Programs
Challenge. Succeed. Empower.
Camp Ak-O-Mak’s program of water and land sports has been a success for over 80 years. It is an exhilarating program deeply entrenched in traditional Canadian camp experiences including campfires, songs, skit nights, day trips and many more unique activities.
While the sport and the physical activity are important, so is having FUN! Our “play-filled” program is meant to help girls realize for themselves that time and effort equals success and success legitimately builds self-esteem. Our program helps each girl to realize that she is capable of achievement, whether it be overcoming homesickness or swimming a mile. Confidence and self esteem are built by transcending our individual challenges, by the self doing things worthy of esteem.
Competitive Swimming
Ak-O-Mak is internationally renowned as North America’s first competitive swim camp for girls. Offering competitive racing, open water swimming and recreational swimming, our visiting professional coaches help young athletes develop solid swimming fundamentals at all levels while having fun in the sun!
Girls just learning to swim will be amazed when they experience rapid improvement in their strokes, confidence in the water and improved endurance thanks to the daily instruction by our coaches.
More than 350 All-Americans, 45 Olympians, and hundreds of open water swimmers have trained at Ak-O-Mak. The camp’s 50 meter and 25 meter pools are built right into the shore of beautiful Ahmic Lake. Goodbye chlorine, hello sunshine!
Spend the summer at Ak-O-Mak and blast your team mates out of the water in September!
> Learn More About Competitive Swimming
Competitive Paddling
Because of their upper body strength, swimmers are a “natural fit” for the sport of paddling. Conversely, paddling strengthens the upper body muscles necessary for strong swimming!
Ak-O-Mak has been introducing girls to this exciting sport since the earliest days and Camp Ak-O-Mak is a member of the Ontario Paddling Association and an official Canoe Club. Recreationally, everyone is instructed in the fundamentals of pleasure canoeing as this is one of our primary modes of transportation at camp! We also provide instruction or competitive training in sprint canoeing (C1, C2, C4 and War Canoe) and kayak racing.
Kids love paddling! It is fun! What’s more, paddling offers the opportunity for swimmers to participate in a team sport. Girls attending the 7, 4 and sometimes 3 week sessions may be eligible to participate in a Regatta and experience the thrill of racing against other clubs.
You will also enjoy sailing and windsurfing at camp, too!
> Learn More About Competitive Paddling
Competitive Triathlon
There is no better place to “try a Tri” than Camp Ak-O-Mak. Long before this sport gained the popularity it enjoys today, Ak-O-Makkers were Swim-Run-Canoeing against our brother camp, Chikopi. Today our coaches teach girls what they need to know to tackle a triathlon of any distance, using enjoyable practice events such as aquathons, duathalons, transition events and mountain bike obstacle courses. Interested campers can also sign up for the annual Ak-O-Mak trip to the Kids of Steel Triathlon in Barrie. The Ak-O-Mak / Chikopi Triathlon (swim-run-canoe) remains a traditional event, a perennial favourite among campers of all ages.
> Learn More About Competitive Triathlon
Running, Biking and Land Sports
Ak-O-Mak is situated on 400 acres of beautiful, lakeside land bordered by forest and wetlands with miles of incredible trails for running and mountain biking. Can you imagine a prettier place for a run or a bike ride with a friend? Campers can enjoy both short and long cross-country trails through the rugged Canadian wilderness.
Our grass playing fields are used every day for sports such as soccer, softball, archery, fencing and more!
> Learn More About Running, Biking and Land Sports
Icelandic Horseback Riding
These gentle pony-sized horses love it when our girls come to ride! Campers 10 years and older are eligible to sign up on an elective basis for lessons and trail rides through an arrangement with our neighbours at Clear Lake Farm, located just 5 km up the road. A nominal fee applies.
Instruction by the best
We hire the best of the best to instruct our campers. The instructors in our pillar sports (swimming, paddling, triathlon) and ropes challenge course are officially certified with proven experience. Retired Olympic and National level competitors currently provide instruction in specialty sports such as fencing, wrestling (self defense), lacrosse and cycling. Our counsellor staff members, each of whom is specially selected for her experience and expertise, provide other sports instruction.
A time to laugh and make friends
No summer camp experience would be complete without the memorable activities that have us laughing with our friends or pulling together to bring the war canoe over the finish line!
We don’t want to spoil any surprises, but every camp session has many “treats” in store. Ak-O-Mak and our brother camp, Chikopi, get together once or twice a week for fun-filled activities, events or competitions. We see our brothers on occasions such as Canada Day and for traditional events like the Triathlon, the12k and Water Day. We also prepare in earnest for highlight competitions such as the famous Ak-O-Mak vs. Chikopi Baseball and Soccer Games where our favourite cheer is, “Beat the Boys! Beat the Boys! Beat the Boys!”
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