Tradition
Camp Bil-O-Wood is a traditional, co-ed, summer camp for children ages 7 to 17. Our 2, 3, 4, and 7 week sessions provide a comprehensive in-camp activity program and an unsurpassed wilderness canoeing and camping program. Our location in the pristine North woods of Ontario offers an endless playground for children to learn, to grow, and to play in an outdoor setting. The property, located in Blind River, Ontario is surrounded by three clear Canadian lakes. Originally consisting of a few small fishing cabins and a lodge, Camp Bil-O-Wood has agrown into an expansive multi-recreational facility.
Camp Bil-O-Wood began in 1946 as the dream of Uncle Woody and Aunt Dottie Ludwig, and their parents Mom and Pop Ludwig, and continues today under the care of the fourth generation of the Ludwig family. The initial group of thirty-seven campers, all from Pennsylvania, has grown into a camp of 130 children, during each session—many of whom are from second and third generation families. Our campers come from all across North America and the world.
Traditions are more than just things we do every summer. THey are what turns camp into a community.
They create a sense of belonging, connect campers across generations, and remind every child that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
Today, we started the daily loaf 🍞 tradition. Whichever cabin gets the highest score on cabin inspection gets the freshly baked daily loaf of sourdough bread 🥖
That’s the Bil-O-Wood spirit 🇨🇦💙
There are rivers you paddle and there are rivers that shape who you become in life. The Missinaibi River is the later.
No showers
No screens
No roads
No shortcuts
For 14 unforgettable days, our trippers follow the ancient waters of the Missinaibi River. The river doesn’t care how old you are, where you are from, or what your comfort zone looks like. Its challenges every person who paddles it, and it rewards preparation, perseverance, and grit.
This group is ready for a life experience that cannot be gained anywhere but on the river. While the destination is Moosonee, the journey is in the heart and soul of every one of these paddlers 🛶🏕️
A glimpse into a regular day at summer camp: it’s not about one big event but hundreds of little moments that add up to an unforgettable summer. It’s the quiet moment gazing out on the lake, the laughter with your new best friend, the feeling of trying something new and succeeding, the silliness of kids just being kids.
Week five is off to a spectacular start 🇨🇦🛶
I had a customer stop in for pizza on her way to drop her daughter off at Bil-o-wood, she couldnt say enough good things about your camp. The environment, and community you have built for the younger generation is hard to put in words. This camp makes a lasting impact on everyone who's been. Thank you for offering such a great service in our community ♡
I loved the canoe trips!
The mission of Camp Bil-O-Wood is simple. Our primary focus is to provide experiences, through which children develop new skills, build friendships, and create lasting memories, all while having an awesome summer experience. As campers learn and grow they gain self-confidence, self-awareness and self-determination. We believe in the importance of sharpening each camper's physical and mental capacity for successfully embracing lifes' challenges and adventures. While the world around us becomes more and more complex, Camp Bil-O-Wood emphasizes the importance of getting to know oneself and learning to understand and accept the differences between ourselves and others. We believe the skills gained in a summer camp experience provide a child with a superior advantage throughout their lifetime. We call this the camp advantage.
Safe and Nurturing Surroundings - Our trained and mature counselors have a genuine interest in and compassion for children. All counselors are carefully chosen to be positive, effective role models. Our surroundings nurture and challenge each child so they can develop a greater level of self-confidence and self-awareness. By learning a greater sense-of-self, camp shows children how to contribute to their surrounding community.
Enriching Environment - Our staff understands that a child first needs to feel secure before they will explore and try new things. Camp Bil-O-Wood’s supportive staff, structured activity program, and guided outdoor living and wilderness program helps campers develop skills, foster independence, and build self-confidence while having fun in a safe and energetic environment. Through daily interaction with fellow campers and staff, children learn to problem solve and to help others.
Friendships Forever - Living, laughing, sharing, and playing together bonds our campers in ways that form lifelong friendships. Camp Bil-O-Wood provides a community where every camper feels comfortable and safe whether they are a first time camper or returning camper.
A Flexible Camp Experience - Attending Camp Bil-O-Wood allows options in planning your summer for campers from ages 7 to 17. Choose from a two, three, four, or seven week session. Whenever your child attends, he or she will be welcomed and made to feel at home. They will have the opportunity to experience everything the Bil-O-Wood program has to offer.
A Dynamic Program – Bil-O-Wood offers outstanding activity choices in four major areas..
• A premier outdoor-living, wilderness exploration, and canoe-trip program.
• Athletics and sports featuring skill development in 15 major activities.
• Extensive aquatic and waterfront activities with instruction in swimming, sailing, waterskiing, lifeguarding, & more.
• A creative program including art & crafts, drama, nature study, outdoor exploration and education.
