Summer Camp & Retreat Facility

PEARCE WILLIAMS IS A HOME FOR YOUR GROUP DISCOVER WHAT WE OFFER We want to help you create community. Our facility is available year-round for weekend and weekday overnight rentals. Sleeps up to 196 guests We have cabins and wagons to sleep 196 guests for your overnight retreat or gathering. Close To Where You Are At Pearce Williams is located within an hour of London, 2 hours of Toronto and Windsor, and is just one turn off Highway 401. Meeting Space For All Your Needs We have dining halls and meeting halls for all your needs – meals, meetings, breakout rooms. Our biggest hall seats up to 289 people. Discover Pearce Williams has three options to choose from. Our West & East camps are close enough to each other they can be combined for one large retreat, yet separate enough they provide all the privacy and access to amenities a smaller group could want. West Camp (Year Round) Sleeps 120 in air conditioned/heated camp style accommodations Dining Hall seats 120, with commercial kitchen Williams Hall seats 120, with stone fireplace, kitchenette & chapel Large playing field, campfire circle gathering area and access to 6kms of wilderness trails East Camp (May 1st - Thanksgiving) Sleeps 48 in camp style accommodations Pearce Hall seats 200, with stone fireplace and commercial kitchen Large playing field, campfire circle gathering area and access to 6kms of wilderness trails Day Rental Humes Hall (year round) - 80 capacity, accessible including washroom, heated and air conditioned, outdoor activity area The Barn (May-Oct) - 289 capacity, accessible, natural ventilation, outdoor activity area FOR PRICING & TO BOOK A TOUR Connect With Us

YOU CAN HELP A KID GET CAMP CHANGE A LIFE TODAY - GIVE Children need to have a space to run, play & discover. Children need to get outside. Children need Summer Camp. HELP A CHILD GET CAMP - GIVE A GIFT NOW Emma wakes up to a cold apartment, an empty fridge and not knowing when she will eat, the cost of food is out of reach for her family. Emma cuddles with her stuffed elephant trying to remember a better time. Emma’s mommy is trying to give her a happy childhood, but her part-time job does not allow for sports or extra activities, or even the basics. Emma’s family is struggling - our community is struggling. HELP PEARCE WILLIAMS GROW LOCAL LEADERS for ELGIN COUNTY & SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO You can give Emma a home away from poverty. You can give Emma the Pearce Williams Summer Camp experience. Many children like Emma will not have the opportunity to attend summer camp this coming summer without your help. Please give to our camper scholarship fund so that we can send 40 kids in need to Pearce Williams this summer. $600 provides a week at sleep-over camp for a child in need. Can you give the $1.64 per day to help a child get to camp for a week? Can you give $120 to provide a day at camp for a needy child? Can you give $25 to help feed a child for a day at camp? HELP A CHILD GET CAMP - GIVE A GIFT NOW You can help Emma become more independent. You can help Emma learn to problem solve. You can help Emma, and children like her, make life-long friends, make happy memories and find a home away from home. You can give a child the summer camp experience. Your gift will not only help with camper scholarships, but it will also help in many other ways. You’ll help kids have amazing staff, program supplies and a safe space to create life-long happy memories. You are a difference maker in the lives of the children who come to camp. Our goal is to have as many children as possible be able to come to camp. You can help that happen. Joe Richards, Executive Director & Guitar Player Donation_Form

Payment Options & Financial Aid Every child deserves a week at camp. Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Pearce Williams offers multiple financial aid options. You may choose to use the financial aid that is most suitable for your family. Tier Pricing Payment Plans Scholarships Tier Pricing System Explained The Tier System allows us to continue to offer our amazing summer camp programs while letting everyone know the true cost of camp. The average cost of camp in Ontario is $1300 per week. Expenses for a camper to attend a single week of camp at Pearce Williams are well over $1000 when all is taken into account. We keep our fees for camp families significantly lower than the provinical average by subsidizing them through donations and rental income. Based on the above information you may choose the tier that is most suitable for your family. Tier I provides significantly subsidized fees compared to the true cost of camp. Tier II offers more subsidization of our fees for those who need to pay a little less. Tier III offers the lowest fees available for camp, making our programming as accessible to families in need as we possibly can. THIS PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY AND IN NO WAY INFLUENCES THE EXPERIENCE CHILDREN RECEIVE. It offers the opportunity for families to take an active role in supporting the true cost of their child’s camp experience. Only the office staff know what tier you have selected, and that information is used only for billing purposes. Tier Pricing Payment Plan Payment Plans This season, we’re excited to offer a FLEXIBLE MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PLAN , making camp more accessible for all families. Here's how it works: payments are automatically scheduled for the 20th of each month leading up to camp. It’s a simple way to spread out the cost, ensuring your camper can enjoy their summer without the financial strain hitting all at once. However, we understand that every family’s situation is different. If the preset dates don’t fit your budget, don’t worry. Reach out to our main office, and we’ll gladly adjust the payment schedule to better suit your needs—whether that’s moving to different monthly dates or even switching to a bi-weekly plan. We know camp can be costly, but our goal is to make it work for you, so your camper can have their best summer yet. Scholarships We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience camp. If you cannot afford Tier III pricing, we offer scholarships to help make camp accessible. To apply, please email info@campisbetter.com or call us at 519-764-2317 for a scholarship application. Applications are open now and must be submitted by March 31st each year. Scholarships

