Not to mention it's just plain fun!
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What is a WILD weekend?
Together (you, me and our inner children) will gather at Camp Davern to play and laugh and so much more. The 4-days will be filled with activities led by an incredible group of women in a choose your own adventure style - allowing you to choose what's best for you.
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Part of the magic of the Camp WILD experience is that it is truly co-created by the women leading it AND the campers! We have a rough plan but how it flows depends on who is there and what the needs are day-to-day. Your only job is to come fully as you are and trust the process and the amazing women leading the camp!
Morning Practice
Each day kicks off with optional early morning activities such as yoga, qigong, or paddling and sound.
Camp Classics
It's time to relive your summer camp days, or experience them for the first time! Archery, Arts & Crafts, Nature Walks, and some classic camp games will be happening throughout the weekend.
Splash Around
Lake Davern is waiting for you! Canoe/kayak, stand up paddle board, swim, or simply hang out on a floatie.
PLAYshops
A personal growth element is weaved throughout the weekend including sessions such as Living Aligned with Change, Triggers are Trailheads to Treasures, and more.
Evening Activities
Evenings are filled with campfire singalongs, the (un)talent show, sequins and sparkles night and other group activities.
YOU Time
Everything is an invitation so you are also welcome and encouraged to take time and space for yourself anytime you need it!
Delicious Food
Chef Doris Fin will be nourishing us throughout our time together creating magic with locally sourced food.
Cabin Life
Accommodations are in charming rustic sleep away camp cabins nestled in the woods. It's never too late to sleep in a bunk bed!
What is included in a WILD weekend?
Full permission to come exactly as you are
A long weekend that is all about YOU, set in nature to help you unwind and let go of your everyday routines
Shared accommodation in rustic cabins for 4 days and 3 nights
Delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals (9) and snacks for the duration of camp
An incredible line up of activities led by a team of women who work and play in the fields of health and wellness, movement, and visual and performing arts
A beautiful intergenerational community of women (with a maximum of 50 to keep things cozy)
A technology free weekend to disconnect to reconnect
A drugs and alcohol free weekend to connect with your truest self
An incredible weekend filled with connection, nature and play
Investment: $950 + HST
Payment plans are available upon request and we will create a plan together that works for you! This includes extending payments beyond the date of camp.
Camp WILD is a socially conscious, community-oriented business.
Investing in yourself is investing in community.
Know that your investment supports your experience while also contributing to the greater good.
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Every ticket supports a bursary fund to subsidize those who need a boost
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Camp WILD supports other local small businesses - especially those that are women owned and operated
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Camp WILD supports local growers to nourish campers with local food whenever possible
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Camp WILD operates with the earth in mind
 Dancing |  Headed to Morning Yoga Practice |  jenn swan_edited |
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 Arts and Crafts |  Friends |  Theme nights |
 Archery |  Water activities |  Slumber Party |
 Lounging by the Lake |  S'mores |  Making Music |
 Evening campfires |
THE VENUE
Camp WILD will be hosted on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee peoples.
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We will all gather at Camp Davern, located in Maberly, Ontario, 25 km from Perth.
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You are invited to fully embrace the camper life at this gorgeous 125 acre site, including an abundance of camp activities, meals in the lively dining hall, and accommodation in rustic cabins.
What to expect at the venue
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Camp Davern is only accessible by personal vehicle - Camp WILD encourages, and will help facilitate, car pooling where possible.
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The majority of camp is on forest trails, gravel or grass. There is very little paved concrete.
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The majority of the camp property is on lightly rolling terrain. There is short staircase down and steep path on a hill down to the lake. A shuttle can be arranged if needed.
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Most cabins have 5 bunk beds, 10 beds and there are more than double the bunks available allowing us to spread out if desired/needed.
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Bathrooms and showers are a short walk outside the sleeping cabins. Facilities include flush toilets, indoor shower stalls with hot water, and room temperature outdoor showers for the full nature experience.
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Cabins include bunk beds but there are more than enough cabins for everyone to get their preference
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Tenting is available at the same cost. The camping area is by the lake, and down the hill from the bathrooms.
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Bedding and towels are not provided - you can bring a sleeping bag or sheets to make up your bunk.
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Mattresses are provided on each bunk but if you like extra cushion you could bring a camping sleeping pad to put on top
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Space heaters can be provided if it is chilly in the evenings. Water bottles are also recommended if you are often cold at night.
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Activity options will be diverse and offer choice of location (cabin area and lake area) and in physical activity involved.
Logistics
Camp Check-in
Thursday, September 7th - between 1 and 3pm
Welcoming Circle
Thursday, September 7th - 4pm
Camp Check-out
Sunday, September 10th - 3pm
You are responsible for your own travel to and from Camp, but we’ll help you coordinate carpools.
Connect with us!
If you have questions on whether or not Camp is right for you, let's chat!
Email: campwild@wildawakenings.ca.
Partners & Sponsors
The magic wouldn't be possible without the incredible support of these awesome folks! Gratitude!
Camp WILD is dedicated to expanding equitable access to camp.
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Camp WILD acknowledges the barriers that exist in the accessibility of outdoor recreation and wellness spaces for black, Indigenous and people of colour due to a lack of access and representation, economic disparities, and cultural barriers. We also acknowledge the deep rooted issues of summer camp, land use and colonization. Camp WILD is committed to continuing to learn and understand these systemic issues, and to building relationships with communities in order to foster trust, understanding and collaboration and to actively seek input and feedback to inform our programming, policies and practices.
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Camp WILD understands that creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming community requires ongoing effort, reflection, and accountability. We are committed to continuously evaluating and improving our programming to ensure that we are creating an environment that is inclusive and affirming for all women.
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Wild Women Bursary
Camp WILD acknowledges that the cost of retreats like Camp WILD is prohibitively expensive for many women and has therefore created the Wild Women Bursary. In 2023 these funds are specifically available to women for whom the cost of camp is a barrier, and who identify as black, Indigenous or women of colour as part of our commitment to fight against systemic inequalities. The deadline to apply for these funds for 2023 was August 1st. We will announce if more funds become available prior to camp.
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We hope to continue to grow this bursary both in funds available and eligibility criteria in the years to come.
Donate
The Wild Women Bursary would not be possible without the support and solidarity of women. Every ticket sold includes a $25 donation to the bursary alongside an invitation to give more if it's available. If you are not attending camp but would still like to contribute please contact us at campwild@wildawakenings.ca.
When women affirm women, it unlocks our power. It gives us permission to shine brighter
Elaine Welteroth
Our WILD Roots
After going through burnout in 2019, Jennifer attended a women's camp called Camp YES in Portland, Oregon as a camper and was inspired to bring something similar to her community. This dream became a reality in 2022 when Jennifer and Camp YES did an experiment - what would it be like to expand the reach of Camp YES but with a different host? Camp YES was a beautiful foundation to start our women's retreat here in Southern Ontario and through this experiment we learned that what we created was different and special in its own way. To capture our special magic we have created Camp WILD.
If you consider yourself to be a visionary, changemaker, leader, coach, or entrepreneur who has big goals and dreams and needs some time and space to get away from the hustle and into your heart, Camp YES might be for you!
Check them out: www.camp-yes.com.