Ak-O-Mak... We’ve been playing outside ‘til dark for over 80 years!

Camp Ak-O-Mak was founded in 1928 as the world’s first swimming and sport camp for girls. For over 80 years, Ak-O-Mak has remained steadfast in providing girls with the unique combination of a traditional, Canadian summer- camp experience and instruction in more than 25 sports and activities.

We live in an exciting time in history and girls have more opportunities and choices than ever before! As parents, we help them navigate the technologies and the plethora of media messages aimed at them, both positive and negative. Societal values can seem like shifting sand sometimes. Yet the core values at Camp Ak-O-Mak have remained constant over the decades: Be yourself. Respect your body. Get along with others. Celebrate our differences. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Help someone else. Stand up for what is right and good. Try. Try again. Say “please” and “thank you”. Experience the wonder of nature!

Location

Camp Ak-O-Mak is situated on the shores of Ahmic Lake where campers enjoy our private waterfront and 400 acres of property, including open fields, woodland trails, forest and wetlands. Ak-O-Mak is a 3 ½ hour drive north of Toronto and is located in the picturesque Parry Sound region of Ontario.

Our brother camp, Chikopi, is located across the lake or 12 km by car, making it convenient for our camps to gather for sporting events, Canada Day and cook outs.

Facilities

Waterfront

Ak-O-Mak’s waterfront sits in a sheltered bay where 50 meter and 25 meter pools are built right into the lake! Adjacent to the long and short course pools is a water polo pool plus a one, three and five meter diving tower. Sunfish sailboats are moored just off our beautiful sandy beach which is the perfect place for triathlon events, teaching novices to swim, as well as enjoying beach games and fun in the sun! Campers will also enjoy playing on our huge floating “iceberg” as well as enjoying our fleet of canoes, kayaks, windsurfers, and our famous War Canoes!

Land Sports

Ak-O-Mak makes great use of our large grass playing fields with a baseball diamond, soccer pitch, archery and driving ranges. We also have 2 beach volleyball courts, 2 solid surface tennis courts, climbing wall and high and low ropes challenge courses. Running and mountain biking trails wind their way through the woods and on private cottage roads. Ak-O-Mak is also proud to offer Icelandic Horseback riding on an elective basis with our neighbouring Clear Lake Farm.

Accommodations

Campers live in rustic wooden cabins with bunk beds along the walls with 8-12 other girls and their 2 or 3 counsellors. Restrooms, or “HOPS” as we call them, are located in separate buildings and have wash basins and flush toilets and are shared between the cabins. Hot showers are available in a separate shower house. Cabins and HOPS are without electricity...on purpose!..enhancing our “in-the-woods” camp experience, so don’t forget to pack your flashlight!

Dining

“What’s for dinner?”

All meals are served family style in Ak-O-Mak’s vintage Main House. This beautiful building is a repository of historical photos and collections since camps inception in 1928 and comes alive with choruses of camp songs at every meal! Ak-O-Mak boasts a professional Chef who takes pride in serving locally sourced (when possible), fresh, home-cooked meals. Just ask around and you will quickly learn that our camp has a reputation for GREAT FOOD! Because everything is made from scratch in our kitchen, our Chef is also able to accommodate most dietary restrictions. (Very restricted diets may incur additional cost.) Campers are welcome to help themselves anytime to a variety of fresh fruit which is always available between meals.

Medical

Ak-O-Mak has an infirmary centrally located on campus in the Main House. Health care services are provided by a licensed medical doctor and/or registered nurse who are available 24 hours. 911 emergency first-responders are stationed in Ahmic Harbour (3 miles away) and Parry Sound Hospital is a 30 minute drive from camp.

Religious life

Camp Ak-O-Mak is a non-denominational, non-religious camp. Campers participate in a weekly “vesper” service around the camp fire, where values such as integrity, sharing, helping, tolerance, friendship and character are stressed.

Laundry

Laundry is provided at least once a week and is done by a dedicated staff member on the premises.

Inspection and Accreditation

Camp Ak-O-Mak’s facilities and programs meet or exceed all of the requirements for accreditation by the Canadian Camping Association, the Ontario Camps Association and the Ontario Public Health Department.