Health & Safety General Safety Proper Footwear: Bring shoes that have backs or backstraps. This prevents injuries during physical activity and wandering through rougher terrain. Sun Safety: We love spending time in the sun at camp! In order to stay safe in the sun make sure your camper brings sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle, and shirts that cover their shoulders. Lice: Upon arrival, campers will receive a "Complementary Head Massage" which makes sure they do not bring any unwanted friends to camp. We encourage parents to check their campers prior to arrival to limit surprises. We encourage families to ensure that all vaccines (mumps, rubella, covid, chicken pox, etc) are up to date and documented so that we can ensure the safety of all campers and staff. Medical Needs We have a qualified Camp Medic on duty 24/7. Every member on our staff team is required to be certified in first aid. Please discuss any medical concerns with the Camp Medic upon arrival. In case of emergency, your child will be taken to the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital. You will be asked to meet us there. Allergies: Please communicate if your camper has allergies to the Camp Medic upon arrival. If your camper has food based allergies or dietary restrictions, explore the "Food at Camp " page for more info. Medication at Camp ALL medications must be in their original containers and left with the Camp Medic. If your child requires a puffer their counsellor will carry it with them in their first aid kit. Medication is administered only by the Camp Medic and all relative medical information is kept confidential with the Supervisor, the Directors and the campers counsellor as necessary. If your camper requires any over-the-counter medication, such as Tylenol, Benadryl, etc, we can provide it based on our approved medication list. If you would not like them to receive such medication, let the Camp Medic know upon arrival.

We offer Outdoor Education for school groups in May & June Our Programs 1 Day Program Book a day long field trip from 9:30am - 2:30pm for you classroom! We offer a variety of programming options for all grade levels, K to Grade 12, allowing you to choose activities that best meet your curriculum needs, as well as the needs and interests of your students.We offer a variety of sessions that all age groups will love. Email us to get a package and more information! 2 Overnight There is no better group bonding experience than an overnight at camp. From wake up to bed-time, our staff will give your grade K-12 students all the wonderful things that we offer in our summer camp program, compressed into a two day experience. Program runs from 9am - 9pm daily, with adequate break times built in. Start time on arrival day and end time on departure day are determined by group arrival and departure timing. Email us for more info and to get a package. 3 2 Nights There is no better group bonding experience than an overnight at camp. From wake up to bed-time, our staff will give your grade K-12 students all the wonderful things that we offer in our summer camp program, compressed into a three day experience. Program runs from 9am - 9pm daily, with adequate break times built in. Start time on arrival day and end time on departure day are determined by group arrival and departure timing. Email us for more info and to get a package. Sample day: 9:30am – 2:30pm Schedule will be modified for individual arrival and departure times: 9:30-9:45am – Introductions & Group Split 9:50-10:45am – Session Block A 10:50-11:45am – Session Block B 11:45am-12:15pm – Lunch Students eat lunch with the supervision of the parents, volunteers & teachers 12:20-1:15pm – Session Block C 1:20-2:15pm – Session Block D 2:15pm-2:30pm – Pack Up, Bathrooms & Load the Bus Day Program Pricing & Availability: Day programming is on a first come, first served basis. Groups of less than 80 will be paired with other schools, up to 100 total participants on any given day. Contact Us

JR SPORTS & ARTS JULY 20 -25 Sports & Arts Week is all about sports and arts for our 7-12 year old campers - hence the name. Sports & Arts Camp will give your camper the ability to choose from a variety of sports and arts programs that are offered each day. Your camper is offered many opportunities to try out new activities in both the areas of sports and arts. The overall goal at Pearce Williams is to allow your camper to gain self-esteem, self-confidence, and learn how to live in community, and how to interact with others. Activities at camp include: swimming, nature, sports, teamwork/team building games & initiatives, Makerspace, archery, chapel, drama, dance, hiking, cook-outs & sleep-outs, rocket building, gaga ball, 9 Square in the Air, campfires and so much more! t1:$640 T2:$615 T3:$580 APPLY NOW

Our Team. Meet the Pearce Williams team! Our dedicated staff are committed to creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for all. Joe Richards Executive Director joe@campisbetter.com Ila "Hiccup" Manderson Director of Camps & Programs hiccup@campisbetter.com Nikki "Sunshine" Lavoie Office Manager & Guest Services info@campisbetter.com Sarah "Hoops" Kirk Donor & Fund Development donate@campisbetter.com Geoff "Flash" Auckland Maintenance Lead flash@campisbetter.com Jessica "Ica" Tenhor Head Cook ica@campisbetter.com 2024's Summer Team Zukes Summer Camp Director Leadership Team Zukes, Bacon, Roo, Chica, & Marshmallow 2024 Summer Staff . 2024 CITs Counsellors-in-Training / Campers-in-Transition

COUNSELLOR-in-TRAINING ADVENTURE LEARNING WEEK JULY 6 -11 2025 The Counsellor-In-Training Adventure Learning Week is solely for 15 year olds who want to learn, who enjoy working with children and who may want to work at Pearce Williams in the future. The program includes a one-week training camp, followed by two weeks of cabin placement working directly with a Pearce Williams counsellor. Contact our office (info@campisbetter.com ) for more information and to set up an interview for your CIT camper. t1:$425 T2:$405 T3:$390 APPLY NOW

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Packing Guide View our printable packing guides and keep scrolling to read about our favourite packing tips to prepare for a great week at camp! Tip #1 Pack in One Bag Packing all your camper’s belongings, including their sleeping items, in one bag keeps everything organized and easy to manage. It reduces the chances of items getting lost or left behind and helps campers keep track of their things throughout the week. Having everything in one place simplifies unpacking when they arrive and makes it easier to pack at the end of camp. Plus, it’s more convenient for transportation and for campers to carry! Tip #2 Put Daily Outfits in Sealed Bags (Younger Campers) Packing outfits in individual Ziplock bags is a great way to keep campers organized. It simplifies getting dressed each day by providing a complete, ready-to-go outfit—no searching for missing socks or matching shirts! Plus, it helps keep their bags organized throughout the week, making it easy to see what’s been worn and what’s still fresh, reducing mess and stress at camp! Tip #4 Send a Laundry Bag Packing a laundry bag for summer camp is essential for keeping dirty clothes separate from clean ones. It helps kids stay organized and makes it easier to keep track of what needs to be washed when they return home. Tip #3 Roll Your Clothes (Older Campers) Rolling clothes is a great way to save space and keep things organized. It helps maximize luggage capacity, making room for all the essentials. You can even roll outfits together, making it easier for kids to grab a complete set of clothes for each day, keeping the suitcase neat throughout the week! Tip #5 Label EVERYTHING Labeling everything helps prevent lost items by ensuring that each piece of clothing, gear, and personal belongings is easily identifiable as your child’s. With so many campers sharing common spaces, labeled items make it easier for counsellors to return misplaced belongings. By clearly marking each item with your child’s name, you can give yourself peace of mind, knowing that their belongings are less likely to get mixed up or lost! Tip #6 Pack a Comfort Item Packing a comfort item for your child can significantly enhance their summer camp experience. Familiar objects like a stuffed animal or blanket provide security and reassurance in a new environment, helping to ease homesickness. Having something familiar to cuddle or hold onto can make the transition smoother, allowing your child to focus on making new friends and enjoying their camp adventures!

Explore Our Spaces Explore the spaces that make camp feel like home! From our cabins to the dining hall and activity areas, these photos showcase the buildings & spaces where campers gather, connect, and create lasting memories throughout the summer. Outside of Cabins Cabin Hallway Within each of our three cabins there are four camper rooms and two staff rooms. Cabin Room Humes Hall The Farmhouse (Our Office) The Barn Williams Hall New Dining Hall Porch The Pool The Willow Tree (Chapel) Chuck Wagons World Camp (Mongolian Ger) Wilderness's Tent Clearing World Camp (Thailand Stilt Hut) Campfire Inside Williams Hall Vesper Point Big Red Chair Trail Signs Dining Hall New Dining Hall Porch Inside the Dining Hall Archery The Core Wilderness Big Top Tent

2024's Weekly Themes Each week at Pearce Williams has a special theme! These themes are woven into exciting games and challenges where campers take on special roles or quests. A highlight of the week is our themed dinner on Thursday, where everyone dresses up in costumes and enjoys a fully decorated feast that brings the theme to life. Check out last summer's themes down below!